New Zealand Education System
The New Zealand education system is currently ranked as number 7 in the world - far better than many OECD countries. As a former British colony, The New Zealand education system is strongly based on the European system, with some minor differences such as students starting primary school at five years of age and secondary school incorporating grade 9 to 13.
Higher Education in New Zealand
The Higher Education System in New Zealand is to an even greater degree based on the British system with a very similar structure. This means that qualifications gained in New Zealand or partial qualifications can often be transferred freely within New Zealand and with institutions in both the UK and Australia. All education institutions must be accredited through The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).
New Zealand's higher education institutions are split into universities, polytechnics and institutes of technology, colleges of education and Private training providers. Universities are largely research based and state owned. They offer courses from certificate to doctorate level with most courses lasting a full year. Some courses will run only one semester, and these can sometimes be started mid-academic year.
Polytechnics and institutes of technology are also state owned and offer courses equivalent in to those offered at universities. These institutions are more vocationally oriented and offer a more practical approach to learning than many university courses. Polytechnics and institutes of technology offer education from certificate level to degrees. Many also offer postgraduate courses of very high standing on the international scale.
Colleges of education are teacher training institutions most commonly closely affiliated with or merged with the nearest university.
Private training Providers often offer training in a specific discipline, such as tourism management, hospitality management, cooking or business. These institutions are also vocationally oriented and aim to get you into qualified employment after graduation. Private Training Providers are also very welcoming of international students and often offer many distance learning options.
The New Zealand Academic Year
The Academic year in New Zealand corresponds to the calendar year starting in late February or early March and ending in October. Some universities may offer summer school courses and the possibility to start your university studies in July, but it is by no means a given. Some polytechnics may also offer courses lasting just one semester, in which case you may be able to start half way through the academic year. In general the system is based on two semesters, although exact start days and holidays may vary between institutions. Count on your first week at the start of the semester to be action-packed with orientation activities, live music and events.
Degree structure in New Zealand
The degree structure within higher education in New Zealand corresponds very closely to the British system running from certificate to doctorate level. Note, that the complete span is only offered at university institutions. Polytechnics and institutes of technology generally start at certificate level and run up to postgraduate courses. Private training generally offer certificate and diploma qualifications.
A bachelor degree generally takes 3 to 4 years to complete. After this, you are free to enter a postgraduate course getting you a Graduate diploma, Master Degree or Doctorate. The Master degree takes 1 to 2 years to complete and will require a higher level of study, including some research not generally included in the diploma courses. Further continuance with more research etc will grant you a doctorate.
Postgraduate study is based on your previous degree, and requires for you to stay largely within the same field of study.
Entry Requirements
Entry into undergraduate education in New Zealand will require a senior high school diploma considered equivalent of the education provided in New Zealand. If you are from a non English speaking country, you will have to have these documents translated. In some cases the institution you are applying to may ask you to have your qualifications assessed by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). This will cost NZ$450 and take up to 8 weeks.
For Postgraduate education the same applies to translation and assessment, although most countries with a similar degree structure will be acceptable for entry. You will generally need a previous bachelor's degree within the field you wish to enter into for a postgraduate course.
The other main requirement will be proof of your proficiency in English. Proof of this can be given in a number of different ways from previous English speaking education to a TOEFL test result of 550 (paper based) or equivalent.
