Key findings

Enrolment trends:

• In 2013 a total of 47,951 international students were enrolled with New Zealand tertiary education organisations.
• Of the 47,951 students, the top five source countries were China (33.2%), India (16.1%), the USA (4.9%), South Korea (4.3%), and Malaysia (3.9%).

Completion of degree courses

• International students enrolled in New Zealand’s eight universities have had a consistently higher rate of completion of bachelors degree courses.
• During 2013 the completion rate for international students was 94%, while the same ratio for domestic students was 87%.

Transition from study to work and residence

• Following completion of their studies, international students can move into work and residence in New Zealand.
• From 2008 to 2012 there was a rise in the transition to work in New Zealand by students who enrolled with polytechnics and private training establishments.
• From 2007 to 2012 the transition rate for international university students declined, likely reflecting their differing career plans.
• A 2010 study of immigration data found that 23% of foreign fee-paying university students (who enrolled from 2003 to 2006) made the transition to work by 2009, and 15% made the transition to residence.

Career plans of international students

• A 2011 study found that 62.8% of international (non-PhD) university students planned to work in New Zealand, and 41.5% planned to return to work in their country of origin.