ABOUT NEW ZEALAND LOCATION: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia POPULATION: 4,035,461 (July 2005 est.) GDP: $97.39 billion (2005 est.) SIZE: 268,680 sq km LANGUAGE: English (official), Maori (official) MAJOR INDUSTRIES: transportation equipment, banking and insurance, food processing, wood and paper products, textiles, machinery, tourism, mining WHY STUDY IN NEW ZEALAND? 1. New Zealand has an international reputation as a provider of quality education. More than 20,000 international students studying at all levels of the education system enjoys studying in New Zealand, famous for its amazing scenery- a fun place to visit and a superb study destination. 2. New Zealand has an international reputation offering safe learning environment which provides excellent study opportunities and support services for international students. Campuses are highly international, with students from all corners of the globe studying and socialising together. Students come from Europe, South East Asia, the UK, North Asia, Japan, South America, India, and Australia, amongst many others. 3. The living costs and cost of university study in New Zealand compare favourably with those of other countries and their universities. 4. New Zealand bases its education programmes and degrees on the world’s most recognised and accredited education system - the British system. This is supported by an integrated education system in which students attending New Zealand schools and New Zealand English language schools find it easy to make the transition to the next level of education. 5. There are seven state-funded universities in New zealand, all of them internationally respected for their academic and research standards. In addition to a centrally co-ordinated system of quality assurance audits (the New Zealand Vice Chancellors’ Committee (NZVCC)), at both institution and programme level, each university undertakes internal quality checks. 6. New Zealand offers students the most prestigious education system in the world without the expense and inconvenience of living in the Northern Hemisphere. New Zealand has a number of centres of excellence, leading the world in fields such as biotechnology, forensic science and marine engineering. The programmes, courses and degrees are internationally renowned for producing graduates who take a practical, innovative and contemporary approach to there chosen careers. They enjoy the latest educational resources and technology. Some New Zealand institutions are internationally recongnised for producing Nobel Prize winners and world leaders in a growing number of fields. Thus, New Zealand is becoming first choice for an increasing number of international students seeking quality education. TYPE OF QUALIFICATIONS IN NEW ZEALAND: a) National Certificates b) National Diplomas c) Bachelors Degree or Graduate Diploma d) Post Graduate Diploma or Certificate or Bachelors with Hons. e) Masters f) Doctorates The government authority responsible for issuing visas and permits to enter New Zealand are the New Zealand Immigration Service (NZIS). If you are outside New Zealand and planning to study full time for more than three months, you will need a student visa and a student permit, unless you are from a country that has a special agreement with New Zealand . (European countries, USA , Australia etc.). The first step while applying for student visas to NZ would be to get the application approved by NZIS in advance. To apply for the approval, you need to do the following: Application requirements : To get a student visa and permit, you have to be enrolled in an approved course at an institution that has been accredited to offer that course. Your application will require : • A recent passport-size photograph. • Payment of a non-refundable application fee. (A demand draft drawn in favour of ‘New Zealand Immigration Services' payable at New Delhi ) • An 'Offer of Place' from an educational institution which states that you have been accepted by the institution, the name of the course, the minimum time required to complete the course, and whether a course fee must be paid or the student is exempt from the fee (e.g. scholarship students). The New Zealand institution that confirms your enrolment will send this ‘Offer of Place' to you. • A written guarantee from a New Zealand education institution or person that suitable accommodation is available to you in New Zealand. • Evidence of sufficient funds to live on while you are studying. • A return air ticket to your country, or evidence of sufficient funds to buy one. • You'll also have to provide medical and x-ray certificates that are less than three months old (for students intending to be in New Zealand over 9 months, screening for Tuberculosis is compulsory.). This medical certificate should be issued by a doctor approved by NZIS. • If you are over 17, a police certificate to show that you are of good character. Once the application has been approved by NZIS, you will receive a written confirmation of the same within a month. The student is then required to pay one-year's tuition fees to the university or institution the students wishes to study at. NZIS issues the final visa upon submission of the receipt of payment of fees and the original and valid passport . | ||||||||||||||||
