Study Abroad: 59,000 international students enrol in New Zealand in 8 months of 2023, 10% from India

NEW DELHI: The tertiary education and skills ministry, New Zealand, today said 59,306 international students enrolled in various colleges and institutes in the country from January to August 2023. Minister for tertiary education and skills Penny Simmonds said 43% rise was witnessed in the first eight months of 2023 in comparison to all the months of 2022.

The highest number of international students came to New Zealand from China (36%). India and Japan accounted for 10% students each while South Korea (5%) and Thailand (4%) were also among the top five countries from where students came to New Zealand to pursue higher education.

Simmonds added, “Over 59,000 enrolments in just eight months confirms that international students continue to find New Zealand an attractive education destination. In the university sector, 27,535 students enrolled, where a proportion of learners may study for a number of years.”

Most enrolment in English language schools

The ministry added that the international student enrolments have grown in all sub-sectors except wānanga. In comparison to 2022, English language schools have seen the highest percentage increase in international enrolments in 2023. A rise of 347% was witnessed – from 1,565 to 7,001 – was witnessed in English language school enrollments.

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The ministry added that enrolment in schools reported a 114% increase from 5,925 to 12,662 while 32% rise was witnessed in TePūkenga (New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology) from 4,955 to 6,560. Enrolment in universities increased by 15% from 24,040 to 27,535 and in private training establishments (funded and unfunded), a 13% increase from 5,000 to 5,671 was recorded, the ministry said.

Universities and schools remained New Zealand’s two largest sub-sectors for international students. “It is a government priority to diversify our recruitment efforts for international students with the aim of reaching a broader spectrum of countries,” the minister said.