When we talk about study abroad destinations, some of the places that come to our mind are the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Canada so on and so forth. Speaking of quality education and top universities, we cannot forget about New Zealand. All the universities in this country are ranked among the top 500 universities in the world according to the QS World Rankings. The quality of education in New Zealand universities is monitored by a special team which ensures that the standard is improved with each passing year. Established in 1870, the New Zealand education system has developed rapidly to incorporate new methodologies and provide state of the art facilities that prepare students for a successful international career.

Let’s look at some of the types of higher education institutions in this country.

Universities:

New Zealand has 8 government owned universities offering courses for undergraduate, masters and PhD levels across a range of subjects and fields. These universities are – The University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology, Massey University, Victoria University of Wellington, The University of Waikato, University of Canterbury, Lincoln University and University of Otago.

Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs):

These are vocational and applied education institutions. These institutes focus on providing hands-on, practical education and offers vocational certificates and diplomas in both general and specialized areas of study. ITPs offer undergraduate degrees in fields such as business, computer science, IT as well as few select post-graduate programs through a partnership with a local university.

Some of the ITPs are Ara Institute of Canterbury, Eastern Institute of Technology, Manukau Institute of Technology, Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, Northland Polytechnic, Otago Polytechnic, Southern Institute of Technology, Universal College of Learning to name a few.

Private Institutions:

These are known as Private Training Establishments (PTE). As the name suggests, these are privately owned institutions which offer a range of specialized courses in particular disciplines such as business, travel and tourism, hospitality, design and other such courses. These institutes offer courses accredited by the New Zealand Qualification Authority in the form of certificates, diplomas, and degrees.

Some of the top PTEs are Auckland Institute of Studies, Auckland Hotel & Chefs Training School, Alpha Educational Institute, Cornell Institute of Business and Technology, AGI Education Limited, Abacus Institute of Studies, Design and Art College, International College of Linguistic to name a few. You can always search for an “education loan for New Zealand” online in order to get financial support.

The academic year in New Zealand varies between institutions. Generally it is late January to late November or early December for secondary schools and polytechnics, and from late February until mid-November for universities. The broad types of qualifications you can opt for from the above mentioned institutions are National Certification, National Diplomas, Bachelor’s Degree or Graduate Diploma, Post Graduate Diploma or Certificate, Masters and Doctorates.

Educational culture followed in the institutes:

The educational institutions in New Zealand offers a supportive environment to all its students. Students are encouraged to question their teachers in class. This is not treated as disrespectful by the teachers as they promote original thinking among students. Student participation during lectures is always welcomed by the faculty members. You will be encouraged to consider problems laterally and discover solutions using what is covered in class as a starting point. You are expected to monitor and maintain your own credit levels, as well as manage your workload in meeting class requirements.

Hence, you should be prepared to work hard, work in teams and think innovatively during your course period. If you have difficulty with an assignment, you can always reach out to your teachers to seek help. You can also reach out to the student learning centre for assistance. The New Zealand Government was the first in the world to adopt a Code of Practice that sets out standards for the care of international students, both in and outside the educational institutions.

You a chance to think creatively when you study in New Zealand as the academic process encourages you to do so. It gives you the opportunity to live with diverse student community and experience diverse culture. There is no doubt about the fact that enrolling in a New Zealand university will help you experience a vibrant learning atmosphere full with academic challenges that will prepare you for a prosperous career.