Study in New Zealand – Your Comprehensive Guide

New Zealand is located in the Southwest Pacific Ocean and consists of two main islands, the North Island and South Island which are separated by the Cook Strait. The capital of New Zealand is Wellington but the most popular and happening city is Auckland. The total population of New Zealand is approximately 4.5 Million while the population of Auckland is 1.4 Million. Hence, one-0third of New Zealand’s total population resides in Auckland. The official languages of New Zealand are English and Maori.

Reasons to Study in New Zealand

Diploma & Degree Courses

Colleges and universities in New Zealand offer a variety of courses at different levels like UG and PG Diploma, Bachelors degree and Master’s degree. UG and PG diploma courses are practical-oriented and much cheaper than degree programs. Therefore, diploma courses are a popular choice among students who go to New Zealand for higher studies.

Up to 3 years Post Study Work Visa

After you complete your studies, you can stay in New Zealand up to 3 years on post-study work visa. See below for more details.

Part-time Work

You can work up to 20 hours per week during the semester and full-time during holidays. New Zealand offers handsome wages ($17.70 per hour) to part-time workers so you can earn money while you study in New Zealand.

Opportunity for Permanent Resident after studies

This is the main reason that attracts international students to New Zealand. After completing your studies in New Zealand, it is easy to get a Permanent Residency (PR) and eventually citizenship.

Easy to show funds for Visa

Indian applicants can now show living cost under Fund Transfer Scheme. Read the section on “Visa Requirements” to find out more about it.

High Quality of Education

The education system of New Zealand is based on that of the British. The universities and colleges have a very good reputation. Still, the admission requirements are lenient and 15 years of education is accepted.

Easy to Find Job

It is quite easy to find a job in New Zealand after you finish your studies as you get a generous post-study work visa to stay back and look for jobs.

Types of Educational Institutions in New Zealand

Can I get a PR in New Zealand?

If you complete your course successfully and satisfy the eligibility criteria listed above you automatically get a ‘Work Permit’.

In most instances, this permit will be done at your institution itself and it will allow you to work full time in any job of your choice. If you want to get a New Zealand Permanent Residency (PR), then you have to find a job that is relevant to the course that you have completed. If you have completed a course in IT, then you have to find a job in IT sector. This will immediately give you a 2 years work permit with all rights like free medical, etc. Upon receiving this 2 years work permit then you can apply for PR and normally will get it within 5-6 months.

Admission Requirements in New Zealand

The eligibility criteria for each course are different. Generally, to study in New Zealand, Indian students must meet a minimum English language requirement and minimum academic score in Class XII or UG degree depending on the situation. For admission to a UG degree, a minimum of 75% in class XII is required but some institutions accept students who have a score lower than 75%. Foundations and Diploma programmes are available for students who have secured below 60%. For enrolling in PG diploma and degree programs, academic eligibility is highly variable and depends on many factors. Some of the most important documents required to apply for studying in New Zealand are:

• Copies of mark sheets of Class X, XII, and Bachelors degree (if applicable)
• At least, two academic reference letters from professors who have taught you most recently
• If you have work experience, then two letters of recommendation from the employer/manager
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Resume
• Photocopied score reports of IELTS/TOEFL (English Language)
• Portfolio (in case of students applying for art and design courses and architecture programmes)
• Others (Scholarships/ Certificates / achievements at the state and national level and extracurricular activities)

New Zealand Study Visa Documents

Following documents will be required for the Visa application:

• Valid passport – Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your period of stay in New Zealand
• Completed Student Visa Application Form (INZ 1012)
• Application fee payment receipt
• An offer of place from a New Zealand institute/university. The forms are usually issued after the tuition fees have been received
• Health insurance receipt
• Police clearance certificate
• Two passport-sized photographs
• Transcripts, and certificates of your education 
• English Language Test Scores IELTS/ TOEFL
• Financial statements to prove you have funds for the remaining tuition fee and living expenses. For 1 year courses – show 1-year tuition fee + living expenses of NZD 15,000. For courses longer than 1 year – show 1-year tuition fees and living expenses of NZD 15,000 and payment plan for subsequent years. 

Living expenses can also be shown under the Fund Transfer Scheme (FTS), which is operated by the ANZ Bank of New Zealand (ANZ):

• is one way to show that you have genuine access to money to support yourself while you are studying in New Zealand, and
• helps you transfer your funds securely to New Zealand and then withdraw a set amount each month to maintain yourself comfortably while you are here.
• You need NZD $15,000 to pay your living costs for each year of study. This is the minimum amount you need to transfer to your FTS account. Living costs do not include your course or tuition fees.

Dependent Visa for New Zealand  – Spouse and Children

While you’re a student, you can support your partner’s work visa if you’re studying a Level 9 or 10 qualification (PG degree not Diploma), or a Level 7 or 8 qualification (UG degree/ Graduate Diploma/ PG Diploma) on the Long Term Skill Shortage List. Your partner can then support a student visa for any dependent children, and they won’t have to pay international student fees to attend primary or secondary schools in New Zealand. Dependents will not have any work rights in this case.

If you’re not studying one of these qualifications, your partner will need to apply for a visa in their own right, generally visitor Visa.

Post-study work visa holders are also able to support their partners for work visas.

How can Road to Abroad Help you?

We are leading overseas education consultants which provide professional guidance to all those who aspire to study abroad. We offer a one-stop solution to all your needs related to studying abroad. Be it admission counseling, study visa assistance, IELTS Preparation, permanent residency visa, post-study work visa, we provide expert counseling from the beginning of the journey to the very end. Our founder and director Dr. Sriyash Mangal is a graduate of University College London (ranked among the top 10 in the world university rankings) and holds a Ph.D. from LMU Munich, Germany (IMPRS Ph.D. Program). Therefore, we understand the value of good education and do everything to get you admitted to a university/college that is perfect for you.