How competative are New Zealand Universities?

Question

I'm an international student and I'd like to study a Physics degree in New Zealand. What sort of grades would I have had to have achived? How many places are available? Is an International applicant at a disadvantage?

Thanks

Answer 1

Hi.

You'd need to do a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Physics. NZ universities don't have quotas for studying Science. You just need (general) university entrance .... and then to pass the courses. :-)

My eldest son has a BSc majoring in Maths & Physics, from the University of Auckland. (But he is a NZer so didn't need to pay high fees for international students...)

You need just university entrance (eg for American students, you need a High School Diploma PLUS "acceptable SAT 1 Scores" (which is typically a minimum of at least 1100 combined Math and Verbal). So it's not super-hard to get in .... but to PASS physics courses you need excellent Maths. Eg A good grasp of Calculus is assumed.

HTH

Regards,

Rosalind

Answer 2

There are physics degrees or qualifications open for international students like you at New Zealand universities, no quota.

The only disadvantage I see is that international student tuition fees are higher than for New Zealand citizens and permanent residents.

Universities also offer conjoint programs (eg. Bachelor of Science major in Physics and Bachelor of Commerce in Management)

for minimum qualifications/entrance requirements to enter see the links: (for each university)

http://www.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/for/prospe...

http://www.victoria.ac.nz/international/...

http://www.otago.ac.nz/international/und...

http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/intstud/admi...

http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/students/...

links to Physics degree info by university:

Victoria University:

http://www.victoria.ac.nz/home/study/sub...

Otago University:

http://www.otago.ac.nz/subjects/phsi.htm...

Canterbury University:

http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/subjects/phy...

Auckland University:

http://www.science.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/sc...

Massey University:

http://study.massey.ac.nz/massey/student...

Waikato University:

http://eng.waikato.ac.nz/programmes/phys...

Answer 3

Auckland university reserves the right to restrict entry, depending on the number of applicants, this applies to all courses that were previously open entry. The best place to go to, is the international students link at individual universities.  B.Sci, are generally easy to get into at undergraduate level as they are open entry for new zealanders, so you would have to meet the minimum standards for international students.  The only disadvantage you have is that you do not get a government subsidy on your fees, so instead of 4000 it would be 12-16000 per year.