• Dunedin is the main city in the Otago region with students making up a significant percentage of its population
• As a full-time student, you may be able to work part-time, up to 20 hours per week, and full-time during scheduled holidays
• Dunedin is home to New Zealand’s second highest-ranked and oldest university, the University of Otago
• Visa applications are made via the nearest branch of the New Zealand Immigration organization or online

New Zealand’s eight universities are state-owned and research-based. All of them are featured in the QS World University Rankings 2016/2017 which particularly impressive when you consider the country’s population is only around 4.5 million. In addition, New Zealand's higher education system also includes 18 institutes of technology and polytechnics, which offer vocational courses of varying lengths and levels, focusing on practical skills and hands-on experience. Each university has strengths in research and teaching across a range of disciplines. Dunedin is home to New Zealand’s second highest-ranked and oldest university, the University of Otago. It is New Zealand’s second entry in the QS World University Rankings 2016/2017, ranked 169th in the world. The city's most important activity in economic terms centres around tertiary education. In 2014 Dunedin was designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Literature.

Dunedin is known for its Scottish and Maori heritage, Victorian and Edwardian architecture and a large student population. Hiking and cycling trails crisscross the dramatic landscape of the adjoining Otago Peninsula, home to colonies of albatrosses, sea lions and rare yellow-eyed penguins. The harbour and hills around Dunedin represent the remnants of an extinct volcano. The city suburbs extend out into the surrounding valleys and hills, onto the isthmus of the Otago Peninsula, and along the shores of the Otago Harbour and the Pacific Ocean. With the great outdoors close at hand, it is easy to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Nowhere in New Zealand is more than 120km from the sea. Every city and town has native bush reserves with tracks for walking or cycling, parks, sports clubs and swimming pools. New Zealanders take pride in their clean air and natural environment, making it a great place to unwind. New Zealand has a temperate climate which means four distinct seasons, with summers that are generally warm and dry and winters that are relatively mild and wet. Dunedin’s climate is generally temperate. Winter is frosty but sunny, snowfall is common but significant snowfall is uncommon. Temperatures during summer can briefly reach 30°C, however, Dunedin's cool summers and mild winters both stand out considering its latitude.

‘’ the city's most important activity in economic terms centres around tertiary education ‘’

Working part-time will not only earn you some allowance but may also let you make connections and increase your chances to become a skilled migrant. Gaining experience at a New Zealand workplace also helps you develop skills such as communication, teamwork, timekeeping, interpersonal skills and workplace-relevant English language skills. As a full-time student who has a valid Student Visa, you may be able to work part-time, up to 20 hours per week, and full-time during scheduled holidays. To work for up to 20 hours per week, you must meet certain requirements such as minimum study programme duration of 2 years. Your course of study should lead to a New Zealand qualification that gains points under the Skilled Migrant Category. You may also work if you are taking an English language course that meets conditions approved by Immigration New Zealand. In special cases, some students may be allowed to work for more than 20 hours a week, e.g. if work may be part of your qualification. Graduate students at a New Zealand institution may work full-time while they are studying. During scheduled breaks eligible students may work full-time if your programme is for one academic year and is worth 120 credits or more. If your programme is full-time for one academic year but worth less than 120 credits, you may be able to work full-time during the Christmas and New Year holiday break. Your e-visa or visa label in your passport should state if and when you may work. You may also have a letter from Immigration New Zealand stating that your visa allows you to work.

New Zealand may be a sparsely populated island country, but with its spectacular scenery and awe-inspiring nature, New Zealand offers a high-quality way of life. Aside from adventures in nature and high-adrenaline activities, you can also indulge in its wineries, farmer’s markets and interesting festivals. New Zealand may be a young country, but the diverse wealth of Maori culture, performing arts, literature, museums and art galleries will leave even the most fervent arts and culture buffs completely satisfied. Many New Zealanders either play or support their local rugby team and the All Blacks are national icons. You will not be alienated in this vibrant city. Dunedin's demographics tend to show traits of the New Zealand education sector, largely caused by the city's high tertiary student population. These traits include a high proportion of people under 25 years, a higher proportion of people of European and Asian ethnicity, higher unemployment, lower median income, and a higher proportion of those with school and post-school qualifications.

New Zealand cuisines can be distinguished as Maori or Pakeha. Maori cuisine was historically derived from that of tropical Polynesia, adapted for New Zealand's colder climate, whilst Pakeha cuisine is very similar to British cuisine. Fresh produce can be obtained from farmers' markets which are now firmly established in the Kiwi foodie culture. They are a great insight into the New Zealand way of life. Each market reflects its regional difference with the climatic conditions and environmental changes playing a role in the range of produce from north to south. New Zealanders increasingly come from many ethnic backgrounds, and most immigrants to New Zealand have tried to reproduce their native cuisines or national dishes in New Zealand. Ethnic restaurants have served as community meeting places and have also given other New Zealanders a chance to try different cuisines. Though Dunedin has no focussed Chinatown area per se, a large proportion of the businesses in northern George Street cater specifically for the large Eastern and Southeast Asian community centred on this part of the city. You can also join in the City Council-led Good Food Dunedin initiative by stopping at roadside stalls, exploring farm-gate sales, or shopping at a farmers' market. Otago Farmers Market is open every Saturday morning – a great place to stock up on fresh produce.

Applying for student visa needs not be a stressful experience as long as you have all your documents ready. Visa applications are made via the nearest branch of the New Zealand Immigration organization or online. The application fee varies depending on where you’re applying from, and is 10% cheaper online. In order to apply for student visa, you need to have received an offer of place from an educational institution approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. In order to apply for a student visa for New Zealand, you must have an unconditional offer of place at a university, accepted that place in writing and paid the required tuition fee deposit. Student visa is one of the last parts of the process. You will also need a written guarantee from an institution or person that suitable accommodation is available to you in New Zealand, evidence of sufficient funds to live on while you are studying, a return air ticket to your country, or evidence of sufficient funds to buy one and a clean criminal record. If you are spending six months or more here in New Zealand, you may need to be screened for tuberculosis in addition to general medical examination.