A remote area situated near Australia, New Zealand is an island country that is a part of Oceania. In Māori, it is known as Aotearoa. In line with this, the nation is comprised of around 600 islands. Furthermore, its capital is Wellington, located on the North Island. As of 2022, there were about 4.9 million people residing in the country.
New Zealand residents commonly refer to themselves as Kiwis with the majority of the population speaking English. Besides this, Māori and the New Zealand Sign Language are also spoken. The main religion in the country is Christianity. However, some Kiwis practice Hinduism, Māori religions, Islam, as well as Buddhism.
When in New Zealand, the must-visit tourist attractions include Fiordland National Park, Bay of Islands, Queenstown, Tongariro National Park, and Franz Josef Glacier. Aside from this, there is also an extensive list of dishes that visitors should not miss out on such as hāngī, crayfish, Kiwi burgers, jaffas, and pavlova.
Aotearoa currently has around 20,000 international students. The lower number was brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and before this, there were approximately more than 100,000 individuals from overseas pursuing their studies in the island country.
In the article below, we talk about some of the best cities to study in New Zealand.
Top Cities to Study in New Zealand for International Students
1. Wellington
The country’s capital city, Wellington, is popular for being a culinary capital. Other than having the Wellington Cable Car, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, The Beehive, Wellington Botanic Garden, and ZEALANDIA Ecosanctuary, the city is also jampacked with bars, cafes, and restaurants serving delectable food and drinks.
Victoria University of Wellington, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand School of Music, New Zealand College of Chiropractic, and Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School are some of the best universities and colleges in the area. With several excellent universities, Wellington is definitely among the best cities to study in New Zealand for international students.
Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School is the country’s leading center of learning for drama. There are many courses and programs available at Toi Whakaari such as acting, arts management, costume construction, design for stage and screen, and set and props construction. The institution also offers various masterclasses as well as workshops.
On the other hand, the New Zealand College of Chiropractic is the perfect higher education institution for aspiring chiropractors. Established in 1994, it is now an internationally recognized college due to the high-quality education and impactful research that it provides to all students.
2. Auckland
Auckland is on the North Island of the country. Despite being a metropolitan city, there are also lots of natural attractions in the location such as Tiritiri Matangi Island, Tawharanui Regional Park, and Hauraki Gulf. Moreover, the place is called Tāmaki Makaurau in Māori.
In the city, a few of the leading universities are The University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology, Unitec Institute of Technology, Whitecliffe College of Arts And Design, and Laidlaw College. With these, the Unitec Institute of Technology is the city’s biggest technological-focused center of excellence. Besides the usual undergraduate and postgraduate study options, UNITEC also offers certificate and diploma programs, short courses, as well as extra electives.
On the other hand, Laidlaw College is a solid option for prospective students looking to study any of the following areas: counseling and teacher education, ministry, mission, theology, and biblical studies.
3. Christchurch
South Island’s most sizeable city, Christchurch, is a coastal town that has been nicknamed, the “Garden City of the Plains.” As of 2022, the population of the city was around 402,000. When in the area, one should take a trip to the Canterbury Museum, Port Hills, Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Avon River, and Hagley Park.
International students who will opt to live and study in Christchurch, which is among the best cities to study in New Zealand, can pick from the city’s top educational institutions such as the University of Canterbury, Ara Institute of Canterbury, Christchurch School of Music, and New Zealand College of Business.
The Christchurch School of Music (CSM) was originally a simple music school open to children in primary school and was established in 1955. Today, it is a large institution that aims to impart learning to budding musicians of all ages. At CSM, students can learn guitar, ukulele, piano, woodwind instruments, aural perception, and a lot more.
Popular for being one of New Zealand’s oldest tertiary education institutes, the University of Canterbury opened its doors to learners in 1873. Back then, it was known as Canterbury College. It now has seven faculties: Arts, Business, Education, Engineering, Health, Law, and Science.
4. Dunedin
Dunedin has been called the Wildlife Capital of the country. It is not surprising as the city is the home of the Otago Peninsula, the Royal Albatross Centre, Penguin Place, Ōrokonui Ecosanctuary, and Ross Creek. Other than that, it has also been dubbed the “Edinburgh of New Zealand” since the place has Scottish roots. The city has approximately 114,350 residents.
In Dunedin, the most reputable centers of learning are the University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic. The former prides itself on being included in the top 1% of universities worldwide, as stated by the QS World University Rankings. The institution’s four divisions offer a handful of study options to all future students. These divisions are the Division of Health Sciences, Division of Humanities, Division of Sciences, and Division of Commerce.
As for the latter, there are around 42 study areas available. Otago Polytechnic has courses and programs centering on Apiculture, Beauty Therapy, Culinary Arts and Food Design, Midwifery, Tourism, and many more.
5. Nelson
Another city located in New Zealand’s South Island is Nelson. It is among the best cities to study in New Zealand for international students. It is also hit with tourists because of its mesmerizing beaches, adventure-filled forests, and impressive wineries. The place’s tranquil vibes are perfect for an international student looking for a city that is not all hustle and bustle.
In line with that, the greatest higher education institutions in the location are the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts (NCMA), and Bishopdale Theological College. Adding to this, the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts is remarked as a prestigious institution because it is the oldest musical arts school in the country. With that, for future students looking to be in the field of music and performing arts, NCMA is your best bet.
In New Zealand, you can hit two birds with one stone. You will master your craft in world-class institutions while exploring its vibrant streets and rich culture. Make your mark now and begin your future in this island country.
We hope you found this article on the best cities to study in New Zealand for international students informative and helpful. Check out the Study in New Zealand and Available Programs for International Students pages to learn more about studying abroad.
