Study Abroad

New Zealand (Aotearoa in M?ori) is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island) and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some 1,500 kilometres (900 mi) east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly 1,000 kilometres (600 mi) south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga. 

Education System

Education in New Zealand follows the three-tier model which includes primary schools, followed by secondary schools (high schools) and tertiary education at universities and/or polytechs. The Programme for International Student Assessment ranks New Zealand’s education as the 7th best in the world. The Education Index, published with the UN’s Human Development Index in 2008, based on data from 2006, lists New Zealand as 0.993, amongst the highest in the world, tied for first with Denmark, Finland and Australia.Education is free and compulsory between the ages of 6 and 16, although in very special cases an exemption can be gained after applying to the MOE. These may be granted to students who are close to 16, have been experiencing some ongoing difficulty at school and have a job already lined up. Families wishing to home educate their children can apply for exemption. To get an exemption from enrollment at a registered school, they must satisfy the Secretary of Education that their child will be taught “as regularly and as well as in a registered school”. Children almost always start school on their 5th birthday, or the first School Day after it. Post-compulsory education is regulated within the New Zealand National Qualifications Framework, a unified system of national qualifications in schools, vocational education and training. The academic year in New Zealand varies between institutions, but generally runs from late January until mid-December for primary and secondary schools and polytechnics, and from late February until mid-November for universities.

Before Entering

• Offer of a place from a New Zealand education provider such as a school, polytechnic or university
• Evidence that youve arranged accommodation through the education provider or through another person
• A guardian who is eligible to accompany you, if required
• To be in good health and of good character.
• If your stay is longer than six months, in some cases you may need to complete a TB clearance. And if its longer than two years, youll have to provide medical and police certificates a passport thats valid for at least three months past the date you are to leave New Zealand
• Proof that you plan to leave New Zealand once youve completed your study
• You’ve paid any course fees that youre required to pay or
• Youre exempt from paying fees or
• You have a scholarship or an award that covers your fee proof that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay
• To have the right visa for your visit.