Enrolment
Student Portal
These are the types of questions international students ask us before deciding on a school in New Zealand:

Who is the International Student contact at Dunstan High School?

Rosemary Flanagan, International Director - [email protected] 

Where will I stay?

Live like a local in a family home - the best way to experience life in New Zealand. We will find a family that suits your preferences, interests, sports, pets / no pets etc, or food preferences.

Home Stay families regularly arrange outing for students, include them in family events and find afterschool and weekend and holiday activities. Police vetting and regular contact ensures a happy and supportive homelife during your time at Dunstan High School. 

Is it cold?

The weather in Central Otago is typically hot and dry in summer (our average February temperature is just under 25 degrees) and about 8 degrees in July - our coldest month. You can expect to get extremes of approx. 32/35 degrees in summer, and -3 / -8 in winter. The upside to this is that we enjoy a wide variety of summer and winter sports.

How many international students do you have?

We don't have a set number each year, and we don't have a cap on international students, but the average number of overseas students at the school at any one time is somewhere between 5-10.

Will my NZ qualifications be recognised overseas?

In general, overseas universities recognise New Zealand qualifications (NCEA - National Certificate of Educational Achievement), but they may have other requirements. More information is available here, and we strongly recommend that you carry out further enquiries in your home country before making a decision on an overseas education. https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/international/nz-quals-overseas/study-with-ncea/

Admissions & Academics

  • What are the term dates? The New Zealand school year consists of four terms, generally running from late January/early February to mid-December. There are two-week holidays between terms and a six-week summer break. N Z Term dates
  • How long can I study at Dunstan High School? We accept students for short stay or over a year. Be warned - many students plan to come for one term and end up staying longer! We can be flexible with start dates. Most students begin in July or end of January. 
  • Do I need to take an English proficiency test? Dunstan High School does not provide ESOL classes. We expect students to have a sufficient English standard to hold a conversation with other teenagers.
  • Are school uniforms required? Yes, Dunstan High School requires students to wear a uniform. We provide basic uniform items including the Blazer for senior students. You may prefer to bring your own Black leather school shoes and a black puffer type jacket 

Visa & Insurance

  • Do I need a student visa? Yes. All international students studying in New Zealand for longer than three months must hold a valid Student Visa. 
  • Is health insurance mandatory? Yes. International students are generally not eligible for publicly funded health services in New Zealand. You must have compliant medical and travel insurance for the duration of your stay. Dunstan High School will provide this as part of your enrolment package.

Where can I find more general information about studying in New Zealand?

This website, provided by the NZ Government, is a great place to start.

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