Preschool education

Children have the opportunity to go to kindergarten from birth until the age of 5 or 6 until they go to school. From 3 to 5 years old, all children have the opportunity to attend kindergarten for free for up to 20 hours a week, as this is subsidized by the government. Otherwise, it costs NZ $ 7-10 per hour to find a child in kindergarten.

 

School education in New Zealand

A distinctive feature is that a child can start school immediately after 5 years of age, it is not necessary to wait for the start of the next semester. Moreover, compulsory schooling begins at the age of 6. New Zealand schools teach children 12-13 years old, depending on their plans for vocational training. For children of citizens, residents, and holders of work visas in New Zealand, education in public schools is free, and for foreign students, schools cost NZ $ 12,000 per year. 

New Zealand has a wide variety of mainstream schools, both public and private. In schools, students receive not only a high-quality secondary education, but also develop their creative, technical, and communication skills.

You can start school at the age of 5-6. Schools are divided into Primary Grades 1-8, Intermediate Grades 7-8, and Secondary Grades 9-13. Education is considered compulsory for children from 6 to 16 years old or from 1st to 11th grade inclusive. Upon successful completion of the 11th grade, the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 1 is issued. Further education in the 12th and 13th grades is optional, and upon successful completion, NCEA Levels 2 and 3 are issued.

Structure of Higher Education

Professional education is structured and divided into 10 levels. Each level implies the passage of a certain number of Credits (analog of academic hours for a specific subject) During the academic year, on average, about 120 Credits are passed. To enter a higher level, as a rule, it is required to have a previous level of education (or equivalent) in the same or a similar professional field. Confirmation of the passage of a particular subject occurs in the form of a test, exam, or writing Assignment (analog of a term paper).

• Certificates Levels 1-4 (40-240 Credits, 3-24 months)

Analog: primary vocational education.

Knowledge level: basic specialized knowledge.

Requirements for the student: responsibility, communication

• Diplomas Levels 5-6 (120-240 Credits, 1-2 years)

Analog: special education.

Knowledge level: a wide range of practical, technical, and theoretical knowledge applied in work or study.

Requirements for the student: completed secondary education.

• Bachelor’s Degree (360-480 Credits, 3-4 years)

Analog: bachelor or specialty.

Knowledge level: in-depth technical and theoretical knowledge from a professional environment or study.

Requirements for the student: completed secondary education and preparatory year, or 1 year at a university (12 years of study in total).

• Graduate Diplomas, Certificates Level 7 (60-120 Credits, 6-12 months)

Analog: confirmation of qualification, dual qualification, or retraining.

Knowledge level: skills and knowledge from a new professional field, but based on previous education.

Requirements for the student: completed bachelor’s degree or special education and work experience.

• Postgraduate Diplomas and Certificates, Bachelor Degree with Honors Level 8 (60-120 Credits, 6-12 months)

Analog: continuing education or bachelor’s degree with honors.

Knowledge level: advanced technical and theoretical knowledge.

Requirements for the student: completed bachelor’s degree or special education and work experience.

• Masters Degree Level 9 (120-240 Credits, 1-2 years)

Analog: Master or MBA.

Knowledge level: highly specialized advanced knowledge.

Requirements for the student: completed bachelor’s degree, work experience.

• Doctoral Degree Level 10 (360-480 Credits, 3-4 years)

Analog: professors and doctors of sciences.

Knowledge level: the most advanced and scientific knowledge in a professional environment.

Skills acquired: quick comprehension of existing knowledge and practices, as well as the development of new ones.

Requirements for the student: completed bachelor’s degree and research experience.