New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island), and numerous smaller islands, most notably Stewart Island/Rakiura and the Chatham Islands. The indigenous Māori language name for New Zealand is Aotearoa, commonly translated as land of the long white cloud. The Realm of New Zealand also includes the Cook Islands and Niue (self-governing but in free association); Tokelau; and the Ross Dependency (New Zealand's territorial claim in Antarctica).
New Zealand is notable for its geographic isolation: it is situated about 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) southeast of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and its closest neighbours to the north are New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga. During its long isolation New Zealand developed a distinctive fauna dominated by birds, a number of which became extinct after the arrival of humans and the mammals they introduced.
The majority of New Zealand's population is of European descent; the indigenous Māori are the largest minority. Asians and non-Māori Polynesians are also significant minority groups, especially in urban areas. The most commonly spoken language is English.
New Zealand is a developed country that ranks highly in international comparisons on many topics, including education, economic freedom, and lack of corruption. Its cities also consistently rank among the world's most liveable.
New Zealand attracts as many as 90,000 international students every year. By 2025, the nation's government intends to double this intake to 180,000.An important one of which is the affordability – getting a degree in NZ actually works out to be cheaper than many courses in India.
New Zealand offers world class education in studies in arts, technology, science and business. The range of study opportunities covers Diplomas, Bachelors, Masters and PhD levels.
Education in New Zealand offers an attractive and stimulating environment. The institutions are diverse in size and location, and offer a wide range of general and specialist courses. Universities offer a broad range of subjects for degrees in commerce, science and arts.
Each has developed its own specialist subjects such as Medicine, Engineering, and Veterinary Science, Computer Studies, Agriculture and Environmental Studies, Sports-Science, Biotechnology, Architecture etc. Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral degrees are offered by all New Zealand Universities. A range of under graduate and postgraduate courses is offered.
As English is the everyday language in NZ, students and migrants find it very easy to study, live and interact in NZ. Moreover the NZ accent is easy to understand.
Admission to a University/College in New Zealand requires a completion of twelve years of elementary and secondary education. Most universities ask for a minimum of 75% aggregate marks and a minimum of 60% in English. In case the criterion is not met, you may be required to do a foundation course in some University/College in New Zealand.
All students must be fluent in English language if they are to succeed at university in New Zealand. There are many courses available at public and private institutions in New Zealand and elsewhere to assist international students reach the required level of English language competence.
All students should take up IELTS or TOEFL since it is required by the Immigration Services. A band of 6.0 / 6.5 for undergraduate & 6.5 / 7.5 for postgraduate courses is desirable.
The academic year is from mid / late February to early November and most of Universities/Colleges have 2 semesters with a holiday of 4 weeks in June.
Each University/College operates slightly different dates and some also offer summer school in the main holiday period in November to February. Intakes are in February, July and sometimes in September.
New Zealand, the New NZIDRS, provides financial support for international students undertaking doctoral degrees by research in New Zealand Universities. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit.
