If you are considering applying for a New Zealand Student Visa, did you know that New Zealand is considered one of the safest places in the world? It got the second spot on the Global Peace Index. You must be thinking, why is New Zealand such a great place for international students? To start with, it is a hub for top-notch colleges. So, you can get a top-notch education in New Zealand. You will get to experience all kinds of different cultures.
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New Zealand spends a lot of money on research. It means you will have lots of chances to learn and grow, both personally and in your career. In this article, we will learn more about the New Zealand student visa, eligibility criteria, application process, cost to study, popular courses, best universities, and more. So, let’s get started.
Why Should You Study in New Zealand?
New Zealand is an amazing place for international students. They have awesome universities and a top-notch education system. New Zealand also has many job opportunities, a strong economy, nice weather, and super friendly people.
New Zealand is a hotspot for research. The quality of life in New Zealand is top-notch. So, if you are thinking about studying abroad, New Zealand can be the perfect choice for you.
Best Universities in New Zealand
| New Zealand Rank | QS World Rank 2024 | University |
| 1 | 68 | The University of Auckland |
| 2 | 206 | University of Otago |
| 3 | 239 | Massey University |
| 4 | 241 | Victoria University of Wellington |
| 5 | 250 | University of Waikato |
| 6 | 256 | University of Canterbury |
| 7 | 362 | Lincoln University |
| 8 | 407 | Auckland University of Technology (AUT) |
Best Courses in New Zealand
New Zealand is famous for lots of different courses. Courses in Information Technology (IT) are super popular there. Fields like network engineering, data science, software development, and cyber security are in great demand. Other courses like Geology, Astronomy, and Physics are also popular.
So, if you are thinking about studying in New Zealand, these are some great courses you might wanna consider. They are not only interesting but also sought after. This means you could have lots of opportunities in the future and land better jobs.
1. Popular courses
- IT
- Computer science
- Engineering
- Medicine
- Business
- Healthcare
- Agriculture
- Animation
- Hospitality
2. Other courses
- Master of Professional Accounting
- Master of Tourism
- Master of Cyber Security
- Masters in Artificial Intelligence
- Master of Business Administration
- PG Diploma in Agricultural Science
- Master of Computer Graphic Design
- Graduate Diploma in Animation
- Master of Sport and Leisure Studies
3. Top Courses
- Masters in Artificial Intelligence
- Master of Professional Accounting
- PG Diploma in Agricultural Science
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Tourism
- Master of Cyber Security
- Master of Sport and Leisure Studies
- Master of Computer Graphic Design
New Zealand Student Visa
If you are 18 or older and thinking about studying in New Zealand for more than six months, here is what you need to know about the types of student visas you can get.
| Student visa type | Information |
| Fee Paying Student Visa | Four years full-time course and can work part-time |
| Exchange Student Visa | Four years full-time approved course in a student exchange program |
| Foreign Government Supported Student Visa | Four years full-time on a loan or a scholarship from a foreign government |
| Pathway Student Visa | Five years in three consecutive courses, single student visa, and can work part-time |
New Zealand Student Visa Fee
| Type of Visa | Application Fee (in NZD) |
| Fee-Paying Student Visa | 330 – 600 |
| Foreign Government Supported Student Visa | 330 – 600 |
| Exchange Student Visa | 330 – 600 |
| Pathway Student Visa | 330 – 600 |
New Zealand Student Visa Processing Time
New Zealand usually takes about 4 to 10 weeks to process study visas. You should have all the right documents when you apply for your visa. The chances of getting your visa approved range between 64% to 84%.
New Zealand Study Visa Requirements
If you are planning to study in New Zealand, here is what you will need:
- A New Zealand Study visa
- An acceptance letter from the university you want to attend
- Enough money to cover your expenses while studying in New Zealand
- Proof of where you will stay in New Zealand
- Receipts showing you have paid your tuition fees for the year
- A health certificate from your doctor
- Travel insurance information
- Your academic transcripts
New Zealand Study Visa Eligibility
Here is what you should know about the New Zealand Student Visa Eoigibilty:
- You need to have a letter of acceptance from a school that’s approved by the Ministry of Education or the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)
- Your bank balance should show that you have enough money to pay your tuition fees or you can show proof of a scholarship
- You will need to prove that you have enough money to live in New Zealand
- You should have your travel tickets and medical insurance
- You should have your academic transcripts
- You might need to show that you are good at English, so bring any certificates you have
How To Apply For a New Zealand Study Visa?
Here is a step-by-step quick guide on how to apply New Zealand student visa:
- You should first make sure that you are eligible to apply for a New Zealand visa
- Get all the documents you need ready.
- Apply for your New Zealand visa online.
- Then, you should wait for them to approve it.
- Once it’s approved, you can get on a plane and head to New Zealand for your studies.
- If you have family members who want to come along, like a spouse or kids, they can apply for visitor visas.
- After you finish your studies, you can apply for a post-study work permit. This lets you stay and work in New Zealand for up to three years in a job related to what you studied.
New Zealand Inktake Cycle
If you are planning to study in New Zealand, there are two main times when you can start your studies. Let’s have a look at them:
In New Zealand, there are mainly two study intakes. These are like the times when you can begin your studies. The table below shows you some important details about the programs, and how long they last. It also shows you when they start, and when you need to apply for the program if you want to study in New Zealand.
| Course | Duration | Intake Months | Deadline to Apply |
| Bachelors | 3-4 Years | Jan (Major) & July (Minor) | 4-6 months before the intake month |
| Masters (MS/MBA) | 1.5-2 Years | Jan (Major) & July (Minor) |
Cost of Study in New Zealand
Before planning to study in New Zealand, you should be familiar with all the costs involved. Let’s try to understand the costs involved step-by-step:
Being an international student studying in New Zealand is not easy. You should cover expenses like visa fees, travel costs, tuition fees, and other study-related expenses to study in New Zealand. In the following table, we have shown an estimate of the expenses you might have to bear while studying in New Zealand. Let’s have a look at it.
| Course | Average Tuition Fee per Year | Visa Fee | Proof of funds for 1 year |
| Bachelors | 22,000 NZD & Above | 375 NZD | 20,000 NZD |
| Masters (MS/MBA) | 26,000 NZD & Above |
Advantages of Studying in New Zealand
New Zealand is a great country for studies and work. The country offers you immense job opportunities to grow in your personal as well as professional life. Let’s have a look at some of the advantages of studying in New Zealand:
- You can have an amazing career with lots of opportunities to grow
- The teachers there are good at what they do
- New Zealand is one of the safest countries in the world
- You will get to work on research projects and come up with new ideas
- Your degree will be recognized all over the world
- If you are interested in getting a Ph.D. there are plenty of chances for that too
- Life in New Zealand is pretty awesome, with lots of nice things to do and see
- You can even work part-time while you study to help with your expenses
- After you graduate, there are plenty of job opportunities available
New Zealand Scholarship
| Name of Scholarship | Amount in NZD (Per Year) |
| AUT International Scholarship – Southeast Asia | $5,000 |
| Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship | Full Tuition Fees Waiver |
| AUT International Scholarship – Faculty of Culture and Society | $7,000 |
| Lincoln University International Pathway Merit Scholarship | $2,500 |
| Lincoln University International Undergraduate Scholarship | $3,000 |
| Lincoln University Undergraduate Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship | $5,000 |
| Lincoln University International School Leavers Scholarship | $10,000 |
| The University of Auckland ASEAN High Achievers Scholarship | $10,000 |
| University of Auckland International Student Excellence Scholarship | $10,000 |
| The University of Auckland ELA High Achiever Award | $5000 |
| International Master’s Research Scholarship | $17,172 |
| University of Otago Coursework Master’s Scholarship | $10,000 |
| University of Otago Doctoral Scholarships | $30,696 |
| Vice Chancellor’s International Excellence Scholarship | $15,000 |
| Michael Baldwin Memorial Scholarship | $10,000 |
| Vice Chancellor’s International Excellence Scholarship | $10,000 |
| Tongarewa Scholarship – for Excellence | $5,000 or $10,000 |
| Victoria University of Wellington Study Abroad Scholarship | $1,000 |
| Guardian Trust Masters Scholarship in Commerce | $16,500 |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it difficult to get a New Zealand student visa?
If you want to get a student visa for countries like New Zealand, it can be slightly difficult. You might have lots of questions to answer when you are applying for your New Zealand student visa.
2. How long does it take for a New Zealand student visa to be approved?
It usually takes about six weeks in most cases. If you want to study full-time in New Zealand, you will need to apply for a New Zealand student visa.
3. How much bank balance is required for a New Zealand student visa?
If you are studying in New Zealand, you will need to transfer money each year. For regular studies, you need to transfer at least NZD 20,000 per year. But if you are in compulsory education, you will need to transfer NZD 17,000 each year. This education is for kids aged between 6 to 16.
4. Does New Zealand reject student visas?
If your visa application gets rejected, it might be because of the following reasons:
– Some of your papers were missing or wrong
– You did not have enough money
– You chose the wrong course
– You did not meet all the rules for coming to New Zealand
Conclusion
If you want to apply for a New Zealand student visa, it might seem tough. There are different kinds of visas and many rules to follow. You should carefully read all the information and carefully put together a complete visa application. If you file the visa application properly, it will increase your chances of getting the New Zealand student visa.
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