New global partnership enables international students to begin New Zealand university study at home

An innovative partnership between NCUK, Education New Zealand (ENZ), and all eight New Zealand universities will enable students in more than 30 countries to begin their study towards a New Zealand university qualification at home while borders are closed, backed by more than NZ $300,000 in scholarships a year.

This ground-breaking initiative gives students around the world more choice and flexibility when it comes to how and when they gain a high-quality New Zealand education. It also exemplifies New Zealand’s high-quality education, which is agile, future-focused and student-centred.

Chris Hipkins, New Zealand’s Minister of Education

The Global New Zealand Education Pathways initiative is part of the New Zealand Government’s Recovery Plan for international education, announced in July. The plan invests $10 million over three years towards innovative products and modes of education delivery that will enable the New Zealand international education sector to not only recover from the shock of COVID-19 but transform to a more diversified, sustainable future state.

“The Government recognises that international education will play a vital role in the recovery of the New Zealand economy from COVID-19,” Minister Hipkins said.

(Image above: Education New Zealand Chief Executive, Grant McPherson (left), and Universities New Zealand, Chief Executive, Chris Whelan, were joined by ENZ staff members in Wellington, New Zealand at the e-signing of the partnership agreement between ENZ and NCUK on 25 November.)

As the world recovers, international education can help build relationships that benefit both the students who choose to study here, and New Zealand. Reciprocity needs to be at the heart of international education.

Grant McPherson, ENZ Chief Executive

New Zealand’s universities are also offering more than NZD $300,000 in annual scholarships dedicated to students carrying out NCUK qualifications.

Universities New Zealand Chief Executive Chris Whelan said New Zealand’s universities were committed to developing innovative solutions that connect New Zealand to students globally.

This initiative, developed in partnership with NCUK, offers an excellent pathway for international students who are looking to study at New Zealand’s high-quality universities. International education is a vital component of our sector, bringing benefits to our domestic students and research community, as well as to our universities. We look forward to developing this further and to welcoming these students to New Zealand in the future.

Chris Whelan, Universities New Zealand Chief Executive 

We are delighted to be partnering with the New Zealand government and New Zealand universities on this initiative, adding to our 30-plus-year track record in successfully placing more than 35,000 students in world-leading universities worldwide.

Professor John Brewer, NCUK Chief Executive Officer (pictured above)

NCUK Market Development Director, Georgina Jones, said the partnership provides more opportunities for international students to access a world-class education.

We are delighted to have been chosen to support New Zealand’s universities via our global network of Study Centres. This partnership enables our network to provide additional routes throughout the academic year, increasing the number of opportunities for international students to access a world-class education.

Georgina Jones, NCUK Market Development Director

Intakes for the qualifications begin in March 2021. Students will start either their New Zealand or online study in 2022 or 2023 – once they complete one of the three relevant NCUK pathway qualifications: a one-year International Foundation Year programme to enter an undergraduate degree in New Zealand; a one-year International Year One programme, equivalent to a year’s study towards a business or engineering bachelor’s degree; or a Pre-Master’s Programme towards a master’s degree in New Zealand.

For more information about obtaining pathway qualifications, please visit NCUK’s dedicated NZ area or the ENZ Study in New Zealand website.

Notes to Editors:

 Education New Zealand (ENZ) is New Zealand’s government agency responsible for international education and its benefits to New Zealand socially, culturally and economically.

• This release is available on ENZ’s website
• Universities NZ is the peak body representing all eight universities
• Universities New Zealand’s Quality Assurance Committee (CUAP) has recognised the NCUK Foundation Year programme as being equivalent to university entrance.

 Pathway qualifications

 Students commencing the pathway in 2021 would start either their New Zealand or online study in 2022 or 2023, once they complete one of three, relevant NCUK pathway qualifications –

• a one-year international foundation year programme to enter an undergraduate degree in New Zealand (recognised as equivalent to ‘University Entrance’ by the University Quality Assurance Committee)
• a one-year international year one programme, equivalent to one year’s study towards a business or engineering bachelor’s degree
• a pre-master’s programme towards a master’s degree in New Zealand.

 About NCUK

 NCUK is a not-for-profit foundation established by a group of leading UK universities, with more than 30 years’ experience in designing and quality-assuring pathway qualifications for more than 35,000 students to date.

• NCUK offer a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree pathway qualifications which are designed exclusively for international students and are trusted by universities all over the world.
• NCUK develops the programmes and then the qualification is delivered by approved partners (e.g. schools, colleges, language schools) who teach the programmes worldwide. All assessments are set and moderated by NCUK.
• NCUK students are high performers with 90% being accepted into their first-choice university and 80% getting a first- or second-class degree on graduation.