International students in New Zealand have reported high satisfaction with their study experience, according to the 2025 International Student Experience Survey, as per Education New Zealand. This year, 87% of students gave a positive rating for their overall experience, slightly up from 86% in 2024, while 43% rated their experience as “excellent,” a two percent increase from last year.
Steady growth in enrolments
The positive feedback comes alongside a steady recovery in international student enrolments. Between January and April 2025, 63,610 international students were enrolled in New Zealand education institutions, a 16% increase compared to the same period in 2024 and a 49% rise from 2023. All education subsectors saw growth, with Private Training Establishments (PTEs) recording the strongest increase of 41% over 2024.
China and India remain the largest source markets, followed by Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, USA, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand, and Germany.
Sri Lanka rose to fifth place from ninth, and Nepal moved to seventh from eleventh, reflecting shifting patterns in international student mobility.
What students value most
Students were most positive about the people and connections they made in New Zealand (92%), the quality of education (90%), arrival and orientation processes (89%), ease of study arrangements (87%), and overall living experience (87%). The visa process also saw improved ratings, with 80% of students satisfied with the application process, up from 78% in 2024, and 74% satisfied with visa processing time, up from 64%.
Education New Zealand (ENZ) and Immigration New Zealand continue to collaborate to provide better information and support to international students, aiming to enhance their experience. Students’ perception of value for money also rose, from 65% to 76%.
Insights from Education leaders
“This is encouraging news for New Zealand. The fact that students continue to rate their experience here as excellent is a credit to our education providers and speaks to the warmth of the welcome our communities extend to international students,” said Amanda Malu, Chief Executive of Education New Zealand.
She added, “We’re seeing a steady and encouraging recovery in international education. It’s not a boom, but a sign that our collective efforts are making a difference. What matters most is that students are not just coming to New Zealand, they’re having a high-quality experience that supports wellbeing and a sense of belonging.”
Marie Clark, ENZ Director of Insights and Performance, emphasised the value of the survey in shaping the sector. “It remains the only national survey focused on international student experience across all subsectors in New Zealand. With several years of data, we’re building a meaningful picture of student experience over time,” she said.
Clark stated that the insights can be broken down by country, sector, and gender, making the data especially useful for policymakers and education providers.
The survey highlights New Zealand’s focus on sustainable, high-quality growth in international education, ensuring that student experiences contribute not only to learning but also to community engagement and economic benefit.
Steady growth in enrolments
The positive feedback comes alongside a steady recovery in international student enrolments. Between January and April 2025, 63,610 international students were enrolled in New Zealand education institutions, a 16% increase compared to the same period in 2024 and a 49% rise from 2023. All education subsectors saw growth, with Private Training Establishments (PTEs) recording the strongest increase of 41% over 2024.
China and India remain the largest source markets, followed by Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, USA, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand, and Germany.
Sri Lanka rose to fifth place from ninth, and Nepal moved to seventh from eleventh, reflecting shifting patterns in international student mobility.
What students value most
Students were most positive about the people and connections they made in New Zealand (92%), the quality of education (90%), arrival and orientation processes (89%), ease of study arrangements (87%), and overall living experience (87%). The visa process also saw improved ratings, with 80% of students satisfied with the application process, up from 78% in 2024, and 74% satisfied with visa processing time, up from 64%.
Education New Zealand (ENZ) and Immigration New Zealand continue to collaborate to provide better information and support to international students, aiming to enhance their experience. Students’ perception of value for money also rose, from 65% to 76%.
Insights from Education leaders
“This is encouraging news for New Zealand. The fact that students continue to rate their experience here as excellent is a credit to our education providers and speaks to the warmth of the welcome our communities extend to international students,” said Amanda Malu, Chief Executive of Education New Zealand.
She added, “We’re seeing a steady and encouraging recovery in international education. It’s not a boom, but a sign that our collective efforts are making a difference. What matters most is that students are not just coming to New Zealand, they’re having a high-quality experience that supports wellbeing and a sense of belonging.”
Marie Clark, ENZ Director of Insights and Performance, emphasised the value of the survey in shaping the sector. “It remains the only national survey focused on international student experience across all subsectors in New Zealand. With several years of data, we’re building a meaningful picture of student experience over time,” she said.
Clark stated that the insights can be broken down by country, sector, and gender, making the data especially useful for policymakers and education providers.
The survey highlights New Zealand’s focus on sustainable, high-quality growth in international education, ensuring that student experiences contribute not only to learning but also to community engagement and economic benefit.
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