Why Indian Students Choose New Zealand: First-Time Visa Applications Skyrocket by 63%

In recent years, New Zealand has emerged as a preferred destination for Indian students seeking international education. The nation's industry-oriented curriculum and efforts to create a welcoming environment for international students have driven a significant increase in the number of Indian students choosing New Zealand as their study abroad destination.

The Remarkable Growth: Statistics show a substantial growth in the number of Indian students pursuing education in New Zealand. Since 2017, the number of student visas granted to Indian students has doubled, soaring from 800 to 1600. This surge reflects the growing appeal of New Zealand's education system among Indian aspirants. Moreover, India ranks among the top four countries, along with China, Japan, and Korea, from which a majority of foreign students choose to study in New Zealand.

Enhancing Cultural Diversity and Industry Skills: Grant McPherson, Chief Executive of Education New Zealand (ENZ), emphasizes the importance of cultural diversity and industry-relevant skills in the educational experience. ENZ has launched initiatives aimed at enhancing New Zealand's education system by fostering cultural diversity in classrooms, preparing students for the future, and equipping them with crucial industry skills such as problem-solving, creativity, teamwork, and leadership. This is made possible through the influx of foreign students, allowing for the exchange of diverse ideas and peer learning.

Boon of Excellence Awards: New Zealand offers a wide range of programs across its eight universities and institutes. While courses in Management, Finance, and Engineering have traditionally been popular among Indian students, multidisciplinary programs in areas such as Robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Environmental Sciences, Humanities, and Cultural Society have started gaining prominence. To further promote enrollment in these fields, ENZ introduced the New Zealand Excellence Awards. These awards provide scholarships to Indian students pursuing bachelor's and master's degrees. The awards, totaling NZ$8.2 million, include 30 postgraduate scholarships worth NZ$5,000 each and 2 undergraduate scholarships worth NZ$10,000 each.

Post-Study Work Opportunities: In a bid to attract and retain talent, the New Zealand government introduced post-study work opportunities for foreign students. This policy allows students to stay in the country for up to three years after completing their studies to seek employment. The aim is to encourage international students to contribute to both the research ecosystem and the industry culture of New Zealand and their home countries.

Studying in New Zealand as an Indian: Joanna Kempkers, New Zealand's High Commissioner to India, highlights the strong ties between the two countries. She points out that education is a key driver of New Zealand's economy, and a significant portion of its population consists of Indians. Additionally, Hindi is one of the most commonly spoken languages in the country, making Indian students feel at home. To further facilitate the transition, ENZ launched NauMai NZ, an online platform that provides information on healthcare, well-being services, accommodation, culture, and lifestyle in New Zealand, ensuring a seamless experience for international students.

New Zealand's commitment to academic excellence, cultural diversity, and post-study opportunities has made it an attractive destination for Indian students. As the nation continues to welcome students from around the world, it stands poised to become an even more prominent hub for international education.