Welcome
Palmerston North (often affectionately referred to as Palmy) has a young population reflective of the city’s educational strengths. Four out of every 10 people living in Palmerston North either works at or attends an educational institution, making Palmy the ultimate Student City.
Palmy’s a safe city where international students are welcomed and well looked after. We offer quality education and have an energetic Student City team dedicated to ensuring all students enjoy positive social experiences.
We’re a city surrounded by spectacular scenery, from the magnificent Tararua Ranges to the coastal plains of Himitangi and Tangimoana. Palmerston North airport offers domestic flights to most New Zealand locations and we’re just two hours drive from Wellington, the Central Plateau ski fields, Lake Taupo and the beaches and wineries of Hawkes Bay.
If you’re looking for quality education, a supportive learning environment, affordable living, friendly people, fun and adventure, Student City is the place to be!
EDUCATION
Palmy’s a great place to study. Our educational institutions offer world-class facilities, resources and teaching staff as well as qualifications that are valued around the world. Students are supported throughout their studies by international student support teams and student associations. The smaller class sizes, a feature of many New Zealand providers, also allow students to engage directly with lecturers and tutors, enhancing their learning experiences.
Find out more about tertiary education options in Palmy (click to link):
PEOPLE
New Zealand’s unique and dynamic culture blends European, Maori, Asian and Pacific influences. The people of Palmy are friendly and welcoming. We love meeting different people and learning about other cultures. An education in Palmerston North is often the start of lifelong friendships.
There are plenty of opportunities for students to get involved with the local community. Palmy’s home to many clubs and societies and we’d love to see you at some Student City events.
PART-TIME WORK
Most international students are allowed to work part-time for up to 20 hours per week. However, you will need to apply for a Variation of Conditions on your student permit to enable you to work part-time. See www.immigration.govt.nz for more information.
Immigration New Zealand’s guide to applying for a student visa and permit also contains useful information about the visa application process.
On our website you find plenty of current job offers at any time. Make the most of it.
LIVING COSTS
Palmy is an affordable tertiary education destination for both international and domestic students. We recommend international students allow a minimum of $12,000 NZD per year for living costs, in addition to tuition fees. Expenses include accommodation, food, telephone and internet, electricity, transport, recreational activities, insurance and any other personal needs.
FUN FACTS
Students and staff from Massey University and UCOL can ride city buses for free. Palmy enjoys a mild climate with less annual rainfall than New York and warmer weather than London. Palmy has more PhDs per capita than any other city in New Zealand. The Palmerston North City Library is one of the most-used libraries in New Zealand. Palmy’s an incubation site for innovation and cutting edge technology with a high concentration of researchers and scientists.
One third of Palmy’s population is aged between 15 and 30 years old!
