Higher Education in New Zealand
There is an extensive system of post compulsory education and training in New Zealand. This includes universities, polytechnics, teacher training, and various private education institutions.
Universities : There are eight universities in New Zealand, providing a wide array of subject area studies at all levels from bachelor’s through doctoral degrees.. All universities offer courses in the usual faculties of arts, science, and commerce. Most universities specialize in certain fields.
Polytechnics : Polytechnics provide a diverse range of academic, vocational, and professional programs and cover an increasing number of subjects at various levels of specialization. There are 23 polytechnics in New Zealand. Bachelor’s degrees take from three to four years to complete, depending on the subject, with Honors degrees typically taking a year longer. Master’s degrees can be earned in one to two years and doctoral degrees are available at the universities and some polytechnics.
Private training establishments : which provide vocational training, offer diplomas, certificates and some degrees, with the focus on getting the student into the workforce quickly? There are large numbers of private training establishments (PTEs) in New Zealand, of which about 800 are registered with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). PTEs that enrol foreign students are required by law to have course approval and accreditation from the NZQA. The legislation provides protection for foreign students who pay tuition fees in advance. PTEs offer a wide range of courses, often in niche markets.
Admission criteria for universities and polytechnics vary by institution with some having open admissions after minimum requirements are met while others have selective admissions criteria. Unlike most countries where completion of secondary school is the minimum requirement, New Zealand’s universities and polytechnics require completion of specific subjects and levels which may vary by school and program. Some programs also require portfolios or interviews. In general, polytechnics have less rigorous requirements than the universities.
Tuition fees are reasonable for undergraduate programs when compared with tuition in the US and other western countries but can get quite expensive for some graduate programs, especially those in business.
The New Zealand Ministry of Education is responsible for higher education budgeting, strategy and statistics and the Tertiary Education Council is responsible for funding. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority is the primary body responsible for higher education quality assurance and all reputable institutions will be registered with this body.
International Students : According to a 2009 UNESCO report, over 33,000 international students attended a higher education institution in New Zealand with over 5,000 of those students coming from North American and Western Europe. International students can choose to apply as full degree students, as exchange students through their current schools or as independent study abroad students who will attend for only one or two semesters.
Admissions requirements for degree programs vary by country and university and in some cases require students to have already completed some college and/or have received above average scores on standardized tests in their own country. Some universities also offer foundation level coursework to prepare students for a degree program if they don’t qualify for a degree program initially. Those whose primary language is not English may have to pass a standardized language exam.
International comparability of tertiary qualifications
Bachelor’s degrees from New Zealand tertiary education providers are comparable overall to:
British Bachelors (Ordinary) degrees
Australian Bachelor’s degrees
US Bachelor’s degrees.
New Zealand Bachelor’s degrees are recognized for enrolment in postgraduate programmes at universities throughout the world, subject to the normal grade and subject specialisation requirements.
Student Visa Process
Step 1: Attend a counselling session
Attend a counseling session at your closest branch to find out your options relating to study destination, courses available and recommended institutions.
Step 2: How to Register
Register with Fastway Immigration to start the admission and visa process. We can help you navigate through the various processes and make studying overseas easier. Remember, all our services are free of charge!
Step 3: Apply for admission
Once you have decided what and where you want to study, we will help you complete the application to the institutions of your choice. At the time of application for admission you will be required to submit several documents including proof of previous academic qualifications and in most cases proof of your English language ability. We will also provide you with a checklist for the documents you will need to provide when the time comes to apply for your visa (step 5).
By submitting your application through us you will be able to track the progress of your application as we send you automatic notifications of its progress. We also take the hard work out of tracking the applications by keeping in contact with the institution on your behalf.
Step 4: Undertake Medicals and PCC
After receiving your offer letter from an institution, you will need to undertake a medical examination by one of the doctors approved by the New Zealand Government. A list of the approved panel doctors can be found by visiting : http://www.immigration.govt.nz/paneldoctors/ At the same time you need to arrange for your Police Clearance Certificate.
Step 5: Visa lodgement
To lodge your visa application you will need to provide the documents outlined in the checklist we provided you in step 3.
In relation to your financials, Fastway Immigration strongly recommends that you take advantage of the Funds Transfer Scheme (FTS) offered by the ANZ bank. Benefits of using the FTS include The minimum (FTS) amount that must be transferred to an FTS account is $NZD 20,000 per year for tertiary, English language, or other non-compulsory school study. For compulsory education (years 1–13 at a school), the minimum amount is $NZD 17,000 per year.
FTS funds are released periodically to students while they are in New Zealand
The scheme allows students’ parents to have control over the amount of money that their child has access to in New Zealand;
It ensures that the student will have access to sufficient money to meet cost of living in New Zealand
The scheme is a lot easier than the current alternatives available – where a range of documentation is required and/or a bank loan must be availed; and
Applications submitted under this scheme will not be subjected to in-depth fund assessments thereby reducing processing times
Just like your admission application, Fastway Immigration will keep you updated as to the progress of your application and take the hard work out of tracking your application by keeping in contact with the visa office on your behalf.
Step 6: Pay tuition fees
After lodgement of your visa applications, and once we have advised you that you have received “Approval in Principal” of your visa from the New Zealand Government, you will need to pay your 1st year’s tuition fees. You can choose to pay this fee through either Telegraphic Transfer (TT) or Direct Debit (DD). Our value added services department at Fastway Immigration can help you arrange either of these payment methods.
At this point, those students using the FTS will also need to transfer their living expenses contribution into their ANZ bank account.
Step 7: Visa outcome
We will notify you as soon as we know the outcome of your visa application and you can collect your passport. Now is the time you can start planning your travel and accommodation for New Zealand!
Step 8: Travel Services
At Fastway Immigration we can help you organise your travel arrangements to begin your new student life in New Zealand. Air ticketing, insurance and foreign exchange can all be arranged through us to make studying overseas easier !
Work rights during studies
Student can work up to 20 hours each week during the academic year provided he/she is enrolled in a full time course of study that meets one of the criteria listed below.
1. The student is undertaking at least 2 years long course at a private training establishment or tertiary institutions.
2. The course leads to a New Zealand qualification that qualifies for points under the Skilled Migrant Category of Immigration New Zealand’s Residence Instructions.
3. The course is at least one academic year long and student is taking part in an approved tertiary exchange scheme.
4. Student is studying in year 12 or year 13 and has written permission from his/her school and his parents.
5. Student can work full time during the Christmas and New Year holiday period at the end of each academic year provided student’s course of study is full-time and more than 12 months long. Work rights for dependents Spouses of student on Work Visa can work full time in NZ. However, the dependents of students on visitor visa have no work rights.
Bringing your dependents
In most cases the spouse and dependent children of a student can be granted a visitor visa for the same duration as their partner or parents’ stay. For more information please visit the Immigration New Zealand Website: Special Visitor Categories Work rights for dependents Spouses of student on Work Visa can work full time in NZ. However, the dependents of students on visitor visa have no work rights.