Going to university is a big decision and with many courses lasting several years, it's not a decision that you should take lightly.
Much like anywhere else in the world, universities in New Zealand offer many different qualifications, programs, and courses.
With many of them boasting that they're the best thing you could do for your professional or academic career, it's a tough choice and it's one that only you can really make.
If you need help deciding, though, here are a lot of the things you should be thinking about when choosing universities, programs, and courses in New Zealand.
The Different Kinds of Courses at University
Firstly, while most students going to university for the first time will be probably thinking of a degree, this isn't the only kind of qualification offered at university and there may be other types of qualifications better suited to you and what you want to do.
It might seem that everybody's telling you to get a degree but don't rule out other options if they'll be better for what you want to study and the career you want to do.
Grab a pen and some paper because there are going to be a few acronyms for you to remember.
The NZQA
The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) is the government agency that's responsible for qualifications and education in New Zealand. While they don't necessarily issue the qualifications, their job is to ensure that qualifications issued by universities are approved.
The NZQA is also responsible for ensuring standards are maintained for different qualifications, which is why different educational establishments can offer the same kinds of qualifications and awards.
The NZQCF
Qualifications in New Zealand fall under the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF), which essentially establishes the various levels for different qualifications and establishes academic pathways.
The framework puts qualifications into levels between 1 and 10. The highest level (and the most academically rigorous) qualifications are level 10, which includes doctoral qualifications.
Qualifications include certificates, diplomas, the various degrees available, and doctoral studies.
Here's where each kind of qualification sits in the framework:
- Certificates: Levels 1-5.
- Diplomas: Levels 5-7.
- Bachelor's Degrees, Graduate Certificates, and Graduate Diplomas: Level 7.
- Bachelor Honours Degrees, Postgraduate Certificates, and Postgraduate Diplomas: Level 8.
- Master's Degree: Level 9.
- Doctoral Degree: Level 10.
At most universities in New Zealand, you can study almost any of these qualifications in a variety of different subjects.
Just as every job doesn't require a PhD, not every job requires a bachelor's degree. In some instances, you may find that your dream job requires a different qualification and studying for a bachelor's degree mightn't be the right thing to do.
In other circumstances, the career you want may need more academic qualifications than just a bachelor's degree so it's important you're aware of the different qualifications, what level they are, and how they all fit into academia in New Zealand.
How to Choose What You Study at University
Now that you're aware of the different qualifications out there, you need to start thinking about what you'd like to study, regardless of the type of qualification you'll need.
This is often a tougher decision than choosing a qualification type because in most cases, you'll have spent enough time in school or academia to understand your academic performance and what kind of level you'll be realistically looking to achieve.
For students that have always hated school, it's unlikely that they'll set their sights on a PhD whereas academically gifted students might be considering a long career in academia before eventually going into the world of work.
Here are just some of the things you should consider when choosing what to study.
Career Prospects
We need to be somewhat pragmatic here as while it'd be nice to study whatever you like, it's also important to remember that you're ultimately going to university to study a subject that will increase your job prospects and earning potential because it leads to a good career.
It's certainly not the only thing to consider and we definitely wouldn't recommend studying something just because there are high-paying jobs for those that do. However, it's not a factor that can be ignored.
Ideally, you'll want to find something you want to study that you know comes with good employability at the end.
Industry Connections
Much like you'll study at university to increase your career prospects, it can help to know that the program you choose has direct connections to potential jobs and careers and the best degrees in New Zealand tend to have these connections.
A lot of graduates can jumpstart their careers by going straight into employment programs at companies with connections to the university.
When looking at university courses, especially more vocational or technically specific programs, consider the industry connections the program or university has.
Cost
Except for first-year students who are eligible for the Fees Free program, university in New Zealand isn't free. The cost of attending university has always been something that has made a difference for many students. Whether it's the cost itself or the fact that you won't really be able to earn while you study, financial constraints may mean certain full-time courses aren't viable.
University qualifications can increase your earning potential and in an ideal world, everyone would choose to achieve their maximum earning potential through academic qualifications. In reality, this only works for those who can afford to dedicate their time to studying rather than working.
That said, there are part-time study options available and remote learning opportunities so even if you can't afford to stop earning while you study, that doesn't mean that university isn't for you.
Location
When you study (especially if it's going to take several years), you'll want to do it somewhere you like living.
Being somewhere nice can help to make studying easier and the best teachers and courses won't help if you hate where you are and dream of being anywhere else.
Just remember that if you move away to attend university, don't confuse homesickness or cold feet with genuinely disliking a place. Different isn't always bad, but you know yourself better than anyone else so think about studying in places that you'd like.
Life on Campus
In addition to where you choose to study, you'll also want to think about life "on campus". Each university is different and beyond the academic criteria that you should consider, think carefully about extracurricular activities, campus life, and if you can see yourself enjoying your time at a particular university.
Variety is the spice of life and it can help a lot if you have activities outside of your studies that you can enjoy doing, provided they're not a distraction from studying. It's much easier to perform well academically if you have ways to socialise and enjoy your favourite hobbies.
Support
As well as extracurricular activities, it's important to know that your university will support you during your studies.
Getting a degree can be tough and you'll want to know that the university actually cares about its students' wellbeing and academic progress, especially if you've chosen to study one of the toughest degrees in New Zealand.
Naturally, every university will say they do so in this instance, it can help to speak to alumni and current students for a more accurate representation of the support provided.
Your Interests
Your own interests are a huge consideration when choosing where to study as you need to consider them when choosing the university, program, and potential career.
Think about what you like to do both inside and outside of your studies and seek out universities and programs that allow you to study subjects you're interested in without having to give up your favourite hobbies and pastimes.
Program
Look at the specific programs that you'd be interested in studying. A degree in engineering from the University of Auckland won't be exactly the same as the engineering program at the University of Otago.
In some cases, the degree won't even offer the same qualification at the end. For certain subjects like economics, for example, you can study a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, or a Bachelor of Commerce, with each of these programs having slightly different requirements.
Fortunately, each university has plenty of information on each of their programs.
Options
Nobody expects you to have it all figured out immediately so consider how many options are open to you. A lot of programs allow students to specialise in their second and third years so if you're still undecided, opt for programs with more freedom and flexibility.
Trends
Last but not least, you'll need to look into the future a bit. While none of us has a crystal ball, look to trends to make sure you've chosen a good career for the future. The last thing you'd want is to spend 3 or 4 years studying something to find it completely worthless once you graduate.
That said, remember that no degree is completely worthless as even if the subject itself isn't particularly valuable, you've had to study and work for several years to get your degree. In terms of employability, having a degree is better than not having one, but whether doing a degree or any qualification is worth it depends on all of the above criteria.
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