Cost of Studying in New Zealand for International Students 2026
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Cost of Studying in New Zealand for International Students 2026

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Raj Vimal
Assistant Manager Editorial
Updated on Jan 9, 2026 18:34 IST
New Zealand is another major attraction for Indian students to pursue higher education. The cost of studying in New Zealand for Indian students depends on two major factors that are university type and course selection. This cost includes all expenses related to your academics such as tuition fees and more.

Indian students who want to study in New Zealand need to consider these two major factors: university type and course selection. This cost includes all expenses related to your academics such as tuition fees, hostel fees, etc. 

cost of studying in New Zealand

Is New Zealand expensive? The answer depends entirely on which country you are comparing it with today. It is affordable. While the cost of studying in New Zealand is higher than in India, it is much lower than in the USA, UK, or Canada. This balance makes it a top choice.

Let’s look at the fees. According to the New Zealand government, undergraduate courses cost between NZD 35,000 and NZD 55,000 per year. Postgraduate options are often cheaper. These programs usually range from NZD 20,000 to NZD 45,000, depending on your specific course. This pricing offers great value.

India is a top source of students. Every year, thousands of students get admission in public universities in New Zealand. However, tuition is only one part of your financial plan. You must also budget for rent, food, and transport. Knowing the total cost of studying in New Zealand helps you prepare for these expenses early. Proper planning ensures your study abroad journey is smooth and stress free.

Table of contents
  • Cost of Studying in New Zealand for Indian students
  • Cost of Pursuing Courses in New Zealand
  • How to Cover Cost of Living in NZ?
  • FAQs About Cost of Studying in New Zealand

Cost of Studying in New Zealand for Indian students

The tuition fees that a student would be required to pay greatly depend on the type of qualification and the university they are looking at to pursue their education. While courses such as humanities, education, and arts are likely to cost less pursuing subjects such as medicine and engineering costs on the higher side.

The overall cost of studying can vary if you are opting for the most demanding courses in New Zealand. Here is tuition fee for different level of studies in New Zealand for international students:

Study Program Level Annual Costs in NZD Annual Costs in INR
Diploma or Certificate courses NZD 23,376 - NZD 47,752 12,10,000 - 24,75,000
English Language courses NZD 350 (Per week) 18,130 (per week)
Undergraduate degree NZD 35,000 - NZD 55,000 18,14,000 - 28,49,000
Master's degree NZD 20,000 - NZD 45,000 10,36,000 - 23,31,000
Doctoral Degree NZD 6,500 - NZD 7,500 3,37,000 - 3,88,000

Source: Studywithnewzealand.gov.nz

Cost of Pursuing Courses in New Zealand

Similarly, pursuing a post-graduate degree is higher, and the costs vary depending on the program, and MBA like in most universities abroad is among the most expensive programs. The table below shows the average tuition fee for every course for your reference. Some of these are best courses in NZ.

Programs Offered in New Zealand

Average 1st-year Cost

BHM

INR 8.99 Lakhs

BBA

INR 6.90 Lakhs

MASc

INR 11.36 Lakhs

MDes

INR 11.53 Lakhs

MFA

INR 19.10 Lakhs

BE/BTech

INR 8.86 Lakhs

BSc

INR 15.09 Lakhs

MArch

INR 17.93 Lakhs

MS

INR 23.38 Lakhs

MIM

INR 25.23 Lakhs

MEM

INR 25.47 Lakhs

MEng

INR 23.44 Lakhs

MBA

INR 16.92 Lakhs

Note: PGDM in New Zealand approximate fee varies between NZD 30,000 to NZD 40,000.

Candidates should note that tuition fee is a major part of the study abroad expense but not the only part. Study Abroad expenses are made up of a lot of factors, including tuition fees and living costs in New Zealand that include accommodation, food, health coverage, and travel expenses. While tuition fees are the lion’s share of the expenditure, others significantly add to your expenses. For more information, candidates can check the links mentioned below.

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How to Cover Cost of Living in NZ?

To cover the cost of living, you can apply for fully funded scholarships in NZ. It can help you to financially. You do not need to worry about financial issues. Else, you can apply for an education loan. The bank will grant your loan only if you are eligible. Check out, we have mentioned some tips that can help you save some money.

Category Money-Saving Strategy
Accommodation Share a flat instead of renting solo. It is far cheaper to rent a room in a shared house.
Food & Groceries Cook at home and buy fresh produce from local markets or budget supermarkets.
Transport Use Student Travel Cards (like AT HOP or Snapper) for bus and train discounts.
Income Work part-time (up to 20-25 hours/week) in retail or cafes to support your budget.
Utilities Save power by turning off lights and using energy-efficient appliances.

Feel free to mention any query in the comment section and we will be happy to answer your question.

FAQs About Cost of Studying in New Zealand

Q:   Does Lincoln University New Zealand require IELTS?
A:

International students seeking admission to Lincoln University New Zealand must show English language proficiency and they can do so by submitting IELTS score or by any other scores.

Particulars

Minimum Scores for Master’s Degrees  

Minimum Scores for Bachelor’s Degrees

IELTS

6.5 overall, with no individual component below 6.0

6.0 overall, with no individual component less than 5.5

TOEFL iBT

80 overall (with at least 21 in Writing and 18 in Speaking)

60 overall

PTE

58 overall, with no communicative skill less than 50

50 overall

Q:   What is Whitireia New Zealand famous for?
A:

Whitireia, New Zealand, is well-known for a number of things like it has a broad selection of programs in numerous fields like the arts, business, construction, engineering, health, hospitality, and information technology, providing an excellent postsecondary education experience. Parumoana Community College, being its native name the school has provided vocational education in New Zealand. Through their joint council and strategic partnership, Whitireia and the Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec) provide students with additional academic alternatives and possibilities.

Q:   Which course is better, Master in Management or Master in Project Management at the University of Auckland, New Zealand?
A:

The University of Auckland offers the best UG and PG programs for international students at an affordable tuition fees. Auckland Unversity Master in Project Management is slightly better than the Master in Management because of its tuition fees for first year. Mentioned below is the tuition fees for first-year for international students:

ProgramFirst Year Tuition Fees
Master in Project ManagementINR 25.11 L
Master in ManagementINR 26.11 L







About the Author
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Written by
Raj Vimal
Assistant Manager Editorial
Hi, I am Raj. I help Indian students figure out study abroad without the confusion. For 8+ years, mostly in Ed-Tech, I have written about the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. I cover what peo Read Full Bio
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Comments

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Shilpa Sharma

5 years ago

How much expense for PhD in Management from Abroad, Please Give me Feedback at my email id, shilpasharma2sfamily@gmail.com

Reply to Shilpa Sharma