Study in New Zealand

Are you considering studying in one of New Zealand’s prestigious universities? We have outlined what life studying in New Zealand might be like as well as the top universities in the country, costs, visa requirements and more. 

Universities in New Zealand

There are eight top universities in New Zealand in this year’s World University Rankings, all of which rank within the top 500 with one in the top 100 globally. The education system in New Zealand is varied and gives students the opportunity to specialise in a range of different subjects.  

The University of Auckland 

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s top-ranking institution. It is also New Zealand’s largest university with 40,000 students and 10,000 graduates every year. The university was founded in 1883 and has five full campuses, a marine laboratory and a wine science centre.  

University of Otago 

A research-led educational facility where experts in a variety of fields come together to discuss different topics and events. The University of Otago offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and has five campuses all over New Zealand including the main Dunedin campus. Other campuses can be found in Auckland, Christchurch, Invercargill and Wellington. 

University of Waikato 

University of Waikato is based on two New Zealand campuses and partially based in China, offering qualifications at Hangzhou City University since 2017. Its community centre: The Pā offers facilities such as cafeterias, social hubs, conference rooms and a theatre to bring together staff, students, alumni and local residents. 

Massey University 

Massey University ranks fourth in the country and is made up of five main colleges on three campuses. There are plenty of facilities on each of the campuses including libraries, computer laboratories, cafes and restaurants, sports centres, a student veterinary clinic, an equestrian centre, student lounges, art and design studios and health centres. 

Victoria University of Wellington 

Found in the second largest city in New Zealand, Victoria University of Wellington ranks fifth in the country. Founded in 1897, there are three main campuses as well as research centres, institutes, and international partnerships. 

University of Canterbury 

Found in the heart of Christchurch, University of Canterbury ranks sixth in the country. They aim to create a learning environment that is rooted in New Zealand’s Māori history and culture. 

Lincoln University 

Lincoln University is a specialist education facility focusing on land-based sectors such as agriculture, business, environmental studies, food, wine and beer, landscape architecture, property, and tourism. It has one main campus found on New Zealand’s southernmost island. 

Auckland University of Technology 

A contemporary institution founded in 2000, Auckland University of Technology has over 26,000 studying across three campuses in Auckland. They have plenty of facilities for students to enjoy on campus including a sports centre and a centre for refugee education. 

Life in New Zealand

New Zealand lifestyle 

Life in New Zealand advocates for a healthy work life balance, encouraging students to pursue hobbies and a social life alongside their studies. The abundance of nature means that outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, horse riding and kayaking are popular. Some prefer to try more extreme activities such as zip lining and bungee jumping, which are also popular. New Zealand is also famous for its distilleries and wine vineyards, making wine tasting another popular social activity. 

Major cities in New Zealand

Alongside the natural landscape, New Zealand has plenty of vibrant cities such as Auckland, Hamilton, Christchurch and Wellington, the country’s capital. Each city provides students with plenty of opportunities to enjoy shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. Read more about New Zealand cities on our website. 

Cost of living 

It is important that students understand the New Zealand cost of living so that they are able to live comfortably during their studies. The website Study In New Zealand suggests that the cost of living varies in the north and south of the country. The north, they claim, is more expensive with a recommended budget of $18,000 NZD to $25,000 NZD per academic year. The south is slightly more affordable with a suggested annual budget of $15,000 NZD to $20,000 NZD. 

Accommodation 

Students studying in New Zealand will have several accommodation options to choose from. The first and arguably most popular accommodation, particularly for first year undergraduate students, is student halls. These cost anything from $100 NZD to $700 NZD per week, according to Study In New Zealand, with the exact price depending on the university. They are popular as they allow students to live on campus and be a part of the university community. 

Students may also choose to rent their own house or apartment during their studies from an independent landlord. The price of a private rental will vary greatly depending on the area and the size of the property but Study In New Zealand claims that, on average, rent in New Zealand ranges from $200 NZD to $600 NZD per week. It is important to note that Auckland is the most expensive city to rent in with the average private rent falling between $565 NZD and $640 NZD per week. 

Finally, a more affordable option for those who wish to live off campus are homestays. Many local families offer bedrooms and provide meals to international students who wish to live with them for an average price of $100 NZD to $370 NZD per week. This is a popular option as living with locals allows international students to fully embrace the culture and learn more about the country from natives. 

Applying to universities in New Zealand 

Student visas for New Zealand

International students who wish to apply to a university in New Zealand must apply for a Fee Paying Student Visa. This allows them to study full-time in New Zealand for up to four years depending on the length of their programme and costs from $750 NZD. Students need to apply through the Government of New Zealand Immigration webpage and will need to provide: 

• Proof of identity (such as a copy of your passport) 

• A chest x-ray and full medical checkup to prove good health 

• Police certificates as proof of good character 

• Documents which confirm intent (your university application to prove that you are a genuine student) 

• An offer letter from a New Zealand university 

• Bank statements or evidence of scholarship to ensure that you can pay tuition fees 

• Bank statements to ensure that you can financially support yourself while studying 

• Full medical and travel insurance 

Students should submit their application and wait for it to be approved before arriving in New Zealand. Applicants can expect to wait up to 4 weeks with an average wait time of 2 weeks until their application is processed and approved. 

Fees and funding 

Tuition fees will vary depending on the university, the type of programme and whether the student is domestic or international. 

For domestic students of undergraduate programmes, prices are between $7,000 NZD and $10,000 NZD. 

For domestic students of postgraduate programmes, prices are between $9,000 NZD and $32,000 NZD. 

For international students of undergraduate programmes, prices are generally between $25,000 NZD and $45,000 NZD with medicine and veterinary science programmes costing up to $85,000 NZD. 

For international students of postgraduate programmes, prices are generally between $40,000 NZD to $87,000 NZD. 

To find out more about the exact amount, visit the website of your chosen university and the webpage of your chosen programme. 

Many students choose to apply for scholarships to fund their studies in New Zealand. Many universities will offer scholarship opportunities to international students, as will the New Zealand government. Students can find out more about government scholarships on the Think New Study In New Zealand website produced by the New Zealand department of education. Finally, QS also offers scholarships to a range of students hoping to study abroad. Find out more about our ImpACT scholarships on the website.