Country guideStudy in New Zealand
Student-friendly cities, practical programs, and strong lifestyle appeal.
New Zealand at a glance
500 programsat 35 universities
- 242 bachelor's
- 162 master's
- 61 postgraduate diploma
- 30 diploma
- 3 foundation
- 1 certificate
- 1 postgraduate certificate
- Typical tuition
- NZ$25,000–NZ$48,700 per year
- Living costs
- NZD 15,000-22,000 per year
- Common intakes
- February and July
Figures come from the programs listed on iAdmission and can change; confirm fees, intakes and visa rules with the university and official sources.
Keep reading
Universities in New Zealand
University of Auckland
Auckland, New Zealand
27 programs · from NZ$38,310/yr
University of Otago
Dunedin, New Zealand
18 programs · from NZ$39,955/yr
University of Waikato
Hamilton, New Zealand
23 programs · from NZ$35,228/yr
University of Canterbury
Christchurch, New Zealand
20 programs · from NZ$36,400/yr
Lincoln University
New Zealand
20 programs · from NZ$32,500/yr
Victoria University of Wellington
Wellington, New Zealand
25 programs · from NZ$33,400/yr
Auckland University of Technology
City (Auckland CBD), New Zealand
30 programs · from NZ$33,900/yr
Massey University
Palmerston North, Auckland, New Zealand
22 programs · from NZ$35,920/yr
Programs
Programs to consider in New Zealand
Bachelor in Information Technology (Level 7)
Southern Institute of Technology
Bachelor's3 yearsNZ$22,500
per year
Bachelor of Accounting
Ara Institute of Canterbury
Bachelor's3 yearsNZ$26,000
per year
Bachelor of Agricultural Science
Massey University
Bachelor's3 yearsNZ$39,900
per year
Bachelor of Animation
Yoobee College of Creative Innovation
Bachelor's3 yearsNZ$27,300
per year
Bachelor of Applied Science (Wellness & Sport) - Physical Health and Wellness
The Universal College of Learning (UCOL)
Bachelor's3 yearsNZ$26,614
per year
Bachelor of Applied Social Work
North Tec
Bachelor's4 yearsNZ$26,000
per year
Bachelor of Architectural Studies
University of Auckland
Bachelor's3 yearsNZ$49,666
per year
Bachelor of Counselling
Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT)
Bachelor's3 yearsNZ$22,592
per year
Studying in New Zealand: the essentials
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Why study in New Zealand?
- New Zealand offers international students a practical mix of academic options, student support, and career-focused pathways.
- Students can compare universities by tuition, intake, entry requirements, and scholarship availability.
- Many programs are available in English or with English-supported study routes.
- The destination can suit students looking for transparent costs and European or global mobility.
Tuition fees in New Zealand
NZ$25,000–NZ$48,700a year · 498 programs on iAdmission
- Average tuition: NZD 22,000-40,000 per year.
- Fees vary by university type, study level, subject area, and scholarship availability.
- Medical, clinical, laboratory, and specialist programs can cost more than general business or humanities programs.
Cost of living in New Zealand
- Average living cost: NZD 15,000-22,000 per year.
- Students should budget for accommodation, food, transport, insurance, residence or visa fees, and deposits.
- Large capital cities usually cost more than regional student cities.
Funding to ask about
- Merit-based awards
- Early application discounts
- University-specific scholarships
- Subject or faculty awards
Application documents
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- Valid passport
- Program-specific prerequisites
- Statement of purpose or motivation letter where required
- CV, portfolio, or references for selected programs
English requirements
- IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo, prior English-medium education, or internal English assessment may be accepted depending on the institution.
- Typical IELTS requirements range from 5.5 to 6.5 overall for many programs.
- Healthcare, education, and regulated programs may require higher scores.
Intakes and deadlines
- February and July are the common intake periods.
- Competitive programs should be started several months before the intake.
- Visa and residence processing time should be included in the application plan.
Student visa: the steps
- Receive an offer from a university or pathway provider
- Accept the offer and pay any required deposit
- Prepare financial proof and supporting documents
- Submit visa or residence application through the required process
- Track the decision and prepare travel, insurance, and arrival documents
Documents for the visa stage
- Passport
- Academic transcripts
- Diploma or degree certificate
- English language proof
- CV
- Statement of purpose
- Recommendation letters if required
- Financial documents for visa or residence process
Working while you study in New Zealand
- Part-time work for eligible students
- Internships or placements may be available depending on the program.
- Students should not rely on part-time income as the only way to fund tuition.
Student cities in New Zealand
Auckland
12 universities and campuses
Auckland City, Christchurch, Wellington
1 university or campus
Christchurch
2 universities and campuses
City (Auckland CBD)
1 university or campus
Dunedin
1 university or campus
Hamilton
2 universities and campuses
Hawke's Bay, Auckland
1 university or campus
Invercargill
1 university or campus
Nelson, Blenheim
1 university or campus
Questions about studying in New Zealand
Is New Zealand a good study destination?
New Zealand can be a strong option depending on your budget, academic profile, preferred program, intake, and long-term plans. iAdmission helps you compare whether it fits your profile.
How much does it cost to study in New Zealand?
Average tuition is usually NZD 22,000-40,000 per year, while average living costs are around NZD 15,000-22,000 per year. Exact costs depend on city, university, and lifestyle.