New Zealand - An Emerging destination for Tertiary Education

Where do you see yourself pursuing your tertiary education in the near future? Have you explored your chances of studying overseas? If you have visualized yourself studying at a world class educational institution, amid historic buildings, beautiful scenery, stunning environments and other ambitious students from countries around the world, then New Zealand may just be your dream destination!

In recent years, the international student population in New Zealand has grown rapidly. New Zealand is now recognised as a worldclass provider of international courses for students, offering impressive institutions and a progressive education system.

While every university offers core degrees in the arts (the humanities and social sciences, including teacher education), business and the sciences, each also has its own distinctive profile. Auckland University of Technology has a reputation for being highly innovative with applied knowledge while University of Canterbury has an international profile for their engineering schools. Veterinary science, food technology and land production are among the strengths of Massey University and Lincoln University has strengths in land-based sciences and environmental studies. This is only an extremely brief survey; more about the specializations of each university.

Historically based on the British model, the New Zealand university system is research-based. All academic staff is expected to be active researchers as well as teachers. This insistence on research-informed teaching ensures a high quality learning experience.

International students are welcomed by New Zealand society, both for the cultural diversity they bring and their contribution to the economy. They are gladly received into New Zealand homes and student social networks. The ethnic diversity of the population means that there are numerous cultural, sporting and religious events and festivals, in which international students frequently take part.

Aspirations Education is a specialist agent

In recent years, the international student population in New Zealand

has grown rapidly. New Zealand is now recognised as a

world-class provider of international courses for students, offering impressive institutions and a progressive

education system.

trained and certified by the government owned New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) to promote New Zealand Education in Sri Lanka. The following entities are represented by Aspirations.

One of the most popular universities in Christchurch and has a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. It has been ranked in the top 250 universities in the world according to the latest QS World University Rankings. It has an impressive reputation for research quality and is well known for its cutting edge facilities in nanotechnology, bimolecular interactions and social sciences.

It is also a partner of various international universities such as the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, University of Tokyo, University of Adelaide, University of Copenhagen and University of British Columbia.

The youngest out of the 8 new universities in New Zealand, AUT has been established since the 1960s. AUT boasts several cooperative relationship and partnerships with international tertiary institutions. Yet, its most interesting attraction is the AUT Technology Park which undertakes research based on information and communication technology. AUT also has an active student exchange programme with universities in Europe, Asia and Central and North America.

Massey is very well known for groundbreaking research and commitment to innovation. Located at the heart of New Zealand’s key industries, it is a university with an 80-year tradition of academic excellence.

Massey University separates its teaching and research departments in to five colleges: Business, Creative Arts, Education, Humanities and Social Sciences and Sciences.

Lincoln University is one of the oldest tertiary institutions in New Zealand with over 126 years of excellence and experience. It is located 20 minutes away from Christchurch and is set in the heart of the country with a perfectly calm and quiet environment for undisturbed study. Lincoln offers over 500 course options that meet the needs of industry and various career pathways. They are also very keen on accepting international students for both undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes.

It is pertinent to indicate that Immigration New Zealand has announced new Visa rules for Sri Lankan students. According to the new Visa rules, for a student to qualify for a Study-to-Work Visa (graduate job search visa), the following criteria has to be met.

Needs to have obtained a recognized New Zealand qualification consisting of at least two academic years, if the study programme is below undergraduate level. Ex: 1 year of Level 5 qualification followed by 1 year of Level 6 qualification; or

A postgraduate qualification consisting of at least 1 academic year; or

A credit transferred bachelor’s degree with at least 1 academic year; or

Any Level 7 qualification of at least one academic year.

Students who desire to study in New Zealand need to convince Immigration New Zealand (INZ) that they would provide genuine evidence with respect to funds required for their studies and living. Those who provide sponsorship and financial undertaking will be required to demonstrate that they genuinely intend to support the student and that they hold sufficient funds for each student they wish to sponsor.

Chartered Institute of Management Accounting (CIMA) is the most esteemed professional accounting qualification that molds students into being able to work across all areas of a business which is exactly the type of job profile that employers look for today. Employers too place a high value for the qualification since it guarantees high quality employees that are trained with much more than the basics.

This qualification is not aimed at only Commerce stream students, any student from any stream can start CIMA. The Certificate level is the first stage of CIMA and is a 6 month course that will help instill all the required fundamentals to finish up CIMA enabling all students to start the qualification.

Furthermore, students looking at pursuing a foreign degree are eligible for exemptions on completion of CIMA. Local university students too, namely from the Engineering, Arts and Math’s Faculty also follow CIMA as a secondary qualification.

The right qualification will open up endless opportunities not only in local companies but international companies as well and ensure top salaries and other benefits. Isn’t this what you want for your child?

Next question would be why following CIMA at Imperial College?

Imperial College has 27 years of undoubted CIMA teaching experience and has been accredited by CIMA (UK) as a ‘Learning Partner Institute’ since 2004. Being the forefront institute in CIMA highest quality of delivery is assured. Imperial College has a branch in Kandy and has partnered up with colleges in India and Nepal.

Having a brilliant panel of lecturers who are CIMA qualified themselves, ensure that students are taken through the syllabus from the very basics building confidence to sit the Certificate Level exams at the end of 5 months. A highlighted plus point amongst students is the friendly attitude lecturers have and their genuine concern to ensure all students pass the first time.

Other activities such as debates, leadership programmes and cricket matches are organized to give students the perfect college atmosphere as it’s not all about studies but those extra skills that helps one shine over the rest. Starting CIMA Certificate at Imperial College is no doubt the perfect place to begin college life.

Scholarships are provided to those that have excelled in studies and sports as well as on need-basis. Extra support is provided by a separate team on how to prepare CV’s and face interviews confidently and find unique job placements.

No doubt you want to make the right choice and also make the most out of your investment, ensure the perfect choice is made for your child’s career success story.

It’s guaranteed success at Imperial College!

CIMA Certificate Level classes commencing:

Colombo/Kandy - (Part Time) 10th September 2012 (Full Time) For more information on CIMA atImperial College in

Colombo - visit us at No. 320 – 1/1 Galle Road, Colombo 3, or call us on 0773 918 777 or 011 4 51 52 53.

Kandy - visit us at No 15, George E. De Silva Mawatha, or call us on 0773 919 777 or 081 4 950 950.

8th September 2012