France vs New Zealand: Which is the Better Study-Abroad Destination?

France and New Zealand attract thousands of international students each year due to their astounding quality of education, top-notch universities, and extensive career opportunities. Since both France and New Zealand are excellent study-abroad destinations, students often get confused between these two countries when it comes to pursuing higher education. If you are also unable to decide which country to choose for studying abroad, then you are at the right place. We will remove all your confusion regarding France vs New Zealand in this blog. We will do a comparison of these two nations and finally decide which one is a better study-abroad destination. 

Parameters	France	New Zealand
Area	551,695 KM²	268,021 KM²
Currency	Euro (€)	New Zealand Dollar (NZ$)
Capital	Paris	Wellington
Total Higher Education Providers	Over 3,500 Public and Private Institutes	8
Total Indian Students Studying	10,000	2,664
Average Cost of Living	€918.2 – €3,273.8	NZ$3,000 – NZ$4,000 Per Month
Average Cost of Studying	€600 – €800 / Month	NZ$6,500 – NZ$50,000
Popular Job Sectors	Pharmacy, Psychology, Radiology, Architecture, Journalism, and Healthcare.	Teaching, Healthcare, Public Administration, Architecture and Design, Psychologists, and Information Technology.
Permitted Part-Time Working Hours	20 Hours Per Week	20 Hours Per Week

Top Universities: France vs New Zealand

If you want a bright career, then it is very important that you choose the right university. So, we have provided below a list of the top universities in France and New Zealand. The country with the higher-ranked university will be granted +2 points. 

Universities in France

The table given below shows some of the top universities in France:

Top Universities in France	QS World University Rankings 2024	Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
Université PSL (Paris Sciences & Lettres)	24	47
Ecole Polytechnique	38
Sorbonne University	59	75
CentraleSupélec	138
Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon	184
Ecole des Ponts ParisTech	192	401–500
Université de Paris	236
Sciences Po Paris	319	501–600
Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne	328	801–1000
ENS Paris-Saclay	71	58

Universities in New Zealand

Some of the top universities in New Zealand are shown in the table below: 

Top Universities in New Zealand	QS World University Rankings 2024	Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023
The University of Auckland	68	139
University of Otago	206	301–350
Victoria University of Wellington	241	401–500
University of Canterbury	256	601–800
Massey University	239	601–800
University of Waikato	250	401–500
Lincoln University	362	401–500
Auckland University of Technology	407	251–300

Which Country is Better?

The table given above demonstrates that French universities have a higher rank than the universities in New Zealand. Hence, we will award a score of +2 points to France in this round of France vs New Zealand. 

Also Read: Part-Time Jobs in France

Admission Requirements

It is crucial to understand the requirements for admission in both France and New Zealand before you decide which country you want to choose to study. We will see the eligibility criteria for admission to the universities in each country in this section. 

Admission Requirements For France

The eligibility criteria for admission to the universities in France are listed below: 

• The applicants have to ensure that are at least 18 years old before applying to the university of their choice. 
• Students need to obtain a short-stay visa if they participate in a training program that continues for less than a period of three months. 
• Applicants will be given a temporary long-stay visa if their training course concludes after three months or six months, and they don’t need to do any further paperwork when they come to France. 
• Students are required to provide a long-stay visa, which is equivalent to a residency permit if their training lasts for over six months. 
• The students also need to submit the documents listed below: 

1. A visa application form for a France study visa
2. Two passport-size photos
3. Evidence of monetary means for covering all expenses during the period of study
4. Documents that state the arrangement for accommodation during your studies
5. If you have enrolled in a course taught in French, you will need a proficiency certificate for the French language
6. A valid passport and copies of your previous visas if any
7. An official Letter of Acceptance/Enrolment from the University in France
8. Evidence of payment of Visa fees
9. Air flight reservation/ticket with the date of departure
10. Medical insurance that can cost around 30,000 Euros yearly
11. If applicable, proof of civil status

Admission Requirements For New Zealand

Admission criteria for universities in New Zealand differ as per the programs and their level. However, the general admission requirements are given below: 

• For each course, students have to fulfil a minimum English language requirement. 
• The students should also have obtained a minimum score of 75% or above in Class 12. 
• The students must be at least 18 years old to enrol. 
• The following documents have to be submitted by the student: 

1. Resume
2. Statement of Purpose
3. Two letters of recommendation from the employer/manager who knows you well and can comment on your professional abilities (in case you have work experience)
4. Photocopied score reports of GMAT / IELTS / TOEFL
5. Others (Certificates/achievements at the state and national level and extracurricular activities)
6. Valid Passport 
7. Portfolio (in case of students applying for art and design courses and architecture programmes)

• Students are required to have a minimum TOEFL score of 80, an IELTS score of 6, and a PTE score of 50. 

Which Country is Better?

The above comparison shows that the admission process in the universities of France is more complex than in the universities in New Zealand. As a result, New Zealand will receive +2 points in this section of France vs New Zealand. 

Also Read: UK vs France: Find out the Best Study Destination for Students

Tuition Fees

In this section, we will compare France and New Zealand in terms of educational costs. The country with the lowest cost of education will be awarded +2 points. 

Tuition Fees in France

The average tuition fees as per the websites of French universities are shown in the table given below: 

Study Program	Average Annual Tuition Fee
Undergraduate	€600 – €30,000
Postgraduate	€3,770
Doctoral	€380 – €30,000

Tuition Fees in New Zealand

The average tuition fees as per the websites of universities in New Zealand are shown in the table given below: 

Study Program	Average Annual Tuition Fee
Undergraduate	NZ$20,500 – NZ$25,000
Postgraduate	NZ$19,000 – NZ$50, 000
Doctoral	NZ$6,500 – NZ$9,000

Which Country is Better?

The tables above demonstrate that the overall tuition fees in France are lower than in New Zealand. As a result, France will receive +2 points in this round of France vs New Zealand. 

Also Read: Bonjour! Learn the 10 Best Ways to Say Hello in French!

Living Expenses

It is crucial that you are aware of the living expenses in your desired study-abroad destination before you go there. In this section, we will compare the cost of living in France and New Zealand. Let’s figure out which country has lower living expenses. 

Cost of Living in France

The cost of living in France as per Numbeo is given in the table below: 

Monthly Rent	€589.50 – €1,408.42
Average Apartment Price (Price per Square Metre)	€4,231.83 – €5,813.26
Average Cost of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal	€15
Average Transportation Cost (Monthly)	€61.37
Average Cost of Utility (Monthly)	€229.03

Cost of Living in New Zealand

The cost of living in New Zealand as per Numbeo is given in the table below:

Monthly Rent	NZ$1,538.83 – NZ$3,061.61
Average Apartment Price (Price per Square Metre)	NZ$8,995.46 – NZ$10,827.41
Average Cost of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal	NZ$25
Average Transportation Cost (Monthly)	NZ$176.01
Average Cost of Utility (Monthly)	NZ$376.17

Which Country is Better?

As apparent from the tables given above, New Zealand has less cost of living as compared to France. As a result, New Zealand will receive +2 points in this round of France vs New Zealand. 

Also Read: Study in France for Indian Students 2023

Work Permit and PR

Students often study abroad with the intention of finding employment and eventually receiving permanent residency. Let’s see how easy it is to receive a work permit and permanent residency in France and New Zealand. 

Work Permit in France

Here is the process of getting a work permit in France:

Eligibility Criteria for a Work Permit in France:

The applicants have to meet the eligibility criteria listed below in order to be considered eligible for a France Work Visa:

• Having a valid passport is necessary. 
• The applicants must have been given a job in France.
• One is required to have all the mandatory documents that are mentioned in the application form. 

• The candidates can only work within the scope of work time specified in their respective work permits and cannot go beyond the specified time. 
• One will also be required to provide the documents mentioned below: 

1. CV of the employee,
2. A duly filled France visa application form,
3. Copies of all education qualifications,
4. A photocopy of the first and last page of the passport,
5. A valid passport with expiry at least 3 months beyond the intended duration of stay,
6. Recent colour photographs,
7. Employer’s reference letter, 
8. Company’s appointment letter,
9. Past employment testimonials, and 
10. A detailed description of the type of work to be performed by the applicant in France

Steps to Apply for France Work Permit

Follow the steps given below in order to apply for a work permit in France: 

Step 1:  You have to first find out the kind of permit you are applying for, in line with the job role and duration of employment. 

Step 2: After this, complete the application form for the work permit. 

Step 3: Gather all the documents that are required for the France work permit.

Step 4: Then, schedule an appointment for submitting the Biometrics and necessary documents at VAC (Visa Application Centre).

Step 5: Then, you are required to wait for the decision from the embassy or consulate.

The work visa processing time for France normally ranges from 15 to 20 working days after you have given the documents to the French Embassy/Consulate.

PR in France 

If you want to stay in France for an extended period of time, or even permanently, you can be deemed eligible for a France permanent residence permit or French citizenship after a duration of five years. This period can be reduced in some situations such as marriage to or becoming a parent of a French national. 

Work Permit in New Zealand 

The work permit is obtained in New Zealand in the ways listed below: 

Eligibility Criteria for a Work Permit in New Zealand

You are required to fulfil the following criteria in order to be eligible for a temporary work visa in New Zealand:

• You need to be offered a job offer from an employer based in New Zealand, 
• You also become eligible in case you have a spouse in New Zealand and you wish to join them and work,
• You are considered eligible if you are from a country which has a special work programme, 
• You are also eligible to obtain a work permit if you are coming for a specified work-related purpose to the country, or 
• You can apply for a work permit in case you have been studying in New Zealand and now wish to work here.

Apply for a Work Permit in New Zealand

After meeting the criteria and collecting your documents, you are prepared to apply for the Zealand Work Visa. The steps for the application process are listed below: 

1st Step: You have to first find employment in New Zealand,

2nd Step: Then, gather all of your mandatory documents,

3rd Step: Now, proceed by submitting your application for a work visa, and

4thStep: Relax while your work visa is getting processed.

The time for the processing of a New Zealand work permit can range from 3 to 7 months. 

PR in New Zealand 

You must spend a minimum of 184 days in New Zealand on a resident visa in each of the two years prior to your application for permanent residence. This two-year period commences when you apply for permanent residence and does not include the two years since you obtained your resident visa.  

Which Country is Better?

As we can see, the overall process of receiving a work permit and permanent residency is easier in New Zealand than in France. As a result, New Zealand will get +2 points in this round of France vs New Zealand. 

Also Read: Best Countries to Study Abroad

Average Salaries: France vs New Zealand

The average annual salary of a graduate is €39,800 in France as per WeAreDevelopers, while it is €48,058 after postgraduation as reported by Glassdoor. The average yearly salary after graduation in New Zealand is NZ$43,103, as per Indeed. On the other hand, it is NZ$73,953 after completing postgraduation. 

Which Country is Better?

The above comparison demonstrates that the average salary in France is more than the average salary in New Zealand. As a result, we will award a score of +2 points to France in this round of France vs New Zealand. 

Also Read: How To Choose The Right Study Abroad Destination

Other Major Elements

When you are selecting a country to pursue education, there are some other crucial things you have to consider. Have a look at some of these significant considerations: 

Climate

Dry summers and wet winters are experienced by France. On the other hand, the climate of New Zealand varies, ranging from warm subtropical in the far north to cool temperate in the extreme south. 

Safety

Both France and New Zealand are known for being very safe countries for overseas students. Serious crimes like murder or narcotics are rarely seen in these countries.

Culture for International Students

The people of France are renowned for being very friendly and welcoming to international students. Similarly, New Zealand warmly welcomes and supports international students.

Also Read: Universities Accepting Backlogs in New Zealand

Conclusion

After calculating the total scores of France and New Zealand, we find that both France and New Zealand have equal points. Therefore, none of the countries won this contest. 

But please note that both France and New Zealand are excellent study-abroad destinations. Both of these countries have their own merits and demerits. Please ensure that you assess the available educational facilities and financial aid for the program you wish to attend. Doing this will aid you in making a better-informed decision. With that being said, both France and New Zealand are excellent choices for pursuing education. 

Also Read: 100 Interesting Facts About New Zealand

FAQs

So, this was all about France vs New Zealand. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.