New Zealand Master Degree Requirements
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New Zealand Master Degree Requirements

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Raj Vimal
Assistant Manager Editorial
Updated on Dec 3, 2024 13:35 IST

New Zealand is the new attraction for international students to pursue a higher education degree program. MS in New Zealand is a popular course of choice because of its high-added value and good job opportunities in New Zealand itself through the Green Occupations List. Apart from this, there are various opportunities for MS in research students in New Zealand for international students. 

New Zealand Master Degree Requirements

New Zealand is becoming a popular study destination for Indian students. A reputed education system, top-ranking universities in NZ, and a variety of programs are the main reasons to attract international students here. To pursue a Master's degree in New Zealand, you typically need a relevant Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification with a strong academic record. Additionally, you need to demonstrate English language proficiency.

Additionally, for some programs like Management, you may need work experience and a good score on exams like the GRE or GMAT. Furthermore, research-based Master's programs often involve a substantial thesis or research project. It is crucial to check the specific requirements of your chosen university and program as they can vary. Let us discuss in the article in detail about MS in New Zealand colleges, admission requirements, application process, popular courses and job prospects.  

Table of content
  • Masters in New Zealand Highlights
  • Why Study MS in New Zealand?
  • Best Master's in New Zealand Universities
  • Top MS Courses in New Zealand
  • How to Study Masters in New Zealand?
  • MS in New Zealand Eligibility
  • Masters in New Zealand Requirements
  • How to Apply for a Masters in New Zealand?
  • Popular Jobs after MS in New Zealand
View More

Masters in New Zealand Highlights 

Here we have mentioned a quick look at the MS course in New Zealand. This will give an idea to international students who are planning to study here:

Type of Master’s in New Zealand 

Postgraduate Taught & Research 

Duration  

1 - 2 years 

Popular MS Specializations 

Computer Science, Business Analytics, Data Science, STEM courses, etc. 

Average Tuition Costs 

NZD 30,500 - NZD 55,000 

Admission Requirements 

Bachelor’s + ELP scores + GRE/GMAT 

Average Hourly Pay 

NZD 39.60 

Post-Study Work Duration 

3 years 

Why Study MS in New Zealand? 

There are various reasons to pursue an MS in New Zealand as an international student, one reason being that there are various course options, secondly, there are good job opportunities and others are as follows: 

  • All New Zealand universities rank in the top 3% of the universities globally and are recognized for their reputation in academics, graduate employability rate and research.  
  • MS in New Zealand can open various doors for students afterwards, there can be opportunities for research, jobs and even exchange programs. 
  • Most New Zealand universities offer their master’s students scholarships that are merit-based usually, which is an added advantage. 
  • Since there are Postgraduate Research and Taught, applicants can choose the type of MS they wish to pursue in New Zealand and plan their future in accordance. 
  • There are assistantships available in New Zealand for MS students enrolled across various universities, this can in turn help students gain hands-on experience in internships. 

Thus, there are many advantages of pursuing a master’s from a New Zealand university as an international student, especially for those who would be eligible to take up jobs listed in the Green Occupations List.

Best Master's in New Zealand Universities 

Following is a list of New Zealand universities known for offering their master's courses to international students  

Top Universities in New Zealand 

QS Ranking 2025 

University of Auckland 

#65 

University of Otago 

#214

University of Waikato 

#235 

Massey University 

#239 

Victoria University of Wellington 

#244 

University of Canterbury 

#261 

Lincoln University 

#371 

Auckland University of Technology 

#412 

There are eight universities in New Zealand and all eight of these universities offer a master’s course in various popular course options.  

Top MS Courses in New Zealand 

Some of the popularly opted master's courses in New Zealand as international students are as follows: 

  • MS in Business Analytics 
  • MS in Environmental Science 
  • Masters in Information Technology 
  • Masters in Management 
  • MS in Computer Science 
  • Masters in Data Science 
  • Masters in International Trade 

These courses are available at selected New Zealand universities and applicants must check for all details before proceeding with a particular course of choice.  

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How to Study Masters in New Zealand? 

In order to study a master’s course in New Zealand applicants will first and foremost have to select the course and the university. In case the course chosen matches the university the applicant wishes to apply to in New Zealand, he/she can go ahead with the admission process.  

Before going ahead with the admission process applicants must check if they are eligible, secondly check for admission requirements of the master’s course applying for at the chosen New Zealand university as an international student.  







Once the applicant gets admission to the designated master’s course in a New Zealand university, he or she can apply for a New Zealand student visa and once they get accepted, they can study a master’s course in New Zealand as an international student. 

MS in New Zealand Eligibility 

To be eligible for a master’s degree in New Zealand, an international applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study or where the bachelor’s degree corresponds to the master’s degree applied for.  

Apart from this, each university will have a specific set of subject requirements that the applicant should have studied at the bachelor’s level.  

There may be requirements at New Zealand universities to pursue a master’s course only if the applicant has some practical or work experience as well. Thus, it will vary with each New Zealand university and the master’s course opted for by the applicant. 

Masters in New Zealand Requirements 

There are a few specific admission requirements for MS admissions in New Zealand and they are as follows, specifically for international students: 

  • Transcripts, translated and credentials evaluated if not in the English language.  
  • GPA of 3.0 and above on a 4.0-point scale. 
  • Work experience (if required) 
  • Statement of purpose commonly referred to as a letter of motivation in New Zealand 
  • Two or three letters of recommendation (LORs) 
  • Resume if work experience proof is required 
  • Standardized test scores of either GRE or GMAT or MCAT  
  • English language proficiency scores of IELTS / TOEFL / PTE / Duolingo 

Check: IELTS Scores for New Zealand Universities & Student Visa

There may be additional admission requirements for those pursuing a master’s course in New Zealand universities as international students. Thus, applicants must check for all details before applying for MS in New Zealand. 

How to Apply for a Masters in New Zealand? 

The application process for MS in New Zealand varies per the New Zealand university, to which the applicant is applying to. Some common steps that always need to be followed are as follows: 

  • Log on to the concerned New Zealand university website go to the course page and check for the application process. 
  • Check for the eligibility of the course and apply through the dedicated gateway. 
  • Upload all necessary documents and submit all details. 
  • Pay the application fee and take a printout of the receipt. 

Finally, wait for the offer letter from the university and apply for a student visa once the application is accepted.  

Popular Jobs after MS in New Zealand 

After MS in New Zealand, applicants can take up the following jobs in New Zealand: 

MS Job Roles in New Zealand 

Annual Average Salaries  

Engineering Manager 

NZD 1,30,000 

Project Manager 

NZD 1,20,000 

Data Scientist  

NZD 94,000 

Financial Analyst 

NZD 85,300 

Statistician  

NZD 71,400 

Computer Systems Analyst 

NZD 71,000 

Applicants applying for a master’s in New Zealand can take the help of Shiksha Counsellors by signing up here - https://www.shiksha.com/studyabroad/apply to better their chances of acceptance. Or comment to us in the section below.

Q:   Is New Zealand good for Indian students?
A:

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.

Q:   What is the acceptance rate for Lincoln University New Zealand?
A:

According to various unofficial sources, Lincoln University New Zealand acceptance rate is around 60%. The acceptance rate indicated that the university is moderately selective at the time of admission. So, to get into the university, make sure to have a good academic record and meet the entry requirements such as having 12 years of schooling and minimum percentage for admission to bachelor’s courses. For admission to postgraduate courses, a relevant degree is required with the minimum grade.

Q:   What is the acceptance rate for Lincoln University New Zealand?
A:

The Lincoln University New Zealand acceptance rate is around 60% as per the unofficial source, which shows that the university is moderately selective and only 60 students out of 100 applicants got selected at the university

Students with good academic performance, exam scores and can easily secure their place at the university and it is recommended to the students to gain higher scores and have all the supporting documents during the time of application to be considered for the admission process.

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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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Anuradha
All courses in ANZ
Armed with B.Com from Delhi University, Anuradha Sharma has accumulated rich experience as an education counsellor. She is especially adept at handling Australia and NZ admission procedure. Before becoming a GTE Exp Read Full Bio
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