Universities

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In New Zealand, formal education is compulsory from the age of six through to sixteen. Many people choose to go on to further education at a New Zealand university or tertiary institute, in order to further educate themselves and gain skills in preparation for entering the workforce.

The Tertiary Education Commission, acting under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, has produced a strategy for tertiary education in New Zealand. The Commission aims to encourage all New Zealanders to "adopt learning as a way of life" and makes it as easy as possible for all New Zealanders to access a New Zealand university or tertiary institute.

Universities in New Zealand

There are eight New Zealand universities offering undergraduate and graduate degree and diploma programmes in arts, sciences and commerce, along with specialist degrees in a variety of disciplines. Each university has its own areas of specialist training, drawing students from around the country with an interest in a particular field. A standard undergraduate degree such as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BSc) is completed in 3 to 4 years.

• The University of Auckland offers specialised courses in architecture, engineering and medicine.
• The Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is our country's newest university, offering specialty courses in applied sciences, art and design, and business.
• The University of Waikato, in Hamilton, provides specialist study in the areas of law and Maori studies.
• Massey University has campuses in Palmerston North, Wellington and Auckland, and offers a range of specialty courses in veterinary science, agriculture and horticulture.
• Victoria University of Wellington offers qualifications in the areas of architecture, design and law in the capital city.
• The University of Canterbury, in Christchurch, is known for its specialist courses in engineering, forestry, law, fine arts and journalism.
• The rurally based Lincoln University offers specialist agricultural and horticultural training.
• The University of Otago, in the city of Dunedin, offers qualifications in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy.

Find these and more universities in New Zealand in the NZS.com directory.

Polytechnics in New Zealand

As well as universities, there are also around twenty polytechnics offering tertiary education in New Zealand, including vocational, technical and professional courses. Amongst them are:

• Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (Christchurch)
• Waikato Institute of Technology (Hamilton)
• Aoraki Polytechnic (Timaru, Christchurch and Dunedin)
• Southern Institute of Technology (Invercargill, Gore and Christchurch)
• Otago Polytechnic (Dunedin and Cromwell)
• Wellington Institute of Technology (Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch)
• Open Polytechnic of New Zealand (distance learning)

Find these and more New Zealand polytechnics in the NZS.com directory.

Other tertiary education options

For those interested in training to become a teacher, New Zealand has a number of colleges of education in each of the four main centres: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. There are also over 800 accredited private training establishments throughout New Zealand, offering courses in a number of subjects. For uniquely bicultural tertiary education, New Zealand students can attend one of four New Zealand wananga. Students who have not undertaken pre-tertiary study in New Zealand may still enrol at a tertiary institution. Most tertiary institutions demand competent use of both written and spoken English.

Looking for more information? Find information on attending a New Zealand university in the NZS.com directory.

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Education images from Flickr: Otago University, Encyclopedias and Globe.