When you think of New Zealand, you probably think of the film The Lord of the Rings and tourist attractions, such as Fiordland National Park and Bay of Islands. It is a dream travel vacation. But did you know, that New Zealand is also a dream study destination? New Zealand is home to premium education institutions. Also, students of different nationalities are more than welcome here. If studying abroad sounds appealing to you, then you’ll love getting your bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in New Zealand.
Why Study in New Zealand?
Top universities in New Zealand are often included in global rankings. Universities are evaluated based on their academic reputation, employer reputation, student-to-faculty ratio, citations per faculty, international faculty ratio, and international student ratio. In the 2016 QS World University Rankings, the University of Auckland ranked 81st. Other universities on the list are University of Otago, University of Canterbury, Victoria University of Wellington, University of Waikato, Massey University, Lincoln University, and Auckland University of Technology.
Attending world-leading universities is a big advantage on strengthening your learning skills and building career opportunities. You will be taught by internationally renowned faculty and be provided with high quality education.
How to Choose The Right University or Program?
New Zealand offers international students many options to choose, from degree programs to vocational courses. The country’s tertiary education is divided into six sectors, namely Universities, Institute of Technology and Polytechnics, Private tertiary and training institutions, Teacher training, English language training sector, and Wãnanga. Every sector is unique and each student has different needs. Choosing the right university or program requires some research, from knowing the courses offered to assess the admissions process. Doing your homework is sure to pay off because the more you know about your choices, the more likely you will make the right decision.
What is the Cost of Living in New Zealand?
The cost of living in New Zealand works in the favor of students. Its low cost of living makes it more appealing to people interested in studying abroad. Living expenses and tuition fees are attractively affordable. Living expenses include accommodation, internet, mobile phone, power consumption, food, entertainment, and transportation. On average, you can spend a weekly cost of $494 if you are living in a hall of residence; $410 if you’re on a flat; and $365 if you’re on a homestay.
On the other hand, annual tuition fees vary among the universities. The education type, whether it’s undergraduate or postgraduate, also matters. For instance, in the University of Auckland, the annual undergraduate tuition fee costs NZ$40,633 while the annual postgraduate tuition fees are NZ$37,025 for engineering courses and NZ$45,512 for engineering-geothermal energy courses.
Do you need a visa?
Definitely, yes! It is recommended to consult an education counsellor to guide you through the application process for your student visa New Zealand. When applying for a student visa, you may be required to submit documents, including offer letter, guarantee of stay, health and medical requirements, work plans, police certificates, and evidence of funds.
After knowing these essential things, get yourself prepared now for an exciting and memorable New Zealand study.