Considering studying abroad, but concerned that it’s too expensive? It can be, primarily because international tuition fees are always higher than tuition paid by students in their home countries. However, the good news is that there are ways you can bring those costs down considerably.
“At the end of the day, it’s going to cost maybe a few thousand more than in Canada,” says Jenn Halliday, a Canadian earning her Bachelor of Sport and Recreation Management at Lincoln University, just outside of Christchurch, New Zealand.
To pay for her studies, 20-year-old Halliday won a scholarship, arranged a Canadian student loan and works part-time. Here’s how she makes it work:
- A merit scholarship from Lincoln, based on her academics and references, is worth $5,000 NZD ($4,046 CDN) per year. “That scholarship was a big help for me,” says Halliday.
- A loan from the Canada Student Loans program, worth $13,505 NZD ($11,000 CDN).
- A part-time job of eight to 10 hours per week at an after-school program for children, helping them with homework and doing activities. “I have to work to continue to be here,” she says. Minimum wage is $13.75 NZD ($11.12 CDN).
- The Canada-N.Z. currency exchange rate favours Canadians. “That makes a massive difference in student loans,” says Halliday, adding that it also helped her make her decision to go to N.Z.
- She got credit for her one year at the University of British Columbia, so she started in second year at Lincoln.
“I’ve always felt supported,” says Halliday of her move to the far side of the world. “Every question answered. The international advisor helped.”
International tuition fees in N.Z. range from $16,000 to $18,000 NZD ($12,946 to $14,564 CDN) per year. But international PhD students pay the same tuition as N.Z. students—about $5,000 to $8,000 NZD ($4,046 to $6,473 CDN).
Canadian students considering studying abroad should apply for every scholarship, bursary or loan they can find. Schools generally have an “International Students” page on their websites, listing all the possibilities. And don’t be shy about asking for help from the schools’ international advisors—they WANT you to study in N.Z.
“QRC will do their best to help you come,” says Julia Thrift, 19, from British Columbia, who has a bursary from Queenstown Resort College where she’s in the snowsports program. “I was really happy. They helped arrange it.”
Accommodation is another financial consideration. Living in residence allows you to meet more people in your first semester, but it’s more expensive than “flatting with friends” (sharing an apartment). Costs vary by city, and can be as low as $85 NZD ($69 CDN) per week, but Thrift pays $124 NZD ($100 CDN) per week for flatting in Queenstown.
Another option is a “homestay,” i.e., boarding with a Kiwi family, which costs about $240 NZD ($194 CDN) per week, including three meals a day.
Some schools have agents in Canada whom you can talk to about the schools, life in N.Z., the programs and the application process. Between agents, the schools and Education New Zealand, there are many guidebooks available offering step-by-step processes for applying for programs, student visas, work visas and accommodation. They’ll give you any advice you need to help fill out the forms. Here’s the general process:
- Apply to a school. After you’ve received an Offer of Place, pay your tuition fees. You need your receipt to apply for your student visa.
- Apply for your student visa. This is required if you’re going to be in N.Z. longer than three months. If you want to work in N.Z., be sure to tick off the applicable boxes on your student visa form. International students can usually work up to 20 hours a week while in school and full-time during holidays, as long as you’re there for a program lasting longer than a year.
- Find accommodation. Each school will help you, whether you want to stay in the Halls of Residence (as they call it), a homestay or your own flat. Living in N.Z. is generally cheaper than in Canada.
- Get medical and travel insurance. International students are not covered under N.Z.’s health care, so you must arrange your own medical and travel insurance. The schools will help. Otago Polytechnic, for example, uses Uni-Care, which has a special insurance package for international students that costs $510 NZD ($413 CDN) for a full year.
- Make your travel arrangements. Some schools will even pick you up at the airport and take you to your new home!
- Start your studies. The schools provide full orientation to the school and the town or city where you’ll be staying.
N.Z. wants international students to be safe and well cared for. Point your parents towards the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students, published by N.Z.’s Ministry of Education, so they can rest assured.
