The process

How it works

From the first assessment to a residence application, and roughly what each stage costs.

Seven stages

From first enquiry to residence

  1. Free assessment

    Your degree, your grades, your English. We come back with the providers that are a realistic fit for your background. No cost.

  2. Choose a programme

    A coursework master's that fits your background and is relevant to a Green List role. Some of these programmes are built for a change of field, and some are closed to you unless your first degree is in the same discipline.

  3. Application and offer

    Documents, transcripts and the university relationship. Conditional offer first, then unconditional once the conditions are met.

  4. Student visa

    From NZ$850. You will need evidence of funds: tuition plus NZ$20,000 for a year of living costs. The visa can be granted for a maximum of four years.

  5. Study, and work up to 25 hours a week

    A student visa can be granted with rights to work up to 25 hours a week in term and full time during scheduled holidays. Full time in the holidays requires a course worth 120 credits. Check the conditions on your own visa.

  6. Post-study work visa

    From NZ$1,670, and up to three years for a level 9 master's, with no employer sponsorship needed to start.

  7. Residence, if the role qualifies

    A Tier 1 Green List role can be applied for as soon as you have a qualifying job offer from an accredited employer. Tier 2 needs 24 months of work in the role first.

Start at stage one

The assessment is free and tells you whether the rest of this is worth planning.