Study in New Caledonia

New Caledonia is a special French collectivity located in the southwest Pacific Ocean. This is one of the best-kept secret tropical vacation or holiday places.

New Caledonia is surrounded by the islands of Fiji and Tonga to the east, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu in the north, New Zealand in the south, and Australia in the west. It takes only about 3 hours or less to travel to New Caledonia.

It is one of the most idyllic places with pristine beaches and crystal clear waters. More than 100 000 tourists visit the palm-fringed beaches of New Caledonia to enjoy its beauty and intrigue. Home to the world’s largest lagoon, the islands offer amazing experiences for tourists.

New Caledonia provides a whole new experience for study abroad students, with arguably unparalleled beauty and a whole new challenge. New Caledonia is fast becoming a popular destination with enthusiastic study abroad students enrolling over the years.

Education in NEW CALEDONIA

New Caledonia’s education system is based on the French education system. Education is compulsory and free, up to age 16. The New Caledonia Educational Authority for Primary, Secondary, and Higher Education is the one that oversees education in New Caledonia.

Primary education lasts 5 years then one proceeds to secondary education which is divided into 2 cycles, a four-year program starting from age 11 and an additional 3-year program or upper secondary which is optional, and for students who wish to proceed to higher education.

Higher education in New Caledonia is represented by 5 institutions including a branch of the Université Francaise du Pacific.

Students can choose one of many programs including law, information technology, physics, chemistry, economy and management, business, accounting, management, English, Territorial development, mathematics, operating systems and software, and engineering to mention but a few. The adult literacy rate in New Caledonia was estimated at 96.3%. While the male literacy rate is 97.34% and 96.53% for females.

Important things to note

Here are a few things to take note of before you go out and about in New Caledonia.

The money-the official currency of New Caledonia is the Pacific Franc (CPF franc/ XPF) which is pegged to the Euro at a fixed rate.

Bank/ Credit Cards- Cards are accepted at major hotels, restaurants, airlines, large shops, car hire agencies, and resorts. There is sometimes a sub charge on credit card transactions.

ATMs- most banks in New Caledonia have ATMs that accept major credit cards, some of which are only accessible during trading hours.

About New Caledonia

New Caledonia is a collectivity of France located south of Vanuatu, about 1500km to the east of Australia, and about 17 000km away from Metropolitan France.

It includes the island of New Caledonia, the Loyalty Islands, the Belep Islands, and the Ille des Pins, which make up 99% of the total land area. The capital city of New Caledonia is Noumea.

New Caledonia also includes other minor uninhabited islets including Huon and Surprise Islands, Chesterfield Islands, Walpole Islands, the Bellona Reefs, and the Astrolabe Reefs to mention but a few.

The islands were annexed by the French in 1853 and officially became a French overseas territory in 1946. In 1998, the Noumea Accord was signed, giving New Caledonia limited autonomy, and providing for a future referendum concerning possible independence.

New Caledonia has a total area of 18 576 square kilometers. Its highest elevation is about 1 629 meters. As of 2019, it had an estimated population of 271 407, with a density of 14.5 people per square kilometers.

New Caledonia is divided into three provinces namely the Northland the South Provinces which are on the mainland, and the Loyalty Islands which are a series of islands off the mainland. New Caledonia has an urban to the rural population of 70.7%, and 29.3% respectively.

Ethnic groups

New Caledonia is made up of a variety of ethnicities including the Kanaks, who are the original inhabitants contributing about 41.2% of the population, Europeans (Caldoche and Zoreille) 24.1%, Mixed Ethnicities 11.3%, Wallisian or Futunian 8.3%, Tahitian 2.0%, Indonesian 1.4%, Ni-Vanuatu 0.9%, Vietnamese 0.8%, Other Asian groups 0.4%, other groups including North Africans make up 9.6% of the population.

Languages

French is the main and official language spoken in New Caledonia. Other significant languages include Nengone, Paici, Ajie, and Drehu. There are 28 Kanak languages spoken, which are part of the Austronesian family.

There are many other languages peculiar to the immigrant populations including Javanese, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Chinese, and other Asian languages.

Did you know? Facts about NEW CALEDONIA

• It is a French territory but is located in the South Pacific.

• New Caledonia is rich in nickel and other minerals.

• It boasts of the world’s largest lagoon which surrounds the whole island.

• New Caledonia is home to a diversity of marine life and bird species.

• It is a great scuba diving destination.

• New Caledonia is about the size of Wales.

• There are 22 bird species endemic to New Caledonia.

• The highest peak is Mount Paine which is about

• The Kanak people are the indigenous group of New Caledonia.

• Kanak means Human Being in Hawaiian.

Must see places in NEW CALEDONIA

Noumea Lagoons Aquarium- this is one of the most popular tourist destinations. The aquarium is home to a variety of marine life and is also where sick marine animals are treated.

Museum of New Caledonia this museum shows the history, culture, traditions, and objects of New Caledonia. It is the best way to understand the diversity of the culture of New Caledonia through its rich collection of artifacts. The museum is full of objects including sculptures, weapons, masks, fishing tools, hunting tools, traditional objects, and masks, to mention but a few.

Maritime Museum of New Caledonia is a museum that aims at exhibiting the maritime history of New Caledonia, created in 1994. Guided tours are offered here and guests can learn about vessels, voyages, wars, and other ancient artifacts of the region.

Amedee Lighthouse

This is a lighthouse located on Amedee Isle and is a historic site. It was built in 1862 and is the highest metallic lighthouse in the world.

Duck Island

This is a great place to just relax and unwind. The island is located off the coast of Anse Vata Bay and is bustling with marine wildlife and other marine species.

The Isle of Pines

This is also known as the jewel of the Pacific. It was discovered in 1774 by Captain Cook. This isle is adorned by several tall pine trees, hence its name

About New Caledonia's Economy

New Caledonia’s currency is the CFP Franc. Nickel is the territory’s economic backbone, contributing as much as 90% of export earnings. It had an annual production of 107 000 tonnes as of 2019.

New Caledonia contributes about 10% of the world’s nickel production and is the 5th largest producer after Russia, Indonesia, Canada, and Australia.

New Caledonia’s GDP (PPP) was estimated at $11.11 billion as of 2017 and nominal GDP was estimated at $9.89 billion as of 2017 with a per capita of $38 921. Unemployment as of 2020 stood at 12.8%.

New Caledonia’s GDP contribution by sector as of 2017 was as follows:

• Agriculture 1.4%

• Industry- 26.4%

• Services- 72.1%

Industry

Main industries in New Caledonia include nickel mining and smelting. The economy is mainly driven by these key sectors, the mining of nickel, magnesium, iron, cobalt, chromium, manganese, and the tourism industry.

Trade

Exports in 2015 were estimated at $1.23 billion and major exports included iron and steel, ores, nickel, inorganic chemicals, seafood, machinery and equipment, Ferroalloys, essential oils, and containers to mention but a few.

Main export partners included China with 35%, Japan 15.9%, Korea 15.1%, Belgium 4.18%, India 4.07%, the united states of America 3.36%, Spain 3.26%, France 2.69%, and Hong Kong 2.59%, to mention but a few.

Its imports were valued at $2.52 billion as of 2015. The main products included mineral fuels, vehicles, electrical machinery and equipment, iron and steel articles, rubber and medical instruments and apparatus, to mention but a few. Its main import partners included France with 25% of exports, china 10.2%, Singapore 8.21%, Malaysia 6.7%, Korea 6.22%, Australia 5.71, New Zealand 4.76%, the united states of America 4.31%, Japan 3.53%, and Thailand 3.12%, to mention but a few.

Why Study in New Caledonia

Tasty dishes and cuisines

Food is an essential part of the new Caledonian day-to-day life. The locals take pride in their cuisines and traditional recipes. Studying in New Caledonia allows one to taste the unique flavor and also learn how to prepare some local dishes.

Explore the beauty

New Caledonia is a place with many interesting sites and places to see. It is home to one of the world’s biggest lagoons, a world heritage site. There are several pristine beaches and lush green forests that are appealing to nature lovers.

Interaction with other international students

studying in New Caledonia offers students an opportunity to meet and interact with other students from various countries. This presents a great chance to learn about their cultures or way of life and also to teach them about your own culture and way of life.

Site Seeing

New Caledonia is a place with many interesting sites and places to see. It is home to one of the world’s biggest lagoons, a world heritage site. There are several pristine beaches and lush green forests that are appealing to nature lovers.

Scholarships in New Caledonia

There are plenty of scholarships are available for students studying in new Caledonia.

Students can apply for various scholarships ranging from merit-based scholarships to sports scholarships, engineering scholarships, law scholarships, medical scholarships, and grants, to mention but a few.

New Caledonia Student Visa

Travelers from European Union countries usually do not require a visa for stays up to 3 months from the time of arrival. Foreigners can get a visa at the nearest French embassy or consulate.

No visa will be issued on arrival and applicants must do so in advance. On arrival, travelers from non-EU countries need to apply for a residence permit for a stay of more than 3 months.