Real stories from NIU students: the MBI master’s programme, the online stage, relocation to Auckland and Wellington, study, the visa route and settling in.
Not promises, but accounts from people who have already taken this route — from the first online semester to relocation and study in New Zealand. Every story has a video interview behind it: the quote is a short fragment, the full recording opens through the link.
Product manager in IT · relocated with her husband and two children
translated from Russian Watch the interview on YouTube →«Thanks to studying at Nairi University we have already built our own community here. There is no feeling that you arrived in the country alone, with nobody around.»
Relocated with his wife
translated from Russian Watch the interview on YouTube →«On a joint double-degree programme you can start with a relatively small amount of money. That was a very important point, and it helped us decide to go through with all of this.»
QA engineer; previously about 11 years in architecture and construction
translated from Russian Watch the interview on YouTube →«As for NIU — of those three options it is definitely the most user-friendly one. The lecturers are focused on the result, on making sure things work out for you. They are set on preparing you.»
Moved on to the on-campus stage in Auckland
back-translation — the interview was recorded in English Watch the interview on YouTube →«During the programme my team and I turned a university project into a working startup that now operates online and internationally.»
Relocated with her son
translated from Russian Watch the interview on YouTube →«The studies fitted the settling-in period perfectly: classes run only twice a week. Some lectures are on campus, some online. The university provides a very convenient ecosystem with all the study materials and a way to stay in touch with the lecturers.»
IT specialist with extensive professional experience
translated from Russian Watch the interview on YouTube →«We thought about it quickly and decided: “Let's go to Auckland.” […] As it turned out in practice, we are happy that we did.»
Personal case: admission to a master's programme without a bachelor's degree
back-translation — the interview was recorded in English Watch the interview on YouTube →«The most interesting thing is that I do not have a bachelor's degree at all. So for me this was a saving of time. I think Serzh helped me save about four years of my life.»
Student visa and relocation to Auckland
back-translation — the interview was recorded in English Watch the interview on YouTube →«Thanks to the careful work with my documents and the support at every stage, I was able to apply for a student visa. In the end I received the visa and arrived in Auckland, where I continue my studies at ICL.»
Moved on to the on-campus stage in Wellington
translated from Russian Watch the interview on YouTube →«I would particularly single out the Software Development paper. The atmosphere there was really great, and the assignments were interesting.»
Combined study with work
back-translation — the interview was recorded in English Watch the interview on YouTube →«Every class combines theory and practice, usually in groups. Assessment is built around presenting a project rather than memorising tonnes of theory for exams. That is great for people who work and have little free time.»
back-translation — the interview was recorded in English Watch the interview on YouTube →«The lecturers and the whole environment create an open atmosphere where people ask questions and share ideas, and those ideas are genuinely encouraged.»
back-translation — the interview was recorded in English Watch the interview on YouTube →«Completing this programme means a great deal to me. It is the first step towards my dream of becoming a student in New Zealand, and I am very excited.»
Lecturer at a vocational college
back-translation — the interview was recorded in English Watch the interview on YouTube →«The structure of the course is logical. The theory is consistent and set out in detail, and it is immediately reinforced by practical assignments — both individual and team ones.»
Full stories are on the NIU YouTube channel: the Student testimonials and Student stories playlists.
Which programme fits your background depends on your previous education, experience and goals; the options are listed under Programs and courses.
These stories describe individual experiences. Admission requirements, recognition of prior study and visa decisions depend on the individual case. The interviews were recorded in Russian and in English; quotes marked as translations are rendered by us. Portraits are stylised from original interview material.