Market intelligence for international student recruitment from ICEF
2nd Dec 2020

New Zealand takes next step in recovery plan with major pathways initiative

Short on time? Here are the highlights:
  • A new pathway partnership will soon see foreign students in 30 different countries beginning qualifying studies at home before progressing to study at one of eight New Zealand universities
  • The initiative is supported by the Government of New Zealand and through a NZD$300,000 annual scholarship fund

Most foreign travel to New Zealand remains suspended, following an October 2020 announcement that a previous halt on temporary visa visitors, including study visas, would continue until February 2021.

However, a new pathway programme announced today aims to start building a diverse stream of qualified foreign students for the country’s universities as of March 2021.

The Global New Zealand Education Pathways Initiative – a partnership between Education New Zealand (ENZ), all eight New Zealand universities, and the UK-headquartered University Consortium (NCUK) – is part of the Government of New Zealand’s Recovery Plan for international education.

“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,” said Minister of Education Chris Hipkins.

New Zealand Education Minister Chris Hipkins announcing the pathways partnership at the international education peak bodies forum on 2 December 2020.

Beginning in December, NCUK’s global network of 81 Study Centres will start promoting pathway qualifications that will allow students in 30 countries to undertake foundation studies at home and then progress to bachelor’s or master’s degree programmes at a New Zealand university. NCUK is a not-for-profit foundation established by a group of leading UK universities. Through its global network of Study Centres, it offers qualifying programmes leading to degree study at universities in the UK.

“[This is] the biggest university sector-international education collaboration to date, and it’s the first time that the Government has facilitated international students beginning their New Zealand study offshore,” added Education New Zealand Chief Executive Grant McPherson. "As the world recovers, international education can help build relationships that benefit both the students who choose to study here, and New Zealand."

New Zealand's universities are further supporting the pathways initiative through a new scholarship programme that will provide up to NZD$300,000 annually (US$212,000) for students carrying out one of the qualifying programmes through a NCUK centre.

Intakes for the qualifications begin in March 2021, with students then expected to progress to a New Zealand university in person or via online learning in 2022 or 2023 and once they complete one of the three designated 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 (which is 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.

"NCUK qualifications provide students with the flexibility to start their education journey in their home country and then choose when they travel to study at any one of New Zealand’s world leading universities," said NCUK Chief Executive John Brewer. "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."

For additional background, please see:

Most Recent

  • New analysis forecasts international student mobility through 2030 Read More
  • ICEF Podcast: Why cultural intelligence is essential now Read More
  • US: International commencements could drop by 30-40% this September Read More

Most Popular

  • Which countries will contribute the most to global student mobility in 2030? Read More
  • Research shows link between study abroad and poverty alleviation  Read More
  • Beyond the Big Four: How demand for study abroad is shifting to destinations in Asia and Europe Read More

Because you found this article interesting

US: International commencements could drop by 30-40% this September A new analysis from NAFSA and the research consultancy JB International projects that international student commencements in the...
Read more
Nearly 30 Canadian language programmes closed in Q1, marking the “sharpest decline in the sector’s history” The peak body for Canada’s language training sector is sounding the alarm. Languages Canada reports that more than...
Read more
Recruiting in Taiwan: An established student market adapting to demographic change Fast Facts Population: 23.4 million Youth population: 9.8% aged 15–24, but the population is ageing Youth unemployment rate:...
Read more
Australia’s central bank highlights importance of international students to national economy The Reserve Bank of Australia, the country’s central bank, has released a special bulletin on the economic impact...
Read more
Measuring the impacts of the first full year of Canada’s foreign student enrolment cap In January 2024, Canada’s immigration ministry (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, or IRCC) announced a two-year cap on...
Read more
US institutions bracing for a challenging enrolment outlook for 2025/26 The Institute of International Education’s (IIE) twice-yearly snapshot surveys are always required reading for international educators. That is...
Read more
How the UK’s Agent Quality Framework will shape the future of agent training This article was originally published in the ICEF Academy Knowledge Hub and is reproduced here with permission. International...
Read more
Dutch government walks back controversial measures to constrain English-taught degrees In a 3 July 2025 letter to the Dutch parliament, Education Minister Eppo Bruins explained that the government...
Read more
What are you looking for?
Quick Links