Before you can decide where you want to study, you need to think about what you want to study. Getting a qualification after you finish school is necessary for many career pathways and will make you more employable. You can study a certificate, diploma or degree – depending on how long you want or need to study for. Working backwards from the career or industry you want to end up in can help you narrow down what you might like to study. Tertiary or further education isn’t just attending a university or polytechnic. It covers all education after school, whether that’s studying, apprenticeships or industry training. None of the options are necessarily "better" than the others, and what you choose should depend on the job and experiences that you want.

Potential Pathways

• Studying at University or Polytech
• Apprenticeships & Trades Training
• Pre-Trade Training (Before moving into apprenticeship)

Tertiary study is a big commitment financially but is also a big investment in your future. There are three main costs involved:

• compulsory course fees
  
• living costs (food, travel, accommodation etc)
  
• course-related costs (text books, laptop and other equipment)

Study Link first time students: https://www.studylink.govt.nz/online-services/apply/first-time/index.html

Student Loan: https://www.studylink.govt.nz/products/a-z-products/student-loan/index.html

Student Allowance: https://www.studylink.govt.nz/products/a-z-products/student-allowance/index.html

Fees Free: https://www.feesfree.govt.nz/