Universities and Colleges in New Zealand: Top Universities, Cost & Fees
Top Universities and Colleges in New Zealand - Courses, Fees, Scholarships, Admission Requirements & Grades
Home to around 22,000 Indian students, New Zealand is starting to emerge as a very viable alternative to the more competitive & expensive countries like the US, Canada & the UK. Per a recent media report, the number of Indian students in New Zealand are projected to grow by almost 94% in the next five years, which suggests the future of studies in New Zealand is beginning to look brighter.
New Zealand offers a world-class education, globally recognized qualifications, and skills that will last a lifetime. As per the Qucaquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2026, around 8 Kiwi universities feature in & around the top 400 universities in the world including: The University of Auckland, University of Otago, Massey University, Victoria University of Wellington & University of Canterbury among others.
New Zealand has three types of institutes for higher educ
Home to around 22,000 Indian students, New Zealand is starting to emerge as a very viable alternative to the more competitive & expensive countries like the US, Canada & the UK. Per a recent media report, the number of Indian students in New Zealand are projected to grow by almost 94% in the next five years, which suggests the future of studies in New Zealand is beginning to look brighter.
New Zealand offers a world-class education, globally recognized qualifications, and skills that will last a lifetime. As per the Qucaquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2026, around 8 Kiwi universities feature in & around the top 400 universities in the world including: The University of Auckland, University of Otago, Massey University, Victoria University of Wellington & University of Canterbury among others.
New Zealand has three types of institutes for higher education: Universities, Te Pukenga, and PTEs. In total, there are 8 public universities in New Zealand. Te Pukenga is the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology offering applied learning that gives you real-world experience. PTEs are private training establishments providing specialist programs focused on a career in your chosen industry.
More than 20 talented Indian students have been granted the highly esteemed New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA) scholarships. The NZEA scholarship is crafted through a collaborative effort between Education New Zealand and all eight top-ranking universities in New Zealand. Also, these scholarships allow Indian students the opportunity to study in institutions that rank in the top 3 per cent globally according to the 2026 QS World University Rankings.
- Universities in New Zealand: Highlights
- Why Study in New Zealand
- 2.1 Post-Study Work Permits
- 2.2 Part-time Work Options
- 2.3 Student Visa Fee in New Zealand: Visa Application Option and Cost
- Top Universities in New Zealand
- 3.1 Best Engineering Universities
- 3.2 Best Universities for Business & Management
- 3.3 Best Universities for Arts & Humanities
- Top Cities in New Zealand
- Top Courses in New Zealand
- Admission Requirements to Study in New Zealand
- 6.1 Entrance Exams Accepted by Universities in New Zealand
- Cost of studying in New Zealand
- 7.1 Cost of Living in New Zealand
- Top Scholarships in New Zealand
- Average Salary in New Zealand
- Best Paying Jobs in New Zealand 2025
Universities in New Zealand: Highlights
According to the Economist Intelligence Unit among English-speaking countries, New Zealand is ranked #1 for preparing students for the future. Here we have given some highlights for New Zealand:
| Parameter |
Statistics |
|---|---|
| No. of Universities/PTEs in New Zealand |
70 |
| Annual Tuition Fees of Universities in New Zealand |
INR 10 L - INR 40 L |
| Top Streams in New Zealand |
Engineering, IT, Health, Business & Management, Agriculture, etc. |
| English Language Exams Required |
|
| Entrance Exams Required |
|
| Top Universities in New Zealand |
University of Auckland, University of Otago, Victoria University of Wellington, University of Walkato & Massey University |
Why Study in New Zealand
Post-Study Work Permits
Students can apply for a work permit after completing their education, which allows them to stay and work for up to 3 years or more, depending on the type of industry. The cost of a work permit is around NZD 700 (INR 36.2 K), and 90% of the time, the visa processing takes around 31 weekdays.
Part-time Work Options
For international students, there are plenty of options for part-time work in New Zealand. International students in New Zealand can work in part-time jobs such as internships, Tutor, Cook, Waiter/Waitresses, Lab Technician, Retail Sales Assistants, etc.
Student Visa Fee in New Zealand: Visa Application Option and Cost
International students can apply for a student visa in offline and online mode to study at the universities in New Zealand. Overseas students applying for a student visa to New Zealand online, are required to pay a base visa fee of NZD 375 (INR 19.4 K). Meanwhile, international students who are applying online from New Delhi as the receiving centre are required to pay NZD 430 (INR 22.3 K).
Conversion Rate: 1 NZD = INR 51.82
Top Universities in New Zealand
Listed below are the best universities in NZ for higher studies:
| University |
QS Ranking 2026 |
Shiksha Popularity Rankings |
|---|---|---|
| #65 |
#138 |
|
| #197 |
#250 |
|
| #230 |
#338 |
|
| #240 |
#307 |
|
| #261 |
#325 |
|
| University of Waikato | #281 |
#365 |
| #407 |
#453 |
|
| #410 |
#377 |
Best Engineering Universities
As per QS, the best institutions for Engineering are:
| University |
QS Rank 2025 |
|---|---|
| The University of Auckland |
#107 |
| The University of Canterbury |
#345 |
| Victoria University of Wellington |
#451-500 |
Best Universities for Business & Management
Per QS, the best institutes for Business studies in NZ are:
| University |
QS Rank 2025 |
|---|---|
| The University of Auckland |
#117 |
| University of Canterbury |
#301-350 |
| Auckland University of Technology |
#351-400 |
| University of Otago |
#351-400 |
| Victoria University of Wellington |
#351-400 |
| University of Waikato |
#401-450 |
| Massey University |
#451-500 |
Best Universities for Arts & Humanities
According to QS, the best institutes for Arts and Humanities are listed below:
| University |
QS Rank 2025 |
|---|---|
| The University of Auckland |
#61 |
| Victoria University of Wellington |
#141 |
| University of Otago |
#231 |
| Massey University |
#322 |
| University of Canterbury |
#331 |
| Auckland University of Technology |
#401-450 |
| University of Waikato |
#401-450 |
Read more:
Top Cities in New Zealand
New Zealand is one of the most popular study-abroad destinations for higher education among international students and is home to two cities that rank among the top student cities. With the rank #24 and #79 in QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2025, Auckland and Christchurch, respectively are two of the best locations for overseas candidates.
| City Name |
QS Best Student City Rankings 2025 |
|---|---|
| Auckland |
#24 |
| Christchurch |
#79 |
Top Courses in New Zealand
Public universities in New Zealand offer several undergraduate and postgraduate programs to international students. International students can choose from an array of programs to study at New Zealand universities. Programs offered by universities in New Zealand:
| Courses |
Count of Universities |
|---|---|
| 61 |
|
| 36 |
|
| 24 |
|
| 22 |
|
| 17 |
|
| UG Certificate |
17 |
| 16 |
|
| 15 |
|
| 12 |
|
| PG Certificate |
11 |
Admission Requirements to Study in New Zealand
International students who are applying for courses at various universities in New Zealand are required to meet both the general and course-specific admission requirements. Listed below are the general admission requirements for international students at New Zealand universities:
- Minimum two Letters of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
- Resume
- Valid test score reports of GMAT, IELTS, TOEFL & Duolingo
- Portfolio (For design & architecture courses)
- Any other academic or non-academic achievements, certifications, etc.
Entrance Exams Accepted by Universities in New Zealand
New Zealand universities accept various types of exam scores for English language proficiency and MBA admissions. Here are the exams accepted by universities in New Zealand:
| Entrance Exam |
Count of Universities |
|---|---|
| 70 |
|
| 48 |
|
| 43 |
|
| 6 |
|
| 1 |
Cost of studying in New Zealand
On average, the cost of studying in New Zealand might be a little expensive for international students as the tuition fees of the top-ranking universities are on the higher end. However, about 90% of the universities in New Zealand have an annual tuition fee under INR 10 L, which makes them ideal study-abroad options.
| First-Year Tuition Fee Range |
Count of Universities |
|---|---|
| Up to INR 10 L |
58 |
| Up to 20 L |
68 |
| Up to 30 L | 69 |
| Up to 40 L |
70 |
| More than INR 40 L |
4 |
Cost of Living in New Zealand
New Zealand is a popular choice among students all around the globe even though its cost of living is quite heavy on the pocket. On average, the monthly cost of living in New Zealand for international students hovers around the NZD 1,715 (INR 82.5 K) mark. However, the expenses are very subjective, depending on the lifestyle and purchasing power of the student residing and studying in a university in New Zealand.
| Particulars |
Average Monthly Expenditure |
Monthly Living Expenses in New Zealand (in INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Housing Rent |
NZD 430 - NZD 490 |
INR 22.7 K - 25.3 K |
| Food |
NZD 200 - NZD 250 |
INR 10.3 K - 13 K |
| Public Transportation |
NZD 170 - NZD 200 |
INR 8.8 K - 10.3 K |
| Phone and Internet Network |
NZD 100 |
INR 5.1 K |
| Clothing |
NZD 200 - NZD 300 |
INR 10.3 K - 15.5 K |
| Health Expenses |
NZD 50 - NZD 100 |
INR 2.5 K - 5.1 K |
| Day-to-day Necessities |
NZD 50 |
INR 2.5 K |
| Miscellaneous Expenses |
NZD 100 - NZD 200 |
INR 5.1 K - 10.3 K |
Conversion Rate: 1 NZD = INR 51.80
Top Scholarships in New Zealand
International students have access to scholarships that are offered by universities as well as external funding options. Some popular ones are given below:
| University Name |
Name of Scholarship |
Amount Offered |
|---|---|---|
| Massey University International Undergraduate Excellence Scholarships |
NZD 30,000 (INR 15.54 L) |
|
| NZD 20,000 (INR 10.36 L ) |
Universities and Colleges in New Zealand are some of the best and top-rated institutions of higher education in the world. Each year thousands of students from all over the world apply for various universities in New Zealand. New Zealand offers an affordable living cost and excellent work-life balance. Also, there are several scholarships available for international students at various levels.
Check out the video below to know more about financial aid options in New Zealand:
Average Salary in New Zealand
| Experience Level | Average Pay Rates in NZ | Salary in INR |
|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years | NZD 85,000 | INR 44 L |
| 4-9 years | NZD 140,000 | INR 72.5 L |
| 10-20 years | NZD 184,000 | INR 95.3 L |
| 20+ years | NZD 300,000 | INR 1.55 Cr |
Source: Jobted
Best Paying Jobs in New Zealand 2025
The average salary of graduates varies with the complexity of the tasks across industries, with law, IT & business professionals earning good money for their contributions to respective industry.
Mentioned below are the jobs with the best average annual pay in New Zealand:
| High-Paying Jobs in New Zealand |
Average Annual Range of Salary in NZD |
Average Annual Range of Salary in INR |
|---|---|---|
| Judges |
NZD 370,000-578,000 |
INR 1.91 Cr-2.99 Cr |
| Surgeons and Specialists |
NZD 170,000-251,000 |
INR 88 L-1.3 Cr |
| Legal Professionals |
NZD 47,000-70,000 |
INR 24.3 L-36.2 L |
| IT Managers |
NZD 100,000-190,000 |
INR 51 L-98 L |
| Finance Manager |
NZD 110,000-170,000 |
INR 56.9 L-88 L |
| Human Resource Manager |
NZD 95,000-200,000 |
INR 49.2 L-1.03 Cr |
| Software Engineer |
NZD 110,000-160,000 |
INR 56.98 L to INR 82.8 L |
| Ophthalmologist |
NZD 64,000-251,000 |
INR 33 L-INR 1.3 Cr |
| Marketing Manager |
NZD 100,000-280,000 |
INR 51.8 L-INR 1.45 Cr |
Source: careers.govt.nz
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Top Universities and Colleges in New Zealand - Courses, Fees, Scholarships, Admission Requirements & Grades
Auckland, Other - New ZealandPrivate
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Auckland, Other - New ZealandPrivate
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Auckland, Other - New ZealandPrivate
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Dunedin, Other - New ZealandPrivate13.7K+ students got admitted through us.
Auckland, Other - New ZealandPublicGuided 158 students to New Zealand universities.
Whangarei, Other - New ZealandPublicGuided 158 students to New Zealand universities.
Auckland, Other - New ZealandPrivateGuided 158 students to New Zealand universities.
Auckland, Other - New ZealandPrivate13.7K+ students got admitted through us.
Auckland, Other - New ZealandPrivateWe can fast-track your application in a week.
Auckland, Other - New ZealandPrivate13.7K+ students got admitted through us.
Auckland, Other - New ZealandPrivateGuided 158 students to New Zealand universities.
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Auckland, Other - New ZealandPrivateWe can fast-track your application in a week.
Auckland, Other - New ZealandPublicGuided 158 students to New Zealand universities.
Auckland, Other - New ZealandPrivateWe can fast-track your application in a week.
Auckland, Other - New ZealandPrivateWe can fast-track your application in a week.
Auckland, Other - New ZealandPrivate13.7K+ students got admitted through us.
Auckland, Other - New ZealandPrivateWe can fast-track your application in a week.
Auckland, Other - New ZealandPrivateWe can fast-track your application in a week.
Auckland, Other - New ZealandPublic13.7K+ students got admitted through us.
Auckland, Other - New ZealandPrivate13.7K+ students got admitted through us.
Auckland, Other - New ZealandPrivateGuided 158 students to New Zealand universities.
Christchurch, Other - New ZealandPrivateWe can fast-track your application in a week.
Auckland, Other - New ZealandPrivateGuided 158 students to New Zealand universities.
Christchurch, Other - New ZealandPrivateWe can fast-track your application in a week.
Auckland, Other - New ZealandPrivate13.7K+ students got admitted through us.
Palmerston, Other - New ZealandPublic13.7K+ students got admitted through us.
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