Legend has it that New Zealand was fished from the sea and the fact has it that New Zealand was the last land mass on the earth to be discovered, making New Zealand the youngest. The first New Zealanders, the Maori, migrated here from their ancestral Polynesian homeland of Hawaiki. This was followed about 800 years later by extensive European migration.

New Zealanders enjoy maximum freedom. Political stability and the people from varieties of cultures make NZ one of the main places of attraction for international students.

It can be, expectedly, another point to consider for Nepalese students who are planning to study in NZ – the police there do not carry guns. New Zealand offers you a religious freedom.ï€ ï€ About 10 % of the population (4 millions) is actively Christian and many of the  public holidays are from the Christian calendar.

CITIES:

The main cities are Auckland (the largest) , Hamilton, Palmerstone North, the capacity Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

TAX SYSTEM:

If you study in NZ for more than 183 days (6 months) in any 12 month period and have what the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) considers an “enduring relationship” with NZ, you are a “resident” for tax purposes. Employers deduct PAYE (pay as you earn) tax from any wages or salary you earn. IRD number, an individual number, you should apply for at the IRD. RWT (Resident Withholding Tax) – If you have money in a NZ bank, the bank will deduct the RWT from an interest you earn, on behalf of the government. The financial year is from 1 April to 31 March. Tax is payable by 7 February, or 7 March if an accountant/ tax agent helps with your tax return.

VISA WAIVER AGREEMENT:

A citizen of a country which has a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand (you can stay up to three months). Fifty-three countries have a visa-waiver agreement with NZ; Nepal is not one of them.

STUDENT VISA OR PERMIT?

Everyone who comes to study in NZ from overseas must meet certain rules and requirements. If the course you want to study is a single short course of less than three calendar months and is approved by NZQA, you do not need a student visa and can apply for a visitor visa.

Whether you need a student visa or a permit is decided by the duration of course you choose to study.

BENEFITS OF STUDYING IN NEW  ZEALAND

Degrees from universities represented by The Next are globally recognized.

- World class learning institutes

- Credits earned at most universities are easily transferred to a student’s home.

- Friendly people and environment

- English is spoken in and out of their classroom.

- Cultural immersion is a perspective broadening experience.

- Not limited to classroom rather there are ample of opportunities to explore the region.

- Focusing exclusively on international students wishing to study in NZ they give the universities, colleges, schools and other relevant parties the precise International student market 24 hrs/7days/365days – a day/a week/a year respectively.

EDUCATION SYSTEM

Academic Year

The New Zealand academic year goes from February to November with a long summer break from late November to early February with most universities operating on a two- semester system.

DEGREES

Typically, a bachelor’s degree will take three years and a further year of study will lead to an Honors degree. Not every degree follow this 3+1 pattern instead there are some four year degrees which may or may not be awarded with Honors.

A bachelor’s degree may be followed by a Master’s degree. A candidate who does not have an Honors degree may be awarded a Master’s degree with honors. Such a degree usually involves two years of study, compared to one year for a Master’s degree for a candidate who has an Honors degree. A candidate who has either a Master’s degree or a bachelor’s degree with Honors may proceed to a doctoral degree. The Master’s degree is open to those who have completed a Bachelor’s degree with good grades. Depending on the one or two years of advanced study in the student’s majoring discipline.

STUDY OPTIONS

There are a range of options for you to consider for your study in New Zealand. Education institutions in New Zealand must meet stringent quality and standard criteria drawn by the government body. You can achieve a qualification of consistent quality and a standard compared to the qualifications achieved in other parts of the world.

University programs:

-    Bachelor’s Degrees

-    Graduate and Post-Graduate Diplomas

-    Master’s Degrees

-    Diplomas and Certificates

-    Short Courses (gap years)

-    English Language Courses

-    Foundation Studies

-    Study Abroad

-    Student Exchange Program

Polytechnic and Technical Institutes

-    Certificate, diploma, degree and post-graduate course

-    Vocationally based programs

-    Specific training – e.g. trades, nursing, journalism

Vocational Education Institutes:

Specific training in areas-

Aviation, Hospitality, Travel & Tourism, Graphic Design, Dive School, Animation / Film, Sky Diving, Surf School

Other New Zealand Colleges of Education:

-    Early Childhood Education

-    Primary & Secondary teacher training

-    Professional Development for teacher

-    Adult education and training

-    Specific needs education

REQUIREMENTS:

English Language Requirement:

It is important to become proficient in English to make your study effective in NZ. You will be required to take IELTS efore you will be admitted to a NZ university. Despite having very good understanding of English, several students seem to be nervous about the IELTS. The Next academics have it that most of the students who have grown up in English medium environment may not really need any training for the test. Hence, The Next has developed a system by which students can assess their ability and be familiar with the format of the test prior to taking the actual test. If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence of your English language ability.  IELTS 6.0 with no band less than 5.5 for undergraduate and 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 for postgraduate level of study. A pass in English in the General Certificate of Education ‘O’ level examination. A TOEFL paper test score of 550, internet based 80 for undergraduate and paper test score 575, internet based 90 for postgraduate level of study.

EVIDENCE OF FUNDS AND INCOME  

-Loan sanction letter

-Bank statements/Bank passbooks for past six months, not more than one week old

-Other movable and immovable assets

-CA statement/ summary statement

-Last three years income tax papers of all family members

COST REQUIREMENT:

It depends on the destination, course and the institution. In general, UK costs about NRs.16 – 22 lakhs per annum, Australia costs NRs. 13 – 20 lakhs per annum and NZ costs NRs. 13 – 15 lakhs per annum. There are few scholarships and hence students have to be largely self-funded or avail loans from banks.  The above costing is in the assumption that the student is not working part time. Though part time work is not guaranteed, students are allowed to work part time off campus in New Zealand. Several students work part time to subsidize some of their expense.

In general, the cost of living is akin to that in Australia, and less than in the UK. Public transport is more expensive than in countries with greater population density.

It is recommended that tertiary students budget up to NZ $ 20000 per annum in living expenses.

Additional costs vary according to your age, the course you are taking, and the type of accommodation you choose, so the following estimates are only a guideline and outlined here for your perusal:

- Textbooks and stationery – $500 per annum

- ID card- $20

- Bus fares $30 to $60 per week

- Tea/Coffee- $1 -$3 per cup

HOW TO APPLY FOR A STUDENT PERMIT VISA FOR NZ?

If you are not already in NZ and are applying to NZ to study, you must complete the requirements for the issue of a student visa. New Zealand Immigration Services (NZIS) New Delhi, the agency that is responsible in handling out visas to those Nepalese students who wish to study in NZ. Students need to complete the form Student Visa/ Permit Application (INZ1012). The health requirements will depend on how long you will be studying in New Zealand.  A police clearance certificate from your country of citizenship or from the country where you have lived for five years after you had reached the age of 17. You will be required to take IELTS before you will be admitted to a NZ university. (See English Language Requirement) Visa application should be lodged at least two months prior to the course commencement date.

OVERVIEW OF ADMISSION AND ENROLLMENT PROCESS:

- Check the application closing date for your program.

- Check the entry requirement for your program.

- Apply for a place in your program.

- They acknowledge your application.

- Submit your supporting document.

- They assess your application.

- They inform you of the outcome.

- Select and enroll in your course.

- Pay your fees.

Good Luck