New Zealand has an international reputation as a provider of quality education. It has a progressive education system with many state of the art facilities. It offers a safe learning environment with excellent study opportunities and support services for international students. Courses are available for academic, professional and vocational studies at New Zealand Institutions – Universities, Polytechnics and Institutes of Technology, Colleges of Education, Secondary Schools and Private Training Establishments.
New Zealand produces top graduates who can take their place with confidence in the international arena in many disciplines. You will find a wide range of options when you consider New Zealand as a study destination. Students who want to enjoy their stay, feel safe, and are able to make progress in their education. They make friends easily. Most places have information centres where people can easily get information about the Institutions.
The quality of a New Zealand University education is well recognized internationally. Many New Zealand graduates have gone on to achieve international recognition in their field. The IELTS (Academic) or Pearson Academic Test are the preferred ones for New Zealand institutions to measure the level of English of international students seeking to study in New Zealand.
To be granted a student visa in New Zealand you must show that you have enough money to pay for living expenses, education costs and travel for the duration of the course. You can apply to work part-time after you have commenced your studies in New Zealand, but the money you earn should not be used as your only source of income. Some secondary schools offer boarding facilities, while others arrange homestay’s for international students.
Work hard and play hard is the lifestyle choice of many international students in New Zealand. If you are looking for world-class education and training, and also want new experiences, fun, a relaxed lifestyle and a safe and healthy environment, then you should consider New Zealand as your study destination.
If you intend to study in New Zealand, you will need to apply for the Fee Paying Student visa
Education System:
The New Zealand education system is based on several guiding principles including: culturally appropriate early childhood services; primary and secondary education that is free for New Zealand citizens and permanent residents; equitable and affordable access to tertiary education; and quality assured and portable education qualifications.
Early Childhood Education
In New Zealand the term `early childhood education’ refers to education and care for young children and infants from birth to six years of age. A wide range of early childhood services is available. English is the medium language of most services; however some provide an environment in which children learn in Maori, Pacific Island or other languages.
Primary and Secondary School Education
Schooling is available to children from age 5 and is compulsory from ages 6 to 16. The New Zealand school year usually runs from the end of January to mid-December, and is divided into four terms. Both single-sex and coeducational schooling options are available and state (public) schools are secular. Primary education starts at Year 1 and continues until Year 8, with Years 7 and 8 mostly offered at either a primary or a separate intermediate school. Secondary education covers Years 9 to 13, (during which students are generally aged 13 to 17). Most secondary students in New Zealand attend Government-funded schools, which are known variously as secondary schools, high schools, colleges or area schools.
Tertiary Education
The term `tertiary education’ in New Zealand is used to describe all aspects of post-school education and training. There are currently 36 public tertiary education institutions, including eight universities, twenty-one institutes of technology and polytechnics, four colleges of education, three wananga (Maori tertiary education institutions). There are also 46 industry training organizations, and approximately 895 private training establishments, which include private English language schools, registered by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. They offer courses at widely different levels, from transition programmes to postgraduate study and research. There are no fixed divisions between the types of courses offered by each classification of provider. The key focus is on their ability to offer programmes to the required quality standards, rather than on their organizational type. Technical and Vocational Education is mainly offered at institutes of technology, polytechnics, private training establishments and in the workplace. However, some programmes are also available in secondary schools, wananga, government training establishments, one college of education and several universities. Higher or Degree-level Educationis mainly offered at universities, but some degree programmes are also available at institutes of technology, polytechnics, wananga and colleges of education, and at some private training establishments. Teacher Education is not only offered at specialist colleges of education, but also at some universities, institutes of technology, polytechnics, wananga and private training establishments. Industry Training Organizations are bodies that represent particular industry sectors. Industry Training Organizations develop and maintain national unit (skill) standards and qualifications for their sector. They also facilitate on-job training and contract training providers to offer off-job training and courses.