Thousands of international students are applying to study abroad in New Zealand. The country doesn’t just offer some of the best study programs but also post-study work rights of up to three years. As several students worldwide are travelling to New Zealand for further studies, you can benefit from this as well.
At Expert Education, we offer expert advice on the courses and student visas most suited to you. Depending on your country of origin, our education and migration counsellors can guide you through the entire process. Studying in New Zealand is now not a faraway dream.
Universities and Courses in New Zealand
New Zealand provides a wide range of higher education options with professors and tutors in main centres and satellite campus areas. The tertiary education sector provides a vast number of Private Training Establishments (PTE), Wananga, universities, Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITP), and workplace training.
Wanangas are educational institutes for those interested to learn about the Maori cultures of New Zealand. ITPs offer foundational, undergraduate and postgraduate courses at institutes of technology and polyclinics.
As an international student, you can expect a low class strength as the Government of New Zealand follows a ‘code of practice’. It establishes that each student deserves quality attention from education providers, which is why a class with few students allows the professor to give each student the attention they need.
There is also a range of educational options that offer distance education. All qualifications from these institutions are recognised by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).
Some of the best courses international students can pursue to study abroad in New Zealand:
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Science and IT
- Electrical Engineering
- Finance
- Hospitality and Tourism Management
- Marketing
- Media Studies
- Nursing
- Construction Project Management
- Environmental Engineering
Opportunities await you with more than 400 universities spread over undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels. Explore some of the most popular universities that international students prefer for studying and building their academic qualifications.
- Auckland University of Technology
- Eastern Institute of Technology
- Massey University
- Lincoln University
- University of Auckland
- University of Canterbury
- University of Otago
- University of Waikato
- Victoria University of Wellington
- Wellington Institute of Technology
Fee, Scholarship and Cost of Living
Cost of tuition
The cost of studying in New Zealand might be affordable depending on the study program you select and the university you choose to study. However, there are both private and public educational institutions for which tuition fees can vary. Medicine and Veterinary Science are expensive, whereas other course fees are different. The average cost of tuition fees can go up to NZ $20,000.
| Education Levels | Tuition Fees (NZ $) |
| Bachelors | About $20,000 to $40,000 |
| Masters | About $20,000 to $45,000 |
| PhD | About $6,500 to $7,500 per year for most subjects. |
Levels of education in New Zealand:
- ECE or Early Childhood Education
- Primary and Secondary Education
- Further Education
New Zealand has two intake months, which are January and July. A few universities offer intakes also in September and November. It would be wise to start your admission process six months before your application deadline. Most universities have three deadlines during one intake for which an international student can decide which deadline is more suited for them. While applying for admissions, you must take your language and aptitude tests three months before the deadline and get a good score. You can spend the last three months filling out the application form accurately. Our education counsellors at Expert Education can guide you in this process and make sure you fill out your admission form properly.
Remember that you must complete the application process while appearing for interviews. Simultaneously, cover your visa application process and complete it by October or November for the February intake.
If you are seeking admission for vocational courses, some courses may have admissions open in March, April, May or July.
- Bachelor’s Program: The bachelor’s admission process is simple in New Zealand. It does not demand a high academic record in your plus two. However, you will need to provide an English Proficiency Test score. We offer training in preparing for PTE or IELTS tests.
- Master’s Program: For gaining admission to universities, you will need at least 50-60% in your Bachelor’s. Submit your portfolio and other certificates to prove your merit related to your study program. Also, you must submit your GMAT, IELTS, TOEFL, or GRE scores.
- Doctoral Programs: You must have a good grade in your Master’s degree, and may have to provide an experience certificate of 1-2 years. If your stream is Business or Management Studies, take GRE or GMAT tests and submit the score as well. Additionally, IELTS or TOEFL scores are also required.
The admission process at an education institute in New Zealand:
- Decide on the University to you wish to apply
- Prepare to apply by researching multiple universities
- Prepare and apply for an English language test
- Apply for a student visa after getting your letter of acceptance
- Check to see if you qualify for an education scholarship
- Apply online or on paper for admission
Common admission application and document requirements:
- Motivation Letter
- Certified copy of high school diploma or a previously Completed Degree
- Translation of the course modules and grades (if not in English)
- Proof of language proficiency
- Passport copy and Passport photo
- Proof of payment of the application fee
- Resume, if asked by the university based on your credentials
- Sample of previous academic work
Once you’ve submitted all necessary documents and the admission form, keep checking the university website for an update on your admission status. Alternatively, you will receive an email as to whether or not you’ve secured a seat in that university or college.
Scholarships in New Zealand
Several scholarships are available in New Zealand that you can choose to suit your eligibility and qualifications.
- Government Scholarships
- Scholarships for Women
- Scholarships for Minorities
- Sports Scholarships
- Merit-Based Scholarships
Popular scholarships that you can apply for as an international student
There is a wide range of scholarships available for international students to cover their tuition fees at a university in New Zealand.
- Government Scholarships
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- New Zealand Pacific Scholarship
- Short Term Training Scholarship
- New Zealand ASEAN Scholar Awards
- New Zealand Development Scholarship
- New Zealand Regional Development Scholarship
- Commonwealth Scholarship
- Undergraduate Scholarships
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- Tongarewa Scholarship
- International Student Excellence Scholarship
- International Excellence Scholarship
- AUT International Excellence Scholarships
- UC International First-Year Undergraduate Scholarship
- New Zealand International Scholarships
- Dr Russell Smith Memorial Scholarship
- Eamon Molloy Memorial Scholarship
- Charles and Austin Henry Alabaster Scholarship
- Beca Engineering in Society Scholarships
- University Scholarships
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- University of Waikato
- Lincoln University
- University of Canterbury
- Victoria University of Wellington
- Auckland University of Technology
- University of Otago
- University of Auckland
- University of Canterbury
Cost of living in New Zealand as an international student
The cost of living in New Zealand is NZ$ 20,000 per year. Consider the breakup of the approximate costs below which are likely to fluctuate over the years.
| Expenses | Amount (NZ $) |
| Accommodation | 800 – 1000 |
| Phone | 50 |
| Food | 200 |
| Health Expenses | 40 – 100 |
| Transportation | 100 – 120 |
| Daily average requirements | 40 – 50 |
| Other | 100 |
Visa Application Process in New Zealand
Your visa application process will depend on the course you take up and other factors too. If your study program is more than three months, you’ll have to apply for a student visa. You can apply online, and the processing usually takes 63 days by the New Zealand High Commission. Therefore, make sure you apply three months in advance before leaving your country to travel to New Zealand.
Documents to submit for the visa application process include:
- A valid passport
- Academic skills and qualifications
- Health insurance
- Medical records
- Financial records
- Letter of Acceptance from a recognised university
- English Language Test Score
- Character and identity certificate
You can explore your visa options for New Zealand or reach out to our Expert immigration counsellors to guide you in the process.
Health cover for international students in New Zealand
As an international student in New Zealand, you must apply for a health and travel insurance cover. This cover should meet government standards and the policy should comply with the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students. It should be accepted by your educational provider as well as ensure that it extends for the length of your student visa and any time you travel to and from New Zealand.
Types of Health CoversPublic Health Care System
New Zealand’s public healthcare system caters to high-quality care and provides access to a wide range of medical services for international students.
Private Health Care System
Unlike the Public Health Care System, the private health insurance caters much faster to treat patients and avoid unending waiting lists.
According to premiums covered in the year 2022, charges per person included:
| 1 Academic Year | NZ$697.00 |
| 1 Semester | NZ$348.50 |
| One-month courses or shorted | Minimum NZ$ 116.17 |
Living in New Zealand as an International Student
New Zealand offers you a great experience while living and studying there as an international student. You can explore beautiful landscapes and visit adventurous places from the Southern Lights to whale watching, Nevis Swing, go bungee jumping, and so much more.
New Zealand is a safe place to travel, known as one of the most peaceful countries in the world. It has low crime rates and offers you multiple reasons to explore the country. You get to experience the culture and meet new people with a diverse population influenced by East Asian, Maori, and European traditions.
FAQs
Our team of education consultants have more than 50 years of experience and can guide you through the visa application process. You will get authentic and transparent advice on the visa type you can apply to, including the documents required for submission.
If you plan your budget well and apply for a scholarship, you should get a breather in terms of expenses for tuition fees. That said, there are affordable accommodation and living options in New Zealand.
You must have qualifications equivalent to NCEA Level 3 or New Zealand year 13. These are deemed the minimum academic requirement for most undergraduate courses in New Zealand. You can score at least a 5.5 IELTS band score when applying for undergraduate studies. If you are applying for an MBA in New Zealand, you may be asked to give GRE or GMAT results.
The admission process is simple in New Zealand with not much emphasis laid on academic records.
New Zealand offers plenty of opportunities to study and receive a globally accepted quality education. Students also get to experience a positive culture of acceptance and diversity.
Yes, international students are permitted to work while studying and are even given a post-study work permit for up to three years.
The number of international students studying in Thailand grows each year. The country is culturally diverse, has affordable living standards, and is a very exciting place to be. It is known for high-quality education in Science and Technology.