Your Study Options — Take Action and Begin Your Pathway
Studying in New Zealand
visas | study options
Start Your New Zealand Study Journey Today — Choose the Visa That Opens the Door to Your Future
New Zealand offers a world‑class education system, a safe and welcoming environment, and clear visa pathways for every type of learner. Whether you want to study English, complete a degree, take a short course, or follow a multi‑year academic pathway, there is a visa designed for you.
If you’re ready to take the next step toward studying in New Zealand, now is the time to act.
If you’re planning a full‑time programme, this is your main pathway.
Take action: Secure your offer of place and apply early to avoid delays
Designed for students who want to complete multiple consecutive programmes (e.g., English → Foundation → Degree).
Take action: Build your study plan and apply for a single visa covering your full pathway.
Perfect for short‑term study, language courses, or a single school term.
Take action: Apply for a Visitor Visa if you’re from a visa‑required country.
If you’re from a visa‑waiver country, you can study for up to 3 months with an NZeTA.
Take action: Get your NZeTA approved before you travel.
Ideal for young travellers who want to combine study, work, and adventure.
Take action: Check if your country has a Working Holiday scheme and apply early.
5. Pat
| Visa Type | Who It’s For | What You Can Do | Maximum Study Length | Work Rights | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student Visa | Full‑time students enrolled in approved programmes | Live, study, and sometimes work in NZ | More than 3 months (programme length) | Often 20 hrs/week + full‑time in breaks (course‑dependent) | Requires offer of place, funds, and insurance |
| Pathway Student Visa | Students completing up to 3 consecutive programmes | Study multiple courses on one visa | Up to 5 years | Same as Student Visa (depends on programme) | Ideal for English → Foundation → Degree pathways |
| Visitor Visa | Short‑term learners | Study part‑time or short courses | Up to 3 months | No | For short courses, English schools, or trial study |
| NZeTA (Visa Waiver Travel) | Visa‑waiver travellers | Study short courses | Up to 3 months | No | Must apply before travel; not a visa |
| Working Holiday Visa | Young travellers (18–30/35) | Travel, work, and study | Up to 6 months of study | Yes | Country‑specific quotas and rules apply |
| Dependent Child Student Visa | Children of eligible work or student visa holders | Attend primary or secondary school | Duration of parent’s visa | No | Often treated as domestic students |
| Domestic Student Eligibility (Special Cases) | Some children of NZ residents/citizens | Attend school as domestic students | Ongoing | No | Not a visa, but affects schooling rights |
Study Options
Education institutes aaround the country welcome international students from around the globe. International students help to create diversity within their institutions and help broaden the cultural knowledge and understanding of the countries they come from.
Higher Education
New Zealand has eight universities, 18 polytechnics and institutes of technology, approximately 600 private training institutions, 27 English Language schools and around 20 industry training organisations. Through these organisations you can gain either academic or practical qualifications ranging degrees in Business to certifications in Automotive engineering.
Secondary School
Secondary school is for students aged 13 to 18 years of age. New Zealand has it’s own standard for graduating Secondary School called the the National Certificate of Educational Achievement or NCEA. International qualifications such as the Cambridge International Examinations and the International Baccalaureate programmes are available at more than 60 secondary schools in New Zealand. A selection of our schools can be viewed below.
- ACG Parnell College
- ACG Strathallan
- ACG Sunderland
- ACG Tauranga
- Takapuna Normal
- Albany Junior High School
- Westlake Boys High School
- Westlake Girls High School
- Rangitoto College
- Epsom Girls Grammar
- Auckland Grammar School
- Macleans College
- Cashmere High School
- Christchurch Boys High School
- St Thomas of Canterbury College
- TOI-OHOMAI Institute of Technology
- WITT – Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki
- ASPIRE2
- NZMA – New Zealand Management Academies
- NSIA – North Shore International Academy
- NZCM – New Zealand College of Massage
- NZIS – New Zealand Institute of Sport
- NZST – New Zealand School of Tourism
- Cut Above Academy
- Elite School of Beaity & SPA
- Yoobee School of Design
- Animation College
- AMES – The Institute of IT
- South Seas Film & Television School
- The Campbell Institute
- Cut Above Academy
- ICL Business College
- NZIE
- EDENZ
- CIBT (Cornell Institute of Business and Technology
- CCEL (Christchurch College of English Limited)
- CPIT (Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology
- UNITEC (Unitec Institute of Technology)
- UUNZ (UUNZ Institute of Business)
- The University of Auckland
- AUT (Auckland University of Technology)
- Massey University
- University of Otago
- The University of Waikato
- Victoria University of Wellington
- Lincoln University