Study in Auckland: A Guide with Courses and Requirements

New Zealand’s landscapes undeniably place it among the top destinations when we think about its cities. However, it also has an urban side you can’t miss. Studying in Auckland is a great way to explore this and take advantage of its best opportunities.

With top-notch education, attractive jobs, and fun always nearby, these are some of the perks you, like thousands of students, can enjoy in this great city located on New Zealand’s North Island. Want to know how to make this experience a reality step by step?

From GrowPro, we’ve prepared a guide with all the key steps for you to study in Auckland. We also share our top experiences to help you make your New Zealand study adventure come true. Discover it with us!

5 Reasons to Study in Auckland

We’ve already told you about the great things waiting for you in Auckland. Now, let’s focus on the five reasons why thousands of young people, and not-so-young people, choose New Zealand’s largest city for their studies. Discover them!

Attractive Options to Study and Work

Apart from the lifestyle, multicultural environment, and top services, Auckland stands out as a tourist destination due to the quality of its schools. There are hundreds of options for every profile, from language courses to postgraduate degrees.

These institutions are internationally prestigious. The New Zealand government takes the quality of services offered to foreigners very seriously. Hence, it evaluates and certifies educational programs.

It’s worth mentioning that there are plenty of part-time jobs for international students in this city. Many students choose the convenience of working and studying at the same time.

Living a Relaxed and Comfortable Lifestyle

When studying abroad many of us want to escape big city problems but still have entertainment and leisure options. In Auckland, you don’t have to choose between tranquillity and fun! You get it all.

Ranked in the top 5 best cities to live in the world, Auckland shines with its clean streets, fresh airs and a strong sense of security.The friendliness of Kiwis (as New Zealanders call themselves) towards foreigners is also pleasantly surprising, which is rare in big cities.

On the other hand, you can balance school, work, and fun perfectly. There are always shops, restaurants, bars, parks, museums, and all the services of a modern city nearby.

Moreover, when studying in Auckland, you will notice that the climate is very pleasant most of the year. You might experience some rainy weeks and hot days in summer, and a bit of cold in winter. But forget about the extremes experienced in other places.

Enjoy Affordable Mobility and Services

Another quality we love in big cities is plenty of mobility options. Auckland leads in this regard. To start, it offers a network for cyclists and runners that spans over 150 kilometers. Check the maps and suggested paths.

If you need to use public transportation within the city or to leave it, your best option is to get an AT HOP CARD. This prepaid card offers the best fares for taking the bus, metro, or ferry. To find the best way to get to your destination, use Auckland’s transport planner.

You’ll also have access to a wide range of basic services. There are libraries, bookstores, cafes, mobile phone plans, and high-speed internet. You have everything you need to fully focus on your studies in Auckland!

Need WiFi? There are hundreds of free options available: Tomizone connection points distributed throughout the city, the airport, transportation hubs, fast-food restaurants, shopping centers, and throughout Auckland’s network of 55 libraries.

Live in an multicultural environment

Auckland is a cosmopolitan city that goes beyond Anglo culture. It’s the best example of multiculturalism in New Zealand. Among its nearly two million inhabitants, there are Chinese, Indians, Maori, English, Samoans, Europeans, Latinos, and many other nationalities.

Walking through the streets, the cultural diversity is evident in the wide variety of restaurants offering food from all over Asia, Europe, and America. And in school, you’re sure to meet classmates from at least two different continents.

Finding Festivals Everywhere and Beaches Nearby

Of course, it can’t all be classes and work. The body demands rest and fun! And by studying in Auckland, you’re guaranteed a nearby beach or park to relax after a tiring day.

Just 20 minutes by bike from the city center, you’ll find Takapuna Beach. For a more private experience, the beautiful Piha Beach, ideal for surfing due to its big waves, is 45 minutes by car. If you have a free weekend, escape to the paradisiacal beaches of the Bay of Plenty.

Besides the nearby beaches, Auckland is known as a city of festivals, music, and fun. Most take place in summer (December to March), which in the southern hemisphere coincides with Christmas. One of the biggest and most famous is Christmas in the Park (in December).

When you’re living in the city, don’t miss the St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival (January), the colourful Auckland Pride (February), or the New Zealand International Film Festival (July to August). You can find more about the most famous events that take place during the year.

What Can I Study in Auckland?

Auckland is full of opportunities for your education. It’s up to you to choose where to start your successful career. To help you, here are types of courses to study in Auckland preferred by our growers.

Marketing

Many schools in Auckland offer vocational and university courses in marketing. Thanks to these programs, you learn to design marketing strategies to sell products through different channels, conduct market research, and define the best ways to distribute what you sell.

Technology

An attractive option for studying in Auckland is technology. You can take courses where you learn to develop websites or mobile applications, or design programs for data analysis and video games. Many options can match your interests.

Hospitality

Hospitality is a highly demanded industry in New Zealand and worldwide. When you take courses like these, you can learn about hotel and restaurant management, gastronomy, travel agency management, customer service, and marketing applied to the hospitality and tourism industry.

Early Childhood Education

If you love kids, study early childhood education! These programs give you the pedagogical tools to foster the development of the little ones under your care, whether in daycares or preschool centres.

Best Schools to Study in Auckland

Now that you know the courses you can study in Auckland, let’s talk about the schools where you can take them. Take note:

AIS (Auckland Institute of Studies)

AIS is one of the most versatile schools in Auckland. This academy offers general and university preparation English courses, vocational programs, and university degrees (both undergraduate and postgraduate) in various fields like business, tourism, hospitality, and information technology.

ICL Graduate Business School

ICL is a school in Auckland where you can take vocational courses and postgraduate programs to specialise in business and management, both in the real and digital realms and early childhood education.

Requirements to Study in Auckland

Many fear the paperwork to study in Auckland. But, calm down! We’ve summarized the basic requirements you need to meet to embark on this adventure. Take note!

Passport and Valid Documents

Your country’s passport is, of course, the first requirement you must meet. It must be valid for your entire stay and show that you are of legal age.

During the visa process and when you arrive in Auckland, New Zealand authorities will also ask for documents proving the following requirements:

• Access to 1,667 NZD (New Zealand dollars) per month for a stay of one year or less.
• If staying for more than 12 months, you need 20,000 NZD for the first year of your stay.
• Return a plane ticket to your country or funds to pay for it.
• Provide your photo and biometric data.
• Health insurance policy covering your entire stay.
• Enrollment in a school authorized by the New Zealand government.

At GrowPro, we are convinced that studying and working in New Zealand is the best combination for foreign students. Therefore, all our experiences lasting more than four months allow you to take advantage of this benefit of your student visa.

Visas to Study in Auckland

Now let’s look at the key requirements for entering the country and staying to study in Auckland. There are at least three types of visas for New Zealand that allow you to do so. Get to know them!

• Fee Paying Student Visa:

With this, you can take all kinds of courses lasting from four months to four years. For many, it’s the best option because it also allows you to work 20 hours per week during the academic term and up to 40 hours during vacations.

• Working Holiday Visa:

This visa is highly sought after because it allows you to work full-time for 6 months and take a 6-month course. However, only a limited number are granted each year to citizens of certain countries.

• Visitor Visa:

Believe it or not, this allows you to study in Auckland and do some tourism. The condition is that your course doesn’t last more than three months.

The processing time varies depending on the country from which you apply for your visa and any additional requirements you might need to meet.

How Much Does It Cost to Study in Auckland?

The cost of studying in Auckland varies depending on the type of study you want to pursue and the school. Vocational programs can cost up to 10,000 NZD or more depending on the profession.

Now, if your goal is to study at a university, you can expect to pay up to 100,000 NZD for a bachelor’s degree; each academic year can cost up to 20,000 NZD.

Postgraduate studies (master’s and doctorate) are more affordable, ranging from 7,000 to 15,000 NZD annually.

Steps to Study in Auckland

But you might be wondering, in what order should I cover the requirements to study in Auckland? When should I buy my plane ticket? When should I look for accommodation?

We give you a hand with this summary of eight basic steps:

• Define Your Experience:

Set a clear goal, duration of stay, and budget. At GrowPro, we help you organise your experience at no cost.

• Enroll in the Course of Your Choice:

Remember it must be accredited by the New Zealand government. At GrowPro, we make sure you meet this requirement.

• Apply for Your Visa:

When applying online, the New Zealand Immigration Office will contact you to tell you which documents to send. If you travel with GrowPro, we help you choose the best visa option.

• Prepare Your Luggage:

Remember that the lighter you travel, the more you save.

• Buy Your Plane Tickets:

It’s best to do this at least a month and a half before the date you need to be in the country.

• Travel to the Adventure:

Arrive at the airport on time and with all your documents on hand. Mentally prepare yourself, as the trip to New Zealand can last 24 hours or more.

• Clear Customs:

When you arrive at Auckland Airport, you’ll need to go through the routine document check at the immigration desk.

• Find Accommodation Once There:

Book at least a week in a hostel to stay when you arrive in the city. From there, look for accommodation on TradeMe, Facebook groups, and newspapers. Never rent from abroad, as you could fall victim to scams and even fraud!

Studying and Working in Auckland

One of the great advantages of the main visas to study in Auckland is that they allow you to work at the same time. This is an excellent option for earning extra income. But it’s also a way to gain experience that will be highly valuable on your CV.

According to the OECD, New Zealand is among the countries with the best wages in the world. The minimum wages for unskilled jobs, such as waiter or assistant, range from 23,15 NZD per hour. This means that in a month of part-time work, you can earn up to 1,600 NZD.

That’s without counting extra payments for working on holidays or overtime.

However, the cost of living in Auckland amounts to about 450 NZD per week, of which 150 to 180 is for rent in a shared apartment, and the rest is for basic expenses such as food, transportation, and leisure. So, if you do the math, you’ll see that even earning the minimum wage can cover most of these expenses.

Work and Study in Auckland with GrowPro’s support!

As you have seen, GrowPro experiences give you access to top-notch courses and guidance on procedures for studying in Auckland. But do you only get this and never hear from us again? Not at all!

From the moment you design and acquire your experience, a Student Advisor accompanies you step by step until you reach your destination. Before the big trip, we organise a meeting to resolve all your doubts and concerns.

And once you arrive, we are always nearby whenever you need us. We welcome you with a Welcome Session, where we give you advice and help with whatever you need to settle into your new home. Moreover, you become part of our community of growers.

This means you can attend workshops and special events, as well as enjoy exclusive discounts and offers. Awesome, isn’t it?

And if Auckland has already captivated you, why not start planning the best experience of your life? Fill out the form below to get more information. Talk to you later, future grower!