New Zealand is undoubtedly the safest country for higher education. With an excellent education system, internationally accredited qualifications, ample research opportunities and a matchless quality of life, New Zealand has a lot to offer. New Zealand is a unique country, with gorgeous scenery and excellent study opportunities. It’s a safe and welcoming community with a world-class reputation for cutting-edge research and creative energy. These elements make the country an attractive destination for international students.
International students can expect to pay between $22,000 and $32,000 for a bachelor’s degree, and between $26,000 and $37,000 for a postgraduate course. However, if you choose a course such as medicine, engineering or veterinary science, your fees are likely to be higher.
An international student can also apply for scholarships through global organizations and through the federal government. Two of the best known government-funded scholarships, the Fulbright Foreign Student Program and the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program, accept applications from international students each year.
Anyone enrolling as an international student on a course of study lasting three months or more in New Zealand must apply for a student visa.
To apply for a visa, you must have the following documentation ready.
- A valid passport which must be valid for at least three months after your period of stay in New Zealand.
- A letter of acceptance from a New Zealand education provider which states the minimum course duration, total tuition fee and whether the tuition fee is in domestic and foreign currency.
- The course must be approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority
Following a public consultation, the Government of New Zealand has done changes to immigration settings that impact post-study work rights for international students. Visit Immigration New Zealand to know more.
Key takeaways from the changes:
- The existing international students who are pursuing degree courses will benefit from the new rules as they will continue to work for three years and need not to fulfil the earlier requirement of engaging in ‘employer-assisted’ work for two years. The changes seek to remove the requirement of employer sponsorship at every level in order to make international students less vulnerable to exploitation.
- Foreign students studying below degree level will only be able to work for a maximum of two years after completing their course. Also, those who will study in Auckland will be able to work only for a maximum of one year.
- According to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, these changes would increase the skills level required to proceed for permanent residency and at the same time, it allows international students to benefit from the New Zealand work experience after completing their studies.
In August 2019, the percentage increase of Indian students visiting New Zealand showed an increase of 63%, establishing the fact that New Zealand has over time become one of the top study abroad destinations for Indians wanting to study abroad. One of the main influences for choosing a study abroad destination is its ability to absorb international students in its job market on the successful completion of their course.
Driven by solid economic growth of around 3% annually, the New Zealand (NZ) Job market has gotten stronger over recent years. While development in both the job sector and the economy is predicted to slump temporarily a little after 2021, however, the NZ Government is positive of registering workforce growth of 1.8% annually, which would roughly translate to New Zealand hiring over 45,000 workers every year in the near future.
