The island country of New Zealand is a land of great contrasts and diversity. Active volcanoes, long sandy beaches, snowy peaks, and pastures create a majestic landscape. New Zealanders, or "Kiwis" as they are called are known for their warm and friendly nature. Australia, its nearest neighbour is just 1000 miles away. Quality education and a safe environment have made it a compelling choice for international students who want to come here for higher studies. Here are more reasons why New Zealand should be on your radar when you consider a destination for higher studies abroad:

Quality Education: The New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) is at the centre of New Zealand’s education and training system. All secondary and tertiary qualifications and credentials approved by New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) or Universities in New Zealand come with an assurance of quality that is recognised and trusted worldwide.

Diverse Range of Programs: Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor and Master’s courses offer a wide variety across various disciplines, ensuring that students going to New Zealand for higher education can find a program that aligns with their interests and career goals. It is also one of the preferred destinations for pilot training.

Research Opportunities: All eight universities in New Zealand are research-based institutions. They spend around $960m annually on research, accounting for 37% of New Zealand's applied research and 54% of all basic research. Summer research scholarships at Universities offer students a chance to gain valuable work experience. The University of Waikato, one of New Zealand's major research organisations, contributes significantly to the nation’s innovative projects. The New Zealand government actively supports and promotes high-quality research through the Performance-Based Research Fund.

Medium of instruction: English is the predominantly spoken language in New Zealand and is the primary language of instruction making it easy for international students looking for overseas higher studies to adapt quickly to the university environment.

Part-time work: Students can work up to 20 hours a week, and full-time during all scheduled holidays, if the following conditions are met:

• The student is doing a full-time course that counts for at least 2 academic years
• The course results in a New Zealand qualification that gains points under the Skilled Migrant Category
• The course is at least 1 academic year long and is part of an approved tertiary student exchange scheme.

Post-Study Work Rights: Graduates from New Zealand institutions may be eligible for a post-study work visa of up to 3 years depending on the level and duration of their study in New Zealand. With this, you can also apply for Permanent Residency in New Zealand under the Skilled Migrant Category.

Job opportunities: New Zealand degrees are internationally recognized and respected, providing graduates with a strong foundation for their careers. With a thriving job market and a shortage of skilled workforce in various sectors like IT, Engineering, business, and health services, there are excellent opportunities for graduates to start their career in New Zealand. FNZ, Xero New Zealand, Fonterra, Fisher & Paykel, and Air New Zealand are some of the top employers to work for.