Overview:

Education system in New Zealand:

Overall view:

 New Zealand is a highly educated country with a literacy rate of almost 100. Like most other developed countries education is considered as basic necessity. Arts, science, engineering and nature studies are most preferred direction of studies. The student teacher ratio is also very impressive around 18 students per teacher. The Government is very particular in promoting New Zealand preferred destinations among international students. The governments guides in financing, accommodation and counselling services.
   
The costs of living for student are quite reasonable. It costs around 5000 to 7000 USD per year depending upon the personal habits. It is allowed to work up to 20 hours a week during your education if registered for any course over 2 years of duration. In any case the doctorate students are not allowed to work.
   
There is no upper age limit for education where as 19 is the minimum age for tertiary education from bachelors. The academic year starts from march till the end of November and the summer semester is from January to march. The Government spend around 6 % of the total GDP in educational expenditure.
   
The starting age for kindergarten is between 3 and 5.The kinder garden education is mostly play oriented.

High School:

High school education is compulsory and it is till the age of 16. The government provides free education in state owned schools. There are also private schools close to 2500 in numbers. Grade 13 is the last year of studies in the high school and the further options such as diploma, engineering, arts and science are chosen from there.

Undergraduate:

There are totally 44 universities offering a total of 540 undergraduate programs. The length of the undergraduate program can be anywhere between 6 months and 4 years depending upon the studies and the specialisation. The fees for the undergraduate program normally ranges anywhere between 10,000 to 16,000 NZ $. The mode of teaching is class room lectures as well as practical sessions. The polytechnic institutes usually have a much higher degree of practical orientation. The open options after the completion of undergraduate studies are employment, graduate studies and post graduate studies.

Graduate Studies:

A total of 20 universities offer graduate studies which is called as post graduate studies in New Zealand. There are a wide variety and specialisation of courses more than 500 on offer. The concentrations of International University in Graduate studies are comparatively much higher. The length of the graduate studies can be 2 years till the completion. The supervision and focus will be much higher here. Few of these courses also have compulsory internship and thesis. Upon successful completion either employment or further studies can be continued.

PHD programs:

The PHD programs are offered by top notch Universities and Research Institutes in the fields of engineering, education, arts and science. The PhD Program lasts for a minimum of 3 years and goes till the successful completion and the satisfaction of the supervisor of the program.

Study abroad option:

In any time of the year there are minimum of 100,000 International students in the            New Zealand universities representing more than 150 countries from all over the world. The Government’s attitude towards international students is very positive and welcoming. The government is very keen and careful is doing the need full for the international students. The student community is also very lively and friendly. At most places they use the first name of the person to address them.

Summer programs:

There are 36 unique summer programs offered and these courses when less than 3 months there is no need to get a student visa or student permit. The student is eligible to undergo the course with just a visitor’s visa. These 36 courses include English language courses.

 Learning language:

English is the official and wide spoken language in New Zealand.

Many Non native English speaking students enrol themselves in the English courses in the universities to improve and learn the language better.

DID YOU KNOW?
     Less than 5 per cent of New Zealand's population is human - the rest are animals. This is one of the highest ratios of animals to humans in the world.
     New Zealand has more bookshops per head of population than any other country; one for every 7,500 people.
     New Zealand's largest city, Auckland, reputedly has more boats per head of population that any other city in the world, earning it the nickname 'City of Sails.'
     New Zealand's largest city, Auckland, reputedly has more boats per head of population that any other city in the world, earning it the nickname 'City of Sails.'