Primary and Secondary Schools in New Zealand

New Zealand schools take international students from primary school to the end of secondary school, and many students come for one or more years to finish their schooling in English. Schooling runs from Year 1 to Year 13. Students who complete secondary school earn the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA), which NZQA describes as the main secondary qualification and which universities in New Zealand and overseas use for selection.

How the school system works

• Primary school: Years 1 to 6, from age 5
• Intermediate school: Years 7 and 8, for ages 11 and 12
• Secondary school: Years 9 to 13, for ages 13 to 18; secondary schools may be called high schools, grammar schools or colleges

In Years 9 and 10 most subjects are compulsory. From Year 11 to Year 13 students work towards NCEA Levels 1, 2 and 3. Each subject is split into standards worth credits; some are assessed in class during the year and others in national exams held in November. To go on to a New Zealand university, students need University Entrance: NCEA Level 3 plus 14 credits at Level 3 in each of three approved subjects, and literacy and numeracy credits.

Timing matters for international students. Many Year 13 courses require study in Year 11 or 12, and students who start several weeks into the school year may not be able to gain all the credits of a course. Starting at the beginning of the year, or earlier at a lower year level, gives the best chance of completing NCEA.

Admission and student visa

Families apply directly to the school's international department. To study in New Zealand, a school student needs a Fee Paying Student Visa. According to Immigration New Zealand (checked October 2026):

• The student needs an offer of place from an approved education provider that has signed the Code of Practice for the pastoral care of international learners
• For school study (Years 1 to 13), the family must show NZD 17,000 a year for living costs (NZD 1,417 a month for shorter stays), or have an acceptable sponsor
• Students under 10 must live with a parent or legal guardian, unless they live in an NZQA-approved school hostel
• Full medical and travel insurance is required for the whole stay

The visa costs from NZD 850. Immigration New Zealand advises applying at least three months before travel.

Costs, accommodation and support

Each school sets its own international tuition fees and publishes them in New Zealand dollars. Check the current fee list and what it includes, such as homestay and insurance, before you apply.

Common options are a homestay or living with a parent who holds a Guardian Visitor Visa. Lynfield College in Mt Roskill, Auckland, the school listed on SpainExchange, is an example: it has run an international student programme since the 1980s, operates its own homestay programme with families who are interviewed, police-checked and visited regularly, and offers a Foundation English class and ESOL classes at all year levels at no extra fee. Its fees are published in New Zealand dollars, including GST.

How to choose a school

• Age and year level: decide whether to join primary, intermediate or secondary school, and in which year
• Qualification goal: for university entry, check how many years of NCEA the student can complete
• English support: look for ESOL or foundation classes if English is not yet strong
• Accommodation: compare homestay arrangements, school hostels and the option of living with a parent
• Location: city schools and smaller-town schools offer a different daily life; check transport between home and school

Frequently asked questions

At what age can international students attend school in New Zealand?

From primary school (Year 1, from age 5) to the end of secondary school (Year 13). Students under 10 must live with a parent or legal guardian unless they stay in an NZQA-approved school hostel.

What qualification do students get at the end of secondary school?

The National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA), at Levels 1, 2 and 3. University Entrance, the minimum requirement for a New Zealand university, is based on NCEA Level 3.

How much money is needed for a school student visa?

For school study, Immigration New Zealand asks for NZD 17,000 a year for living costs (NZD 1,417 a month for shorter stays), in addition to the school's tuition fees.