Located in the southern hemisphere, New Zealand features a year-round temperate climate and a beautiful natural environment. New Zealand has about 3.8 million people in a nation that has about 70% of the land mass of Japan. Known for its friendly and honest people, New Zealand provides overseas students with a very safe and easy-to-study-in environment.

Compared with Japan and many other countries, New Zealand has an inexpensive cost of living level and low tuition rates so the economic factor makes New Zealand a particularly appealing study abroad destination. It has also become popular with Working Holiday visitors.

High Standards at National Universities

All eight of New Zealand's universities are national, public universities. As the specialization areas of each institution are very clear, it makes institution selection relatively easy.

A Wide Range of Courses

New Zealand's beautiful nature provides incoming students with an excellent opportunity to participate in a wide variety of outdoor sports and to enjoy the great outdoors. Short-term programs might combine English language study with travel and tourism, kayaking, or the ever-popular skiing and snowboarding. Students can also learn about the Travel Industry and about the unique culture of the Maori people of New Zealand.

The New Zealand education system is thirteen years in duration from primary to secondary school. At the end of grade 11 there is a general examination and graduates are awarded a School Certificate, marking the end of compulsory education. Students who wish to go on to university must then complete preparatory program work for the following two years. Majors are selected in grade 12 and students continue on to specialized course work in the 13th year. Bursaries are also awarded, based on examination results.

New Zealand has eight public universities. As students have covered basic education requirements before entering university, they proceed directly into specialized studies at university.

New Zealand also has publicly-supported Polytechnic institutions. These institutions specialize in the teaching of very practical programs that lead to employment in related industries.