How to choose the best university?

How important is the prestige of the institution when choosing a professional educational program? Conditionally it is possible to divide educational institutions of New Zealand into 4 groups, with a number of certain characteristics:

STATE UNIVERSITIES

The most prestigious, but also the most expensive type of education. Universities tend to offer somewhat more academic knowledge, a large number of professors and the highest quality of teaching staff. The university campus blocks are practically their own towns, with all the necessary infrastructure. There are much more local than foreign students, which helps you integrate into New Zealand culture and to build all the right connections. In other words, studying here is a dream come true and a serious investment in your future.

Tuition fees in Universities NZ $25,000-35,000 per year.

STATE INSTITUTES AND POLYTECHNICS

These are considered prestigious, but a more affordable type of education. State institutions, as a rule, offer a combination of academic and practical industries for you to choose from but are more inclined to practical skills. They offer a large number of professors, specialists and the highest quality of teaching staff, an excellent study atmosphere and modern equipment.

There are more local students than foreign students, with the exception of Auckland campuses of institutions that are headquartered in other cities. In such campuses, foreign students predominate. The main campuses of institutions tend to be quite large and offer an excellent atmosphere for you to obtain your relevant qualification.

The cost of state Institutions NZ $16,000-25,000 per year.

PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS OF THE HIGHEST CATEGORY 1

These are less prestigious but offer an even more affordable education. Private institutions, as a rule, offer practical skills and knowledge ready for you to utilise in the place of work. There is a high quality of teaching that offers up to date knowledge, but the campus is usually more modest than the state institutions. Nevertheless, there is everything necessary there for you to study. The programmes offered at these private institutions are usually no less effective than programmes offered at state institutions.

We choose only the best in price and quality. Only foreign students tend to be trained here, with a number of locals too.

The cost of training in private institutions of the highest category is NZ $15,000-25,000 per year.

PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS OF CATEGORIES 2 AND 3

This type of education is a little less prestigious, but the most affordable. They offer practical knowledge and high-quality teaching staff. We try to select only the best of such institutions. Despite that they tend to be small, they have everything you need for studying. These kinds of institutions tend to only have foreign students.

The cost of training in private institutions of 2nd and 3rd categories is NZ $8,000-16,000 per year.

HOW IMPORTANT IS THE PRESTIGE OF THE RECEIVED DIPLOMA IN SUBSEQUENT EMPLOYMENT?

Over the years of their experience, Kiwi Education staff have agreed on a number of points that New Zealand employers look for in an applicant:

• Visa
  This is the first screening point. Most employers do not want to solve visa issues for employees, so they are looking for people with an already existing right to work.
• Local experience and recommendations
  This is a very important point. New Zealand employers want to be convinced that a person will be able to work in the local environment, that they have already adapted to the country at the proper level and are ready to work. Therefore, we strongly recommend that our students seek part-time work or even volunteer work for the duration of their studies. This helps a lot not only financially and psychologically, but also increases the chances of finding a permanent position in the future.
• Professional skills
  When positions open within a company, employers want to see a person with certain clear skills. It is the availability of these skills and their correct presentation in your resume that will help to tip the scales in your direction.
• Foreign experience
  Of course, the knowledge and experience gained in your country will always remain with you and can play a positive role in finding a new job. Not all knowledge will be relevant and useful, but nevertheless. If you have experience working for international companies or participating in international projects, it can only work in your favour.
• Personal attributes
  In New Zealand, communication skills and personalities play a big role. The manager will prefer to hire employees, with whom, in their opinion, it will be more comfortable to co-work. Thus, it is very important to be able to present yourself, even if you are a chic specialist. Most likely, you will work in a team and your ability to relate to other people will be taken into account.
• Prestigiousness of education
  And only with all other data of your competitor being equal, in sixth place the employer can look at the prestige of your education. Perhaps they may give preference to the diploma that is regarded higher in New Zealand and in the world. The prestige of education plays a more important role in the academic, scientific, medical, and engineering jobs.

Thus, the prestige of the institution does play a certain role, although not the primary one. If your finances permit, it is better to choose the better-regarded institution of study. If you’re on a tighter budget, you should still consider institutions of all other categories. After all, the prestige of your education does not matter in obtaining a visa and becoming a permanent resident of New Zealand. You will be able to continue your education at lower prices, which apply to local students in both private and state institutions.

HOW IMPORTANT IS THE CITY IN WHICH YOU STUDY?

On the one hand, Auckland attracts more people since this is the country’s largest city, and it is here that you will most likely find work. In the regions, there is less work, but also less competition. This question depends more on the scope of your activities.

Nevertheless, universities in other cities have a number of advantages:

• The cost of living in other cities is usually lower
• Students are mostly local (if we are talking about universities and state institutions), so that is it easier for you to integrate and develop connections
• A different kind of atmosphere, in-state universities the campuses in the regions tend to be the main ones, therefore more extensive and advanced
• Availability of unique programs