NZ universities in numbers
in New Zealand
Number of Students
Number of International Students
per 59,000 Students
Education providers offer qualifications at levels ranging between 1 and 10 as per the NZQF (the New Zealand Qualification Framework), where 10 is the most advanced option
Qualifications on the framework lay out a clear pathway to the level of knowledge and skills you will have gained when you graduate and what further education and employment opportunities the qualification could lead to.
As a high school leaver, you usually start with a Diploma Level 5 or Bachelor’s Degree. After a bachelor’s degree, you can pursue a Level 7 or 8 Diploma programme or a Master’s degree.
10
Doctoral Degree
9
Masters Degree
8
Post Graduate Certificate
Post Graduate Diploma
Bachelors Honours Degree
7
Graduate Certificate
Graduate Diploma
Bachelors Degree
6
Certificate
Diploma
5
Certificate
Diploma
4
Certificate
3
Certificate
2
Certificate
1
Certificate
Usually 6-8 months long, certificates are for those who want to learn a new profession or dive deeper into their current industry. Available for
domestic students and not always open for international applicants unless the certificate is also offered online.
The length range is between 1 and 2 years. It is an excellent option for high school leavers or recent university graduates who want to get into the
programmes that allow a fast transition into the job market. Not suitable for science-heavy professions.
These are usually bachelor’s degrees that can be completed within 3-4 years of study. In some cases, international students are required to
take a Foundation Course before starting their degree
Masters and Ph.D. programmes that are an excellent option for career growth or entering the world of academia.
Tertiary education in New Zealand is delivered not only by universities, but also by:
New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST)
Wānanga
Private Training Establishments.
Great variety of agriculture and green energy programmes
Being one of the world leaders in agriculture and green energy, New Zealand offers
a wide variety of programmes where you can learn about wineries and solar panels.
8 Universities
There are a total of 8 Universities in
New Zealand.
International Students
There are over 13,000 enrolled international students in the eight universities
Practical Skills
Courses are more vocationally oriented, emphasizing practical experience and application to work situations.
International Students
There are over 6,000 enrolled international students in these institutes (as of Jan 2021)
Wānanga is an indigenous tertiary education provider that offers teaching and learning environments based on Māori values and principles.
Total 3 Wānanga
There are 3 Wānanga in New Zealand, with over 35,000 enrolled students.
Making a difference - Indigenous Education
48% of Maori are first in the family to graduate from a university.
Almost half of the recent Māori university graduates were the first in their families to attend university, one-third are parents,
and 70% are female.
Niche Education
Private Training Establishments (PTEs) are generally specific to English language learning or niche occupations such as travel, tourism, design, and ICT.
Over 600 Institutes
There are over 600 Private training institutions and English language schools in New Zealand
International Students
These institutes have over 7,000 international students
(as of Jan 2021).