New Zealand has seen a massive surge in international students. Though there was nothing special about New Zealand earlier, of late, students have started identifying New Zealand to be a great country and its education system to be highly rewarding. There are over a lakh of international students in New Zealand, and the country enjoys a good reputation in terms of the student satisfaction rate. Before moving there, you need to know many things about the country, and you can read further to know better.

• Quality of education worth your shifting: New Zealand provides better quality education, which is the first thing that makes it worth shifting to the country. Each academic year has 2 or 3 semesters depending on the course. There are two intakes throughout the year; in January and July. 
• A good range of universities: It is a comparatively lesser-known fact that New Zealand has a wide range of universities. The University of Auckland, University of Otago, University of Canterbury etc., are a few popular ones.
• ITPs for those who love it: ITPs are Institutes of Technology and Polytechniques, which provide foundational, undergraduate, and postgraduate courses. There are over 16 ITPs in New Zealand, and these are helpful for students who concentrate on these streams.
• Wananga for those interested in cultures: In New Zealand, you will find three types of educational institutions; universities, Wanangas, and ITPs. Wanangas are educational institutes exclusively for those interested in learning the traditional values of the Maori cultures of New Zealand.
• Get personalised attention: The class strength in universities is low in New Zealand. The government follows a ‘Code of Practice’ that establishes the minimum care each student expects.
• A fabulous location to live in: New Zealand is a country where you find a mix of everything; mountains, fields, volcanoes, islands etc. You can never afford to miss the beautiful South Island and the Southern Alps. 
• Work permit: All international students studying in New Zealand for at least two years can get a work permit for a year. Also, you can work for 20 hours per week part-time during your semester.
• Lower tuition fees: The education costs in New Zealand is roughly 10% lesser than in Australia. You have a variety of subjects and courses to choose from. There are over 400 universities that provide Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Doctoral degrees.
• Warm and welcoming people: New Zealand has many people who welcome you well. You will never feel left alone, and it will benefit you. The intermingling of all cultures ensures you experience something different that, in turn, makes you less homesick.
• Get scholarships and other financial aids: New Zealand offers several scholarships, fellowships, awards, and other financial aids to its students. These will be provided by trusts and universities and help cut your tuition fee expenses wholly or partially.

• University of Auckland: The University of Auckland is unanimously considered one of the best universities in New Zealand regarding the number of graduates and employability. Engineering and MBA are the most famous courses there. 
• University of Otago: They provide a broad spectrum of Undergraduate courses. The university is equally famous for its PhD programs in streams like Finance, Economics, Business, arts, etc.
• Victoria University of Wellington: This university has a vast number of faculty members, over 1000. Over 40 research institutes and centres also provide Undergraduate and Postgraduate programs.
• University of Canterbury: This university has five colleges with it; College of Arts, Engineering, Science, Education Health & Human Development, and Business & Law. There are over 35 research institutes as well.
• Massey University: With three campuses in Auckland, Palmerston North, and Wellington, Massey University is known for its research-driven teaching and training. It is better known for its Postgraduate courses.
• University of Waikato: With seven faculties, one school, and one college, the University of Waikato offers an expansive range of courses in subjects like Anthropology, Psychology, Data Analytics etc.
• Lincoln University: Lincoln University provides career-based diplomas and other Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Doctoral degrees. Engineering, Agriculture, Commerce, and Horticulture are a few popular courses in demand.
• Auckland University of Technology: This university provides courses in over 250 streams like Arts, Design, Architecture, Education, Business etc. The university is better known for its higher education and research facilities.
• Wellington Institute of Technology: WelTec provides quality tertiary education and training programs. Their certificates, degrees, diplomas and graduate diplomas are NZQA-accredited. 
• Eastern Institute of Technology: This is a government-run institution in New Zealand. Over the 130 streams they offer, Art & Design, Business, Fashion, Music etc., are the more popular ones.

Like every other country, New Zealand has private and public universities. Public universities naturally tend to be a bit cheaper. Nonetheless, you should know that certain disciplines like Medicine and Veterinary Science can be expensive. The average tuition fees in New Zealand can come by around NZ$ 20,000. However, private universities like the University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology etc., are more affordable. Their Bachelor’s tuition fees start at NZ$ 1468 - NZ$ 6622. 

STUDY PROGRAMS

It is a good idea for you to do your part in researching a bit about the country before you finalise on your shifting. Reading through this will help you understand the expenses you may face in your life in New Zealand. If you live in cities like Auckland, Queensland, Wellington etc., you highly require an all-inclusive financial plan covering your food and accommodation, transportation etc.

KIND OF EXPENSES

• Bachelor’s Program: New Zealand does not follow a tough process for students to gain admission. It is pretty easy, and you need to have a good academic record in your plus two. You will also need an English Proficiency Test score.
• Master’s Program: Almost all universities follow the same requirements for a Master’s degree. You will need a minimum of 50-60% in your Bachelor’s. You may also need to furnish portfolios or other certificates to prove your merit according to your course. Additionally, IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, or GMAT scores.
• Doctoral Programs: To do a Doctoral program in New Zealand, you will need a relatively good grade in your Master’s in a related field. A few universities also ask for an experience certificate of 1-2 years. If your stream is Business or Management Studies, you may also need to take GRE or GMAT tests. The IELTS or TOEFL scores are also required.

• IELTS: New Zealand asks for an IELTS score of at least 6.0. The score varies according to the course that you apply for. Postgraduate Diploma and Master’s ask for a score of 6.5, and the other courses require at least 6.0. However, universities like the University of Auckland, University of Otago, Unitec Institute of Technology, Canterbury University, and Lincoln University do not ask for an IELTS score provided you clear their entrance test.
• TOEFL: You will need a TOEFL score of at least 60 to get into a university in New Zealand. However, this depends on the university and the course; you should check it before preparing for the test. 
• PTE: The PTE score is accepted by several universities in New Zealand, and you can also opt to attempt it. The minimum score should be 58 to apply for a student visa, which varies according to your course and university. The validity of the PTE test score is two years.

The New Zealand government, universities, private organisations, and corporations provide scholarships and other financial aids to students in several forms. They are all at your disposal, and you can look at the table below to know the details and award amount of the scholarship.

• A valid passport.
• All academic and unacademic papers.
• Medical records. 
• Financial records.
• Letter of acceptance from a recognised university.
• Health insurance.