New Zealand, about 1,250 mi (2,012 km) southeast of Australia, consists of two main islands and a number of smaller outlying islands so scattered that they range from the tropical to the antarctic. The country is the size of Colorado. New Zealand's two main components are the North Island and the South Island, separated by Cook Strait. The North Island (44,281 sq mi; 115,777 sq km) is 515 mi (829 km) long and volcanic in its south-central part. This area contains many hot springs and beautiful geysers. South Island (58,093 sq mi; 151,215 sq km) has the Southern Alps along its west coast, with Mount Cook (12,316 ft; 3754 m) the highest point. Other inhabited islands include Stewart Island, the Chatham Islands, and Great Barrier Island. The largest of the uninhabited outlying islands are the Auckland Islands (234 sq mi; 606 sq km), Campbell Island (44 sq mi; 114 sq km), the Antipodes Islands (24 sq mi; 62 sq km), and the Kermadec Islands (13 sq mi; 34 sq km).

Every new day in the world begins in New Zealand. Light and time start here. Youthful in age and outlook, New Zealand is the natural home for fresh ideas. Come catch some new light in New Zealand.

Connected

New Zealand has never been closer to the rest of the world. Online communications and advances in international transport mean local institutions and industries can easily participate in world markets.

Inventive

Young and free of constricting traditions, New Zealand has learned to be self-reliant and to forge its own way in the world. New Zealand’s youth and fresh outlook make it the natural home for fresh ideas.

Trusted

New Zealand’s education system is based on the prestigious British system. We offer world-class facilities, resources and teaching staff, and our qualifications are valued and transferable throughout the world.

Personal

In New Zealand, every student enjoys a supportive learning environment. With relatively small class sizes, students receive more personalised attention from their teachers than they do in other parts of the world.

Adventurous

New Zealand is the ultimate destination for adventure lovers. In a pristine natural environment of mountains, lakes and coast, you’ll find a dazzling array of pulse-quickening activities that are easily accessible and affordable.

Lively

New Zealand’s scenic beauty is world renowned. But many visitors are surprised to discover an energetic, modern society among the mountains, rivers and coast.

Welcoming

New Zealanders are a famously hospitable people with a lively interest in other cultures. An education here is frequently the beginning of lifelong friendships.

 

Most New Zealand children attend school from age five through age sixteen or beyond.  School is compulsory from age six through sixteen.  A typical structure of school progression in Palmerston North is primary school (years 1-6), intermediate school (years 7-8) and high school (years 9-13).

Most New Zealand children attend publicly funded schools, known as “state schools”.  Other than modest school and activity fees and the costs of uniforms and stationary in most schools, state schools are free.

International benchmarking shows that New Zealand’s education system is truly world-class. Regular studies done under OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) find that New Zealand’s 15 year old students perform well above the international mean in reading, mathematical and scientific literacy (Of the 57 countries participating in the latest PISA study, only Finland and Hong Kong performed better than New Zealand).

However although overall achievement is high, there are still many students who struggle to achieve their full potential in the education system. The government, the Ministry of Education and the education sector are all committed to working together to improve outcomes for these students and ensure that every young New Zealander leaves school with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in life.

How the NZ education system is structured

Education in New Zealand can be divided into four areas:

1.           early childhood education (from birth to five years)

2.           years 0/1-8 or primary/intermediate school (ages 5-13 years)

3.           years 9-13 or secondary school (ages 13+)

4.           tertiary education (not compulsory - ages 16+).

 

New Zealand Student Visa Information
If you are not already in New Zealand and are applying to New Zealand to study, you must complete the requirements for the issue of a student visa.
You will be given the required forms by the New Zealand Government office (the visa issuing officer) in your country. Requirements for a student visa will normally include:

VERY IMPORTANT:  A written offer of a place, which notifies you that you have been accepted by an educational institution in New Zealand to study there.  

EITHER - A receipt for payment of course fees (You are not required to produce the receipt before your application has been approved in principle)    
OR - Evidence that you are exempt from course fees. For e.g. A New Zealand Government Scholarship.

A complete and signed ‘Application for Student Visa’ form, with a passport-size photograph.   You will be required to pay a non-refundable student visa application fee.

A guarantee of accommodation - a written assurance from an educational institution or other person that suitable residential accommodation is available to you in New Zealand.

Your passport or certificate of identity, which must be valid for the period of time for which you are applying to study.

Evidence that funds are available for your maintenance throughout your stay. One of the four is acceptable as evidence :

A completed ‘Sponsoring a student’ form, in which your sponsor gives a financial   undertaking that he or she can transfer to New Zealand NZ $7,000 a year : this amount is considered minimum for a year’s living expenses.

A letter from your educational institution confirming that your living expenses have already been paid for as part of your fees.

A bank document showing that funds of the required amount will be available to you in New Zealand ($1000 for each month of your stay for short term study, $7000 a year for long term study)

An award of a full New Zealand scholarship 
If you intend studying in New Zealand for more than 24 months, you will need :
a) Completed New Zealand Immigration service medical and chest X-ray certificates 
b) Character clearances, which must be two original character references (if under 17 years of age), or a local police clearance (if you are 17 and over). You will be advised of the procedure for obtaining these by the New Zealand government office. 

All these documents are essential before a student visa is issued.

UNIVERSITIES IN NEW ZEALAND

Lincoln University

Massey University

University of Auckland

University of Canterbury

University of Otago

University of Waikato

Victoria University of Wellington

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