What can you study in New Zealand? Find out more about the New Zealand education system, including qualifications, study levels and how to work here after studying.

Understanding the New Zealand education system 

Undergraduate student

International students have many, many different reasons for choosing the University of Otago. Laila from Malaysia answers our questions to share why she chose to study at the University of Otago and how she finds life as a student in Dunedin. 

Living as a student in Otago - Laila's story

PhD Student from Brazil

PhD student Renan Lyra explores the outdoors New Zealand has to offer when he has a break from studying. 

If you are considering studying psychology, New Zealand is a great option, with a wide range of courses at education providers around the country. 

Five reasons why you should study psychology in New Zealand

Mark Caves a lecturer at EIT in Hawkes Bay

Eastern Institute of Technology’s (EIT) Professional Chef Tutor Mark Caves has seen enormous changes in the hospitality industry over recent years.

Sustainability is the secret sauce | Study With New Zealand

International students from China walk the Tongariro Crossing in New Zealand

Twins Kevin and Helen Wang came to New Zealand from their home in Beijing in 2016, keen to experience a different education system and to broaden their horizons.

Learning in and out of the classroom | Study With New Zealand

Belinda Watt teaches fashion and sustainability at Whitecliffe College

The fashion industry is responsible for overconsumption and polluting the environment, causing irreparable damage to our fragile ecosystems, according to Belinda Watt, Head of School, Fashion and Sustainability at Whitecliffe. 

Sustainable fashion for a regenerative future | Study With New Zealand

Undergraduate student 

New Zealand offers a huge range of online courses that you can do wherever you are in the world. 

Studying NZ courses online: What’s it really like? | Study With New Zealand

International students learn a poi dance outside a marae (Māori meeting house) in New Zealand

As the world warms and societies place more strain on the planet’s resources, a new generation of students is seeking to shape a more sustainable future.

Why NZ excels in sustainability education | Study With New Zealand

Native American Student at Auckland University of Technology (AUT)

A Native American students stands outside a marae in New Zealand

No matter your degree, making it a priority to learn about Māori culture will make your study abroad experience all the more enriching! 

Find out why taking a course in Māori culture will make your study abroad experience all the more enriching.

3 reasons to add a Māori course to your degree | Study With New Zealand

Chinese student at the University of Auckland

Chinese international student Weilian Du graduates from university in New Zealand

We asked Chinese student Weilian Du what she has gained by studying in New Zealand – and how it inspires her to want to help others.

Doing good with virtual reality | Study With New Zealand

Chinese Ph.D. student

An international student has coffee with his professor

Students in New Zealand often have a more personal relationship with their teachers and lecturers than they would in other countries. Here, Chinese PhD student Hui Xiao and his supervisor, Professor David Baxter, talk about how they work together. 

How professors in New Zealand become mentors | Study With New Zealand

Thinking of taking your studies online? Get a globally-recognised education at the tip of your fingers with FutureLearn.

5 reasons to study online with FutureLearn | Study With New Zealand

Communications Advisor

International student reading in a university library

When Ma Boyong first arrived in New Zealand as a young international student, he knew no one and lacked confidence in his English skills.

Famous Chinese writer discovered his passion in NZ | Study With New Zealand

Bachelor's student

It’s exam season for students in New Zealand and Matthew Le, a business student at the University of Auckland, is stressed. 

Handling exam stress | Study With New Zealand

I never expected it, but what I learned in philosophy will not just help me in my career, it will help me in life.

Studying Philosophy - the beauty of critical thinking | Study With New Zealand

313446 PhD student on a dolphin research boat

Colombian Ph.D. student Jessica Patiño-Pérez is taking her dolphin research out of the lab and into the ocean. 

A passion to protect dolphins | Studying with New Zealand

Students working on wharenui (traditional Māori meeting house) designs with their lecturer Darren Ward

Teacher Darren Ward uses Māori traditions and hands-on learning to teach his international students new design technologies.

Designing the future by sharing our cultures | Study With New Zealand

US Study Abroad student

encouraging students to study sustainability in Aotearoa New Zealand

Grace Lewis shares what she learned studying Māori culture during her semester abroad in New Zealand.

Tūrangawaewae – a place to stand | Study With New Zealand

students working on a business project at secondary school in New Zealand

Studying at a New Zealand secondary school is helping Chinese student James Shi gain the skills he’ll need for a career as an entrepreneur.

Getting an early start on a business career | Study With New Zealand

PhD student from Colombia

Bryann standing on a rock on the shore of a New Zealand lake

I arrived three months ago to Christchurch to start my doctoral studies. This is what I’ve learned in my first three months out of three years doing a PhD in New Zealand.

My first 3 months in New Zealand | Study With New Zealand

Find out more about study options and lifestyles in different cities and towns around New Zealand.

Where in New Zealand can you study? | Study With New Zealand

A teacher explains something to international students 

Are you considering studying in New Zealand, but not sure where to start? Find out what you’ll need to do to study here.

How do I study in New Zealand | Study With New Zealand

Engineering students working on solar panels with their supervisor in New Zealand

Interested in undertaking doctoral research? You should consider New Zealand where nearly half of the PhD students are international.

Why you should consider studying for your PhD in NZ | Study With New Zealand

Teacher

New Zealand is fast becoming a major destination for international students looking to experience something a little different during their high school years.

Secondary schooling in New Zealand | Study With New Zealand

Choosing an education provider in New Zealand is a big decision for international students. Here are five key factors to consider when you’re making your choice.

How do you choose an education provider? | Study With New Zealand

Keen to deep dive into data analytics, Sagar decided to study in New Zealand after learning about the country’s robust contribution to data science.

Deep diving into data analytics | Study With New Zealand

Watch Sunny's video to see what it's like to study English in New Zealand

Learning English in New Zealand - Sunny's Story | Study With New Zealand

International students Alapan Roy and Jerry Geng outside their university in New Zealand

New Zealand’s practical approach to learning has given Jerry Geng and Alapan Roy Chowdhury the skills to work towards making the future of business more sustainable. 

A future in sustainable business | Study With New Zealand

German PhD Student at at the University of Waikato

Ph.D. student Dani Bertram sits at her computer in New Zealand

Ph.D. student Dani Bertram chose New Zealand to carry out her research into wave energy – one of the world’s most promising sources of renewable energy.

Is wave energy the future | Study With New Zealand

Malaysian graudate

Studying at a New Zealand high school for a year helped Malaysian student Novell Teoh make the transition to university to study for her medical degree.

Studying medicine in New Zealand | Study With New Zealand

An American engineering Student from the University of Wisconsin

After going through my own experience, here are some of the things I found most helpful to do in my first week of arriving in New Zealand to study.

Things to do in your first week in NZ | Study With New Zealand

A seal lying on the rocks in New Zealand with snow-covered mountains in the background

If you’re an animal lover like me: great news! New Zealand is one of the absolute best places to follow your passion. 

Animal lover's amazing NZ study experience | Study With New Zealand

International student tandem skydiving  in Auckland

Meet three students who came to New Zealand to prepare themselves for careers in the exciting travel and tourism industry – and beyond.

Dreaming of a career in tourism? | Study With New Zealand

Samskar Palavarapu. An NZEA scholarship winner, who studied in New Zealand

New Zealand Excellence Award winners share what life is like after studying in New Zealand.

Since its introduction in 2016, the New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA) programme has offered dozens of Indian students the opportunity to experience New Zealand’s transformational education system. 

NZEA Winners: Where Are They Now? | Study With New Zealand

Congratulations – you’ve been accepted to study in New Zealand! Here’s what you need to do before you leave.

Pre-departure tips for study abroad in New Zealand | Study With New Zealand

Ph.D. student in New Zealand

PhD students in New Zealand working in a soundproof lab.

Here are some tips you may want to consider when applying for your Ph.D. in New Zealand

Tips for a successful Ph.D. application | Study With New Zealand

Vietnamese high school student

Student writes on whiteboard as teacher looks on

If you are wondering where in the world has the greatest education, beautiful nature and where you can study and relax at the same time. Then, Christchurch, New Zealand has it all.

Studying at school in Christchurch | Study With New Zealand

Study Abroad student

Group of students sitting outside a marae.

What is a "noho marae" or marae stay? Former Study Abroad student Monica shares her life-changing experience.

What to expect from a noho marae experience | Study With New Zealand

Japanese high school student

I left high school in Japan to come and study in New Zealand at the age of 17 to help improve my English and to find out what I was interested in.

What made studying in New Zealand different to Japan | Study With New Zealand

How NZ schools are teaching subjects for the 21st Century marine science header 1440x560

New Zealand’s education system prepares students for the challenges of the future by enabling them to explore their future careers before they’ve finished school. 

Teaching subjects for the 21st century | Study With New Zealand

The Wainuiomata High School First XV rugby team 2019

A New Zealand secondary school first XV has gone to Japan to play rugby against top Japanese school teams during the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Japanese international students helped them prepare for the trip.

School rugby team heads to Japan during World Cup | Study With New Zealand

Blog - How to maximise fun and still get A’s - hero

It may be easier than you think to get good grades while still having as much fun as you possibly can. 

How to maximise fun and still get A’s | Study With New Zealand

Bachelor of Sports Coaching

The simple secret of New Zealand rugby’s success (in my opinion).

Women's rugby in New Zealand | Study With New Zealand

Filipino Graduate Diploma student

3157 Rotorua Museum Rotorua Vaughan Brookfield

Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology is where I chose to continue my education, the foundation of my knowledge in New Zealand. It is located in the heart of Rotorua and extends to the whole of Bay of Plenty region.

Marc explains what support services are available for international students at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology.

Support services at Toi Ohomai | Study With New Zealand

Student from the Philippines

Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology (located in Rotorua, New Zealand) was introduced by its school representative to me in the Philippines. It made me feel connected and I was reassured knowing that it is a government owned institution. 

Jenny decided to study in Rotorua because it is the tourist capital of New Zealand and the cost of living is relatively low.

Living in the tourist capital of New Zealand | Study With New Zealand

If you’re studying abroad in New Zealand you may choose to live at university-owned accommodation, called a ‘hall of residence’.

5 tips for living in university halls of residence | Study With New Zealand

Malaysian undergraduate student

international students at Otago University in Dunedin

I remember leaving high school with so many questions - what do I do now? What course do I want to pursue? Is this the right path for me? I was desperately seeking for inspiration from my mentors about finding the right university course. That was when I came across the word ‘ikigai’.

Finding the right university course using ikigai | Study With New Zealand

University of Canterbury

Massey University

University of Otago

Auckland University of Technology

Gaining the ability to work across cultures is a vital skill in our increasingly globalised workplaces.

The benefits of a multicultural study experience | Study With New Zealand

Indian PhD student

Blog author Renoh with his baby outside the Te Papa museum in Wellington, New Zealand

Advice from an international student about studying your PhD in New Zealand

Top tips for PhD students | Study With New Zealand

Lebanese PhD student

Are you interested in applying for a scholarship? Scholarship students share tips for students thinking about applying to study in New Zealand.

Top tips from scholarship winners | Study With New Zealand

Arina sitting in front of the University of Otago clock tower. 

Choosing to study overseas after high school was a hard step to make. I was 17. Was I ready? Could I survive on my own in a different country? 

An international student in New Zealand: Arina’s story | Study With New Zealand

Otago Polytechnic Academic Leader of Fashion, Professor Margo Barton is a big believer in letting students be themselves and encouraging them to find their own way. Nothing gives her greater satisfaction than seeing a student discover what it is they really want to do – and succeeding at it.

Designing a future out of fashion | Study With New Zealand

German master’s graduate

an international student studying for her Master of Design

Her master’s degree in New Zealand inspired German artist Theresa Grieben to build a career creating illustrated maps.

Getting NZ on the map | Study With New Zealand

The University of Auckland Screen Tools course convenor

Screen Tools tutor John Callen, in his role in The Hobbit

This four-week course for emerging filmmakers gives you the chance to create your own short drama, discover why New Zealand has become a hub for the world film industry, and learn from one of the dwarves in The Hobbit film trilogy.

Study filmmaking in New Zealand | Study With New Zealand

Secondary school student from Thailand

international high school student in Dunedin, New Zealand

What is your future dream? Students share how studying in New Zealand has helped to shape their future success.

Dreams and goals for the future | Study With New Zealand

Ecuadorian student studying conservation biology in New Zealand Massey University

Student studying conservation in the Galapagos Islands, aiming to reintroduce the Floreana Mockingbird to the island of Floreana.

When I decided I wanted to spend my life saving birds from extinction, I knew I wanted to study in New Zealand because all the global experts are here.

Gaining the skills to save a species | Study With New Zealand

Iranian PhD student

Soheil's goal is to build the sustainable energy systems of the future.

A more sustainable future | Study With New Zealand

German PhD Student

PhD student Alexandra in a lab coat using a microscope

There are so many problems facing our marine environment, and I want to help solve them.

Forging a new path to help save the world’s oceans | Study With New Zealand

Korean high school student 

Francisco Shim, from South Korea, shares what it was like to study at Sancta Maria College in Auckland.

My New Zealand high school experience | Study With New Zealand

Thinking of becoming a teacher? Discover why international students Claudia and Reneé chose to study education in New Zealand.  

Why study to become a teacher in New Zealand? | Study With New Zealand

Music teacher Kyle Proffit is the secret behind the success of some of New Zealand’s globally successful musicians.

How a NZ music teacher is changing students’ lives | Study With New Zealand

Chinese Undergraduate Student

student jumping in the outdoors in New Zealand

After completing a bachelor's degree in China, I worked in the Sales and Marketing department of a five-star hotel for more than 4 years, which was a good job with good pay and career development.

From gap year to international student | Study With New Zealand

Student studying Model Making in New Zealand to have a career at Weta Workshop

New Zealand’s capital city Wellington has gained a worldwide reputation for its expertise in the creative industries. 

Pushing creativity to realise their dreams | Study With New Zealand

A New Zealand teacher is inspiring girls to get into science and technology – one robot at a time. 