Cost of Study in New Zealand for International Students: Tuition Fee & Living Costs
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In this article
- How Much Does Study in New Zealand Cost?
- Which are the Affordable Universities in New Zealand?
- What is the Cost of Living in New Zealand?
- How Much is the Health Insurance and Visa Charge in New Zealand?
- Scholarships for International Students in New Zealand
- How to Get Funds to Study in New Zealand?
- Frequently Asked Questions
New Zealand is a peaceful country for international students searching for an ideal destination. Rich in beaches, landscapes, lush forests, and Maori culture, you encounter a fresh experience there, transforming yourself to explore the world. Looking into the educational part, 8 top global universities are located in New Zealand.
How much does it cost to study in New Zealand? The answer includes your tuition fee, living costs, visa charges, health insurance, and more. Let’s uncover each of them in this blog.
How Much Does Study in New Zealand Cost?
Your educational costs in New Zealand depend on your course, university, city of living, and personal spending habits. New Zealand offers degree and diploma courses in STEM, business, hospitality, and many other subjects for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
| Category | Average Cost |
| Tuition fees | Undergraduate – 20,000 – 40,000 USD Postgraduate – 20,000 – 45,000 USD PhD – 6,500 – 7,500 USD |
| Living expenses | 20,000 – 25,000 NZD per year |
| Health insurance | 750 NZD |
| Student visa fees | 430 NZD |
Which are the Affordable Universities in New Zealand?
New Zealand is home to excellent universities globally, where your degree can be earned with attractive job offer potential. However, most of these top universities have higher tuition fees than others. The table below is the helpline for international students looking for a cheap university in New Zealand.
| University | Average Tuition Fees |
| Lincoln University | Undergraduate – 31,000 – 35,000 NZDGraduate certificates and Diplomas – 15,000 – 35,000 NZDPostgraduate certificates and Diplomas – 16,000 – 35,000 NZDResearch master’s – 31,000 – 36,000 NZDPhD (120 credits) – 8076 NZD |
| The University of Canterbury | Undergraduate – 31,000 – 48,000 NZDPostgraduate – 35,000 – 48,000 NZDPhD (120 credits) – 7,000 – 48,000 NZD |
| Massey University | Undergraduate – 30,000 – 100,000 NZDPostgraduate – 17,000 – 66,000 NZDPhD – 20,000 – 35,000 NZD |
| The University of Otago | Health Sciences courses – 37,000 – 70,000 NZDHumanities courses – 35,000 – 50,000 NZDScience subjects – 34,000 – 64,000 NZDBusiness subjects – 38,000 – 55,000 NZD |
| Auckland University of Technology (AUT) | Undergraduate – 33,000 – 47,000 NZDPostgraduate – 20,000 – 50,000 NZDPhD – 42,000 – 43,000 NZD |
What is the Cost of Living in New Zealand?
Living costs are rising globally, making it difficult for international students to survive with part-time jobs alone. In New Zealand, the average student’s cost of living is 20,000 – 25,000 NZD a year. A significant share goes to rental charges.
| Category | Average Cost (per week) |
| Rent | 200 – 350 NZD |
| Groceries | 100 – 150 NZD |
| Travel | 25 NZD |
| Entertainment | 50 NZD |
| Internet | 8 NZD |
| Electricity | 20 NZD |
| Gym | 250 NZD |
| Lunches/takeaways | 10 – 100 NZD |
If you choose a low-rent apartment or share your room with friends, you can save on your monthly expenses. Consider cooking at home to save the cost of having meals always from a hotel. Similarly, strategize your living expenses to follow your budget.
Additional Annual Expenses
When calculating your total education cost in New Zealand, remember to include the annual one-time expenses, such as accommodation bonds, books, clothing, and furniture.
| Category | Average Cost |
| Accommodation Bond (refundable minus damage or unpaid rent) | 720 NZD |
| Rent in Advance | 360 NZD |
| Medical and Travel Insurance | 750 NZD |
| Visa | 430 NZD |
| Books and Stationary | 750 NZD |
| Clothing | 750 NZD |
| Furnishing | 750 NZD |
Average Living Costs in Different Cities
Your city of living is a prominent element in determining the cost of your education in New Zealand. The price of everything slightly differs as you move from one city to another. Accordingly, unlike Dunedin, which is moderately expensive, Auckland is the most expensive city.
| City | Estimated Monthly Cost |
| Auckland | 1,810 NZD |
| Wellington | 1,857 NZD |
| Christchurch | 1,570 NZD |
| Hamilton | 1,610 NZD |
| Dunedin | 1,511 NZD |
How Much is the Health Insurance and Visa Charge in New Zealand?
The health insurance charge for international students in New Zealand is 750 NZD. The table below shows the student visa charges.
| New Zealand Study Visa | |
| Fees | 375 NZD (18, 765 INR) |
| Processing Time | 10 weeks |
| Validity | 4 years |
Scholarships for International Students in New Zealand
International students can apply for various merit-based and need-based scholarships in New Zealand that cover tuition fees and living expenses. Given below are some of the top scholarships in New Zealand:
- New Zealand Excellence Awards
- Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships
- New Zealand ASEAN Scholar Award
- University of Waikato International Excellence Scholarship
- Lincoln University International Scholarships
How to Get Funds to Study in New Zealand?
Studying in New Zealand is a hefty affair for many international students. Thanks to education loans, the financial challenge can be overcome. There are two primary ways of funding your education in New Zealand.
- Education Loans: With or without collateral, international students can search and apply for education loan options and get funding up to 100% (depending on the lender you choose) at affordable rates of interest.
- Self Funding: You can fund your education by using your parents’ savings and emergency funds. The amount can be deposited to your university account and student account in New Zealand.
We have seen the diverse areas of spending an international student has in New Zealand. From the burgers you eat to groceries and your room rent to university tuition fees, the total educational cost is significant, which can be 50,000 – 80,000 NZD annually. But don’t worry – part-time jobs (20 hours a week), scholarships, and educational loans are your silver lining to meet the cost of study.
Want to know more about studying in New Zealand? Why don’t you talk to an expert who will evaluate your profile and guide you for FREE? Explore your admission options, education loans, student visa support, SOP, and more with Nomad Credit. Connect with us today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it costly to study in New Zealand for MS?
The cost of studying for an MS in New Zealand is typically high. Depending on your university and course, it can vary from 20,000 – 35,000 NZD or more.
Is New Zealand cheap for Indian students?
Considering the difference between the Indian rupee and the New Zealand dollar, New Zealand is not cheap for Indian students. The average cost of tuition in New Zealand (20,000 – 45,000 NZD), when we convert to INR (9.6 – 21.7 Lakhs INR), is multiple-fold higher.
What is the part-time pay in New Zealand?
The average part-time wage for international students in New Zealand is 20 – 25 NZD. The amount depends on the type of work, hours dedicated, and your city of residence.
Can students get low-rent houses in New Zealand?
Yes, especially in the South Island compared to the North. Taking rented apartments with friends and sharing the monthly expenses is better. Sharing your monthly rent is a smart way to save money as an international student in New Zealand.
Is there a tuition fee waiver for international students in New Zealand?
Some of the top universities in New Zealand, such as Lincoln University, Massey University, and the University of Auckland, offer tuition fee waiver scholarships. However, competition for these scholarships is very high.
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