Step 1

Application:

Send enquiries at least 8 to 12 months before the proposed date of admission. There are three ways to get application forms. 

You need to clear either TOEFL or GRE. The type of university which may take you will depend on your score

Step 2

Application Requirements

University Academic Transcripts

Full details of your education (including your course subjects and grades are required in the applications) and Transcripts or official records of your previous academic qualifications are crucial for your application. Students applying for admission are required to submit an official transcript from each college or university that they have attended after secondary school with complete details of the subjects, credits involved and other details like correspondence courses, diplomas etc. Most universities ask for the transcript to be sealed in an envelope and signed and attested across the seal by the registrar. Some universities may ask for more than one transcript. If the originals are not in English, copies and a good English translation must be enclosed.  Documents may be certified as true copies by a justice of the peace, or a notary public, or a solicitor, or a commissioner of oaths, or an official of the institution that issued the document.

Evidence of Graduation

Most Universities would require copies of your first degree certificate as evidence of your graduation. The certificate should either be in original or as a certified true copy. Documents may be certified as true copies by a justice of peace, or a notary public, or a solicitor, or a commissioner of oaths, or an official of the institution that issued the document.

Test Scores

The relevant test scores need to be submit depending on the course you choose. If the student is not proficient in English, he may be required to take the IELTS (International English Testing System). Every institute has its own minimum scores with respect to this test. A minimum score of  6.5 is usually required by most institutes. If the student does not obtain the minimum score required by the institute, he/she will have to go in for a 3 to 9 month bridging course in English at the institute before the start of the chosen program of study. Universities may accept TOEFL scores instead of IELTS score.

Letter of Recommendation

Letter of reference or recommendation letters can play an important part in admission. It should be from someone who has taught you in some course or someone you have worked under. It should list your positive and negative qualities, strengths and other such information.

The teacher must indicate his/her position, how long he/she has known the applicant and in what capacity. He/she should briefly discuss the need, importance and usefulness of the study the applicant proposes to undertake. 

Statement of Purpose

The personal essays, and/or statement of purpose, if required for the course you are applying to, also play a very important role in the process of evaluating your application for admission. A personal statement should include your reasons for choosing a particular course, the suitability of your education and experience for the chosen course, your personal interests and career goals.

Every applicant must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources available to them to pay tuition fees, maintain him/herself and dependants who go to New Zealand, and to pay return transportation costs without engaging in employment in New Zealand. The evidence of financial support is required by universities to issue the documents needed for visa application.

Step 3

The first requirement before you start applying is to have a list of Universities where you intend to apply.

You need to do a lot of research on the Universities before you can come-up with a list. By the time you are preparing your list, you might have given your GRE and TOEFL. You'll have to make a rational decision as to what are your chances in various Universities that you are evaluating. You'll have to evaluate the department and program ranking of the University and whether the researches and courses align with your interests.

Some quick tips!

Generally people have a simple logic of choosing Universities. You need to divide your list into 3 categories of :

• Ambitious - The ones that are your real dream Universities, but you think they are a bit unapproachable given the profile you have.
• Moderates - The Universities which you believe that you have a fair chance of getting in. You have researched that people of similar profile have gone through such Universities before. But you still cannot be very confident of an admit.
• Safes - The Universities that you are confident that you should get a call from. You have checked various forums and edulix uniSearch and you are pretty sure that with your profile, you should get an admit from this University.

Statement of Purpose/Resume

Most online applications  facilitate uploading the SOP and Resume on the online application itself. Otherwise you'll require to send them with the courier packet. In case you are uploading your resume, you can also append scanned copy of various certificates to the resume.

Letters of Recommendations

You will need to send your letter of recommendations(LOR). Most online applications now-a-days allow LORs to be submitted online.In cases where submitting online LOR is not possible, the applicant is required to take LOR in sealed envelopes from the professor and send it along with the application packet that will be sent to the University. .

Transcripts

Transcripts are to be sent by post. You need to send them in sealed envelopes by courier/post along with other application material that is required.

Financial documents to be sent with applications

Some Universities ask some financial documents to be sent along with the application. These documents maybe custom documents/forms that are to be filled and sent back with bank seal etc. Basically they may ask for financial proof for some amount of money. Most students who will avail loan for their studies are not in a position to send those documents at this time. Ideally you should send authentic proof of whatever amount that is possible.

Step 4

Complete the 'Application for Student Visa' Form

These are available at the New Zealand Embassy or High Commission and your local travel/education agencies. With the 'Application for Student Visa' you will need to include:

A recent passport-size photograph.

Payment of a non-refundable visa application fee

An 'Offer of Place' from a New Zealand education school or institution which states that you have been accepted by the school, the name of the course, the minimum time to complete the course, whether a course fee is required to be paid or the student is exempt from the fee (e.g. scholarship students). The New Zealand institution, which has confirmed your enrolment, will send this 'Offer of Place' to you. Evidence of payment of course tuition fee or evidence of exemption from fee.

Note: Students are no longer required to produce evidence of payment of course fees before their applications are approved in principle.

A guarantee of accommodation

A written assurance from a New Zealand education institution or other persons that suitable accommodation is available to you in New Zealand. Most New Zealand institutions will assist you with accommodation.

Evidence of sufficient funds to cover your living expenses and return travel back to your home country. You will need to provide medical clearance and character references ONLY for courses, which are longer than 24 months. Contact the New Zealand Embassy or High Commission for further information on this.

Students will only be issued with a student visa if they have enrolled in an approved course at an institution or establishment, which is accredited to offer it. If your application for a student visa is approved you will need a passport which will be valid for 3 months beyond your initial date of departure from New Zealand.