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Study in New Zealand

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.

Why choose New Zealand as an international student

New Zealand has several types of higher education institutions: universities, colleges, private institutions and polytechnics.

There are 8 universities in New Zealand, which all offer high quality education. All 8 of these universities are ranked within the QS World University Ranking top 500. The highest ranked is the University of Auckland, which is in 87th place, followed by the University of Otago in =217th place.

One great advantage to studying in New Zealand is the unique approach to education. Students are encouraged to think as an individual and find their own solutions, which is how many develop unique strengths and ideas whilst studying in the country.

You are able to study in New Zealand at all of the traditional levels; undergraduate (bachelor’s), postgraduate (master’s) and doctoral (PhD). There are options to gain specific qualifications, such as Graduate Diplomas and Honours. These types of study generally last one year.

New Zealand is home to many exciting cities for international students, such as Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington.

International students will need to obtain a student visa to study in New Zealand. For more information about this, please see our New Zealand Student Visa Guide.

Search for courses in New Zealand

Highlighted courses in New Zealand

Master of Veterinary Medicine Master Degree, Masters Degree

Massey University New Zealand

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Postgraduate study in Software Engineering MEng

The University of Auckland New Zealand

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Digital Media and Design UG:Diploma

Ara Institute of Canterbury New Zealand

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Diploma in Applied Hospitality Management Level 6 BTEC Higher National Diploma

New Zealand Management Academies (NZMA) New Zealand

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Master of Fine Arts MFA

University of Canterbury (UC) New Zealand

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View all courses in New Zealand

More information about New Zealand

Capital City Wellington
Currency NZD, New Zealand Dollar
Language(s) English, Māori, NZ Sign Language
Universities on StudyLink 14 universities
Major Student Cities Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton

Language Requirements

There are three official languages in New Zealand; English, Maori and New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL). Te Reo Maori became an official language in 1987. NZSL, the main language of the deaf community in New Zealand, became an official language in 2006.

With only 3.7% of the population speaking Maori, the language is in danger of extinction. Authorities are working to make sure this doesn’t happen, implementing Maori classes in schools, as well as television channels broadcasting exclusively in Maori. Studying in New Zealand would be a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in a historic culture, picking up some Maori language and NZSL.

The majority of courses are offered in English. If your native language is not English, you may have to prove that your English skills will meet the teaching standards. If you do not, it is common for institutions to offer language programmes to improve your skills. Contact your institution if you want more information about this.

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