ABOUT US AND SERVICES OFFERED
Q: Will I get a dedicated for the entire application and visa process?
A: Yes. Once you sign up with Focus Education, you will be assigned a dedicated who will guide you through the entire process.
Q: Does Focus Education have any special relationship with New Zealand institutions?
A: Yes. Focus Education has relationships with a number of New Zealand institutions, giving you the benefit of improved turnaround times for application processing and assessment.
Q: What can Focus Education do for me?
A: Focus Education will offer you academic organized on programs and universities in the Newzealand and help you with the entire application and student visa process. Your will checklists for you every step of the way and track your applications, fee payments and visa deadlines. In addition, your will provide a detailed pre-departure orientation to prepare you for life as a student in the Newzealand.
ACCOMMODATION
Q: What type of student accommodation is available?
A: Some secondary schools offer boarding facilities, while others arrange home-stays for international students.
Usually universities and polytechnics offer student accommodation on campus. Some students prefer to live off campus and will seek advice from the student support services, provided by most tertiary institutes, to help with arranging home-stays or give advice on finding student flats.
It is generally recommended that international students allow NZ$9,000 to $10,000 per year for living and accommodation costs. This covers accommodation, food, travel, textbooks and limited entertainment.
APPLYING FOR A COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY
Q: Is there an age limit to study in New Zealand?
A: There is no limit on the age of a person wishing to study in New Zealand however the New Zealand Immigration Service needs to be satisfied that the applicant is a genuine student when they process the student visa application.
Q: How many higher education institutions are there in New Zealand?
A: New Zealand has 8 Universities, 25 Polytechnics and/or Institutes of Technology.
Q: What is the difference between Universities and Polytechnics and Institutes of Technology?
A: Historically the main difference had been that Universities focused on academic programs and the Polytechnics focused on practical training. Over recent years both types of institutions have expanded their range of programs and now there is significant overlap between Universities and Polytechnics. Over recent years the Polytechnic programs have been expanded to include a wide range and number of degree programs. A number of Polytechnics have also merged together and have changed their names from Polytechnics to Institutes of Technology to better reflect their focus. Cross-credits for courses completed at the Polytechnic can be credited to ongoing University study in most instances.
Q: What is the difference between secondary school, high school and college?
A: There is no difference between these names. They all refer to the same type of institution – a secondary school offering classes from Year 9 to Year 13. Students graduate from Year 13 and proceed to study at tertiary institutions.
Q: What is a tertiary institution?
A: This is the collective name given to all institutions like Universities and Polytechnics who offer course for students to continue their studies after secondary school.
Q: How long does it take to get a Degree in New Zealand?
A: Most degrees in New Zealand are for 3 years but there are also a number of degrees which take 4 years.
Q: Are New Zealand degrees recognized internationally?
A: New Zealand degrees are recognized internationally and will be accepted when applying for post-graduate study in most countries.
Q: How long will it take to process my application?
A: All undergraduate applications take upto two weeks to finalize the enrollment. Postgraduate applications may take upto four weeks. During the busy season over the months of May-June and November-January all Postgraduate applications may take upto six weeks to process.
CLIMATE/WEATHER
Q: What is the climate like in New Zealand?
A: Being located in the Southern Hemisphere, New Zealand seasons are completely opposite to countries north of the equator. Winter lasts from June until August and our summer is between December and February. Surrounded by sea, the climate doesn’t get uncomfortably hot or unbearably cold in the areas where the majority of people live, although extremes will be found, particularly in the mountain ranges in winter. Overall, our temperate climate ranges from 20-30?C (68-86?F) in summer, and from 5-15?C (41-59?F) in winter. New Zealand’s Seasons.The North of New Zealand is sub-tropical and the South temperate. The warmest months are December to March and the coldest June, July and August. In summer, the average maximum temperature ranges between 20-30 degrees C and in winter between 10-15 degrees C. You can check on weather conditions in New Zealand on the New Zealand Met Service website.
CURRENCY
Q: What is the name of the currency in New Zealand?
A: The New Zealand currency is known as the New Zealand dollar.
FINANCIAL AID/SCHOLARSHIPS
Q: What is the eligibility to receive a monetary award?
A: To be eligible to receive a scholarship award, the student must be enrolled in tertiary study in New Zealand for the years in which they receive monetary awards. For awards with second or subsequent year payments recipients must maintain a ‘B’ grade average during their tertiary study in New Zealand.
Q: How many candidates are awarded Scholarship?
A: Approximately 3 per cent of Year 13 students studying each subject at level 3 are awarded Scholarship, if they reach the standard that has been set. There is some tolerance around the 3 per cent, mainly for those subjects with few candidates.
Q: How is Scholarship marked?
A: Markers allocate a score of 0-8 for each component in the Scholarship assessment using subject specific schedules. These are based on a Generic Marking Guide, as follows:
- An answer given a score of 8 is an outstanding answer in all respects. Strong evidence of integration and synthesis. As good as could be expected under examination conditions. Accurate, comprehensive, coherent, lucid, perceptive.
- A score of 1 shows Meagre understanding relevant to the question.
- 0 is awarded for answers that are blank or irrelevant.
The work of the highest scoring candidates is reviewed by marking panels, to identify the top candidates in each subject. Exam booklets for candidates whose scores are close to either the Scholarship or Outstanding cut-offs are also re-marked, to ensure their results are correct.
Scholarship assessments have between 3 and 6 components, and the scores for each component are totaled to give the final result.
PERMANENT RESIDENCY (PR)
Q: Can I apply for Permanent Residence after my studies in New Zealand?
A: You don’t have to come back to Nepal if you successfully complete your studies in New Zealand. You become eligible for a guaranteed 12 months job search visa. This visa allows you to stay in New Zealand and work full time in any job. But the important thing is that in these 12 months you have to find a job relevant to the course you just completed.
Once you secure this you can apply for a longer work permit which is generally issued for 2 years. At this stage you will have enough points to apply for Permanent Residency. The points are based on age, qualifications and subject, how long you studied in New Zealand, work experience and industry, spouse qualifications and any blood relatives who are citizens or permanent residents of NZ and willing to support your application. Once you are a Permanent Resident of New Zealand, you are eligible for all social benefits from the government. 5 years after becoming a Permanent Resident you can apply for Citizenship after which a New Zealand passport can be applied for. This allows you visa free travel to many countries including UK, Australia, Canada and almost all European countries.
To know the benefits you can avail as a Permanent Resident/Citizen of New Zealand visit www.msd.govt.nz
PRE-DEPARTURE
Q: Will Focus Education help me with pre-departure formalities?
A: Yes. Focus Education will organize a pre-departure orientation program which will help you in your transition to life as a student in the New Zealand. The program will address topics ranging from cross-cultural issues to ticketing, medical insurance, foreign exchange rates, documents you should take with you while traveling to the New Zealand, arriving to college or university, orientation at college or university, insurance policy, airport pick-up and accommodation booking, etc.
TRAVEL ARRANGEMENT
Q: What are the travel arrangements there?
A: Because it’s a very compact place, travel within New Zealand – whether by plane, bus, rail, car or campervan – is easy and affordable. Accommodation too is cheap and varied. And the culinary promise of venison, fresh seafood, sublime ice cream and award-winning wines should more than whet the appetite.
TUITION AND LIVING COST
Q: How much are the tuition fees in New Zealand?
A: Type of Tuition Fees ($NZ)
- English Language Courses approximately NZ$320 – NZ$400 per week
- Secondary School normal tuition fees are from NZ$8,000 – NZ$10,500 per year for most schools but some private schools are more expensive
- Polytechnic Courses these range from NZ$10,000 – NZ$15,000 per year depending on the course or degree
- University Degrees from NZ$10,500 – NZ$16,000 per year for most under-graduate degrees
- Post-graduate Degrees begin from NZ$15,000 per year and MBA Degrees are about NZ$22,000
Q: What is the cost to live in New Zealand?
A: The total cost depends on each students spending habits. However a student should be able to live in New Zealand for a total cost of living of between NZ$8,000 and NZ$10,000 a year including accommodation, transport and entertainment.
Q: What is GST Tax?
A: GST stands for Goods & Services Tax. All goods and services in New Zealand including tuition fees have GST Tax of 12.5% included in the fee. There are some items that do not have GST and these include bank fees and residential rental payments.
VISAS/DEPENDENT VISAS
Q: Can I extend my student visa in New Zealand?
A: There is no problem in extending your student visa in New Zealand and this should be done in 1 or 2 days. You need to obtain a new school offer of place and pay the tuition fee, complete the student visa application and show that you have sufficient money or a financial sponsor to cover your living expenses in New Zealand.
Q: Can my student visa be cancelled?
A: Yes. Your student visa can be cancelled and you requested to leave to New Zealand if you do not meet the requirements of your student visa. The main requirements are that you must attend the classes and do not commit any crime or unlawful acts in New Zealand. If you have your student visa cancelled this is very serious as it will be noted in your passport and you will have difficulty traveling out of your home country in the future.
Q: What happens if my student visa expires?
A: This is very serious. You should make every effort to extend your student visa before the expiry date. If your student visa expires you have to make a special submission to the New Zealand Immigration Service which they may or may not approve. There is total responsibility on you to extend your student visa and keep the visa current at all times.
Q: Can I change my student visa in New Zealand?
A: If you have completed your course of study and you wish to remain in New Zealand as a visitor or apply for residence this is possible providing you have not got a Limited Purpose Visa.
Q: What is a Limited Purpose Visa?
A: A Limited Purpose Visa is issued when the New Zealand Immigration Service considers the applicant does not meet the normal criteria to study in New Zealand but is prepared to allow the applicant the opportunity to show they are a genuine student or a genuine visitor as the case may be. Limited Purpose Student Visas are issued for a specific period of time to allow the applicant to study a particular course. The applicant must meet the requirements of the visa and return to their home country before the expiry of the visa. If their course has not been completed they are able to obtain a short-term extension to complete their course. In some special circumstance it may be possible to extend or change a Limited Purpose Visa to a normal visa.
Q: Can I apply for New Zealand Residence?
A: If you meet the requirements of the current immigration policy in New Zealand it is possible for you to apply for residence at any time. In particular the immigration policy encourages students who have completed their degree in New Zealand to proceed to apply for permanent residence.
Q: Can my parents visit me in New Zealand?
A: It should be no problem for parents to apply for a visitor visa and to visit their children in New Zealand providing they meet normal visitor visa policy requirements.
Q: How long can I study in New Zealand?
A: Providing you pass your course and continue to meet the requirements of your student visa you can continue to extend your visa for as long as you wish. There is no limit on the time you can spend in New Zealand as a student.
Q: What is the Student visa process?
A: Here is an example of the student visa process:
- Student applies for a programme of study in New Zealand
- We organise the student an Offer of Place and Tax Invoice from a New Zealand Institute.
- We then apply for your student visa with Immigration New Zealand.
- Once the visa is APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE, then the student must pay the course fees in FULL.
- Immigration then completes the process and the student will receive their visa.
If the visa is not approved, Immigration New Zealand will send a Letter to the student explaining why they were declined.
WORKING IN NEW ZEALAND
Q: How much can I earn when I work in New Zealand?
A: Those students who are able to work under their visa will probably work in casual jobs either tutoring at their institution or working in restaurants or other service industries. The normal hourly wage rate will be from NZ$8.00 – NZ$15.00 per hour and you will have tax deducted from your wages before you receive your payment. On these amounts the tax will normally work out at about 20 cents per $ and you should be able to obtain a full tax refund at the end of the financial year in April.
Q: What happens when I finish my degree?
A: Students who have completed their degree in the normal time and have a job offer related to their studies can obtain a work visa for another 2 years to work in the job they have been offered as may qualify for residence.
Q: Am I allowed to work while studying?
A: All students on a student visa can work up to 20 hours per week during semester and full time during vacations.
Many New Zealand institutions offer a student employment service called ‘Student Job Search’ to help you find work. Upon the successful completion of their studies they are allowed to apply for a 12 months Graduate Job search Visa and subsequently for permanent resident status.