Why Study in New Zealand?

New Zealand is the 5th most preferred destination to study abroad among international students, preceded by the USA, the UK, Canada and Australia. Growing popular among Indian students, there are over 30,000 Indian students pursuing higher education from New Zealand Universities.

Eight of New Zealand’s higher education universities have consistently ranked among the world’s top universities ranking by QS and Times Higher Education. And this is just one of the reasons why students are choosing to study in New Zealand. In this article we will discuss reasons to study in New Zealand.

10 Reasons to Study in New Zealand

There are multiple reasons why international students choose to study in New Zealand, including its top universities, scientific advancement, low costs of studying and multiple scholarship options. Following are the 10 reasons to study in New Zealand:

1. Globally Recognized Universities: New Zealand has several universities constantly high ranked by QS rankings and THE rankings. These universities provide cutting-edge programs in fields like civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and software engineering. Following are some of the top universities in New Zealand according to QS World University rankings 2024:

2. Innovation and Research: New Zealand has a strong background when it comes to research and sustainability, especially in the engineering sector. According to the Research Science and Innovation report, the New Zealand government is aiming to raise economy-wide investment in research and development to 2% GDP by 2030. New Zealand universities encourage students to research in areas like renewable energy, earthquake engineering, and sustainable infrastructure development.
    
3. Safe and peaceful: According to the Global Peace Index 2023 New Zealand ranks fourth in terms of peace, which highlights its social tolerance and political stability. As an international student in New Zealand, you’ll enjoy the same rights as local students.
4. Work While Studying: International students enrolled full-time in a New Zealand university can work for up to 20 hours every week during the semesters and full-time during breaks. And if you are a research student in New Zealand, you will be allowed to work full-time.
    
5. Affordable Education And Low Cost of Living: One of the top reasons for studying in New Zealand is its cost of living and affordable tuition fees. The average tuition fees for studying in New Zealand is NZD 22,500 - NZD 36,000 (INR 11,14,450 - 17,83,120) annually, depending on the program and university you have applied for.

6. Quality of Life: New Zealand ranks first in the world for work-life balance among the top 60 GDP countries. Factors like minimum wage, sick leave, healthcare availability, and public happiness contribute to this balance. New Zealand offers a balanced lifestyle, top-notch education, safety, and exciting prospects, making it one of the most desirable study abroad destinations for international students.
    
7. Globally-Recognised Qualifications: New Zealand is a member of the Lisbon Recognition Convention and Tokyo Recognition Convention, which means their certificates, diplomas and degrees are recognised in over 50 participating countries. These include the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, China, Japan and Australia among others.
    
8. Easy Availability of Student Visa and Work Permit: International students studying at the top universities in New Zealand are allowed to work part-time. And after completing their degree, students are also allowed to stay in New Zealand to work for 1 year after their graduation. Students can apply for any of the following post-study visas once they finish their studies:

• ​The open visa is available for all international students and is valid for 12 months.
• The employer-assisted visa allows students to work in a specific job for two additional years after the open visa expires.
• For permanent residency or PR in New Zealand, you can apply for the Skilled Migrant Visa after your studies.

9. Quality Education System: New Zealand universities consistently rank among the top 3% globally according to QS World University Rankings. According to the International Student Experience report 83% would recommend New Zealand as a study abroad destination. The International Student Experience report also found that 88% of students felt positive about New Zealand’s people and the connections they made there.
    
10. Job Opportunities: Another advantage of studying in New Zealand is the stay-back period that provides the students a great opportunity to apply for jobs and work after study in New Zealand country. If you complete a qualification in an area that is skilled and in demand in New Zealand, you may be able to continue working in New Zealand after your post-study work visa by applying for a different type of work visa or a skilled migrant visa.

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