Dunedin, New Zealand

As New Zealand’s undisputed capital of education, Dunedin is a leading study destination. As the country’s seventh-largest city, it offers a sophisticated urban environment perfectly tailored to student life and academic success. Combining a rich Scottish and Māori heritage with a youthful, creative energy, the city provides a secure and stimulating environment for international students. From its world-renowned wildlife reserves to its status as a global hub for digital excellence and literature, Dunedin offers a unique, high-quality lifestyle that supports both academic success and personal growth.

Why choose Queen's High School?

A World-Class Education in a Coastal Paradise Queen’s High School offers young women a supportive, high-achieving environment in the beautiful seaside suburb of St Clair, Dunedin.

• Academic Excellence: A leading state school with a proud history of student success and university pathways.
• Prime Location: Just minutes from St Clair’s famous beaches and cafes, and an easy commute to the city centre.
• The "Knowledge Capital": Study in Dunedin, New Zealand’s premier education hub and home to our oldest university.
• Adventure Awaits: Dive into our renowned Outdoor Education program—surf, ski, kayak, and mountain bike for school credit.
• Authentic "Kiwi" Life: Experience New Zealand culture firsthand through our carefully selected, caring homestay families.
• Personalised Support: Our International Director provides dedicated pastoral care, individual learning plans, and expert career guidance.

English Language Support

Queen’s High School provides a comprehensive ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) programme for students from elementary level upwards. Upon arrival, each student undergoes an assessment to determine their placement in either ESOL or mainstream classes.

Our small-group tuition follows an Individual Learning Programme, ensuring personalised attention before students transition into general English environments. With a minimum of four hours of dedicated language support per week for most students, we provide a clear pathway toward achieving NCEA Level 2 English, ensuring our graduates are well-equipped for further study or employment.

The Homestay Experience

At Queen’s High School, we believe that a supportive home life is the key to academic success. All our international students live with carefully selected New Zealand host families, providing a true "Kiwi" cultural experience.

• Family Integration: You will be welcomed as a member of the family, helping your English skills improve naturally through daily conversation.
• Safety First: In accordance with New Zealand law, all host families are thoroughly interviewed, and police-checked.
• Personalised Care: Our families enjoy introducing students to New Zealand culture, and our school maintains close contact to ensure you are happy and comfortable.

Arrival and Orientation

At Queen's, we ensure your journey starts smoothly:

• Airport Welcome: You will be met at Dunedin Airport by school staff and your new host family.
• Orientation Programme: Before classes begin, you’ll participate in a comprehensive orientation to help you navigate the school and the city.
• Exploring New Zealand: We encourage students to join field trips in Geography, Tourism, and Outdoor Educationa fantastic way to see our beautiful country while making friends.

Pastoral Care

Queen’s High School takes the welfare of our students very seriously. You will have a dedicated support network to guide you through every step of your journey:

• Director of International Students: Our Director provides close, caring oversight of both your academic progress and your life in a homestay. They are available daily to assist with your needs, supervise living arrangements, and ensure your general wellbeing.
• School Counsellor: A full-time counsellor is available for confidential guidance and advice throughout the school week.
• Specialist Advice: We provide dedicated support for health, career planning, and further education to help you prepare for the future.

“Choosing to come to New Zealand and attend Queen’s High School was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Spending two years in such a beautiful, unique country while having an amazing time at school has been an incredible experience. I will never forget my time here.”

An, Japan

Uniform 

Full uniform is worn by all students. Detailed requirements are available under the Enrolment tab in the General Information section or by clicking here.

Curriculum / Courses

Academic Pathways and Class Placement At Queen’s High School, we value academic excellence and encourage every student to reach their full potential. Students typically study six subjects each year.

• Placement: Initial year-level placement is based on your application; however, final class and course selections are confirmed following an assessment upon arrival.
• Course Flexibility: The school ensures students are placed in courses that best suit their abilities and prerequisites. Please note that for mid-year enrolments, some subject choices may be limited by class capacity.
• University Preparation: For students aiming for university, we recommend a two-year study plan. This allows for comprehensive English language preparation and a solid foundation for tertiary success.

From creative arts to core sciences, our diverse subject range is designed to fuel your passions and prepare you for any career path:

• Academic Core: English, Mathematics, Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), History, and Economics.
• The Arts: Design, Photography, Music, Dance, and Drama.
• Outdoor Education: A highly popular choice for international students, offering a unique New Zealand experience.
• Music Tuition: Itinerant lessons are available for almost any instrument, catering to everyone from absolute beginners to advanced musicians.

Co-Curricular Activities

We believe in a well-rounded education and warmly encourage all students to get involved in our vibrant extracurricular scene. We offer an extensive range of activities to suit every interest and talent:

• Team & Individual Sports: Aerobics, athletics, badminton, basketball, cross country, equestrian, football, futsal, hockey, ice hockey, netball, rowing, rugby, tennis, touch, and volleyball.
• Performing Arts & Music: Jazz band, orchestra, hip hop, and dance.
• Adventure & Strategy: Orienteering and our popular Outdoor Education options.

Health Insurance

All international students require medical and travel insurance to cover the entire length of their study period in New Zealand. This is a legal requirement set out by New Zealand Government’s Code of Practice.

Queen’s High School partners with Uni-Care, a highly reputable insurance provider. Their International Student Policy is fully compliant with the 2021 amended Code of Practice, ensuring our students have comprehensive and reliable coverage. Please click here for the policy wording. 

If you want to use a different insurance provider, you need to give the School a copy of the policy in English so that the school can check that this meets the requirements of the Code of Practice.

Travel and Leave Guidelines

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students, Queen’s High School adheres strictly to the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students.

• Approval Process: Any travel outside of Dunedin requires formal approval from the Principal. This ensures that all students are supervised by approved adults and staying in appropriate accommodation.
• Submitting a Request: Students must fully complete and sign a travel request form (for both domestic and international trips). This must be submitted to the Principal at least two weeks before the intended departure date. Please note that the Principal’s decision is final.
• Term Breaks & Early Departures: If your daughter plans to return home during term breaks or leave before the end of the school term, please notify the International Director as early as possible.

Pathways to University and beyond

For students aiming for university or further tertiary study, our dedicated careers team provides expert guidance every step of the way. We work closely with each student to ensure they are enrolled in the correct subjects and fully understand the entry requirements for their chosen universities, both in New Zealand and internationally.

Check out some of the things our students do here on Facebook.

Want to Apply?

Join the Queen’s community at any time. We welcome year-round enrolments for students across all levels, from Year 9 through to Year 13.

Process

Interested in joining us? Follow these steps to apply:

1. Apply: Fill out the International Enrolment Form by clicking here. We process applications as they arrive.
2. Acceptance: If successful, you’ll receive an Offer of Place and an invoice.
3. Payment: Transfer the fees to the school’s account and let us know once it's done.
4. Visa: We will send you a receipt once the funds clear. Use this and your Offer of Place to apply for your student visa.Queen’s High School is part of the Pathway Student Visa Scheme. This means eligible students can often get a single visa covering their entire stay with us—up to five years of study.

Queen’s High School has agreed to observe and be bound by the “Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students” published by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). Copies of the Code are available by clicking here.

Full details of VISA and Permit requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand are available through the NZ Immigration Service, and can be viewed on their website at www.immigration.govt.nz.

Eligibility for Health services. Most international students are not entitled to publicly funded health services while in New Zealand. If you receive medical treatment during your visit, you may be liable for the full cost of that treatment.