Application Process for Studying in New Zealand

Applying to study in New Zealand is very easy and the process is transparent and clear. Those who meet the respective admission requirements can apply directly to the educational institutions for a specific study program. New Zealand universities decide for themselves which documents are required in which form for admission to the course. Therefore, interested parties should inform themselves about the exact procedure and the required forms and evidence at the respective university before applying.

Even if the application can be submitted at relatively short notice, students should plan enough in advance. Any queries or the submission of additional documents take time. In addition, the visa application for New Zealand largely depends on the admission to study. The universities recommend starting the preparation six to nine months before the intended start of the course. This leaves enough time to take language tests, for example, or to prepare to finance your studies in New Zealand with BAföG abroad. Most degree programs in New Zealand require proof of proficiency in English.

By submitting the application to study in New Zealand, some colleges also consider international students for a scholarship. These include, for example, the “Dream NEW” scholarship from Education New Zealand.

The application process at a glance

  • Choosing the right university in New Zealand
  • Gather information about the admission requirements (do you have to take language tests? Do applicants need a letter of motivation or recommendation or a portfolio? What certificates are required?)
  • Consider application deadlines and plan time accordingly
  • Take the language test
  • Organize the required evidence of linguistic and academic aptitude (language certificate, certified copies of certificates, transcript with English translation and an English-language explanation of the German grading system, possibly diploma supplement, letters of recommendation)
  • If necessary, create additional required documents (portfolio, letter of motivation, tabular curriculum vitae)
  • Fill out the application form online and upload the required documents including a copy of your passport
  • Make your choice of course during a semester abroad
  • Submit complete application documents online
  • If necessary, pay the application fee
  • If the applicant is accepted, the New Zealand university sends the offer of place, which the applicant accepts or rejects. If documents are missing, applicants will receive a conditional offer of place.
  • Acceptance of the study place by transferring the tuition fees

The application process in detail

The application should be received by the New Zealand university no later than three months before the planned start of studies. The application process in New Zealand, both for a full degree and for a shorter degree program, consists of three steps: the timely submission of the documents, the examination of them by the university and the admission decision. The decision on admission is made a few weeks after the application has been submitted, including before the application deadline.

After admission, students receive a written offer of place that they either accept or reject. By paying the tuition fees and providing evidence of international health insurance, applicants are enrolled at the university and the place is accepted. This should be done at least two months before the start of your studies so that Immigration New Zealand issues the New Zealand visa in good time before departure. After enrolling, students receive a receipt or the Confirmation of Enrollment as final proof of the visa application.

The components of an application to study in New Zealand

The first step for students in the specific application process is to collect the necessary documents. The main part of the application is the application form, which in New Zealand differs depending on the university and study program. This form collects personal and academic information. As in Australia, it is customary in New Zealand to fill out the application form online and upload the supporting documents.

In addition to the application form, the tertiary educational institutions in New Zealand require various proofs of, for example, language skills, previous training and, if applicable, the course of studies or professional life. Certificates must be available in translated form from a state-recognized institute. For a full course or a semester abroad in New Zealand, applicants usually submit a transcript, including a translation and an English-language explanation of the German grading system. Applicants for a master’s degree in New Zealand or a doctorate often need the English-language Diploma Supplement. Copies of this evidence must be certified.

Study programs that require professional experience require applicants to submit a tabular curriculum vitae. For creative degree programs, prospective students prepare a portfolio that they submit with the application.

Above all, applicants for individually structured or research-based study programs create a letter of motivation. The application for a doctorate, for example, includes a statement of research intent that describes the reasons and goals of the research project. In this regard, New Zealand colleges often ask for a letter or two of letters of recommendation.

A copy of your passport is required to apply to New Zealand. Sometimes the universities request a passport photo in JPEG format.

At most New Zealand universities, applicants for a semester abroad have the opportunity to specify their desired courses. This allows students to discuss the later recognition of the courses with their home university in advance and thus start the semester relaxed. If necessary, you can change the selected courses on site for up to two weeks after the start of the lectures. Therefore, students should also choose alternatives if courses are canceled at short notice, for example.

Applicants to study in New Zealand submit complete documents online. Now the actual application process begins. In exceptional cases, an application fee is due when the application is submitted. In contrast to the tuition fees, these will not be reimbursed if you do not attend the program.

Application deadlines at New Zealand universities

In order to plan the application process, the universities recommend applicants to inform themselves in advance about the deadlines for submitting the documents.

The academic year in New Zealand is mostly divided into semesters, usually starting in February and ending in November. The application deadlines depend on the respective study program and subject. In most cases New Zealand universities will accept applications for Semester 1 through mid-November and early December. For semester 2, applicants must submit their documents by mid-April and early May. The application deadlines for master’s courses are sometimes earlier.

The universities often consider applications received later if there are still places available. This is especially true for a semester abroad. The later applications for a full course are usually postponed by the educational institutions to the next semester.

For research-based study programs that are not so closely tied to lecture times, there are not always deadlines, so that an application is possible at any time.

The crowning glory of the application process: the admission decision

The application was received on time and the New Zealand university has checked the documents. The last step in the application process is the acceptance or rejection. The admissions team decides here for a full course or semester program in New Zealand, a country located in Oceania according to aceinland. In the case of more individual applications, for example a doctorate, which involves the employees and faculties much more, the respective departments have a say, for example.

A few weeks after receiving the application, the universities in New Zealand will decide on admission and, if necessary, send out the Offer of Place. Usually this happens regardless of the application deadlines. If evidence is still missing, applicants may receive the Conditional Offer of Place. If you submit your application early, you have enough time to apply to another university if you are rejected.

Before enrolling, students of a semester abroad will receive a response from the university regarding their choice of course. In this way, the students can adjust their choice in good time and coordinate it with their home university.

Application Process for Studying in New Zealand