In this article, we will go into detail about the admission process in New Zealand. It is not possible to enroll in a bachelor’s program after graduating from the 11th grade — you will either have to study for a year in your home country, or go through a preparatory program. It is also necessary to have a high GPA, good English, and a creative motivation letter.
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Education in New Zealand is ideal for those who are used to a steady rhythm of life and appreciate an individual approach to the learning process. There are only eight universities in the country. Students study in small groups, which allows teachers to pay close attention to everyone. It is not possible to enroll in a bachelor’s program after graduating from the 11th grade — you will either have to study for a year in your home country, or go through a preparatory program. It is also necessary to have a high GPA, good English, and a creative motivation letter.
In this article, we will go into detail about the admission process in New Zealand. We also have separate articles about education and universities in this country.
| Program | Min. age | Duration | Min. cost/year | Avg. cost/year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University preparation | 16 | 6-18 months | 4,487 USD | 14,759 USD |
| Bachelor's | 18 | 3-4 years | 14,168 USD | 23,614 USD |
| Master's | 21 | 1-2 years | 15,349 USD | 18,891 USD |
| MBA | 21 | 1 year | 18,773 USD | 30,698 USD |
| PhD | 22 | 3-4 years | 3,837 USD | 4,575 USD |
| Expense | Average cost | |
| Visa fee | 174 USD | |
| Registration fee | 50 USD | 59 USD |
| Rent | 883 USD/month | |
| Utilities | 121 USD/month | |
| Meals | 47-71 USD/week | |
| Internet | 53 USD/month | |
| Phone bill | 11 USD/month | |
| Transportation | 90 USD/month | |
| Insurance | 24 USD/month | 443 USD/week |
This list is for guidance only. Specify the exact costs and fees on the official website of your selected university.
There are two types of educational institutions in New Zealand:
When choosing a future university, it is worth considering several main criteria.
The average cost of programs at traditional and technological universities is about the same. A year of bachelor’s study will cost 17,711-23,614 USD. This is quite expensive, so you should pay attention to scholarship opportunities.
New Zealand does not have a large state grant, but universities themselves offer scholarships for every level of higher education. While you should not count on full tuition coverage, a discount of 30-50% or a one-time payment of up to 5,904 USD is a realistic reward.
It is not possible to enroll in a bachelor’s program after graduating from the 11th grade. One option is to go through a Foundation program. It is recommended to apply for a preparatory program at the university where you intend to study for your bachelor’s degree — the admission procedure will then be simplified or you will be enrolled automatically. There are Foundation programs at the University of Auckland, University of Otago, and Queen Victoria University of Wellington.
You should pay close attention to your field of study when choosing a university. Subject rankings from QS and THE can help guide you.
For example, New Zealand is paradise for anthropologists — the University of Auckland is ranked 37th in the world for anthropology.
Designers, as well as those who dream of devoting their lives to computer graphics, will also be pleased with this country. Massey University is one of the top 150 universities in the world for art and design[1]. After graduation, students can get a job at Weta FX, a well-known visual effects studio — it creates graphics and visual effects for many big-budget films.
New Zealand is distinguished by its relaxed atmosphere and steady rhythm. Whichever city you choose, you will definitely not get tired of the so-called hustle and bustle. Note that Auckland and Wellington offer more opportunities for entertainment, as well as internships and employment. As such, pay attention to the location of your future university.
UniPage specialists have been working with universities in New Zealand for many years. Our students study at the University of Auckland, Massey University, UNITEC, and others. We help with the selection of universities and programs based on the capabilities and interests of our clients. We know everything about foreign education and do not miss a single detail when preparing documents and writing a motivation letter.
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Advanced searchSecondary education in New Zealand lasts 13 years. As such, you cannot enroll in a bachelor’s program after the 11th grade. In this case, there are two options for study:
Documents for admission to a university in New Zealand:
There are no entrance exams at universities in New Zealand. However, admission is a bit more challenging for creative majors — portfolios and additional auditions may be required.
Some universities conduct interviews, where applicants are usually asked questions about their motivation, goals, and plans after study. Interviews are often conducted over the phone or online.
A motivation letter, recommendations, and an academic resume are most often required for master's and PhD programs, especially if there is a large competition in the program.
Specify the enrollment conditions and list of additional documents on the website of your chosen program. Pay close attention to the section for international students.
New Zealand adopted the 1961 Hague Convention, which means that an apostille is sufficient for your educational documents. They also need to be translated into English and notarized.
The school year in New Zealand starts in March and ends in November. Most often, it is divided into two semesters, with classes starting in March and July. Some universities divide the year into trimesters. Each university sets its own deadlines for applications.
| University | Deadlines |
|---|---|
| University of Auckland | October 1st / July 4th |
| Auckland University of Technology | February 28th / July 18th |
| University of Waikato | February 21st / July 4th / November 7th |
| Massey University | October 31st / May 1st / November 4th |
| Queen Victoria University of Wellington | December 1st / May 1st / September 1st |
| Lincoln University | February 28th / July 25th |
| University of Otago | April 30th / October 31st |
Dates may vary by program. Specify them on the official website of the selected university.
New Zealand has preparatory programs commonly known as Foundation. They last from 6 to 18 months and allow you to attain the "missing year'' for university enrollment.
Many universities, such as the University of Auckland, Massey University, and UNITEC, have their own preparatory programs. In them, students improve their level of English and study subjects in their future specialization.
At the end of the preparatory program, you can either be guaranteed admission to the desired university or receive credits.
Requirements for admission to preparatory programs are lower than for universities. IELTS 5.5 / TOEFL iBT 50 and a high school diploma with a grade transcript are sufficient for admission. Some programs require a high GPA, but most often this is not necessary. You also need to write a motivation letter.
It is not possible to enroll in a bachelor’s program after the 11th grade — you will either have to study for a year in your home country, or go through a preparatory program.
The main requirement is a high school diploma with a grade transcript. The minimum required GPA depends on the university and program — usually, it is at least 5.0 out of 9.
Your English proficiency should be at the B2 level. Universities accept IELTS or TOEFL certificates.
New Zealand does not have a centralized application system. For admission, you need to register on the websites of universities, complete an application, and submit the required documents.
You may also need:
This list may vary depending on the university and program. All documents must be translated into English and notarized.
To enroll in a master’s program in New Zealand, you will need to provide a bachelor's degree in the same or related field with high grades — a GPA of 5.0-5.5 out of 9. Other achievements may also be evaluated, such as relevant work experience.
Language requirements are higher than those for bachelor’s programs — IELTS 6.5-7.0 or TOEFL 90-100 iBT. Also, you may need a motivation letter and recommendations from professors or employers.
In New Zealand, there are two types of master’s programs:
Requirements slightly vary depending on the type of master's degree. For professional programs, work experience in a relevant field is required. For research programs, you will need a plan for a future dissertation and the contacts of a supervisor from the program faculty.
All documents must be translated into English and notarized.
To enroll in an MBA program in New Zealand, you will need a bachelor's degree in business, management, economics, or another related field. A GPA of at least 6.5/9 is required.
The application must be submitted directly to the selected university. Many programs accept applications all year round, but it is better to apply early in order to have time to apply for a visa.
Documents for admission:
To get into a PhD program in New Zealand, you will need a master's degree in a related field. The minimum required GPA is 6.0 out of 9.
The main requirement is to have experience in independent research by the time of admission. This can be confirmed by scientific publications, articles, or monographs.
In New Zealand, you do not always need to have a master's degree to enter PhD programs — you can also enroll after bachelor's study. To do this, you will need to prove your research abilities and experience through publications.
Such an opportunity exists, for example, at the University of Auckland[2] and the University of Otago[3]. The decision to accept an applicant after a bachelor's degree is made by the future supervisor.
PhD applicants must choose a future supervisor among the program faculty and send him a research proposal. Then, along with the admission documents for admission, you must provide his contacts and consent to supervise you to the admissions committee.
Medical and pedagogical programs may require at least two years of work experience in the field[4].
Sometimes, you need to go through an interview with the admissions committee and future supervisor.
All documents must be translated into English and notarized.
PhD programs in New Zealand mostly consist of independent research. Students are not tied to class schedules. Therefore, enrollment in these programs takes place all year round.
Unlike Australia, New Zealand does not have a major government scholarship fund. However, universities and independent organizations offer different funding options for students at all levels of study.
For example, bachelor’s and PhD students at the University of Auckland can receive up to 4,132 USD for high academic performance and achievements. And at Massey University, bachelor’s students do not have to pay tuition if they prove their outstanding achievements and provide credible recommendation letters.
A complete list of scholarships, depending on the nationality of the applicant, can be found on the official website of New Zealand state educational programs — New Zealand Education.
To study at a university in New Zealand, you need to apply for a student visa. Its validity period is four years. The paperwork will cost 443 USD and the process takes around 2 months[5].
Documents for a student visa:
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