Studying in New Zealand can be the start of a remarkable journey waiting for passionate undergraduate international students. Here are some reasons why. New Zealand offers much more than high-quality education, it also provides a multicultural student and faculty staff environment, advantageous networking opportunities to help students guarantee employment or further study options, and rich natural and cultural resources to brighten their student life and help them gain a unique study abroad experience.
New Zealand can be an excellent choice to study for a bachelor’s degree, yet the application process and admission requirements can be challenging if you don’t know where to start. In that case, you’re at the right place. Our guide to applying to an undergraduate program in New Zealand will help you send a perfect application with the highest success rate possible.
Bachelor’s Degree Admission Requirements
Admission requirements for an undergraduate program vary depending on different factors, such as the type of university, faculty, or program. Here, we provide general admission requirements New Zealand universities mandate to undergraduate applicants:
REQUIRED
DOCUMENTS |
DOCUMENT DETAILS |
| High School Diploma |
All applicants must prove their high school graduation by providing a recognized high school diploma to be able to study in an undergraduate program in New Zealand. The school where you finished your secondary education must be recognized by the university in New Zealand; therefore, you need to ensure you hold one of the accredited high school diplomas or an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma. Recognized diplomas may differ by the student’s home residency, like at Auckland University of Technology, in which students from Germany are required to finish high school successfully. In contrast, students from Mexico or Russia must complete one year at a recognized pre-university program. |
| English Language Proficiency |
Another essential requirement for undergraduate admissions in New Zealand is to prove your English proficiency. Since most programs are taught in English, applicants must prove an adequate level of English to complete their program. There are usually several recognized tests to prove your English proficiency, including TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge. You need to meet the minimum score limit to continue with your application; an example is Otago University, where students must obtain a minimum score of 6.0 in IELTS and 80 in TOEFL iBT. |
Language Proficiency Tests Needed for Undergraduate Studies
As explained above, English skills play a critical role in your undergraduate applications to New Zealand universities. The New Zealand Government requires evidence of English language proficiency from non-native English speakers to be able to study in the country. Consequently, most New Zealand universities ask for a proficient level of English to apply to English-medium programs.
Accepted English language tests and their minimum scores can vary at each New Zealand university, yet frequently recognized tests include TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge, and PTE. The average minimum scores are generally 6.0 for IELTS, 80 for TOEFL, 169 for Cambridge (C1 or C2), and 50 for PTE, as at Victoria University of Wellington and Otago University.
However, some universities can be more flexible about the English proficiency requirement by giving an extension to successful applicants to prove their English level. One example is the University of Auckland, which gives a conditional offer to applicants who meet the academic requirements and wait for evidence of their English language proficiency.
Bachelor’s Degree Application Process
Below, we listed the general steps to your undergraduate application process at New Zealand universities.
Step 1: Choose Your Program
You need to start with the universities and programs that align with your interests and academic goals. Comparing universities, faculties, and programs at New Zealand universities will help you choose the ideal study plan for you. Browse academic catalogs to look into programs, like at Massey University or Auckland University of Technology, and check the study plans to see if you’re interested.
Step 2: Check the Admission Requirements
Now that you’ve found one or more programs you like, you need to check the admission requirements of each program to make sure you meet them. Otherwise, your application won’t be considered, and you will waste your time and money. The crucial part of this step is to check if your high school diploma is recognized by the institution you’re applying to.
Take a look at the admission requirements for these New Zealand universities: University of Aukland, University of Canterbury, Ara Institute of Canterbury, and Eastern Institute of Technology. You’ll notice that each university and/or faculty sets its own entry requirements. It is advisable to check each university on your list and choose the one wherein you are able to comply with the school’s conditions.
Step 3: Collect the Required Documents
In the next step, you need to collect the documents required for your application. The necessary documents are usually given on the program’s or university’s admission page, so it’s important to browse the admission process carefully. Otago University’s documents list is one example.
Academic transcripts, an official copy of your diploma, a certificate of your English language test score, and a certified copy of your passport or national ID are generally required documents for an undergraduate application in New Zealand.
Step 4: Submit Your Application Online and Wait for the Results
Once you complete the documents, it’s time to submit your application. Most New Zealand universities have online portals to submit and track your application, so you need to fill out the online application form and submit the documents together.
Generally, universities in New Zealand don’t charge international students with an application fee, such as the University of Auckland and Otago University. Once you submit your application, the results can be announced via e-mail or the portal you’ve sent your application to in about six weeks. You need to officially accept the offer once you’ve been accepted for enrollment.
FAQs: Bachelor’s Application Process in New Zealand
Is it Expensive to Study Bachelors in New Zealand?
Although studying in New Zealand is not considered affordable, New Zealand has slightly less expensive tuition fees compared to other popular study destinations like the USA or the UK. The average annual tuition fee for an undergraduate program in New Zealand is NZD 33,000 ($20,000), yet the tuitions depend on many factors, such as the type of university or program. To exemplify, Victoria University of Wellington has an annual tuition of NZD 33,400 ($20,170) for a Bachelor of Arts degree, yet for a Bachelor of Engineering, the annual fee is NZD 43,850 ($26,480).
Is it Easy for an International Student to be Admitted to a New Zealand University?
Universities in New Zealand are very open to international applications, and many universities have high rates of international student population, like Massey University, comprising 20% of the international student body.
Acceptance rates in New Zealand are usually 50% to 75%, depending on the university. For example, the acceptance rate of the University of Auckland is 45%, yet for Otago University, the acceptance rate is 58%.
Are there Scholarship Opportunities for International Undergraduate Students in New Zealand?
Yes, there are several full tuition or student grant scholarship options for international students in New Zealand at the undergraduate level. Otago Scholarships and the University of Auckland International Student Excellence Scholarship are some examples of international undergraduate students in New Zealand.
If you plan to apply to a bachelor’s degree program in a country where you can enlighten your knowledge, gain practical skills in your discipline of interest, and enjoy your life as a university student, New Zealand is an ideal location. Apply to your dream program today and start your exciting journey in New Zealand.
We hope that this article on Study Bachelor’s in New Zealand was helpful. If you’re looking to study abroad, make sure to check out the Available Undergraduate Programs and NZ Study Guide!
