Study in New Zealand

Discover academic excellence, advanced infrastructure, scenic beauty, and a friendly student community in New Zealand—an ideal study destination for personal and professional development.

Study in New Zealand

Discover academic excellence, advanced infrastructure, scenic beauty, and a friendly student community in New Zealand—an ideal study destination for personal and professional development.

New Zealand is quickly becoming a popular international education destination for Indian students. Over 120,000 international students were enrolled in eight New Zealand universities in 2022. With a high quality of life, an abundance of natural beauty, and a culture that supports foreign students, it is an ideal choice. 

New Zealand (1)

Highlights of studying in New Zealand

Factors New Zealand
Average tuition fees (per year)

Bachelor's degree - NZD 22,000 - NZD 32,000 (INR 11,44,573 - INR 16,65,336 approximately)

Master's degree - NZD 26,000 - NZD 37,000 (INR 13,53,085 - INR 19,25,545 approximately)

Diploma - NZD 12,000 - NZD 18,000 (INR 6,24,313 - INR 9,36,469 approximately)

Ph.D. - NZD 6500 - NZD 9000 (INR 3,38,271 - INR 4,68,375 approximately)

Eligibility criteria

Academic credentials- High school completion, Bachelor's degree, or Master's degree in the respective fields of study 

Documents- Passport, Student visa, SOP, LOR, etc.

Standardized test scores

Language proficiency test scores

IELTS- 6.5+

TOEFL- 75+

Popular courses

Business Management

Engineering

Nursing

Tourism and Hospitality

Management

Student visa fees

NZD 430 (for online application)

New Zealand Logo

Why study in New Zealand

Here are some key reasons why you should consider studying in New Zealand.

Diverse range of courses

New Zealand universities offer a wide variety of courses and programs, catering to different academic interests and career goals. Candidates interested in studying arts, sciences, engineering, business, or other fields, can find suitable options in New Zealand.

New Zealand has a world-class education system with universities and institutions that consistently rank well in international assessments. The country’s education is based on the British model and is highly recognized for its academic excellence.

The universities in New Zealand prioritize the well-being of international students. They provide comprehensive support services, including orientation programs, academic assistance, and dedicated international student advisors.

International students studying in New Zealand are allowed to work part-time during their studies and full-time during scheduled breaks. This provides valuable work experience and helps support living expenses.

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Student visa requirements for New Zealand

The average time taken to evaluate a student visa application in New Zealand is around 19 days. The type of student visa depends on the category and tenure of the program chosen by the candidate.

The online application fee for a New Zealand student visa is 430 NZD, and the online application fee for a student visa for pathway programs is NZD 315–NZD 395. Apart from the student visa application fee, NZD 230 is required for online submission of the application.

New Zealand Passport

Some other requirements of the application are as follows:

It is highly recommended to start your student visa application to study in New Zealand at least 120 days in advance to avoid delays.

Top courses to study in New Zealand

New Zealand’s universities and colleges provide courses ranging from certificate and diploma levels to Master’s degree, so there is something for everyone.

Popular courses Average tuition fees (per year)
Bachelor of Civil Engineering

NZD 10,000 - NZD 35,000

Bachelor of Engineering Technology

NZD 25,000 - NZD 35,000

Hospitality and Tourism Management

NZD 30,000 - NZD 40,000

Business Marketing

NZD 25,000 - NZD 35,000

Diploma in Commerce

NZD 15,000 - NZD 50,000

Please note: The tuition fees mentioned here serve as a point of reference. The actual amount may vary, depending on the university and intake season.

Top universities to study in New Zealand

Out of all eight universities in New Zealand, one is ranked among the top 100 global universities by the QS world university rankings. Mentioned below are the rankings of the universities in the country according to the QS World University Rankings 2024:

The University of Auckland

QS World Rankings 2024: 68

University of Otago

QS World Rankings 2024: 206

Massey University

QS World Rankings 2024: 239

Victoria University of Wellington

QS World Rankings 2024: 241

University of Waikato

QS World Rankings 2024: 250

University of Canterbury

QS World Rankings 2024: 256

Lincoln University

QS World Rankings 2024: 362

Auckland University of Technology (AUT)

QS World Rankings 2024: 407

Cost of studying in New Zealand

The average cost of studying in New Zealand is almost 12% cheaper than that in Australia, making it an affordable destination for international students.

Type of expenses Cost in NZD
Bachelor's degree

NZD 22,000 – NZD 32,000 per year

Master's degree

NZD 26,000 – NZD 37,000 per year

MBA

NZD 40,000 – NZD 60,000 per year

On-campus accommodation

NZD 13,000 – NZD 26,00 per year

Food and beverages

NZD 6,760 – NZD 7,800 per year

Please note: The expenses mentioned here serve as a point of reference. The actual amount may vary.

On average, a tertiary student’s cost of living comes to around NZD 13,000–NZD 16,000 per year. However, the cost of living depends on various factors, such as the type of accommodation, area of living, city of residence, and even the lifestyle of an individual.

Scholarships to study in New Zealand

New Zealand offers various scholarships for international students to study at its universities and institutions. Many universities in New Zealand offer scholarships specifically for international students. These scholarships may be based on academic merit, leadership potential, or other criteria.

group diverse grads throwing caps up sky New Zealand 16
Scholarship name Amount covered
New Zealand government scholarships

Covers the full cost of education + cost of living

New Zealand Commonwealth scholarships

The full cost of education + 491 NZD per week

New Zealand Development Scholarships (NZDS)

Full tuition fee + living allowance of 480 NZD per week

New Zealand Pacific Scholarships

43,205 NZD

Please note: For the latest updates on scholarships, visit the official website.

Intakes in New Zealand

In New Zealand, the academic year is typically divided into two main intakes for international students:

Please note: The specific intake dates and application periods may vary slightly between different universities and programs in Australia.

Semester 1 (February/March intake):

Semester 2 (July intake):

Job prospects of studying in New Zealand

New Zealand offers a promising employment rate of 68%. Full-time international students with valid student visas are permitted to work in the country. They are legally allowed to work for up to 20 hours per week during term time. They can also work full-time during holidays such as Christmas, summer holidays, etc. However, international students can’t be self-employed. It is mandatory for them to work for a bona fide employer and have a valid employee agreement for the same.

Students pursuing a Master’s degree in research, or Ph.D., are allowed to work for any number of hours.

The following table entails some of the high-paying jobs and approximate annual salaries for these job profiles.

Career opportunities Average salaries in NZD per year
Surgeons and medical specialists

NZD 170,000 - NZD 230,000

IT managers

NZD 110,000 - NZD 140,000

Managing directors

NZD 140,000 - NZD 180,000

Legal professionals

NZD 54,000 - NZD 120,000

Please note: The salaries mentioned here serve as a point of reference. The actual amount will depend on the individual’s skill set and credentials.

Students will have to check with the visa authorities regarding work after study. Accordingly, they will then have to apply for a suitable work visa. This visa can last up to 3 years, depending on the candidate’s level of qualification, and where they have studied. 

Students under 18 years of age will have to get written permission from their school, parents, or legal guardian to work. 

With an appealing high student acceptance rate of 84% New Zealand is one of the most sought-after destinations for international students. With affordable living costs and opportunities for part-time work, students can gain valuable work experience while pursuing their studies.

FAQs

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Is studying in New Zealand worth it?

Studying in New Zealand is worth it for many reasons. High-quality education, better employment opportunities, and exposure to global networks are some of the compelling reasons to study in New Zealand. Apart from all this, New Zealand is known to be the safest country across the globe, making it a top choice amongst international students.

New Zealand is cheaper than most of the study-abroad destinations. The expected tuition fee for a full-time degree in the country ranges from 12,000 NZD – 77,000 NZD, depending on the course undertaken by the student.

In order to get a PR in New Zealand after studying involves following specific visa pathways and meeting certain requirements. Candidates with a job offer in New Zealand may be eligible for a Work to Residence Visa. This visa allows them to work in New Zealand temporarily with a pathway to residency. Additionally, candidates in ‘The Skilled Migrant VISA Category’ can also live and work in New Zealand permanently.

To study in New Zealand as an international student, candidates need to fulfill the following requirements:-
Admission requirements as directed by the university
Language proficiency requirements as per the course chosen
Confirmation of enrollment into the educational program
Student visa application
Health and character certificate

A student is allowed to show a gap of up to 10 years in New Zealand. It is mandatory for the candidates to provide valid information about the gap period. Unlike other countries, New Zealand is quite flexible for international students.

In order to study in New Zealand, students are typically required to demonstrate their academic qualifications and English language proficiency by taking specific exams.

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