Benefits of studying in new Zealand
Benefits of Studying in New Zealand offers a rich variety of benefits, including the chance to receive a high-quality education. Beyond academics, there are also valuable opportunities for part-time work that can help with living costs and the exciting possibility of gaining permanent residency down the line. It’s not just about studies, though; it’s also a remarkably safe and peaceful country blessed with a truly beautiful natural environment. Thinking about studying abroad? Have you considered New Zealand? If the thought hasn’t crossed your mind yet, then please read this piece to find out exactly what makes New Zealand such a favourable destination for pursuing your higher education.
If we were to sum this entire article into a single sentence, it would read like this: New Zealand is a spellbindingly beautiful country, filled with friendly and welcoming people, and world-class universities. That’s it, in a nutshell, really, but New Zealand truly deserves a lot more depth and detail than just that simple summary. And recently, since Abroadgoer has announced new partnerships with two leading universities in New Zealand, namely Victoria University of Wellington and the University of Waikato, we’ll happily go into a great deal more detail about why this could be the perfect place for your academic journey.
7 Benefits of studying in New Zealand
Here is the ultimate list of benefits of studying in New Zealand for international students. New Zealand is known for its high-quality education, peaceful environment, and career opportunities. Below are the major benefits you can enjoy as a student there.
Experiencing Top-Tier Education in New Zealand
When you choose to study in New Zealand, you’re stepping into a world-class education system. It’s quite remarkable that all universities in New Zealand are consistently ranked in the top 3% globally, a testament to the high-quality education you can expect. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) plays a crucial role by ensuring that all institutions adhere to strict quality standards. Many courses are based on the well-regarded British education system, which is known for its global recognition and accreditation, making your degree valuable worldwide.
According to the QS World University Rankings, all New Zealand universities appear in the top three per cent amongst universities worldwide, further highlighting the consistently high-quality education offered. The NZQA also ensures that these institutions are officially registered to enrol international students and comply with stringent qualification standards. The country’s education programmes and degrees are firmly based on the British education system, widely known as one of the world’s most recognised and accredited systems.
This commitment to quality extends across various types of educational institutions, giving you a wide pool of options to choose from, whether you prefer to study at a university, an Institute of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPS), or a Private Training Establishment (PTE). New Zealand has made significant investments in its education system, resulting in institutions that are not only highly ranked but also incredibly diverse and supportive of international students, ensuring a smooth and enriching learning experience.
Education That’s Easier on Your Wallet
We all know that studying abroad can often be an expensive affair, but the good news is that studying in New Zealand is often quite affordable when compared to many other countries. While all the high-ranking universities and colleges in New Zealand have their fee structures, on average, a student needs approximately NZ$ 22,000 to NZ$ 35,000 a year to study in the country. Interestingly, even though New Zealand’s education system is based heavily on the British one, it often comes at a lower cost.
For example, tuition fees for a year can tend to cost around NZ$20,000, which is just under £10,000. That should leave you with a little more money to have fun with and explore this beautiful country! On top of the lower tuition costs, there are also lots of options available for scholarships that can help fund your studies. It might take a bit of digging and investigating to find one to which you could apply, but we’d recommend starting by checking out the websites of whichever university you’re keen on applying to. Or better yet, just send them an email and ask about the financial aid opportunities.
Many scholarships available
To provide support to international students, New Zealand offers a wide range of scholarships. As a prospective student, you may apply for various types of financial aid, including an institutional scholarship offered directly by the university, a program-specific scholarship related to your field of study, an accommodation scholarship to help with living costs, or even a government scholarship. Since 2016, a special scholarship has been introduced by Education New Zealand specifically for Indian students called the New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA). This shows a commitment to making education accessible to students from diverse backgrounds.
Immersing Yourself in Stunning Natural Beauty
Now, we’re getting into what many find truly special about New Zealand: its natural beauty. This country is simply one of the world’s most celebrated countries in terms of its breathtaking landscapes. It was even famously used as the shooting location for the Lord of the Rings film series, which speaks volumes about how dramatic its open spaces and rugged countryside are. Amazingly, it’s got snow in the mountains as well as plenty of sunshine along its beautiful coastline, not to mention epic mountain ranges and picturesque rolling vineyards.
Indeed, a stay in New Zealand isn’t considered complete for many until you’ve taken a road trip through these incredible landscapes in a camper van! Essentially, it’s a perfect place to live a healthy, active lifestyle in the outdoors, while its major cities and towns are also cool, hip, and contemporary, offering the best of both worlds.
Opportunities for Work During and After Studies
For international students in New Zealand, there’s a fantastic opportunity to apply for a post-study work visa after graduation, and the specifics depend on their qualification level and study location. The duration of this post-study work visa may range between 1 to 3 years. For example, if a student completes a master’s degree in New Zealand, they may apply for a 3-year post-study work visa. Additionally, New Zealand also allows students to work part-time while pursuing their education. Thus, providing them with a valuable opportunity to take care of their weekly living expenses and gain more practical experience even while studying.
International students can work up to 20 hours a week during their studies and are entitled to a minimum wage of approximately NZ$ 18 an hour. There are even special benefits extended to students who decide to pursue their PhD in New Zealand. For instance, international students who pay domestic tuition fees can get full-time work rights while pursuing their PhD. This is a huge advantage! While a lot of countries don’t allow you to take up part-time work while on a student visa, New Zealand does. Sure, you may not want or have to work while studying, but for those of you who do want to earn a little extra spending money, you’re free to do so.
As well as being allowed to work while at university, you can also stay and work for a full year after graduating. On top of this, if the job you’re doing is relevant to your degree, you’ll be allowed to stay for two years after graduating, after which you’ll be able to apply for permanent residency. Who knows, perhaps your university stint in New Zealand could turn into a long-term career stint.
Embracing a Unique and Welcoming Culture
New Zealand boasts a rich cultural heritage, serving as a fascinating meeting point between British-influenced Western ways and the traditional culture of the indigenous Māori people, who have their language and captivating mythology. When you’re in New Zealand today, you’ll often see vibrant Māori culture beautifully presented in arts, intricate crafts, as well as delicious cooking. On another cultural note, sport is taken as a serious business here. While Cricket is exceedingly popular, it’s in rugby where the Kiwis truly shine. And one other place you’re sure to see the unique ways of the Māori is in the famous Haka— the powerful ceremonial dance traditionally performed by the national rugby team to intimidate the opposition.
The national team, affectionately known as The All Blacks, is a source of immense pride for New Zealand because, despite the relatively small population of under 5 million people, they’re considered the greatest rugby nation on earth. Beyond their sporting prowess, New Zealanders are widely known for their genuinely friendly, open, and honest nature. With the country actively celebrating its multi-cultural society at all levels, it is exceptionally welcoming towards international students from all ethnicities.
Many find that when deciding to move to a new country, one of the most important aspects to be considered is safety, and in this regard, New Zealand’s got you covered. It has been ranked as the second most peaceful nation on the Global Peace Index in 2019! Plus, as an international student, you’ll have the same rights as your Kiwi counterparts. Isn’t that great?
Experience a Friendly and Secure Environment
Don’t let the powerful Haka dance you might see intimidate you (unless you’re planning on joining a rugby match!). New Zealanders, often called Kiwis, are widely known as some of the coolest, most laid-back, and genuinely friendly people you’ll ever meet. A 2015 survey conducted by New Zealand’s immigration department revealed that a huge 90% of foreigners living in the country considered the local people to be very friendly, and many highlighted this as a major reason why they found it so easy to settle in.
Adding to this welcoming atmosphere, the people’s friendly nature is complemented by the fact that there’s also an extremely low rate of crime in New Zealand. The 2018 global index ranked it as the second-safest country in the world. So, while you focus on your studies, you can also feel secure and at ease in your new surroundings.
