New Zealand follows a British-based educational system, which means that most academic qualifications earned in New Zealand are recognised at other institutes in English speaking countries. 

All New Zealand schools are English speaking environments (although some schools offer Maori language components.)

 

English language courses are often undertaken by foreign students preparing for university studies.  Even if your English is competent, it is a good idea to enrol.  Many universities offer an English for Academic Study course.  Courses generally run between four and twelve weeks.

 

Foundation studies are bridging courses that prepare you for the New Zealand educational system.  They are usually undertaken by students who do not have the qualifications for tertiary study, or who have limited English skills.  Most universities and some secondary schools offer foundation studies.

 

New Zealand high schools are either private or state owned.  State owned institutes are free to attend.  Private schools charge a fee for attendance and may be single sex or aligned with a particular religion.  

The academic year follows a calendar year, from February till December.  Students enjoy a two week break in April, July and September and a longer break over summer, from mid December till the beginning of February.

Year levels are named accordingly, and most high schools start with Year Nine (for students, typically aged thirteen, in their ninth year of schooling) and end with Year Thirteen (for students, typically nineteen, in their thirteenth year of schooling.)  Students begin earning their Secondary School Qualification in Year Eleven. 

Studies from Year Eleven till Year Thirteen are credited towards the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA), which is used when determining university placements.

 

All Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) are state owned.  ITPs in New Zealand offer courses similar to universities, with qualifications earned being equal in merit to university qualifications.  ITPs typically offer vocational education.  Qualifications begin at certificate level.  Some ITPs offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

The ITP academic year begins in March and ends in November.  Mid year enrolment is usually allowed.

 

Kiwi universities are state owned and research based (in some cases, your course may be based on research carried out by one of your lecturers.)  They offer certificate level through to doctorate qualifications.  The weight of your qualification will depend on your potential field of employment (for example, a travel agent might only study at certificate level, while professions such as doctor, lawyer, teacher and nurse require a Bachelor degree.)

The academic year begins in late February or early march and generally ends in October (one exception to his is Victoria University of Wellington, which has trimesters and thus different commencement and end dates.)  The year is split into two semesters of about twelve weeks.  University breaks for two weeks in the middle of the year and six weeks at the end of the year.  Visa students are permitted to work full time during university breaks, and generally use the time to save money for the next semester.

Colleges of education, which offer similar courses with less formal qualifications, are often affiliated with a particular university and as such, follow a similar structure and timetable.

 

Private Training Providers (PTE’s) are similar to universities.  Like universities, they must be registered with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.  They run courses in a particular discipline, such as hospitality or travel and tourism.

New Zealand has a wide variety of educational institutes and bridging courses for students of all ages and backgrounds.  Most qualifications earned in New Zealand can be transferred at other English speaking colleges and universities.

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