Study in New Zealand for Indian and International Students 2024

New Zealand is slowly becoming a higher study abroad destination for international students as a high surge of aspirants are looking to study in New Zealand. It is an island country lying on the east side of Australia. Moreover, several colleges in New Zealand without or with IELTS are ranked highly due to their top class education and learning experiences.

This Story also Contains

1. New Zealand Intakes
2. New Zealand Admission 2024: Application Intakes
3. Study in New Zealand Without ILETS 2024
4. Admission in New Zealand: Process
5. Eligibility Criteria to Study in New Zealand 2024
6. Study In New Zealand Without IELTS 2024
7. New Zealand PTE Requirements 2024
8. Study in New Zealand: Relevant Cost
9. Scholarships to Study in New Zealand
10. Best Universities in New Zealand
11. Best Courses to Study in New Zealand
12. Jobs and Internships after Study in New Zealand
13. Why Study in New Zealand?
14. Best countries to study abroad

Statistically, almost 8 universities in New Zealand are ranked in the top 500 universities of the world as well as these are among the top 10 universities in New Zealand as per the QS Ranking 2024. Currently, more than 30,000 international students are studying in New Zealand. Hence these benefits of studying in New Zealand and compelling reasons to study in New Zealand make it a better country to go for higher education abroad 2024.

The universities in New Zealand for international students without IELTS or with offer a wide range of courses at different levels from bachelor’s to PhD programs. In New Zealand, International students can also opt for graduate diploma programs and honours courses offered by universities. So, students can easily select their course which aligns with their job prospects to study in New Zealand.

Read the article to know more about the study in New Zealand without IELTS, admissions, eligibility criteria, top colleges, cost of living and visa requirements.
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New Zealand Intakes

Indian students can study in New Zealand without IELTS or with IELTS after their 12th class. The universities in this country offer various courses in bachelors and diplomas after the 12th with the best curriculums meeting the international standards for students.

Courses like bachelors in science, biomedical science, biochemistry, ecology, and environmental sciences are some of the options to study in New Zealand after 12th science. You can check for suitable universities in New Zealand for international students which offer your required course and apply online on the university website for admission during its intake period.

New Zealand Admission 2024: Application Intakes

To study in New Zealand, universities consider 2 intakes a year for international students i.e., in January and July. However, a few universities have September and November as intakes in New Zealand depending on their academic calendar. It is best to start the application process six months before the deadline of New Zealand intakes 2024, if the candidate is planning to study in New Zealand.

Most universities here offer three application deadlines to international students and it is up to the students to choose the appropriate deadline to study in New Zealand. Ideally, you should have completed your language and aptitude tests three months before the deadline.

The New Zealand study visa process 2024 should be completed in three months before the intake that you have chosen. The New Zealand study visa process can take anywhere between eight to twelve weeks, so plan to apply for the intakes in New Zealand considering the visa time length.

The timelines of New Zealand intakes for admission to the March sessions in universities are provided below. The details help in pre-preparation required for the New Zealand intake months. Kindly check these before applying to universities in New Zealand.

Study in New Zealand: Timeline of Admission Cycle (Guidelines)

Study in New Zealand Without ILETS 2024

Selecting any one of the colleges in New Zealand without IELTS or with IELTS for international students depends upon the course they want to take. In order to choose your New Zealand universities for international students, here are some factors you should consider:

Academic standards: The teaching standards in the university can be gauged when you review how challenging and rigorous the courses are in New Zealand. The universities here specialise in particular courses, so choose the university that best meets your needs.

Types of New Zealand University: New Zealand has both private and public universities. There are community colleges which offer a two-year degree course and also universities that offer a four-year bachelor’s program. Apart from this, some universities focus on research-based learning while others focus on teaching the theoretical part of subjects. So it's up to you to choose the university based on your preferences.

College infrastructure and faculty: Another important factor is the college infrastructure in terms of being well-equipped with classrooms, labs, students clubs, computer labs etc. Another factor is the quality of the faculty and their teaching experience.

Location of the NZ university: The location of the university is another factor to be considered. Universities situated in cities such as Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch provide students with advantages of living in a big city such as a cosmopolitan population providing access to facilities and opportunities for socialising. Universities located in sparsely populated areas or remote places do not offer these advantages.

College fee and living expenses in New Zealand: Another deciding factor is the fees you will have to pay for your course at various universities. You will also have to factor in the living expenses when choosing your university.

Reputation of the university: The reputation of the university where you wish to study is an important deciding factor.

Admission in New Zealand: Process

The following process can be followed in order to meet the admission in New Zealand during the provided timeline. However, one must keep in mind that each university in New Zealand for international students without IELTS or with it have different admission process requirements. For admission in New Zealand, the general requirements are:

1. Select the course you want to study.

2. Make a list of the universities where your course is offered.

3. Check on the eligibility and the admission requirements.

4. Take the tests required for admission.

5. Write SOPs and arrange for LORs.

6. Apply to your shortlisted universities when the New Zealand intakes start.

7. Attend interviews for admission.

8. Get your acceptance letter.

9. Apply for a New Zealand student visa.

Eligibility Criteria to Study in New Zealand 2024

English proficiency tests: There are various eligibility criteria if you wish to study in New Zealand for Indian students or for other international students. An important criteria is your proficiency in the English language. For this you will have to take an English language proficiency test.

The IELTS is the standard English proficiency test required from international student applicants from non-English speaking countries who wish to study in New Zealand. For the New Zealand student visa IELTS requirements are 5.5 band scores for every individual section and an overall score of minimum 6.0 is required. However, it is possible to study in New Zealand without IELTS 2024 by demonstrating that prospects received their primary education in English medium.

There are other possibilities like attempting other English proficiency tests like PTE, TOEFL, etc. The New Zealand PTE requirements 2024 are also detailed below but for the students who feel difficulty in attempting these proficiency tests, there are universities in New Zealand which have their own university English proficiency tests which are a bit easier than these including TOEFL and PTE. Candidates can select without IELTS study in New Zealand as well.

Study In New Zealand Without IELTS 2024

Yes, it is possible to study in New Zealand universities without IELTS. There are a few universities which don't require IELTS scores. The few of them universities are:

• University of Auckland

• University of Otago

• Lincoln University

• University of Canterbury

• Unitech Institute of Technology

But, instead of IELTS, the students need to meet the following criteria:

Students need to submit HSE or class 8-12 proof of English medium study.

Submit 5 years of English medium study in primary school and 3 years in senior school.

Needs to qualify for the interview conducted by New Zealand authorities applying without IELTS scores.

Students who come from the following countries may also get exempted from submitting their IELTS scores:

• Canada

• Ireland

• Singapore

• United Kingdom

• The United States of America

New Zealand PTE Requirements 2024

However, many universities also accept PTE. While New Zealand PTE requirements 2024 for undergraduate courses are 50, New Zealand PTE score requirements 2024 for graduate courses is 64. The English language proficiency test score will be considered when you apply for a New Zealand study visa.

Proof of having enough funds: You must have proof that you have enough funds with you to support your studies and living expenses in New Zealand. The proof of funds you will need to submit include the following:

• Previous four months’ bank statements.

• Proof of having paid your tuition and housing expenses if you have paid it in advance.

• Loan letter if you have acquired a loan from a bank.

• Proof in the form of documents if you have scholarship or funding.

Educational qualifications: If you are applying for a bachelor’s degree then you must have completed 12 years of formal education. If you are applying for a master’s degree you must have a minimum score of 50% to 60% in your undergraduate degree. You must also submit your GRE and GMAT scores based on the course you are applying for.

Admission requirements: The requirements for admission in New Zealand for Indian students include:

• Statement of purpose: You must submit a statement of purpose or SOP for each college or university you are applying to, explaining how the college/university is a perfect fit for you and give reasons as to why you should be accepted into the program you are applying for.

• Essays: You should also write one or two essays, which can be on topics such as your career goals, reasons to choose a particular college etc. They are an important part of the admission process.

• Letters of recommendation: You must submit letters of recommendation or LORs which are reference letters from your professors or managers recommending you for admission to a college or university based on your skills and qualifications.

Visa Requirements for Study in New Zealand for International Students

If you are applying for a course in New Zealand whose duration is more than three months, then you will have to apply for a New Zealand study visa. With this visa you can stay in the country for a maximum period of four years and can work for up to 20 hours per week and full time during vacations.

In order to apply for the New Zealand study visa you must have admission from an approved college and enough funds to pay for your course. The other visa options available to students are short-term visas with which you can do courses for three to six months.

A long-term visa is the pathway visa with which you can do three consecutive courses for a period of five years. These visas too allow you to work up to 20 hours per week when you are studying and full time during breaks.

Types of Visa for Study in New Zealand

Visa for New Zealand Study Abroad - Documents Required

When you want to study in New Zealand without IELTS 2024 or even with it, there are certain documents that you will need to submit. Make sure to make them ready beforehand. These are basically the study in New Zealand requirements.

• Valid passport whose validity is at least three months beyond the duration of your course.

• Offer letter from the college or university in New Zealand where you have been selected to prove you have gained admission to a course.

• A completed New Zealand study visa application form.

• Proof of payment of visa application fee.

• Letter from a sponsor for financial support for your living and accommodation expenses.

• Passport size photos.

• Transcripts of the degrees, diplomas from institutions you have studied in the past.

• Proof of English proficiency through your test scores in IELTS, TOEFL or PTE as required by the university you have applied to.

• Your GRE, or GMAT test scores as required by the course you have applied for.

• Proof of funds to show how you will pay for your education and other expenses in New Zealand.

• Receipt to prove you have paid for health insurance.

• Health certificate.

• Proof of employment history if you have worked earlier.

Study in New Zealand: Relevant Cost

Mostly, the costs include the living expenses as well as the tuition fees of the university selected by the candidates to study in New Zealand. The colleges in New Zealand are permitted to charge tuition fees as per their rules. What this means is that the tuition fee for your course will depend on the college you have chosen. The study in New Zealand cost for the tuition fees are mentioned below.

Average Tuition Fee-Course Wise in New Zealand

Cost of Living in New Zealand

The living costs depend on where your university is located because like in all other countries, the bigger cities will have a higher cost of living compared to smaller cities and towns. The accommodation in New Zealand depends on the location of the university. An important study in New Zealand requirement is to show proof of funds for your living expenses. The amount depends on the duration of your course. If your course duration is more than one year you will have to show proof of funds of NZD 20,000 for each year of study and if it is less than a year you will have to show that you have funds equalling to NZD 1,250 per month of study. This proof of funds is an important requirement for your New Zealand study visa application as well.

Scholarships to Study in New Zealand

Scholarships are available at all levels of study including those wanting to do PhD in New Zealand, master's, etc. The New Zealand scholarships for international students are given by the universities and not the government. The universities here award scholarships based on merit and need-based fee waivers are also given to students.

The scholarships are given to students who have a strong academic background, have historically performed well in exams and have credible extracurricular achievements. Students should apply for these scholarships with all the required documents before the deadline given by the university. Here are some of the scholarships awarded by well-known universities in New Zealand.

Scholarships to Study in New Zealand 2024

To study in New Zealand for Indian students, they can also apply for a loan from banks and financial institutions in India to support their finances for education. Again the loan application should have all the required documents. Proof of having a scholarship or a loan is also an important part of your New Zealand study visa application requirements 2024.

Best Universities in New Zealand

New Zealand has eight well known universities among which the University of Auckland is the most popular. A lot of brainwork is required while selecting the best university for your course. Don’t worry, we have provided the best New Zealand universities along with their QS Rankings for your reference.

Top Universities in New Zealand with QS World 2025 Rankings:

Best Courses to Study in New Zealand

Here is the list of best courses in New Zealand. Most of the international students planning to study in New Zealand choose to prefer these courses as there are more career opportunities available after pursuing these courses. These opportunities help students to make a rational decision to select a course of study at any of the universities in New Zealand for international students.

• Art and design

• Engineering

• Medicine

• Business management

• Computer Science and IT

• Agriculture

• Nursing

• Health care

Jobs and Internships after Study in New Zealand

Here are the details regarding work for international students during study and post-study periods in New Zealand.

Working while studying

International students can work in New Zealand during their course. The New Zealand visa requirements 2024 allows you to work for a maximum of 20 hours during your course and you can work full-time during vacations.

There are certain pre-conditions that students must meet in order to work when they are studying:

• Course duration must be at least for two years.

• Your course leads to a New Zealand qualification that will give you points under the Skilled Migrant category.

• You are studying an English language course that meets the conditions of immigration New Zealand.

Post study work options: New Zealand study visa requirements 2024

International students who have completed a degree in New Zealand can work after study in New Zealand by applying for two kinds of post-study work visas with which they can stay back in the country for work.

• The open visa is available for all international students and is valid for 12 months after completion of their course to help them find a job.

• The employer-assisted visa which allows students to work in a specific job for two additional years after the open visa expires.

• If you wish to apply for permanent residency or PR in New Zealand, you can apply for the Skilled Migrant Visa after your studies.

Why Study in New Zealand?

New Zealand is the home to some of the world's top universities. The excellent quality in education both in public colleges and private colleges drive the international students from various regions across the world to study in New Zealand. Here are the top reasons to study in New Zealand which explain why international students prefer to study in this country.

Top Seven Reasons to Study in New Zealand

1. Reputed universities: Most of the best universities in New Zealand are listed in the QS world university rankings. This speaks a lot of the quality of education in these universities. The degrees from these universities are globally recognized, so doing a course here will mean better job opportunities.

2. Scope for innovation and research: The universities here focus on innovation and research. The focus is on research and development in various fields including engineering, physics, geology, computer science, astronomy etc.

3. Diverse student population: Universities here have a diverse student population which means students from different countries in the world come here to study. There is also a support network for international students in which the New Zealand government is actively involved.

4. Lower tuition fee: When compared to other countries like the US, the UK, or Australia the tuition fee for international students is comparatively low. The average annual tuition fee in New Zealand comes to 20,000 NZ$. Apart from this, international students can also get scholarships from universities where they study.

5. Exciting outdoor activities: New Zealand offers options for various outdoor activities for students. The long coastline, the mountain ranges and the rain forests offer plenty of opportunities to experience outdoor life.

6. Work options during your studies: Students who have come here on a New Zealand study visa have the option to work during their studies. This allows them to earn while they learn and partly fund their expenses.

7. Safe place: New Zealand offers a safe environment for students. The local people are friendly and the crime rates are very low.

We hope this article helped you understand the major aspects about studying in New Zealand. This will help you in your preparation and application process to study in this country.

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