Learn how to study in New Zealand with this comprehensive guide

Over the years, New Zealand has become a popular destination for international students, thanks to immense career opportunities in diverse fields. New Zealand secured the #1 rank* in preparing the students for the future among the English-speaking countries.

Similarly, all universities of New Zealand are ranked in the top 3%* of universities worldwide! Now that you know why you should study in New Zealand, the following will guide you to get into your dream institution without much hassle!

How to apply to study in New Zealand?

If you want to study in New Zealand, you have to directly apply to the college or university you wish to get admission to. You can do it either online or by post.

The academic session in New Zealand starts in early March or late February and ends in November. Most New Zealand universities follow a semester system with two terms a year.

Thus, you can choose to join during the first or second semester. You should refer to the university’s website to learn about the deadlines.

Following are the simple steps to apply for higher studies in New Zealand:

Choose the course

Depending on your preference, you can choose from different courses. Following are the most popular subjects that student’s study in New Zealand:

Medicine
Engineering
Business studies
Engineering forestry
Agricultural
IT and Computer Science

You can opt for certificates, diplomas, bachelor’s degrees, postgraduate degrees, master’s degrees and doctorate or PhD.

Outline the budget

Plan a yearly budget, including tuition fees, living costs, etc. You can also apply for scholarships or take up a part-time job to cover the cost.

Apply for the course

After reading the terms and conditions and matching the minimum qualification, you can proceed with the application process. Every university has different eligibility criteria depending on the course you choose. Check them before applying. You will also need the following during the process:

Application form
A copy of your passport
Academic records
IELTS results
Portfolio (optional)

Apply for a student visa

Lastly, you need to apply for a student visa if you want to study in New Zealand for more than 3 months.

Cost of studying in New Zealand

Following is an overview of the cost of studying in New Zealand:

Types of expenses	Amount (on average)
Undergraduate tuition fees	Approximately NZ$22,000-32,000 (~US$14,900-21,700) per year for international students.
Postgraduate tuition fees	Approximately NZ$22,000-32,000 (~US$14,900-21,700) per year for international students.
Accommodation	Around NZ$270 (~US$180) per week in a university residence. Around NZ$3,276 (~US$2,200) per month in private accommodation in Auckland and NZ$1,520 (~US$1,020) in Dunedin.
Living costs	It depends on the city, type of accommodation and your lifestyle. Following is an example of the average living cost in Auckland: NZ$20,000-$25,000 or US$13,500-16,900.

Note that the amounts are only for indicative purposes. It may vary with different universities, cities, accommodations and lifestyle choices.

Scholarships available for international students in New Zealand

Another reason you should study in New Zealand from Nepal is the availability of scholarships for international students. Following are some of them:

Fulbright New Zealand US Graduate Awards: This scholarship is available for US students who want to pursue postgraduate or PhD programs in any stream at a university in New Zealand. Besides tuition fees, it also covers airfares, living costs and more.

New Zealand Foreign Affairs and Trade Scholarships: Students from Pacific and South-East Asia are eligible for this scholarship for all levels of study. It is a fully-funded scholarship and covers tuition fees, living allowance for every fortnight, etc.

New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships: International students pursuing PhD program can apply for this scholarship. The eligible candidates will get a stipend covering tuition fees and living expenses for three years. However, you must have an excellent academic record.

Besides the Government scholarships, you can also qualify for university-specific scholarships.

How to apply for a student visa for New Zealand?

You can apply for a student visa for New Zealand online after selecting the course you want to study, the duration of the course and the country you originally belong from. However, before that, you need to have the following:

Proof of admission is taken to an institution approved by New Zealand Qualifications Authority.
Financial documents to prove you have sufficient funds or scholarship to cover the tuition fees.
Proof of enough funds to live in New Zealand.
A copy of a ticket to New Zealand or evidence to prove you have enough funds to buy one.

Alongside, you also need to attach some essential documents for verification. You can streamline the entire process of planning to go to study in New Zealand with SIEC. Starting from finding the right university and course to documentation and online counselling, we will be by your side!

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