How specialization affect to Graduate Job Search Visa?

[tchu]

Dear all,

I apply for Master of Engineering Studies ("Studies" mean taught based) program at The University of Auckland (UOA), and specify my Major/ Specialization as "XYZ Engineering". In UOA website, they stated this:
The programme is offered in sixteen specialisations and one of the specialization they list there is "XYZ Engineering" which is directly related to my occupation that fall under long term skill shortage list.
Link:
http://www.engineering.auckland.ac.n...eering-studies
So I apply for the program and choose Major/ Specialization as "XYZ Engineering"

But then they admitted/ enrolled me to Master of Engineering Studies and give the Specialization as "Engineering Studies" and when I asked, they explained in an email to me that "XYZ Engineering isn't a Specialization in it's own right but fall under general option of Engineering Studies". So I wonder if my Degree does not state it clearly the specialization that way, will I got problem when applying for Graduate Job Search Visa later?

Of course all my courses under the program will be directly related to XYZ Engineering. But if what written on the degree is just "Engineering Studies", what will it be considered by NZ Immigration?

Many thanks for your help!

[Karen Phillips]

The Graduate Job Search Visa is an Open Visa that allows you to work for any employer in any occupation while you find something related to your New Zealand qualification. Once you have found that related job, you can move on to the Graduate Work experience Visa - which is restricted to a specific job for a specific employer. By "relevant", they mean that the decision is based own whether it is a job that you were offered at least in part because of your NZ qualification and knowledge and which is in the same field. By the time you have this job, you would almost certainly have enough points to apply for residence under SMC without having to worry about all of your work experience - a NZ masters (70 points if 1 year), the job offer for more than 1 year (60 points) take you over the 100 points without anything else.

[tchu]

Thank you very much for your help Karen. The Graduate Job Search Visa (now change the name to Post Study Work Visa - Open) has one of the requirement as below:
- To be eligible for a Post-study work visa your New Zealand qualification must be one that would qualify for points under the Skilled Migrant Category

This is what I worried about. How would my future Degree qualify for points under the SMC if the Specialization is not clear?

[JandM]

I imagine you would be able to show the details of the content your course of study, as provided by the university, so that the authorities could understand what your specialism is, even if the actual title of the degree is non-specific.

[tchu]

Many thanks JandM! Hope things will be OK that way.

[Karen Phillips]

Hi. All NZ bachelor degrees qualify for points under SMC - 50 for a bachelor degree, 60 for most Masters and Doctorates. I think you are looking at the more specific requirements of the Long term Skills shortage list - but these are specific to each occupation and won't affect your Post-Study Visas. I don't think you have anything to worry about.

[tchu]

You're right Karen. I do realize now that I have a little confuse since I'm doing things in parallel. My plan is to start SMC during my academic year here and if that process could not complete before my student visa expires then I will go for Post Study Work Visa. It make sense to me if the Master Degree is relevant to my past occupation so I will have additional 10 points on the SMC application just in case. Thanks a lot for your help!