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Updated 2 October 2018
Summary of
Enrolling in 2019? Know this:
Our message is simple – don’t dumb down your course. Don’t go for second best if you don’t need to. If you qualify for the best provider, student loans, scholarships and discounted travel passes help to make every day work to your advantage. You will probably only get one shot at a tertiary education; the time and money spent (and forgone) is too great to repeat it. Do it right and you won’t regret your decision.
Why we’ve put this guide together?
The world of work is changing, and many education providers are being left behind. What you choose to study will define at least the next five to ten years of your life. It’s no secret that automation is coming. Robots are coming too. Today’s students will be best prepared for work after 2020 with a qualification and skillset that cannot be outsourced, automated or disestablished. Most importantly, there needs to be jobs waiting and/or training while you study.
We have listed 25 specific jobs to study for that today have more vacancies than graduates, a proven track record of employment, overseas demand and are dynamic in that you can specialise in various areas within the field. We’ve analysed everything at the granular level to give every student in New Zealand the best chance of picking the right course.
Enrolling in 2019? Know this:
Our message is simple – don’t dumb down your course. Don’t go for second best if you don’t need to. If you qualify for the best provider, student loans, scholarships and discounted travel passes help to make every day work to your advantage. You will probably only get one shot at a tertiary education; the time and money spent (and forgone) is too great to repeat it. Do it right and you won’t regret your decision.
Why we’ve put this guide together?
The world of work is changing, and many education providers are being left behind. What you choose to study will define at least the next five to ten years of your life. It’s no secret that automation is coming. Robots are coming too. Today’s students will be best prepared for work after 2020 with a qualification and skillset that cannot be outsourced, automated or disestablished. Most importantly, there needs to be jobs waiting and/or training while you study.
We have listed 25 specific jobs to study for that today have more vacancies than graduates, a proven track record of employment, overseas demand and are dynamic in that you can specialise in various areas within the field. We’ve analysed everything at the granular level to give every student in New Zealand the best chance of picking the right course.
We have selected what we believe 25 of the most important jobs New Zealand needs, based on employability, short and long-term income and general accessibility. Our research has drawn from the following sources:
The Ministry of Education’s 2016 and 2017 datasets pertaining to income levels
The Ministry of Education’s 2016 and 2017 datasets pertaining to income levels
- The Ministry of Education’s 20XX dataset pertaining to graduate employment rates by institution
- New Zealand Government Skill Shortage list
- http://occupationoutlook.mbie.govt.nz
- Australian Federal Government Skill Shortage list (covering all states)
- United Kingdom Government Skill Shortage list
- Trade Me jobs and Seek.co.nz
- Media stories and professional body reports
- Note: Despite government data recording up to 11 years of salary information for an extensive range of qualifications, we believe the most accurate and relevant data is the first five years earnings post graduation.
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Education is snobby and there is a hierarchy – universities rule the roost for degreesUnless you’re doing a specialist course from a specific provider, it is widely understood that in the eyes of employers, a university degree trumps the same degree from institutes of technology and polytechnics or private education providers. This primarily applies to degrees and diplomas in XXXX.
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Education providers rarely publish key data about your courseUniversities and education providers do not publish graduation rates, employment data or salary details alongside their courses. To find that out, you will have to do a deep dive into government-produced statistics. We don’t think this is right – when you buy an education, you buy a future. Not being able to measure the value of that future in dollar terms seems unreasonable, especially as the historical data is available.
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Degree-Based Courses
- Why?
- Median starting salary:
- Median salary five years after graduating:
- Study time:
- Fee cost (estimate):
- Career change potential:
- Good points:
- Bad points:
Trade-Based Courses
Tips for managing your money while studying
1. Consider living at home if your course is close by
Living away from home to study can make the difference between a $10,000 student loan and a $60,000 student loan
There are many benefits from living at home, such as stability, support and convenience. But living away is also popular; it can offer a true ‘student experience’ and you are likely to make new friends in and outside of your course. For anyone living in a provincial town or city, living away from home to study is the only option. But, costs for housing and food keep increasing, and three to four more years of living at home can give you a head-start when you graduate with a much smaller student loan if you manage your needs.
Living away from home to study can make the difference between a $10,000 student loan and a $60,000 student loan
There are many benefits from living at home, such as stability, support and convenience. But living away is also popular; it can offer a true ‘student experience’ and you are likely to make new friends in and outside of your course. For anyone living in a provincial town or city, living away from home to study is the only option. But, costs for housing and food keep increasing, and three to four more years of living at home can give you a head-start when you graduate with a much smaller student loan if you manage your needs.
2. Be prepared to consider moving to Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch after you graduate
Most graduates start their working life in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch (show that data of region) and you will need to be able to finance your relocation
Rergardless of whether you are a builder, nurse or lawyer, the job creation hot spots are where most of New Zealand lives. It’s reasonable to keep this in mind if you’re looking to study as the costs of relocating for a job after graduation can be significant, and you’re unlikely to get paid until one or two weeks in to it. This is why having a safety cushion of $3,000 (see the next point) is really helpful.
Most graduates start their working life in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch (show that data of region) and you will need to be able to finance your relocation
Rergardless of whether you are a builder, nurse or lawyer, the job creation hot spots are where most of New Zealand lives. It’s reasonable to keep this in mind if you’re looking to study as the costs of relocating for a job after graduation can be significant, and you’re unlikely to get paid until one or two weeks in to it. This is why having a safety cushion of $3,000 (see the next point) is really helpful.
3. Having a safety net of $3,000 and/or a part-time job will make studying a lot easier
Studying is a long, intense process. Money worries are an unnecessary distraction. With the minimum wage at $XX, you can comfortably save up XX if you work 30 hours a week for 8 weeks before starting your course. You can use this money to either pay for living costs not covered by the student loan and/or student allowance payment, or save it, or a mixture of both. You can also use interest-free overdrafts (see the next point).
Studying is a long, intense process. Money worries are an unnecessary distraction. With the minimum wage at $XX, you can comfortably save up XX if you work 30 hours a week for 8 weeks before starting your course. You can use this money to either pay for living costs not covered by the student loan and/or student allowance payment, or save it, or a mixture of both. You can also use interest-free overdrafts (see the next point).
4. Get the right student bank account
Student bank accounts are NOT all the same, and the best interest-free overdraft deal helps alongside a student loan
Our ongoing review of student bank accounts (LINK) outlines the best on offer. Having access to a large, interest-free overdraft is the best way to provide an added financial cushion throughout your studies. Paying the least for such an overdraft is the best idea. Check out our current best buy picks to decide what’s right for you.
Student bank accounts are NOT all the same, and the best interest-free overdraft deal helps alongside a student loan
Our ongoing review of student bank accounts (LINK) outlines the best on offer. Having access to a large, interest-free overdraft is the best way to provide an added financial cushion throughout your studies. Paying the least for such an overdraft is the best idea. Check out our current best buy picks to decide what’s right for you.
5. Creating a budget is the most sensible thing you can do while studying
Want more ideas? Read our student money tips – we update it constantly with the latest information favoured by students all over New Zealand. It has a treasure trove of useful information to help you navigate student life with a good sense of your money.
