New Zealand has quickly risen to the top of the list of preferred locations for international students, and not just because it is a stunning country. This is also due to its top-notch educational system, internationally recognised credentials, abundance of research opportunities, and unrivalled quality of life. The following are some factors that make New Zealand a top choice for students-

• Globally certified degrees- Globally certified degrees from any of the eight institutions in New Zealand consistently get excellent rankings in the QS World Rankings* and Times Higher Education Rankings, opening doors to prospects all over the world. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) also makes sure that institutions are authorised to accept students from outside New Zealand and that they adhere to the requirements for qualifications. Students will have an advantage over the competition if they have a degree from one of the universities. The institutions' curricula are well-balanced, giving both academic and practical knowledge equal weight.

• British-based education system- Because the educational programmes and degrees are inspired by the UK educational system, New Zealand is one of the top travel destinations for Indians. As a former province of the British Empire, it adheres to the tried-and-true British educational system, which is remarkably similar to that of India. The nation places a strong emphasis on research-based instruction, which means that students will learn to collaborate in teams and independently at different levels. Through student-teacher interaction, students will strengthen their ability to think critically, ask probing questions, put what they've learned in class into practice, and come up with new ways to solve problems. Students have the chance to get practical experience and information that can help them succeed anywhere around the globe. Any university in New Zealand awards degrees on par with those from institutions in Canada, Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Graduates from New Zealand universities are in high demand worldwide due to their reputations for technical innovation and research.

• Great quality of life- According to the Global Peace Index 2018*, which measures a nation's political stability and social tolerance, New Zealand is ranked second. The great multi-cultural atmosphere that New Zealand offers blends seamlessly with the country's active outdoor lifestyle. New Zealand inspires wanderlust with its diverse natural vistas, which include snow-capped mountains, volcanic volcanoes, rolling green hills, golden sand beaches, and lush rainforests. Every student who studies and lives here has the opportunity to develop while experiencing the diversity of its culture and the beauty of its surroundings.

• Work while you study- In New Zealand, international students are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during holidays. In reality, students will be permitted to work full-time if they are pursuing a research masters or doctorate degree. Working a part-time job not only helps students make ends meet, but it's also a terrific opportunity to make friends and network while expanding their horizons and learning more about other cultures and viewpoints.

• Excellent programs and courses- The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), a New Zealand government agency in charge of quality control, must approve all non-university education programmes, and all programmes provided by the country's state-funded institutions must pass rigorous quality inspections. In fact, if the course they intend to enrol in in New Zealand hasn't been given the go by a quality assurance organisation like NZQA, they won't be granted a student visa.

• The Universities in New Zealand offer a wide spectrum of courses in diverse fields- Students can choose a course that interests them or pushes them to new heights, from engineering to social work. Students will undoubtedly have a competitive advantage over other students because of excellent educational standards, improved teaching practices, and the chance to learn from the best. Every course frequently includes industry-specific knowledge and practical experience, ensuring that graduates from these universities are quickly hired by the best firms worldwide.

• Innovation and research- With its highly qualified teachers, well-stocked laboratories, and accessibility to the most recent tools and chances, New Zealand offers students a wealth of research prospects. A centre of new technologies, research, and development in a variety of sectors, including healthcare, physics, geology, engineering, astronomy, computer science, agriculture, etc., thanks to the nation's inventive spirit.

• Lower living expenses and affordable educational costs- New Zealand's cost of living is significantly lower than that of many other top studies abroad locations. Compared to places like the USA, Canada, the UK, etc., living in New Zealand is less expensive since fresh food, lodging, and transportation are all cheaply priced. When compared to places like the USA, the UK, etc., institutions in New Zealand have substantially lower tuition fees for comparable structured programmes and degrees. Additionally, a variety of scholarships are offered for study to international students. Scholarships are offered by the institution and the government and are mostly determined by the applicant's past or present academic achievements.

• Great Job Opportunities- 90% of students who find employment after graduation do so in job profiles that are related to the courses they have studied, according to Institutions New Zealand, the sector voice for all eight universities that represents their collective views nationally and globally. According to the most recent statistics (2019) from SEEK Employment Trends, opportunities increased by 9.4%, and most industries saw growth. Chris Whelan, executive director of Universities New Zealand, claims that 90% of graduates find employment after graduating, with a 97 per cent employment rate.

• International exposure and diversity- Numerous overseas students attend universities in New Zealand, giving the country's students a genuinely global feel. John Goulter, the acting chief executive of Education New Zealand, predicts that there will be more than 1.2 lakh foreign students studying in New Zealand in 2016! Students from Europe, Japan, India, South America, and Australia are enrolled in a variety of programmes on all NZ university campuses.

The top study abroad programs opted for by international students for further education in New Zealand are-

Business- In New Zealand, business is the most popular and often chosen major. In the modern world, business has emerged as the most important and necessary sector. An MBA programme, in particular, focuses on educating students on how to think critically, evaluate, identify issues, and come up with practical and original solutions for those challenges. 

Engineering- An enormous portion of young people have consistently chosen engineering as their career of choice. It has changed throughout the years and has led to the creation of other engineering specialities, including genetic engineering, mechatronics engineering, computer engineering, and software engineering. University engineering programmes in New Zealand provide cutting-edge infrastructure and intimate classroom sizes that let instructors give each student in the group individualised attention.

Tourism-Tourism is a wholly distinct topic of study that is becoming increasingly important in the modern world. In order to take a vacation from work, people have started to travel, go camping, and visit other nations and locations rather frequently. This has given the tourist sector a significant boost and created a wide range of chances for people looking to work in the sector. The New Zealand tourism programme not only emphasises the theoretical side of the subject but also handles recent developments in the field and prepares the students accordingly.

Hospitality Management- Along with tourism, the hospitality management sector is one that is expanding quickly. Students may receive practical industry knowledge and job skills through the hospitality management programme in New Zealand, which equips them with the confidence they need to enter the working world. Here, students will receive training from seasoned business executives who will provide them with in-depth industry insights.

Information Technology (IT)- The institutions in New Zealand that provide information technology to students equip them with user-friendly equipment, important facilities, highly qualified teachers, and much more to ensure a successful educational experience. Many useful and important abilities, such as critical analysis, problem-solving, creativity, adaptability, time management, teamwork, etc., are taught and developed by the students here.

In New Zealand, the cost of living is relatively high. A family of four spends between 6,000 and 8,000 New Zealand dollars every month, according to studies. Although New Zealand is less expensive than the United States, it may still be costly, so careful budgeting is required. Rent will be the biggest outlay for students; the typical monthly cost of living for one individual is between $3,000 and $4,000 NZD (1,800 to 2,400 USD). Depending on where you reside in New Zealand, these prices might change.

The cost of living will vary depending on your lifestyle and where you reside in the nation. For instance, due to reduced housing and transportation expenses, living in a small town may be more affordable than in a large metropolis. To give you an idea of what to budget for, Victoria University of Wellington, the University of Auckland, and the University of Otago (located in Dunedin) all estimate annual living expenses to be between $20,000 and $27,000.

• For diploma courses, choose between a one-year diploma in computing ($46,752) or a one-term New Zealand certificate in engineering ($23,376).
• The cost of undergraduate degrees is between $20,000 and $40,000, with greater costs associated with fields like medicine and veterinary science. In three years, several bachelor's degrees may be earned.
• Approximately $20,000 to $45,000 in fees are charged for postgraduate degrees, with greater costs for fields like medicine and veterinary science.
• For the majority of courses, international PhD students pay between $6,500 and $7,500 a year, which is the same as what New Zealand PhD students pay.

In order to be eligible for a student visa, applicants must be accepted for a course at an educational institution recognised by the Ministry of Education or the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), have the necessary funds for their tuition or documentation of a scholarship covering those costs, demonstrate they will have enough money to support themselves while studying in New Zealand and have either a return ticket or the means to purchase one.

If you intend to study in New Zealand for a lengthy period of time—at least three months—you must get a student visa for the country. Having your paperwork prepared for verification is the first prerequisite for obtaining a student visa for New Zealand. The following is a list of documents that you’ll need mandatorily-

• Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) certificate
• Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) statement
• Your English Proficiency test results
• Proof of visa fees payment
• Health insurance (Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC))
• Verification of your criminal records
• Financial requirements demonstrating an annual income of up to AU$18,610

• Step 1: Gathering Required Documents- The most important step before submitting your application is documentation. If you are aware of every document required, applying for a visa will be simple.

• Step 2: Submission of Application- Your visa application may be submitted online. The New Zealand Embassy, however, must receive a physical copy of your passport and your application materials.

• Step 3: Wait for Visa Approval- As soon as the applications are received, they are evaluated. You may occasionally be required to supply additional information as proof to support your visa throughout this procedure.

• Step 4: Arriving in New Zealand- You are now able to travel to New Zealand to study and reside after receiving the visa clearance.