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The Kiwi alternative for postgraduate study and research
A country the size of the UK yet with a population the same size as Singapore’s, New Zealand has remarkable riches in both its knowledge and its environment. Its eight universities have a strong research base and provide unique opportunities for both masters and doctorate study. Lynette Muter offers an introductory insight.
Imagine being miles away from the rest of the world, yet in an environment conducive to success, easily connected by internet, email, telephone and text messaging.While many potential students never consider New Zealand for postgraduate study, more and more international students do. They are choosing to study in an education system which is increasingly well recognised around the world.
London and New York are just two of the many international cities where graduates of New Zealand universities are working. They work in large multi-national companies or with foreign governments. Many New Zealand teaching and research staff are well-placed in international organisations and many graduates run their own businesses. Innovation and entrepreneurship are qualities that for which New Zealanders are known - and of which they are proud.
"There are eight government funded universities which are geographically spread across New Zealand's two main islands with five in the North Island and three in the South Island."
New Zealand is a small nation of four million people. It is English speaking with a law system and government based on British models. Although Maori are indigenous, people of European descent make up the largest proportion of the population and there is an increasing proportion of migrants from other nations making up the balance. The climate is temperate with a range of 10 to 28 degrees Celsius across the year and four distinct seasons. The country is about the same size as Great Britain with green rolling hills, mountains, beaches, trees, rivers and lakes. Many students comment on the clean, green nature of the New Zealand countryside.
The New Zealand education system is based on the British system with thirteen years of schooling, three year bachelor degrees, one or two year masters degrees and PhDs taking a minimum of three years research. Universities are regularly evaluated and audited by the Academic Audit Unit of the New Zealand Vice-Chancellors’ Committee. Each new qualification must be approved by the New Zealand Vice-Chancellors’ Committee on University Academic Programmes.
There are eight government funded universities which are geographically spread across New Zealand’s two main islands with five in the North Island and three in the South Island. Otago University is New Zealand’s oldest and most southern university. It is located in the city of Dunedin and is famous for its medical school. Auckland is the largest university in New Zealand and is located in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest and most metropolitan city. It boasts a large number of research centres. AUT is a relatively new technical university also located in Auckland, while Massey also has a campus in Auckland at Albany, north of the city.
The University of Waikato is located in the city of Hamilton, just south of Auckland. Its Management and Computer Science Schools are well-recognised both in New Zealand and internationally. Massey University’s main campus is located in the city of Palmerston North where its Veterinary Science and Science/Technology studies are well recognised. Victoria University is situated on the hill in the capital city Wellington and is known for its Law School and Political Studies. The second largest New Zealand city is Christchurch in the South Island where Canterbury University is well-known for its Engineering School, Music and Law. Lincoln University is close by and is known for its Agribusiness programmes.
Auckland, AUT and Victoria Universities are city campuses while Waikato, Massey, Canterbury and Lincoln are park-like self-contained campuses. Otago University is located in largely a university town.
The eight New Zealand universities cover a wide range of subjects at postgraduate level. While each university has its specialties the most popular subjects can be studied at any of the eight universities. Accounting, Finance, Management and Economics for instance are available at all universities. Most also offer an MBA. The University of Waikato’s MBA is AMBA accredited. Medicine is available at Auckland and Otago Universities while Health Science is also available at AUT. Veterinary Science is Massey’s specialty while agricultural subjects are offered at both Lincoln and Massey Universities.
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