Whitireia New Zealand
$7,500
Tuition/yr
7,703
Enrollment
About Whitireia New Zealand
Whitireia and WelTec is a New Zealand government-owned vocational polytechnic in Wellington offering applied degrees in nursing, IT, creative arts, and trades.
Whitireia New Zealand, now operating jointly with WelTec (Wellington Institute of Technology) under the brand Whitireia and WelTec, is a subsidiary of Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, the government-owned vocational education network. Established in 1986 in Porirua, it has grown into one of the major applied education providers in the Wellington region, enrolling around 7,700 students across both institutions as of 2022.
The institution offers vocational and applied degree-level qualifications across six schools: Health and Social Services (notably nursing and paramedicine), Business and IT, Creativity (digital media, screen production, design), Construction and Engineering, Hospitality, and Te Wānanga Māori. Its Bachelor of Nursing is one of its most recognized qualifications among international students, and its creative and technology programs are closely tied to Wellington's screen and digital industries.
Campuses are located in Porirua, Petone, and Wellington city, all within the greater Wellington region. As a polytechnic rather than a research university, Whitireia and WelTec do not appear in QS, Times Higher Education, or Shanghai global university rankings, which are research-focused. The institution is regulated and quality-assured by NZQA (New Zealand Qualifications Authority).
For Nepali students
- Whitireia and WelTec's applied health and nursing programs are a strong draw for Nepali students given New Zealand's shortage of registered nurses and the direct employment pathways available after completing an NZQCF Level 7 Bachelor of Nursing, annual international tuition is approximately NZD 27,000 (around USD 16,000), which is significantly lower than comparable nursing degrees at New Zealand's research universities.
- Graduates holding a Level 7 or above qualification from a New Zealand institution are eligible for a three-year open Post-Study Work Visa, allowing Nepali graduates to work for any employer in New Zealand and build toward residency under the Skilled Migrant Category.
- The Wellington region has one of the most established Nepali communities in New Zealand, and Porirua, where the main campus is located, has a notably diverse Pacific and South Asian population, providing informal community support networks for new arrivals.
- Tuition costs at this polytechnic are lower than at New Zealand's eight research universities, making it a more accessible entry point for Nepali students who meet the academic and English language requirements and want a work-ready qualification rather than a research degree.
Admission requirements — Nepali equivalents
A rough translation of the published minimums for Nepali applicants:
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