Study in New Zealand
New Zealand may only be known as “Australia’s younger sibling”, with their almost identical flags and adorable accents. But it still is a place you should seriously consider for your international degree.
New Zealand isn’t famous only for its Lord of the Rings-landscapes. It also gave us great people like Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man who reached the peak of Mount Everest; Sir Ernest Rutherford, the first scientist who split the atom; and, last but not least, pop-singer Lorde.
Yes, there are other people between great scientists and pop singers. But before we get there, we should cover all you need to know about New Zealand’s universities and student lifestyle.
Why study in New Zealand?
1. It’s (relatively) affordable
To study at a New Zealand university, international students pay between 4,000 and 10,500 EUR per academic year. While this isn’t exactly cheap, it’s much more affordable than studying at universities in other countries like the US, Canada, the UK, or Australia.
You can also apply for scholarships to support your higher education.
2. Top education based on a successful model
The education system in New Zealand is based on the successful UK model. With such a solid foundation, it’s no wonder that local universities are well-regarded and appreciated internationally — most of them being featured in the top global university rankings every year.
3. Live in a safe and peaceful environment
In 2020, New Zealand was listed as the second most peaceful nation on the Global Peace Index. The country enjoys low crime and corruption rates, a politically stable environment, and an overall peaceful society where citizens can enjoy their day-to-day activities.
4. New Zealanders are friendly and welcoming
New Zealanders stand out through their friendliness and openness displayed towards internationals. This is because they follow the local traditional M?ori principle — manaakitanga — which is all about taking care of other people and sharing understanding and respect.
5. Best outdoor activities for thrill seekers
Studying, meeting colleagues, partying, and going out is a lot of fun, but New Zealand offers much more in terms of entertainment, especially for those of you who enjoy the adrenaline rush. These are some of the wildest and most exciting outdoor activities you can try:
- white water rafting
- canoeing
- ice climbing
- bungy jumping
- hiking
- zorbing (globe-riding or sphereing)
- scuba diving
What is it like to study in New Zealand?
The education system in New Zealand is very application-based. Memorising course material is not the standard way of learning at New Zealand universities.
Also, the teaching staff, the other students, and the other extracurricular clubs, when combined, create a memorable and amazing study atmosphere.
Besides this, some universities offer a ton of support services, especially for international students. They can offer pastoral care and workshops on managing stress, mindfulness, meditation techniques, how to overcome procrastination, how to maintain a study-life balance, and more, making your studying years as relaxed and as pleasant as possible.
What to study in New Zealand?
New Zealand offers some of the most diverse degrees in the world. Still, if the market is too vast, you should know that some of the most popular study options in New Zealand are:
- Computer Science degrees in New Zealand
- Educational Research degrees in New Zealand
- Psychology degrees in New Zealand
- Commerce degrees in New Zealand
- Agriculture degrees in New Zealand
- Biomedical Engineering degrees in New Zealand
Where to study in New Zealand?
New Zealand has some of the top-rated “liveable” cities in the world, so there’s no wonder that, besides the capital (Wellington), there are other popular destinations, like:
- Study in Auckland
- Study in Wellington
- Study in Christchurch
Which universities and colleges to attend in New Zealand?
For such a tiny place, New Zealand sure has a lot of universities and institutions to choose from. It’s hard to decide but many of them are schools specific to different types of career and job training. Here is a small list of universities to think of:
- University of Auckland
- Auckland University of Technology
- Massey University
How to apply
You should know that a New Zealand school year starts in February and ends in November, with a month-long break in June/July.
When you apply online (or on paper, if you hate trees), you should know that the documents you will need to provide are:
- A personal statement of intent
- Your transcripts from secondary school, including any university courses that you may have taken
- Any relevant test scores (ACT or SAT)
- Proof of funding, or intent to apply for funding for your tuition
- Proof of paying the application fee
- Your financial aid applications
You can always have your questions answered at the Singh Foundation office, so write down your questions and discuss.