With COVID-19 bringing lockdowns, institution closures, and global travel restrictions, the international higher education industry continues to develop new and innovative strategies  to overcome these challenges.

Education New Zealand (ENZ), New Zealand Embassy in Bangkok, recently announced a partnership with NCUK – The University Consortium and New Zealand’s eight universities to launch the “Global Pathway to New Zealand” programme in Thailand and more than 30 countries around the world. New Zealand’s Global Pathways initiative enables international students to begin New Zealand university study at home.

The partnership with UK-headquartered NCUK – The University Consortium, and their global network of 81 accredited study centres, means students can achieve pathway qualifications in Thailand that guarantee an offer to study at a New Zealand university. The qualifications support progression to both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees.

New Zealand’s eight universities including Auckland University of Technology, University of Auckland, Massey University, University of Waikato, Victoria University of Wellington, University of Canterbury, Lincoln University and University of Otago – are also offering more than NZD $300,000 in annual scholarships dedicated to students undertaking one of the New Zealand Global Pathway qualifications.

Programmes under the New Zealand Global Pathways include:

1) International Foundation Year combines the English language, study, and cultural skills to prepare you for a New Zealand university of your choice and your future career. A Bachelor’s Degree can be completed within 3 years.

2 International Year One enables you to start your first undergraduate year locally at an approved study centre and guarantees access to the second year of your degree at selected New Zealand universities.

3.) Pre-Master’s Programme prepares you with the high-level academic and advanced English language skills required for a New Zealand Master’s course.

Pathway courses in Thailand are delivered in person at the British Academic Center, Rasa Tower 1 in Bangkok.

“This innovative 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” Education Minister Chris Hipkins said.

“It also exemplifies New Zealand’s high-quality education, which is agile, future-focused and student-centred.”

New Zealand’s education system is ranked first globally among English-speaking countries for delivering an education that best prepares students for the future, according to Economist Intelligence Unit’s Worldwide Educating for the Future Index.

All of New Zealand’s eight universities are also ranked within the top 3% of universities globally by the QS World University Rankings.

This makes New Zealand one of the most popular destinations with over 125,000 international students, from over 100 countries, studying there each year. In 2019, there were over 3,600 Thai students studying in New Zealand.

NCUK Chief Executive, Professor John Brewer, welcomed the partnership, which provides additional options for students considering where to study given current COVID-19 restrictions on global travel.

“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,” Brewer said.

Intakes for the qualifications begin in October 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.

Global Pathway to New Zealand Qualifications are offered in more than 30 countries including Thailand. All pathway courses have been developed specifically for international students where English may not be the first language. Pathway courses prepare you for both the academic demands and English skills required to progress to a New Zealand learning environment.

For more information about obtaining Global Pathway to New Zealand qualifications in Thailand please visit https://www.studyinnewzealand.govt.nz/study-options/global-pathways/ Or contact the British Academic Center Tel. 02-513-3499