MBA in New Zealand: Top Universities, Eligibility, Fees
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Is it a good decision to pursue MBA in New Zealand? Well, high-quality education, affordable fees in USA and UK, and available job opportunities are the top reasons to choose New Zealand for higher studies. There are multiple universities and colleges in New Zealand where you can pursue MBA courses and get a dream future.
New Zealand is one of the ideal study destinations to pursue an MBA abroad. The typical duration of an MBA program in New Zealand is two years, but it may vary depending on the specific university or program. The University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology (AUT), University of Otago and Victoria University of Wellington are some popular universities in New Zealand for MBA studies.
The Otago Business School under University of Otago is the #1 MBA college in NZ (QS Global MBA Ranking 2025). The average cost of studying MBA in NZ is approximately INR 24 Lakhs, which does not include living expenses. Top-ranked universities, a strong job market, affordable cost of living and lower tuition fees than the USA, UK, & other study destinations are the major reasons to study MBA in New Zealand. If you are planning to pursue MBA abroad and considering New Zealand as an option then this article is for you.
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- All About MBA in New Zealand
- Why Study MBA in New Zealand?
- Top MBA Universities in New Zealand
- Types of MBA in New Zealand
- Eligibility for Pursuing MBA Abroad
- How to Apply for Studying MBA in NZ
- Cost of Studying MBA in New Zealand
- Scholarships and Financial Aids
All About MBA in New Zealand
The New Zealand education system is directly regulated by the government and has strong quality assurance systems. International students from around the globe can be certain of gaining a high-quality education that will improve their job prospects in the global marketplace. Considered to be one of the most recognized degree programs worldwide, the Masters of Business Administration (MBA) is a major favourite among the youth today.
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Visa applicationMBA programs in New Zealand focus on both theoretical and practical knowledge. Pursuing an MBA from New Zealand can enhance your value in the job market due to the well-recognised degree and increase your chances of securing a high-paying job. The average salary for an MBA graduate in New Zealand is NZD 83,000 per year.
Why Study MBA in New Zealand?
Apart from affordable education and a wide range of MBA programmes, what are the popular reasons to pursue MBA in New Zealand? Students can choose from hundreds of MBA courses, offered in the country by all kinds of institutions of higher education. Students who select New Zealand as their preferred destination for an MBA can either opt for the classic MBA Degree or specialised MBA Programmes. Here are some popular reasons to pursue MBA in New Zealand:
- Globally recognised education system which offers high academic standards.
- Affordable tuition fees compared to countries like the USA, UK, and Australia.
- Strong emphasis on practical learning and industry-oriented teaching.
- Opportunity to study in a culturally diverse and inclusive environment.
- Access to a robust economy with growth opportunities in various industries.
- World-class universities are ranked among the top globally.
- High return on investment (ROI) with good job placement rates.
- Opportunity to work part-time during studies and gain international work experience.
- Post-study work visa in NZ options leading to potential permanent residency.
Top MBA Universities in New Zealand
Given below is a list of the best MBA universities in New Zealand. Candidates can check out the eligibility criteria, courses offered, the fee structure, and the total duration of the entire course below. Candidates can also visit the university pages and learn more about the university in detail. The
| Top MBA Universities in New Zealand |
Course / Eligibility |
Fee Structure (INR) / Total Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Applied Management IELTS | TOEFL | PTE |
11.4 Lakhs for First Year 1.5 Years |
|
| MBA IELTS | TOEFL |
25.3 Lakhs 1 Year |
|
| Master of Business Administration (Executive) GMAT | IELTS | TOEFL | PTE |
21 Lakhs for First Year 18 Months |
|
| Master of Business Administration IELTS | TOEFL | PTE |
16.5 Lakhs for First Year 18 Months |
|
| Master of Applied Management IELTS |
18.9 Lakhs for First Year 1.5 Years |
|
| Master of Management IELTS |
16.4 Lakhs for First Year 18 Months |
|
| Master of International Business IELTS | TOEFL | PTE |
25.6 Lakhs for First Year 15 Months |
|
| Full-Time MBA GMAT | IELTS | TOEFL | PTE |
31.3 Lakhs for First Year 15-24 Months |
|
| Master of Business Administration IELTS | TOEFL | PTE |
26 Lakhs for First Year 16 Months |
|
| Master of Applied Business IELTS | TOEFL | PTE |
13 Lakhs for First Year 2 Years |
|
| MBA GMAT | IELTS | TOEFL | PTE |
28.2 Lakhs for First Year 1-1.5 Years |
Types of MBA in New Zealand
Apart from choosing additional subjects to study, New Zealand Universities also have options for modes of learning offered to individuals as per their preferences/ employment status. Basically, there are four types of teaching/ learning modules. Students can opt for the Regular Classroom Programme, which would be a full-time MBA course being pursued by the student.
The Distance Education Programme would allow candidates to pursue their MBA Programme along with pursuing a job. The other methods of pursuing an MBA in New Zealand include Fast-track Programmes and Online Learning Programmes.
Read More: Jobs in New Zealand
Eligibility for Pursuing MBA Abroad
The basic requirements for admission that are common to all New Zealand universities are:
- Candidates are required to hold three to four years of work experience in their respective field of study (may vary according to university).
- International students and non-native English speakers need to present their TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) scores.
- International students would also have to provide their GMAT or GRE scores, solely depending on the opted university and course.
- The total duration of the MBA Programme could vary entirely depending on the university and opted course.
Documents Required to Study MBA in New Zealand
During the time of admission, candidates would be required to provide documents for the admission process, and they include:
- A valid passport
- Complete the application form with passport-size photos.
- Original and authentic transcripts of schools and/or colleges.
- Letters of Recommendation and Resume
- Statement of Purpose/ Essays as directed by the university
- Education loan documents.
- Financial documents
- Scholarship Essay, if applicable
- Other supporting documents as requested by the university
How to Apply for Studying MBA in NZ
Below is the application process for candidates looking to pursue a Master's in Business Administration from New Zealand.
- Most New Zealand universities allow students to apply online through their dedicated official university websites. Students would be required to download the application form and submit the same along with a complete set of documents and follow the instructions provided.
- Once, the candidate has successfully submitted his application form along with the required documents; he would be required to pay an Application Fee for his registration.
- Depending upon the university, interviews would be conducted either on-call or through other electronic modes of communication.
- Students are advised to keep an eye on the university submission deadlines, as they should apply at the earliest and not wait until the last moment.
- International students travelling to New Zealand to study for more than three months are required to apply for a New Zealand Student Visa.
Cost of Studying MBA in New Zealand
The flexible education system followed in New Zealand has study options to suit every budget. The cost of living in New Zealand is moderate throughout the country and is teamed with an excellent work/life balance and a high quality of life.
Tuition fees for international students vary depending on the type of course, the university and the duration of the entire course. The tuition fee for most universities ranges from about $26,000 to $37,000, with higher fees for subjects such as medicine and veterinary science. International students who will be studying in New Zealand for more than one year are required to prove that they have at least $15,000 to support themselves for the first year.
International students studying for less than a year, are required to have at least $1,250 for each month of study to contribute to their living expenses. Living costs for international students would entirely depend on their lifestyle and which part of the country they live in.
Useful Reads:
- Best Time to Think about Finances to Study Abroad
- Student Loan Vs Self-Finance
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Scholarships and Financial Aids
According to the QS Global MBA Rankings 2025, Otago Business School at the University of Otago is recognised as the leading business school in New Zealand for MBA studies. Globally, it is ranked within the 151-200 bracket.
A candidate must have INR 34.39 Lacs to complete the MBA course from Otago Business School. It's just cost of studying.
New Zealand is home to some popular universities offering MBA courses. Of these, some universities are even ranked among top 250 universities under QS Global Ranking 2025. These include University of Otago and Massey University. Students here can study MBA for an average annual tuition fee of less than INR 25 lakh, which is affordable when compared with countries such as the UK and the USA.
MBA graduates from New Zealand can earn up to NZ$83k or over INR 41 LPA, which on par with that of UK MBA graduates (£34K per year or INR 41 LPA).
Some of the popular profiles that MBA graduates can get include General Manager, CEO, Project Manager, National Sales Manager, among others.
With a good educational system, excellent quality of life, and a number of research opportunities, New Zealand offers a lot to international students. Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand has a 39 percent population of overseas citizens, making it a culturally diverse city. Moreover, the post-study work visa in New Zealand can offer up to three years of stay back. As per Stats New Zealand, its unemployment rate is 3.4 percent. Students enrolled in a course of 12 months or more can also work part-time in New Zealand for up to 20 hours a week during the semester and holidays.
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.
Lincoln University New Zealand respeonses to the application as soon as their review all the documents and the conditions required for the admission in the chossen courses.
Students are required to fullfil all the requirements and the condition of the course. selected students will receive an offer letter via email and asked to meet the condition if available on the offer letter
After completing all the mandatory requirements, students are requird to accept their offer on MyLinc and they will receive the details to complete the enrollment at the university.
Students who are willing to enroll at Lincoln University New Zealand are required to meet the following conditions:
- Applicants are required to have a relevant degree with a minimum B average in the 300-level courses and final year (or full-time equivalent).
- International students applying at the university are required to provide proof of their English language test scores as part of a compulsory requirement.
- Documents such as a passport, CV, resume and others are necessary for admission at the university.
The Lincoln Univesity New zealand offers agriculture and related courses at undergraduate and graduate level both. The Bachelor of Agriculture (B.Agri) course offered at the university is of 3 to 4 years depending on the degree type and the Master of Agriculture (M.Agri.) is a 12 months-2 years long course offering vaurious specialization. For both of the courses the first-year tuition fee at Lincoln University is INR 16 L - 17 L.
To make living even further affordable, international students will also have the opportunity to work part-time to ease their living expenses. International students are eligible to work 20 hours per week and full time during scheduled holidays. This part-time work facility will not only help them ease their living expenses but also allow them to gain relevant work experience in their field of interest.
As with most universities, international students can also benefit from the various scholarship programmes listed on the official website of the university. Students going to New Zealand to take up further studies are eligible for a wide range of scholarships through the New Zealand government, educational institutions, foreign governments, and private funding sources. These scholarship programmes aim to share and reveal New Zealand's excellent education system with the rest of the world.
Top Scholarships to Look Out for in New Zealand
Check out the popular scholarship to study MBA in New Zealand for Indian students:
- Jane M Klausman Women in Business Scholarship: Awarded by the Zonta International Foundation, this particular scholarship was established in 1998 from a generous bequest by Jane M. Klausman, a member of the Zonta Club of Syracuse, New York, USA, and the 1990-1995 Zonta International Parliamentarian. This scholarship is applicable for Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree Programmes in New Zealand. A total of 44 students are awarded this scholarship in a single academic year, and the total value of this scholarship stands at USD 7,000.
- Richard A. Freund International Scholarship (PG): Awarded by the American Society for Quality, this scholarship honours the memory of Richard A. Freund, a past president of ASQ. The scholarship is awarded for graduate study of the theory and application of quality control, quality assurance, quality improvement, and total quality management. This scholarship applies to Master’s Degree Programmes for all universities in New Zealand. This scholarship is awarded to one individual for an entire academic year and the total value of the scholarship stands at USD 5,000.
- The VueVille Future Technology Scholarship: Awarded by The VueVille Future Technology, this scholarship is awarded to support college seniors, undergraduate and postgraduate students in their educational aspirations. Applicable to all students studying in any stream in New Zealand, this scholarship is awarded to one student in a single academic year and is for a total value of USD 1,000.
- QS Scholarship For Academic Excellence: Awarded by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) this particular scholarship is exclusive to attendees of the QS World Grad School Tour. The QS Scholarship For Academic Excellence scholarship has been designed to identify applicants who possess exceptionally strong levels of academic excellence. Applicable to students pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration in New Zealand, the scholarship is awarded to one student every year and carries a total value of USD 10,000.
For any queries, write to us in the comments section below. For admission-related queries, sign up for Shiksha Counselling. Candidates can check out our frequently asked questions revolving around studying Master's in Business from New Zealand, below.
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Yes, it is! reputed universities, a strong economy, and ample job opportunities are the top reasons to choose NZ as study destination. However, the job market of NZ is smaller than compared to larger economies. Also, it will be hard for you to get a job if you are not studying well and not developing required skills.