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Study in New Zealand

Why study in New Zealand?

Population: 5,269,200

Size: 268,021 sq km

Major cities: Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch

New Zealand is home to internationally prestigious, research-led universities, many of which are ranked among the best in the world. Universities undertake pioneering research in many fields, and their discoveries and academics are in demand by organisations ranging from NATO to NASA. Research excellence is key to ensuring quality undergraduate and postgraduate opportunities, as discoveries and knowledge filter down to inform all levels of university teaching. Read more in the Why Go? section.

The New Zealand education system is based on the British model and a New Zealand university qualification is recognised all over the world as being the direct equivalent of a qualification from a UK university. The strong similarities and recognition between the university systems in the UK and New Zealand is not just reassuring; it is key if you are hoping to study a professional degree – such as veterinary science, nursing, engineering, medicine, or social work overseas. Read the Life After University section for plenty of career success stories from our New Zealand university graduates.

Study Options is the official UK representative of all eight New Zealand universities across the country’s two islands. You can access the university profiles either by island in the menu at the bottom of this page, or view them all from the University Profiles section.

Choosing your course

There are thousands of courses on offer across New Zealand, so whether you are an undergraduate embarking on your first degree, a postgraduate looking to gain more specialist knowledge in your subject area or are ready to study a PhD or research masters, there is a course for you. If you already have a clear idea of what it is you would like to study then please request a course list from Study Options. This will detail all the programmes available in your subject area as well as providing information about fees and admission requirements.

If you are still keeping your options open, then you might like to start your research by exploring the What Can I Study? section which contains information about programmes by subject area, including specific details about which paths to choose if you are working towards a professional qualification such as medicine, engineering, nursing or veterinary science.

Studying in New Zealand can be a uniquely different experience; its geography and culture present opportunities to study subjects that might be difficult to access at a UK university. Imagine getting up close to amazing wildlife, filming penguins, albatrosses and sea lions; or studying physical geography among volcanoes, geothermal areas, geysers, glaciers and fiords; or learning about the unique challenges to civil engineering in an active tectonic zone; or practicing viticulture in a country that has one of the world’s most highly-regarded wine industries! We think this is one of the most interesting aspects of choosing to study abroad and so we often profile these unique courses in the Featured Courses section.

What is studying in New Zealand like?

New Zealand boasts a rich cultural and geological landscape. With a population of around 4 million, it is a relatively small but laid-back country with a lot of outdoor space! If you haven’t already been to New Zealand then we think the best way you can learn about student life is to read some of our Students’ Stories.

Of course, there are always practicalities to consider. You will want to be sure you’ve got the most accurate idea possible of how much your qualification will cost, what funding is available, where and how you will live, what visa you will need, and where to go if you run into any problems.

While you are working hard at university, don’t forget that New Zealand is also home to some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes and the world’s most extreme sports! You will find breathtaking glaciers, rugged mountains; peaceful sandy beaches for swimming and sunbathing, natural lakes and hot springs to relax in; forests and national parks to explore. You can even fall from the sky towards it all (with a parachute – skydiving – or without – bungee-jumping!) so there is plenty to explore and keep you entertained in your free time. Contact Study Options now to start your journey to university in New Zealand… And don’t forget to send us a postcard!