University in NZ
University
New Zealand has a total of 8 public universities nationwide (University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology, University of Otago, Massey University, Victoria University of Wellington, University of Waikato, University of Canterbury, Lincoln University). They maintain high educational standards under the rigorous supervision of New Zealand’s Ministry of Education, and each university has its own unique characteristics and specialised departments. Students should choose a university that aligns with their intended major, preferred location after graduation, and educational goals.
New Zealand’s universities are recognised as world-class in terms of faculty, research performance and graduate satisfaction. New Zealand degrees are globally recognised qualifications, and after graduation it’s easy to pursue opportunities not only in New Zealand but also in countries such as Australia and the UK.
Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITP)
New Zealand’s government-operated and managed polytechnics have over 157,000 students obtaining degrees in various fields. As institutions focused on practical education, New Zealand polytechnics offer theory and practice-based curricula in environments that closely resemble actual workplaces. New Zealand polytechnics provide qualifications most suitable for employment, from certificate programmes through to master’s and doctoral degrees. These degree programmes are highly advantageous for employment after completion, as they teach essential skills required in the workplace and across industries.
Private Tertiary Establishments (PTE)
New Zealand has many private institutions approved by NZQA (New Zealand Qualifications Authority) that offer diverse educational programmes. With excellent faculty, small class sizes, more affordable tuition compared to universities, internships during terms, post-graduation employment support and industry partnerships, these institutions are highly favoured by students who want to study for post-study immigration or pursue specialised fields such as culinary arts, hospitality management and IT. They offer a range of qualifications from certificates through to bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
New Zealand Degrees and Academic Levels
All qualifications in New Zealand have completion levels set by NZQA (New Zealand Qualifications Authority) for each qualification type. Even the same qualification can have different levels depending on the duration of study and course structure, and all graduation certificates specify the level along with the qualification.
Qualifications available for study in New Zealand consist of Certificate, Diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees, and there are various qualifications that don’t exist in Korea such as Bachelor’s Honours Degree, Graduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma.
