New Zealand, an English speaking nation, is famous for its amazing scenery, its sporting achievements with the All Blacks and the America's Cup, and its hospitable people. It is a great country, a fun place to visit and is increasingly being recognized for its excellent study opportunities.

New Zealanders are well traveled and have a great interest in people from other cultures, so visitors and international students soon feel more than welcome.
Campuses are very international with students from all corners of the globe, studying and socializing together. And where do they come from? - Europe, USA, Asia, United Kingdom, South America, India, Pakistan, Australia, The Pacific and smaller numbers from many other countries.

The country is a land of great contrasts. New Zealand is a small island nation with a temperate climate. You are never more than a few hours away from the sea. In fact all of the larger cities are on the coastline, with vistas of blue seas and green hills. Further inland are the mountains, the backbone of the two major islands (North and South Island) with activities like tramping all year round and skiing for up to six months of the year.

You may choose to study in a modern city with the shopping, multicultural restaurants, live theatre, art galleries, museums, sports stadiums and all the hustle and bustle. Or perhaps you prefer the slower pace of the rural areas, where you'll find supportive communities, and access to the farmlands and orchards. Many of the key tourist attractions are found in these rural areas, There's the paragliding, windsurfing, mountain biking, horse-riding, fishing, four-wheel driving and so much more.

New Zealand has an international reputation in providing quality education. It has a progressive education system with many state of the art facilities. It offers a safe learning environment with excellent study opportunities and support services for international students. Courses are available for academic, professional and vocational studies at New Zealand institutions - universities, polytechnics and institutes of technology, colleges of education, secondary schools and private training establishments.

New Zealand produces top graduates who can take their place with confidence in the international arena in many disciplines.

You will find a wide range of options when you consider New Zealand as a study destination.

There are eight government-funded universities providing undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs. Some also offer foundation programs. Whilst all offer a broad range of degree subjects, each university has its own specialized courses.

The quality of a New Zealand university education is well recognized internationally. Many New Zealand graduates have gone on to achieve international recognition in their field. Many of the international students from developing Asian nations, who have studied at New Zealand universities, have since served as senior administrators and also as cabinet ministers in their own countries.

A popular option is to study at one of the 25 government-funded polytechnics and institutes of technology. They offer a wide variety of programs which can be both academically and vocationally focused. You may choose a short course teaching a specific skill, or choose from among a wide range of courses resulting in a certificate, a diploma or a degree. Some institutions offer Year 1 of a degree program, with the subsequent years being completed at a university.

New Zealand is internationally recognized for its excellent education standards and as a provider of quality teachers. There are six government-funded specialist education institutions, two operating from within universities, and the others offering their programs in collaboration with their local university.
They offer training for teachers to teach from early childhood to primary, secondary, special and tertiary (higher education) levels.

There are a growing number of private tertiary and training providers offering an alternative study option. They offer a range of programs including professional certificates, diplomas and degrees in a diverse range of subjects including art, hospitality industry, computer studies, secretarial studies, quality management, tourism and others.

The choices are endless. Private English language schools offer a variety of courses for all ages including adventure, business and academic programs. Adventure courses provide a balance of English language tuition and a stimulating activity of your choice. There are courses in English for business purposes and English to prepare you for academic study with TOEFL or IELTS testing. Most tertiary institutions also provide English language preparation for further study or foundation courses.

Some secondary schools offer boarding facilities, while others arrange home-stays for international students. Usually universities and polytechnics offer student accommodation on campus. Some students prefer to live off campus and will seek advice from the student support services, provided by most tertiary institutes, to help with arranging home-stays or give advice on finding student flats.

It is generally recommended that international students allow NZ$9,000 to $10,000 per year for living and accommodation costs. This covers accommodation, food, travel, textbooks and limited entertainment.

Work hard and play hard is the lifestyle choice of many international students in New Zealand. If you are looking for world-class education and training, and also want new experiences, fun, a relaxed lifestyle and a safe and healthy environment, then you should consider New Zealand as your study destination.

You will need a student visa if you wish to come to New Zealand to study full-time for more than 3 months. You can only get a student visa to study in a course at an education institution, which is registered and approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. Student Visa applications are processed by New Zealand Immigration Service, ISLAMABAD / LAHORE.

Your student visa will be issued for the length of time your course tuition fees have been paid for. If you are studying a long-term course at a secondary school, University or Polytechnic you will normally pay your tuition fees every year. Visa application should be lodged at least 2 months prior to the course commencement date.