Why study in the UK?

The UK offers a wealth of undergraduate courses at a wide range of institiutions, each with its own unique character and cultural life. This gives you the option of studying at a traditional red-brick university (with links to traditional careers) or at one of the more modern universities (with links to newer industries such as marketing and new media). Whichever type of study you choose, the UK education style is personal, with a high level of student support provided.

Applying to a UK university is made easy through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Through this system, you can apply to a maximum of six institutions on one form.

What courses are on offer?

Courses vary considerably according to the university or college in which you study.

You can search and check individual prospectuses for each university on our EducationUK website. You can also read the Subject Review Reports on the QAA (Quality Assurance Agency) website; these look at the quality of teaching, students' learning experience, and the support available.

How long will my degree study take?

The degree lengths are much the same as New Zealand. Most take three years to complete, although arts degrees often require a foundation qualification prior to the degree course (which takes one year); law and medicine degrees usually take a minimum of five years; architecture degrees take seven years to complete. You will need to make sure you can support yourself for the entire duration of your course.

What are the entrance requirements?

Entrance requirements vary according to the subject and the popularity of your chosen course (some insitutions are highly regarded for particular subjects, so finding a place is more difficult). You should get details of the course requirements from the institution’s current prospectus or direct from the faculty.

New Zealand's secondary school qualifications are well regarded in the UK. You can check how NCEA credits relate to UK equivalents, and whether you meet entry criteria through NARIC (National Academic Recognition Information Centre).

How much will it cost?

International students fees vary depending on the course and institution. As an example for 2006 these are £6,250 to £7,650 (for arts degrees), £6,500 to £9,950 (science), £6,960 to £18,000 (clinical) per year. Most students in the UK need about £700 a month to live on (more for London). This will cover accomodation, food, clothes and basic living expenses. Some universities offer scholarships, but there is a lot of competition for these and you should not depend on it. The majority of scholarships are for postgraduate students.