[nickydwuk]

My daughter has nearly finished the 1st year of her degree here in the UK. She is considering coming over with us in September and transferring to a Uni in NZ. Has anyone else done this? How easy was it? I have contacted the Uni she is interested in but am still waiting for a reply. :)

[TrentBridge]

We are hoping to move to NZ next year when our oldest has finished A levels but before starting Uni, so that is different to your situation I know. What I can say though, which might help, is that we have been in touch with one university in NZ and they have told us that if we have PR then our son will be classed as a home student and not an overseas student, so won't have to pay overseas fees:D

It did take a week or two to get an answer from the NZ uni, but they gave good info and answered all our questions when they did reply and asked further questions from us so they could advise further. Really good!!:nice1

Hope this helps, if only a little.

S

[BigRod]

Nicky,

Not sure if this is the sort of advice that would be appreciated or not, but then you can choose whether to listen or not! I have spent a considerable time as a student and researcher in the UK university system, then later as visiting academic and later still a senior lecturer in one of the major UK universities. I've seen a lot of students, and seen many of the problems they can face from financial, relationship, or family related issues.

If your daughter is making good progress at one of the major UK universities, and not suffering too many consequences of being long way from family, then maybe the UK university will help her become a fully independent adult. There is the added bonus that many kiwis would kill to get a UK university education, but the fees would be astronomical for them, which it is not for your daughter. If this describes your daughters experience then why change? After all I'm assuming she would be welcome to spend summer vacations with you?

... On the other hand if she is unhappy in her studies, or finding it hard to cope with being so far from close family, then maybe you should consider the NZ university system. If she doesn't focus on her studies she will not achieve the potential she could; if bringing her physically closer can help her focus then maybe this would be the best approach. That said she would have to be prepared for a longer term of study (in NZ honours degrees are of 4 years duration), and that her chosen area of specialism may take her a fair journey away from family in NZ (think Massey, Auckland, Victoria, Canterbury, and Otago) as not every university will cover all specialisms.

I hope, in some ways, that helps.

Rod

[nickydwuk]

Thanks Rod. Originally she was going to stay in the UK and finish her studies then join us afterwards. However she is struggling a little and has become closer to us (especially her dad) during her Christmas & Easter breaks. This is coupled with the fact that she will have to move out of Uni accomodation for her second year and rent a house with other students. She has found a place with 3 other girls she gets on with but the thought of us being the other side of the world and her not being able to come home for the odd weekend in between holidays is putting her off a bit. The plan is for her to come over for her summer holidays next year and then do her final year but she has said she would rather come over with us. She is studying Chemistry which is covered by Canterbury Uni (Chch) and we are moving to Chch so she could be at home with us. If she can't transfer or it would be too much then she will stay and finish in the UK. Just another hurdle to cross :yes

[alan999]

She's your daughter and will know better what will suit her than anyone here. having been through the UK University expereience with my chidren I find it does not provide good preparation for adult life. I got caught up in the "pushing process" and Uni league tables, result? My eldest went to a top Uni for CS and couldn't hack it, not the course and not being away, but because he was surrounded by a different species. He left after 1 year because of this (didn't stop him getting good grades) and moved to a local Uni not quite as far up the league. He has been far happier there, living at home and is looking forward to graduating this year and coming down here.
My middle son is at a top Uni and is enjoying every minute of it, living away. He should have graduated this year but is staying on another year for his masters (maths). He has become a really good guy to mix with and I'm really pleased how he's turning out. However very few are able to enjoy the process he's been subjected to. He plans to come down next year saying NZ as good a place as any to start his career, but he's expecting his career will take him to many countries. My youngest son is in the army, my daughter is here with me taking her a levels and is planning to go to Auckland next.
So my advice is do whatever will suit her, as a generality Uni, in my opinion, isn't good preparation for real life. Changing Uni in the UK was easy, but my son had to start his degree course again because of the different ways they treat the course at the two unis. I wouldn't be surprised if the same thing applies to coming down here, but different subjects might be treated differently.