Why this matters
Rising demand can influence course availability, student services and planning pressure around major intake periods. Canterbury was among the regions recording strong growth.
Key points
- International enrolments reached 92,580 in 2025.
- This was 11 percent higher than in 2024.
- Universities and schools both recorded growth.
- Canterbury was one of the stronger-growing regions identified by ENZ.
What we know
Education New Zealand's full-year data shows continued recovery in international education, with enrolments reaching 80 percent of the pre-COVID peak.
Universities recorded 38,025 international enrolments, while school enrolments reached 20,155. Growth varied between regions and education subsectors.
For prospective students and families, the figures reinforce the value of starting provider, accommodation and arrival planning early around popular intake periods.
Our analysis
Market recovery strengthens confidence in New Zealand education, while making early, locally informed planning more valuable around popular providers and intake periods.
The 11 percent increase is a positive demand signal, but the national total does not mean every provider, programme or region has the same capacity. University and school growth was stronger than recovery in some other subsectors, so families still need provider-level information.
Canterbury's growth supports confidence in the region as an international education destination. It may also concentrate pressure around intake dates, making coordinated course, arrival and accommodation planning more useful than treating each decision separately.
Practical recommendations
- Prospective students and families
Shortlist providers using current programme, entry and support information, then work backwards from the intended intake to map application, visa, travel and arrival milestones.
- Accommodation planning
Compare several suitable options and their terms rather than assuming demand growth guarantees availability near a preferred provider or date.
- Education and service organisations
Use regional and subsector data as a demand indicator, then validate it against enquiries, conversion patterns and the support needs of the audiences you serve.