Introduction

New Zealand is known for its scenic beauty. There is abundant beauty and diversity in scenery, lifestyle and culture. International students can expect a high standard of education and living conditions. English being the everyday language of New Zealanders, there is strong English Language support for international students. The institutions are diverse in size and location and offer a wide range of general and specialist courses. New Zealand has a British-style tradition of quality education.

Education System      

The following sections provide an overview of the New Zealand education system:

1)   Secondary School: New Zealand has some 440 secondary schools (also referred to as high schools, grammar schools and colleges), which are state, integrated or private, and which offer a wide range of subjects. Schools can set their own curriculum objectives within the national guidelines set by the Ministry of Education. Most secondary schools are state established but there are also a number of other schools that have special philosophical or religious traditions. These schools are either private or integrated schools. Though the integrated schools were funded privately in the past, they are now state funded. 

2)   Polytechnics and Private Tertiary Institutes: In 1989, amendments to the Education Act in New Zealand enabled the private tertiary sector, along with the polytechnics, to accredit degrees through the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.

a)   Polytechnics: Twenty-five institutions in New Zealand are part of the polytechnic system and provide education and training in a broad range of industry and occupation based vocational studies. Many polytechnics offer undergraduate degree programs. Some of the New Zealand polytechnics are named Institutes of Technology and are state-funded and provide education and training at tertiary levels ranging from introductory studies through to full degree programs. Programs are recognized by the New Zealand Government and to ensure the quality of their programs the polytechnics and institutes of technology work closely with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). The academic year extends from February to November with some programs having a mid year intake in July. New Zealand universities work closely with the polytechnics and institutes of technology so many of the qualifications gained at a polytechnic or institute of technology are able to cross credit towards university degrees. Some polytechnics and institutes of technology have articulation agreements with New Zealand universities. Students can study the first year at the polytechnic or institute of technology and then move onto the university to complete the degree program.

b)   Private Tertiary Institutes provide quality service to their customers, their students, in return for the fees charged for tuition.  Those courses that are accredited through the NZQA have been subjected to rigorous quality measures in establishment and in ongoing moderation. Programs offered include professional certificates, diplomas and undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in subjects ranging from Art and Design to International Management. For some Institutes the academic period starts in March and continues till November. Others have a two semester year with classes starting in February and August, others follow the trimester or the four terms a year format

c)   Private Training Establishments are registered and their courses approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority which ensures the quality of their education programs for international students. These education providers range from English language schools to aviation schools offering courses in air traffic control and aviation to computer training schools offering courses in business computing and travel and tourism. There are specialist schools which provide training in areas like business, secretarial, chef, hospitality management, etc. Courses can range from 1 week to 1 or 2 years' duration and course commencement is often flexible.

3)   Universities: New Zealand has seven national universities offering degree programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in academic and professional studies. All universities offer a broad range of subjects for degrees in commerce, science and the arts. Each university has also developed its own specialist subjects, such as engineering, computer studies, medicine and agriculture. These courses meet international standards and are recognized worldwide. All universities offer Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral degrees. Most Bachelor's degree courses require three years but some may take up to six years. A postgraduate diploma usually requires one year of study after the Bachelor's degree while a Master's degree usually requires two years' work after a Bachelor's degree or one year after an Honours degree. The PhD degree normally takes at least three years of full-time study and research. The academic year extends from late February or early March to November.

4)   Colleges of Education: Four autonomous, state-funded Colleges of Education in New Zealand, train teachers for primary and secondary schools, early childhood education centres and special education institutions. The major qualifications provided by Colleges of Education are a three year Diploma of Education and a three to four year Bachelor of Education degree. In the case of secondary teacher training, a one year, postgraduate diploma is awarded. A Higher Diploma of Teaching and an Advanced Diploma of Teaching are available for practicing teachers. The normal academic year for Colleges of Education is from 1 February until the first week of December. It is normally possible for overseas institutions to negotiate alternative times for courses to meet their needs. Contacting the College of Education directly can make such arrangements.

Students are advised to enroll in courses approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.

Admission Requirements      

Both TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language administered by Educational Testing Service in USA) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System administered by the British Council) are used extensively in New Zealand to determine entry to higher learning.

Each university publishes annually a calendar which provides information (including detailed regulations) about course requirements, dates etc. Most New Zealand university calendars are available for consultation at New Zealand diplomatic posts. Also available from diplomatic posts are promotional materials published by all the universities specifically for international students.

University:

All students must be fluent in the English language if they are to succeed at a university in New Zealand. The universities have specified minimum levels of competence (e.g. 6.0 in IELTS or 550 in TOEFL for most undergraduate degrees); details of any higher requirements for specific degrees may be obtained from individual universities.

College:

The entry standard for the Diploma of Teaching (Primary and Early Childhood Education), for students under 20 years of age, is a New Zealand Sixth Form Certificate with a maximum of 20 marks in the best four subjects, including a maximum of five in English. Overseas students are expected to hold equivalent qualifications. No formal secondary school qualifications are required of applicants over 20, but evidence of relevant experience or capacity to engage in tertiary study is required. Entry to the Diploma of Teaching (Secondary) is restricted to graduates with at least a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent. The minimum English language standard required for entry to the Diploma of Education course is a score of 6.5 on IELTS.

Polytechnic:

Qualifications are designed to allow students to enter and exit at different levels appropriate to their academic level and English language ability.

Private Tertiary Sector:

The applicants should be qualified for entrance to tertiary education in New Zealand or in their home country. Each institute specifies the acceptable level of English required, as in an IELTS or TOEFL score, for the individual programs.  Details regarding the entrance criteria should be taken from the institutes the student is interested in pursuing the program.

Secondary Schools:

Each secondary school sets its own entry criteria (academic and English language ability) for international students. For example, while some secondary schools require a reasonable standard of English ability prior to entering a course, others will accept international students with a lower level of English if they have the ability to provide the student with intensive English as a Second Language (ESL) assistance. 

Students should contact the secondary school directly for information regarding specific entry requirements. Qualifications from countries such as Japan, Taiwan and others will be assessed on an individual basis by the secondary school concerned.

Application Procedure      

It is generally recommended that the student finds the details of the Institute he/she want to pursue the course/program in.

Cost Of Education       

Students should contact the establishment/institute directly for further details.  

Detailed costs can be obtained from the New Zealand Education: Handbook of Courses and Costs (available from New Zealand High Commission or Embassies, New Zealand Education Centres and Education New Zealand) which is updated annually or request a list of tuition fees from the institution.

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