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Study in NEW ZEALAND
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Country Code: NEW
Currency: NZD (NZD)

Key Facts & Highlights

Essential information about NEW ZEALAND

World-Ranked Universities

8–10 globally ranked

Course Duration

UG: 3 yrs | PG: 1–2 yrs

Tuition Fees

NZD 22,000 /yr – NZD 40,000 /yr

Work Rights

20 hrs/week

Post-Study Work

1–3 yrs

Intakes

February & July

New Zealand is emerging as one of the top study abroad destinations for international students. And why not? One can avail of high-quality education combining a practical approach and industry applications. This opens up a lot of opportunities for students across sectors. If you are looking to study in New Zealand, read through the top reasons here. 

  • New Zealand universities rank amongst the top 3% globally. 

  • It is the only country which has its universities ranked amongst the top 500 worldwide. 

  • At present, the country has at least 20,000 international students across 160 countries. 

  • One can avail of post-study work opportunities of up to 3 years and permanent residency, as well. 

  • You will be able to access numerous English-taught courses. 

  • New Zealand’s education system qualifications are recognised across 50 nations. 

  • You will likely be able to get affordable fee structures along with scholarship opportunities. 

These are a few of the top reasons why New Zealand is the best for international students.

The education system in New Zealand is a bit different from the rest of the world. It starts with pre-nursery, with the highest level being PhD. Let us take you through the different levels of education right here. 

  • Early Childhood Education (ECE) in New Zealand

There are different types of ECE offered in New Zealand. 

  • Teacher-led Training

  • Kindergarten

  • Education and Care Services 

  • Home-based Education and Care

  • Te Kura 

  • Primary & Secondary Education in New Zealand

  • This is the second level of education in New Zealand. 

  • Students are eligible for this level after 5 or 6 years of age. 

  • Education is free for students aged 5-19 years, both in state-run and New Zealand government institutions. 

  • Schooling at the primary and secondary levels is compulsory for students aged 6-16 years.

  • Students in New Zealand attend school until they are 17 years old. 

  • The school education tenure is 13 years.  

  • Further Education in New Zealand

Further education in New Zealand is imparted by different types of institutions. Here is a table to help you understand the segregation. 

  • Universities – International students looking to study in New Zealand can enrol at the 8 state-funded universities, offering a wide number of courses. 

  • Private Colleges – You may be able to avail of certificate courses, diploma courses and vocational courses. 

  • Technological Institutes – These are government or industry-funded institutions, offering technological courses in the vocational field. 

  • Trade Academies – These schools teach trade and technology from age 15-18 years. 

  • Youth Guarantee – Students from the age of 16-19 years can opt for NCEA Level 1-3 or Certificate Level 1-3, free of cost. 

  • Technical and Vocational Institutes – Students of the senior secondary level will be able to enrol themselves at such institutes, pursue the course and work as well. 

For more in-depth information on the education system in New Zealand, you can talk to a study abroad advisor. 

As study abroad aspirants, you must know about the top cities in New Zealand, preferred by international students. 

  • Auckland

  • Christchurch

  • Wellington

  • Dunedin

  • Hamilton 

  • Palmerston North

Some of the top universities in New Zealand, are located in these cities. Before you choose a university or city, you must study some of the factors. The various factors include:

  • University – city match

  • Local job market

  • Cost of living 

  • Cultural ambience

  • Security and safety

International students aiming to study in New Zealand must choose courses and specialisations that align with their aptitude. Secondly, one has to choose the university based on career goals. Here are the top New Zealand universities where you can pursue some of the most in-demand courses in the global job market. 

Top Universities

Courses

University of Auckland

Bioengineering, Biological Sciences, Arts, Global MBA

University of Otago

Dental And Oral Health Research, Medicine, Law, Humanities

Massey University

Veterinary Science, Agriculture, Aviation, Design, and Business

Victoria University of Wellington

Law, Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences,

University of Canterbury

Engineering, Business, and Science

University of Waikato

Computer Science, Business and Management, Engineering, Law

Lincoln University

Agriculture & Forestry, Environmental Science, and Land Management

For more information on the top colleges and universities in New Zealand, you can work with a study abroad advisor, like Admissify. 

There are several aspects which you must take note of, like admission intakes, documentation, and admission process. Let us take you through the same below. 

Intakes in New Zealand

New Zealand’s education system comprises two intakes. 

  • January

  • July

A few universities also take students in:

  • September 

  • November

The universities have three deadlines, for a single intake, allowing ample time for students to enrol. 

Vocational courses are available for enrolment around March, April, May or July. If you require more assistance, then you must connect with a study abroad consultant. 

Eligibility Criteria - Admission to New Zealand Universities 

The admission requirements vary according to the level of study. Let us take a look underneath. 

Educational Level

Eligibility

UG Level 

  • Class XII scores

  • Score of SAT

  • MCAT is required for MBBS

  • Scores of IELTS /TOEFL/PTE 

PG Level 

  • Undergraduate degree scores

  • TOEFL / IELTS / PTE scores 

  • Test scores of GRE or GMAT

 

Documentation For Study In New Zealand Universities 

International applicants must have these documents ready to submit with the application form. 

  • Academic transcripts

  • Entrance examination scores

  • Language proficiency scores

  • Passport copy

  • SOPs

  • LORs

  • Updated Resume

Along with the above, you must pay an application fee. 

Admission Process For International Students 

  • You must choose a course that aligns with your interests. Therefore, choosing a university is easy. 

  • Check the entry requirements. 

  • Submit all the documents, the completed application form, and the fees online. 

  • Wait for the approval email from the university. 

  • After you receive the same, apply for a visa and scholarships.

At any point during this process, should you feel the need for guidance, get in touch with Admissify. 

New Zealand offers a wide range of scholarships for meritorious students. These scholarships cover the tuition fees, accommodation costs, and airfare as well. Some of the scholarships are:

  • New Zealand Excellence Awards – For undergraduate and postgraduate students

  • SEG Scholarship – For geophysics and related geosciences for
    undergraduates

  • Palmerston North City Mayor's Goodwill Ambassador Scholarship – For career-based/vocational, undergraduate, and postgraduate courses.

  • Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships – For graduate and postgraduate studies. 

You may also be able to apply for educational loans to study in New Zealand. These usually cover the tuition fees, living expenses, travel, and health insurance. 

Cost of Studying In New Zealand

The cost of studying in New Zealand is based on the level of study. The following is a level-wise depiction of the same. 

Level of Study

Average Annual Cost

Undergraduate 

20,000 to 40,000 NZD

Postgraduate 

20,000 to 45,000 NZD

Doctoral 

6,500 to 7,500 NZD

Cost of Living in New Zealand

The cost of living in New Zealand for international students depends on the city where you are residing. However, your lifestyle will ultimately decide what you are spending. 

Cost Head

Cost Per Month

Accommodation 

800-950 NZD

Food and Groceries

450-600 NZD

Transport

600-700 NZD

Utilities 

800 NZD

Telecom

19 NZD

For real-time information on living costs in the city, you can join a student community. 

There are several types of accommodation in New Zealand for students. Choose one according to your budget. 

Accommodation Cost

Weekly Costing

On-Campus Accommodation

250-480 NZD

Off-Campus Accommodation

120-300 NZD

Private Rentals/Flats Accommodation

300- 600 NZD

Homestays

250-400 NZD

 

New Zealand provides flexible student visa options and excellent post-study work opportunities. After graduation, international students can stay and work to gain global career experience.

  • There are several different student visas in New Zealand. Fee Paying Student Visa is for full-time studies, and has a tenure of 4 years. 

  • During the term, international students studying in New Zealand can work for 20 hours per week, and 40 hours during vacation. 

  • For postgraduate students, a spouse can work full-time.

  • New Zealand offers permanent residency to skilled migrants in 220 in-demand sectors. 

  • The post-study work visa in New Zealand allows graduates to work for 1-3 years according to level, after completion of a study program, like Level 7. 

  • You ought to apply within 3 months of the expiry of the student visa

Still have questions?

Our counselors are here to help

Top Universities

Explore world-class institutions

University of Auckland

University of Auckland

Auckland, New Zealand

Ranking
125
Type
Public
Courses
188
Scholarships
24
Know More
University of Otago

University of Otago

Dunedin, New Zealand

Ranking
300
Type
Public
Courses
244
Scholarships
33
Know More
Victoria University of Wellington

Victoria University of Wellington

Wellington, New Zealand

Ranking
329
Type
Public
Courses
657
Scholarships
25
Know More
University of Canterbury

University of Canterbury

Christchurch, New Zealand

Ranking
370
Type
Public
Courses
87
Scholarships
33
Know More
University of Waikato

University of Waikato

Hamilton, New Zealand

Ranking
443
Type
Public
Courses
143
Scholarships
56
Know More
Massey University

Massey University

Palmerston North, New Zealand

Ranking
474
Type
Public
Courses
137
Scholarships
223
Know More

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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about studying in NEW ZEALAND