Frequently Asked Questions

What factors should I consider when making a choice of course?

Select the courses according to the area you are interested in studying and discuss with your IDP counselor. Look carefully at the content of each course in the individual university website or brochure.

Apart from the course, it is very important that you should think of other factors as well: Location, Cost and eligibility criteria.

Your counselor will be able to advise you about the relevant Institutions which meet your requirements.

Are the courses and institutions that I have chosen of a high standard?

All universities and Institute of Technology & Polytechnics (ITPs) that provide higher education in the New Zealand are State Owned. Universities run undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and are research based. The courses at ITPs are vocational and skills-based ranging from certificate level to degree and postgraduate level.

The New Zealand Education is centrally managed by a quality assurance system; New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA). NZQA establishes & ensures compliance with qualification standards & enables students to transition between education sectors, gain credit for previous study. New Zealand’s universities perform very highly on a global level. In comparison to other countries, New Zealand has the highest percentage of universities which feature in top 500 rankings.  All Institutes in New Zealand are internationally represented by the NZ Government agency - Education New Zealand.

As the New Zealand education system fosters a depth of quality across the education sector, students need not be concerned about which institution to study at so much as which course they wish to pursue at these high-quality institutions.

What financial support is available for international students?

There are few scholarships that are available for international students to enhance the skills, training and knowledge of selected individuals from developing countries. The scholarships may or may not apply to you depending on the country for which it is available. Apart from these, there may be some individual Institute based scholarship that may be announced in a financial year.

Your IDP counselor will have details of various scholarship schemes.

New Zealand offers a range of competitive options for students when considering tuition fees and other costs like visas, health cover and additional expenses. According to the 2009 Deloitte’s Comparative Costs for International Students Report, tuition fees for undergraduate degrees in New Zealand are generally more affordable than similar courses in many other countries.

What opportunities are there for working and studying at the same time?

Many universities have a dedicated job centre on-campus for students that offer or advertise a range of job opportunities to help students develop skills. Most students enrolled in a course of 12 months duration or longer can work part-time for up to 20 hours a week during semester and full-time during holiday periods.

The circumstances under which students studying fulltime may work part-time include studying a course of at least 2 years duration at a tertiary institution or private training establishment or undertaking a New Zealand qualification that meets the criteria of the Skilled Migrant Category.  Students may also work part-time to meet the practical work experience requirements of a course.

Students should refer to Student Job Search which is an organization which assists students in finding work. Student Job Search helps students find summer holiday or temporary or part-time work. This service is funded by the New Zealand Government, tertiary institutions and student associations, and it is run by student associations.

How can I find accommodation?

There are four main accommodation options for international students in New Zealand. These are halls of residence / hostels, home stays, private boarding and flatting.

Private accommodation outside of the University or college will be cheaper if you are prepared to share the facilities with another student and are more suitable to postgraduate or mature students. If you are looking at this option, you should get some temporary accommodation booked and plan to travel to New Zealand 1-2 weeks before your course starts.

Undergraduate students in their first year of the course are recommended to stay in the halls of residence on-campus. These residences are usually located in a building or large house which in turn is typically located on campus or within walking distance of the education provider.

When should I begin the application process?

It is recommended that you begin your application process at least 4 months in advance to keep adequate time for your admission offer and visa processes.

Intakes in NZ?

The intakes (entry points) start usually twice a year in February and in May/July each year. However there are some institutions which may have a trimester system.

For most universities the academic year begins in February, and Semester 1 concludes in June. Students then have a two- to four- week winter break before resuming their second-semester studies in July. The New Zealand summer runs from December to February.

Does IDP have any special relationship with New Zealand institutions?

Yes, IDP has signed up with specific New Zealand institutions which will certainly give you the benefit of better turnaround time for application assessment. IDP counselors will be able to provide you with accurate and updated information and assist you for each step of your enrollment process in New Zealand.

Will IDP help me with the pre departure formalities?

Yes, IDP will organize a pre-departure orientation program which will help you in preparing for your life as a student in the New Zealand.