The inflow of “new” international students – those applying for a visa for the first time – to New Zealand has slowed considerably since 2008/9. The total number of first time student visa applicants grew rapidly from 27,337 in 2005/6 to 41,702 in 2008/9, but fell to 38,345 in 2009/10. It grew only slightly to 38,561 this year. While total international enrolments continue to grow in New Zealand, the inflow of “new” international students – those applying for a visa for the first time – has slowed considerably since 2008/9.
According to recent statistics from , the total number of first time student visa applicants grew rapidly from 27,337 in 2005/6 to 41,702 in 2008/9, but fell to 38,345 in 2009/10. It grew only slightly to 38,561 this year.
While the proportion of these students who were fee paying (ie not dependents, scholarship students or other exceptions) has climbed by 850 this year, this compares modestly with growth of more than 11,500 between 2005/6 and 2008/9 – an average of around 2,890 per year.
Michelle Waitzman, Communications Specialist at Education New Zealand, said the pattern could be due to the February earthquake in Christchurch, which led to some students deciding to postpone or cancel their studies, and the March earthquake and Tsunami in Japan – one of New Zealand’s biggest student markets. Persisting global economic uncertainty may also have played a role.
However, she said that the situation in Christchurch is returning to normal and New Zealand was succeeding in achieving its goal of “slow, steady growth” in international student numbers. A to Christchurch in November was seen as evidence of cautious confidence returning to Christchurch as a destination.
“A ‘bums on seats’ mentality has led to problems in some other countries, so we prefer to focus on offering a high quality experience and building a sustainable international education sector,” said Waitzman.
“While the income from international students is important to many institutions, most have not structured their financial plans around unrealistically large increases in international fee paying student numbers.”
The slowdown has not dented New Zealand’s industry as a whole, which saw total enrollments of fee paying students up 3% per cent in 2010, due in large part to “continuing” students – those renewing their visas. Waitzman said that supporting the international education sector remained a priority for the government.
"It is essential for our international connections, our skills and research capabilities, and our economy"
However, it may cause jitters in those who recall the decline in student traffic between 2002/03 and 2007/08, when numbers fell from a peak of 85,000 to 69,609 before rising slowly again. Curbed post study work rights will also come into full force next April in a bid to protect the domestic job market, which may well deter some applicants.
Waitzman said that supporting the international education sector remained a priority for the government. She pointed to the new remit from this September for Education New Zealand – a body dedicated to the sector and promoting the country as a study destination abroad. She also said that aside from
changes to work rules, student visa policies had remained largely consistent.
“The New Zealand government recognises the important role of international education for our country’s future. It is essential for our international connections, our skills and research capabilities, and our economy,” she said.
While total international enrolments continue to grow in New Zealand, the inflow of “new” international students – those applying for a visa for the first time – has slowed considerably since 2008/9.
According to recent statistics from , the total number of first time student visa applicants grew rapidly from 27,337 in 2005/6 to 41,702 in 2008/9, but fell to 38,345 in 2009/10. It grew only slightly to 38,561 this year.
While the proportion of these students who were fee paying (ie not dependents, scholarship students or other exceptions) has climbed by 850 this year, this compares modestly with growth of more than 11,500 between 2005/6 and 2008/9 – an average of around 2,890 per year.
Michelle Waitzman, Communications Specialist at Education New Zealand, said the pattern could be due to the February earthquake in Christchurch, which led to some students deciding to postpone or cancel their studies, and the March earthquake and Tsunami in Japan – one of New Zealand’s biggest student markets. Persisting global economic uncertainty may also have played a role.
However, she said that the situation in Christchurch is returning to normal and New Zealand was succeeding in achieving its goal of “slow, steady growth” in international student numbers. A to Christchurch in November was seen as evidence of cautious confidence returning to Christchurch as a destination.
“A ‘bums on seats’ mentality has led to problems in some other countries, so we prefer to focus on offering a high quality experience and building a sustainable international education sector,” said Waitzman.
“While the income from international students is important to many institutions, most have not structured their financial plans around unrealistically large increases in international fee paying student numbers.”
The slowdown has not dented New Zealand’s industry as a whole, which saw total enrollments of fee paying students up 3% per cent in 2010, due in large part to “continuing” students – those renewing their visas. Waitzman said that supporting the international education sector remained a priority for the government.
“It is essential for our international connections, our skills and research capabilities, and our economy”
However, it may cause jitters in those who recall the decline in student traffic between 2002/03 and 2007/08, when numbers fell from a peak of 85,000 to 69,609 before rising slowly again. Curbed post study work rights will also come into full force next April in a bid to protect the domestic job market, which may well deter some applicants.
Waitzman said that supporting the international education sector remained a priority for the government. She pointed to the new remit from this September for Education New Zealand – a body dedicated to the sector and promoting the country as a study destination abroad. She also said that aside from changes to work rules, student visa policies had remained largely consistent.
“The New Zealand government recognises the important role of international education for our country’s future. It is essential for our international connections, our skills and research capabilities, and our economy,” she said.
