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Postgraduate studies in New Zealand
Engineering in its traditional forms are well known subjects at Auckland and Canterbury while Waikato and AUT offer more modern Engineering subjects such as Materials and Process Engineering, Biochemical Engineering and Software Engineering. Psychology is offered at most New Zealand universities while Science in its various forms is again available at all New Zealand universities. For a full range of programmes offered at New Zealand universities contact the New Zealand Vice-Chancellors Committee at www.nzvcc.ac.nz and ask for a University Directory. This directory lists all subject areas and specifies which levels they are available at. Many universities have specialist areas of studies such as genetics, screen and media studies, music performance, fine arts, special education, gender studies and so on.
Academic staff in New Zealand universities are very mobile and many are international researchers or members of international organisations. Qualifications are recognised around the world as evidenced by many New Zealanders working at high levels in Great Britain, the United States and many other countries. New Zealand teachers are sought after for international schools around the world.
"Qualifications are recognised around the world as evidenced by many New Zealanders working at high levels in Great Britain, the United States and many other countries."
Several foreign government representatives have visited New Zealand and chosen to send government funded scholarship students to study in one of the eight universities. It is common for these governments to place students right across the country. One of the reasons behind foreign government decisions is that New Zealand is considered to have a quality education system which is value for money. A second reason given is that the New Zealand’s government has implemented a Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students which provides quality assurance in terms of support for students. A third reason mentioned is that studying in a country which is far away from the Northern Hemisphere is also attractive to foreign governments looking for a relatively safe destination for its scholarship students.
Postgraduate tuition fees range from approximately USD11,000 to USD20,000 per annum. Living costs are approximately USD6,000 to USD10,000 per year. Each university offers an international student orientation, accommodation placement services, pastoral care, academic counselling, excellent libraries, computer laboratories and other facilities. There are currently over 22,600 international students studying at university in New Zealand as at 31 March 2004 These students have come from more than 100 countries around the world. Over 3,000 international students are studying at postgraduate level.
Entry into Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters qualifications require that the applicant has achieved a Bachelors degree with a high grade point average in a subject area that relates to the proposed subject area of further study. Generally a B average is required for Management and Commerce subjects, while higher averages are required for more specialised subject areas. Generally an English language level of 6.5 IELTS with at least 6.0 in each band is required for graduate studies. Some subject areas will require higher IELTS.
An option for students wanting to upgrade their skills and change direction from their previous area of study is the Graduate Diploma. This Diploma is available to enable engineers to become managers and accountants to become marketers. Postgraduate Diplomas follow on from Graduate Diplomas or Bachelors with Honours and lead into Masters degrees. Graduate Diplomas and Bachelors with Honours generally take one year of study while Masters degrees take one or two years depending on the entry level. Masters degrees normally consist of both taught papers and a significant research component. Students are expected to show that they understand the subject and are capable of developing original thought in the subject area.
