The education system in New Zealand has never left anyone without astonishment, as the educational approach and curriculum in New Zealand are world-class. Many universities in New Zealand are consistently at the top of the QS World Rankings. Such a modern and responsive education system has put the country in the minds of many international students looking to study abroad today. So, to get into any university in New Zealand, it is vital to know the admission process they follow. Unlike Indian universities, New Zealand universities and institutions follow two major intake systems, sometimes referred to as a semester. There are two intakes available in New Zealand:

  • Semester 1 runs from February to June.
  • Semester 2 runs from July to November.

If you're planning to study in New Zealand, get through this blog to help you make the right choice to apply to your dream university. 

How Many Intakes Are There in New Zealand?

Though the actual admission dates mainly vary as per the university, as said before, New Zealand follows two intake systems, a typical intake that many universities and institutions in New Zealand go with. Aspiring applicants who look to study at universities in New Zealand should be familiar with their intakes corresponding to the two semesters. Primarily, one should commence the admission process approximately six months before the application deadline. There are two significant intakes in New Zealand that most universities typically go by:

Intakes

Offered Programs

July/February

Undergraduate and postgraduate in a
University

February/March/April/May
July

Vocational courses in institutes and colleges

January/February Intakes

The January/February intake into different universities in New Zealand may differ, and it's also called the January semester. It usually starts at the beginning of the year. Additionally, if you want to apply for a January intake in New Zealand, the safest bet would be to apply to the universities that offer January semester cycles before November. So, suppose you're planning to apply for the January intake in New Zealand. In that case, it is essential to submit many documents, such as English language proficiency tests such as IELTS or TOEFL, educational transcripts from previous institutions, Letters of Recommendation (LORs) from professionals, a Statement of Purpose (SOP), and related certificates.

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Application Deadlines for January 2023 Intakes in New Zealand

Suppose you're looking to apply and pursue a degree in New Zealand and are planning to get into this January intake. In that case, it's essential to learn the basic timeline and activities to prepare for the January intake in New Zealand. Here's the table that lists out all the hassle-free procedures to start planning for the January intake:

Application Timeline

Activities for the January 2023 intake in New Zealand

April-May 2023

Make a bucket list of courses and universities you seek for admission to.

June-November 2023

Apply and appear for basic requirements and English proficiency exams such as GRE, GMAT, IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE.

August-September 2023

Gather all the relevant documents, verify them and upload them as asked by the university.

October-November 2023

Accept the offer letter from the university and confirm your intake in New Zealand.

November-December 2023

Apply for a student visa and check for the scholarship or funding availability.

December-January 2023

Book your flight tickets and make arrangements for the accommodation.

Universities that Accepted January Intakes in New Zealand

There are many prestigious universities in New Zealand that accepts January intakes. Here's the complete list of universities in New Zealand based on the QS global ranking:

University

QS Global Ranking 2022

Location

Lincoln University

372

Lincoln

University of Canterbury

258

Christchurch

Massey University

284

Palmerston North

University of Waikato

373

Hamilton

University of Otago

194

Dunedin

Auckland University of Technology

451

Auckland

University of Auckland

85

Auckland

6 Steps to Study in New Zealand for January 2023 Intake

Step 1: Start Now: April 2022 to May 2022

Choose from several programs and universities that you want and shortlist them. One must consider the eligibility criteria, tuition fees, and admission deadlines. The application must be set and submitted before the application deadlines.

Step 2: Take the exams from June 2022 to August 2022

Preparing and appearing for admission exams is another requirement to get admitted to universities in New Zealand. All the universities in New Zealand will have entrance and English language tests to enter the courses. Remember that you must prepare for the general competitive entrance exams, GRE and GMAT, and the English language proficiency tests, primarily IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE.

Step 3: Begin College Application Process: August 2022 to September 2022

Along with your application, you will be required to submit multiple documents such as SOPs (statements of purpose) and LORs (Letters of Recommendation) along with the selection process before the application deadline.

Step 4: Acceptance Letters and Interviews from October 2022 to November 2022

If there is a positive sign about your application, you'll receive an email from the university you applied to. So if you're willing to accept the invitation from the university, you should reply to that mail at the earliest along with a confirmation and revert to the university as soon as possible.

Step 5: Apply for a Student Visa/Education Loan between November and December 2022

Once the university accepts you, you'll likely receive an acceptance letter from the respective university, as said before. A little later, make sure you start applying for the student visa process. This may take time, so keep that in mind. Being patient would help you a lot to get through the day.

The visa process will require you to have the proof of funds that you will need when you are studying in New Zealand.

Step 6: Purchase Tickets and Departure Dates: December 2022 – January 2023

This is the last step, and you're one step away from pursuing a degree program. If the courses begin next month, it would be best to arrive one month before the programme commences. Gather all the information, and it's advisable to know more about the accommodation if you are willing to stay off-campus, and don't miss out on anything important.

July Intakes

July intakes are considered the most popular intakes among all other intakes in New Zealand because most international applicants pick the July intake to get admitted to their dream university. Also, the July intake is known as the spring semester. On average, international students who wish to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate studies in New Zealand should prepare to wait nearly a year. For any degree programs, including undergraduate, postgraduate, or even short-time programs, the application must be sent by April to May. The below timeline helps students understand what actions are needed to prepare for July intake:

  • August-December - Shortlist universities and programs
  • December-February - Appear for required exams
  • February-March - Apply to the universities
  • March-April - Accept the offer to confirm admission
  • April-July - Apply for a student's visa and financial aid
  • June-July - Plan your travel

Application Deadlines for July 2022/2023 Intakes in New Zealand

It is not that easy to apply to New Zealand universities, as it is a time-consuming procedure. It takes around 7 to 10 months to complete the application process. If you're looking to pursue studies at a New Zealand university, starting the application procedure in August of the preceding year for the July intake is better. Here's the step-by-step roadmap to provide an overview of how to proceed with the intake process.

Application Timeline

Activities for the July 2023 intake in New Zealand

August-December 2023

Make a list of suitable programs and universities.

December-February 2023

Apply and appear for the basic requirement tests and English proficiency exams.

February-March 2022

Prepare the application documentation and other documents to apply for the shortlisted universities.

March-April 2023

Accept the official confirmation for admission from the university.

April-July 2023

Look if is there any funding or scholarships available for the student visa.

June-July 2023

Book your flight tickets and make arrangements for the accommodation.

Universities that Accepted July Intakes in New Zealand

There are many prestigious universities in New Zealand that accepts July intakes. Here's the complete list of universities in New Zealand based on the QS global ranking:

University

QS Global Ranking 2022

Location

University of Canterbury

258

Christchurch

Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT)

533

Napier

Lincoln University

372

Lincoln

University of Otago

194

Dunedin

Auckland University of Technology

451

Auckland

Unitec Institute of Technology

422

Auckland

University of Auckland

85

Auckland

6 Steps to Study in New Zealand for July 2023 Intake

Step 1: Begin Now

Once you've picked and decided what to study, start with the primary application process you want to study for. Look for the universities that offer the course you are looking to study in New Zealand that provides the July intake. Be keen on looking at the program's eligibility criteria, as each course's eligibility differs and might have different application deadlines.

Step 2: Take Exams from December 2021 to February 2022.

There will be several tests to get into the university you're willing to apply to. You may need to apply and appear for the academic, competitive, and English proficiency tests such as the GMAT, GRE, IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE and score the bare minimum scores set for admission.

Step 3: Begin applying to universities between February and March 2022.

Along with the application, documents such as SOP and LORs are required to be submitted for applying to universities in New Zealand. So once you're ready with the documents mentioned earlier, apply before the application deadline for July intake.

Step 4: Acceptance Letters and Interviews: March 2022 – April 2022

If there is a positive sign about your application, you'll receive an email from the university you applied to. So if you're willing to accept the invitation from the university, you should reply to that mail at the earliest along with a confirmation and revert to the university as soon as possible.

Step 5: Apply for a Visa and an Education Loan from April to July 2022.

Once you have received your letter of acceptance from the university, you need to start the New Zealand Student Visa process, as it may take a bit more time. Remember that you must apply for the New Zealand student visa at least two months before departure. The visa process will require you to have the proof of funds that you will need when you are studying in New Zealand.

Step 6: Tickets and Departure: June 2022 – July 2022

Once your visa arrives, it is time to be ready to reach New Zealand a month prior to the July semester. If you are not about to stay on-campus, you need to check for the alternative accommodation options and don't forget to make a checklist before a pre-departure checklist.

Other Intakes

Apart from the January/February and July intakes, there are still other intakes at universities in New Zealand. In comparison, both February and July intakes offer multiple intakes, including all kinds of courses of all levels, right from undergraduate, postgraduate, and other courses. Also, there are three other intakes called March, April, and May, which offer many short-term and vocational programs at universities in New Zealand.

Document Checklist for Intakes in New Zealand

Now, you may know all the major and standard intakes in New Zealand universities. Here's the list of documents checklist one must know before applying for admission to any university in New Zealand. Although the requirements may vary from institution to institution, the following are the usual needs for intakes:

  • Academic transcripts and their photocopies
  • Proof of English proficiency test scores such as IELTS or TOEFL
  • A recent Curriculum Vitae
  • A letter of intent

Still unclear about anything? Well, not to worry. Contact AECC and get your queries answered today! AECC is one of the world's leading educational consultancies with versatile expert professionals ready to help you with any queries you may have. Contact us so we can be of assistance to you in your journey to achieving your dream.

FAQs About Upcoming Intakes in New Zealand