There is hardly a more suitable travel destination for those suffering from wanderlust than New Zealand: around 18,400 kilometers as the crow flies lie between Germany and the small island nation in the South Pacific. No country is further away from Germany than New Zealand. Anyone who undertakes the 23-hour flight will notice that on the other side of the world a lot looks familiar and yet is different.

According to a2zdirectory, the coastal landscapes of the two main New Zealand islands are reminiscent of Scandinavia in many places. However, the ocean shines turquoise blue here and the waves lap on sandy beaches with a Caribbean feel. The mountain lakes and spruce forests of the New Zealand Alps are also reminiscent of their European counterparts. However, there are also green rainforests, smoking volcanoes and hot springs in these mountains. All the landforms of the world appear mixed together in New Zealand and come together on just 270 square kilometers to create something spectacularly new.

Academic Year in New Zealand

In New Zealand, the academic year at most universities is divided into two semesters. The big holidays take place between November and February, during the New Zealand summer. At all universities in New Zealand, students can take Summer Sessions or International School Classes during this time. Some New Zealand universities split the academic year into three trimesters so that the summer school takes place in the third trimester. In March / April and August / September there is an approximately two-week mid-semester break between courses at all New Zealand universities. The two to three-week mid-year break usually begins at the end of June.

Some educational institutions in New Zealand, such as Private Training Establishments (PTEs) or colleges, offer courses throughout the year. These institutions often divide the semester into two terms.

Depending on the university, the exact dates for the academic year can vary. Therefore, students should inform themselves individually about the semester dates for the universities in question

Semester system in New Zealand

The academic year is divided into semesters one and two. The academic year begins in autumn in New Zealand and ends in midsummer. A semester lasts between 18 and 20 weeks.

semester	Period
One	February – June
Two	July – November

Trimester system in New Zealand

With a trimester system, the academic year is divided into trimesters one, two and three, each of which is between 18 and 20 weeks long. The academic year begins in Autumn in New Zealand and ends in February in midsummer.

Trimester	Period
One	March – July
Two	July – November
Three	November – February

 

 

Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPS) in New Zealand

The New Zealand Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics offer numerous practice-oriented study programs. From Maori language to viticulture and specializations in the catering sector, the universities primarily serve niche areas. Close connections to business and industry are common.

Technical training with a practical focus

Traditionally, the Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics focus on technical and scientific courses. The ITPs have their origins in technical schools. Many New Zealanders used these paid evening schools at the end of the 19th century for part-time education after primary school. The technical schools were particularly popular because of the technical courses. In contrast to the academically oriented secondary schools (high schools), a concrete career entry was possible more quickly. Because of the technical scholarship holders Starting in 1905, schools also offered daytime courses, as more New Zealanders could now afford the four to five-year training.

In the middle of the 20th century, some technical schools were divided into secondary schools and tertiary-level polytechnics or technical institutes. In this way, the schools responded to the increased demand and adapted their programs to one another. In addition, in -service training was established in the tertiary sector.

ITPs today in the tertiary education sector

The 1990 educational reform changed the New Zealand higher education landscape again. Universities, Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics, Wānanga, Colleges of Education and Specialist Colleges were now on an equal footing in the tertiary education sector. ITPs started offering degree courses as universities lost their monopoly on academic degrees. The Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics now offer postgraduate courses, advanced training and language courses (general and subject-related) as well as bachelor’s and master’s degrees. In some cases, entry is possible without a high school diploma.

The reform gave universities the opportunity to obtain university status if they meet certain criteria. So far, however, only the Auckland University of Technology has made it from ITP to university. The change in government funding for New Zealand educational institutions tended to lead to a decline in ITPs. In the competition for full-time students, some ITPs merged with universities or with each other.