Welcome to New Zealand!
New Zealand became independent as a nation in 1947. Before that it was a British colony, hence making it an English-speaking country. The vast majority of the population is of European descent, with a minority of Maori people, the indigenous population of the two islands of New Zealand. The territory of New Zealand is geologically active, with earthquakes and active volcanoes.
Actually, there is an Old Zealand. In December 1642 Dutch navigator Abel Janszoon Tasman was the first European to sight New Zealand’s South Island, and Dutch cartographers named the territory after the Dutch maritime province of Zeeland. Located just northwest of the Belgian city of Antwerp.
Rugby is really popular in the country. Its national rugby union team, the All Blacks, is famous for its strength and its pre-match “haka”, a traditional Maori dance. Other sports include hiking, skiing and bungee jumping, which is quite commonly performed.
What are the best universities in New Zealand for semester students?
Are you still undecided whether or not New Zealand might be an appealing destination for you? On wearefreemovers you can find a selection of 5 academic institutions offering you the possibility of spending a semester or a full academic year in New Zealand. Let’s check some statistics about them.
Here you can see the positions of the New Zealander institutions among the world’s best universities rankings.
| NAME | QS | THE | ARWU | CWUR | CWTS | Eduniversal palmes | U.S. News & World Report's Best Global Universities Rankings | Webometrics |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Auckland | 81 | 147 | 201-300 | 263 | 198 | 5 | 125 | 105 |
| Victoria University of Wellington | 223 | 501–600 | 401-500 | 691 | 735 | 4 | 536 | - |
| Victoria University of Wellington - Ferrier Research Institute (PhD level) | 223 | 501–600 | 401-500 | 691 | 735 | 4 | 536 | - |
| University of Otago | 184 | 201–250 | 301-400 | 341 | 301 | 4 | 226 | 252 |
| The University of Waikato | 375 | 501–600 | 701-800 | 1075 | - | 4 | 761 | - |
| Otago Polytechnic | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Again, even with New Zealand the universities offering is great. I have selected some of the best universities in the world for free movers, and for New Zealand the possibilities are not too many, but they are certainly valid. Excluding Otago Polytechnic, which is good in the technical field, the other institutions are all top-notch. The difference among them is minimal, as the top 200-400 universities ranked by QS are part of the best 1-2% of world’s universities.
Costs and fees
New Zealand is an expensive country. Monthly costs of living for a single person are close to 900€. Keep in mind that, as a student, you could have access to various discounts which can include food, travel, and accommodation expenses.
When it comes to university’s fees, New Zealand is highly expensive, with a median 7500€/semester for free mover students.
Which cities of New Zealand are available for free movers?
Currently there are many cities that accept free movers in New Zealand. Have you ever dreamt of studying in Auckland or any other city in New Zealand? Here you can find institutions divided by city:
