State and state-integrated primary and secondary schools
Entry Requirement
International students who studied outside of New Zealand and wish to enter the local primary, intermediate or secondary (junior and senior) school will be enrolled into the respective academic year according to the student’s age listed below:
a.
Year 1 - 6 (Ages 5 to 10)
b.
Year 7 - 8 (Ages 11 to 12)
c.
Year 9 - 13 (Ages 13 to 18)
International applicants may be required by the school to prove that they have sufficient English language ability to handle and perform basic communication with teachers and classmates in school. The level of English proficiency needed varies according to the age and year level applied for.
Lastly, students at this level will have to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian during the entire course of study in New Zealand to ensure that they are fully supported while studying. Below are the documents required for enrolment:
1.
A completed enrolment form
2.
A copy of the applicant’s passport
3.
A copy of the parents’ passport (if required)
4.
A copy of the applicant’s latest school report (in English)
5.
Proof of sufficient funds deposited in a bank account under the applicant’s name for at least 6 months or above (for student visa application process purpose)
Below are the required ages for entering the respective year level in private schools:
International applicants will be required to prove that they have sufficient English language ability to handle and perform basic communication with teachers and classmates in school. The level of English proficiency needed varies according to the age and year level applied for. If students are unable to demonstrate that they have sufficient English language proficiency, they are required to attend an intensive language lesson ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) until the student’s English level has improved.
Below are the documents required for enrolment:
Proof of sufficient funds deposited in bank account under the applicant’s name for at least 6 months or above (for student visa application purpose)
Applicants should have completed a secondary school qualification that is equivalent to New Zealand’s NCEA levels Year 12. Students who wish to apply to the bachelor programmes should provide a secondary school qualification that is equivalent to the NCEA Year 13 level. The required grade or academic results vary according to the course chosen by the student.
Applicants will also have to submit an International standardised English language proficiency test with satisfactory result. Below are the documents required for enrolment:
Completed enrolment form
Copy of applicant’s most recent qualifications and academic performance records (translated to English)
International standardise English language proficiency test such as IELTS, TOEFL or FCE/CAE result or other evidence of applicant’s English language level
For high school students who graduated outside New Zealand, they can apply for a degree course in a university directly if their senior high school qualifications achieved are recognized by the NZQA for tertiary education admission. All senior high school qualifications must meet the University Entrance (UE) standard when applying for local New Zealand universities. Students who do not meet the requirement can choose to attend a foundation programme offered by the universities (range from 7-19 months). After which, he/she will be eligible to apply for the Bachelor Degree in the universities in New Zealand.
Students who completed the NECA Year 13 qualification in New Zealand can directly apply for the university if they have met the UE and the entry requirements of the programme.
For diploma holders who graduated in a country outside New Zealand and who wish to pursue a degree course New Zealand, they can apply for the credit transfer programme offered by the university so that their study period can be shortened.
Applicants also have to submit an international standardised English language proficiency test with satisfactory result.
Copy of applicant’s most recent qualifications and academic performance records (translated in English version)
International standardise English language proficiency test such as IELTS, TOEFL or FCE/CAE result or other evidence of your English language level
Proof of sufficient funds deposited in a bank account under the student’s name for at least 6 months or above (for student visa application process purpose)
As the application process and criteria may differ from the various states as well as individual schools, we advise that you contact us to provide further detailed information about the application processes in New Zealand.
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