Can I study in New Zealand for free?

New Zealand is not known to have universities that offer free education. However, students can avail scholarships that cover the cost of studies and, in some cases, the cost of living as well, to a large extent. The tuition fees depend on various factors such as the type of course and level of study. Hence, international students should check the same before applying to for their desired course.

How to apply for admissions in New Zealand?

Applying to a university or college in New Zealand is very similar to applying for studies to any other country. Listed below are the general steps students must follow: Research about the course (s) you wish to pursue in New Zealand Look for institutions with a good reputation & solid background in your desired course Trim down the list of your potential options Check their respective requirements Sit in & achieve good grades in entrance exams such as GMAT, GRE, IELTS & TOEFL Ask for LORs from your past employers (if any) Write an impressive SOP Apply to the colleges that you shortlisted Clear the interview rounds of the universities that invite you Once accepted, apply for a student visa

How to get a student visa for New Zealand?

Students must share a PDF of the below listed documents along with a scanned photo of theirs & submit it to the official webiste of the New Zealand Immigration department. Applicants must provide the documents listed below: A passport with minimum validity 3 months more than period of stay Complete visa application form (INZ 1012) An admission letter from an recognised college or university in New Zealand A letter from your current institute, with the confirmation as a study abroad student Two passport sized photographs A valid health & character certificate Receipt of application fee

Is it worth pursuing an MS in New Zealand?

Universities in NZ are known for their quality education, inclusive culture, and a solid academic environment. Also all prominent universities have a strong reputation for research and innovation in various fields.

How is the life of an Indian student in New Zealand?

Among Indian students, New Zealand is a very popular study abroad destination and students desire to pursue their higher studies in the best universities. Also, New Zealand has a large population of Indian students. Hence, it is easy for Indian students to make friends and dwell in the new environment. When it comes to the cost of attendance, studying in New Zealand is a little expensive for Indians, but can become cost effective due to the variety of generous scholarships offered.

What are the advantages of studying in New Zealand?

Some of the best reasons for studying in NZ are given below: Affordable tuition and lower cost of living World-class universities Part-time job opportunities Wide range of scholarships Sports and intramural facilities

Can I work part time with my studies in New Zealand?

Yes, international students are allowed to work part-time in New Zealand for a maximum of 20 hours per week, provided one's course meets one of the below listed criteria: Enrolled in a course with a duration more than two years Leads to a qualification that helps attain points to be eligible for a Skilled Migrant visa Enrolled in a tertiary institute, that helps develop English language skills, in this case, must possess a IELTS band score of over 5.0. Students are free to work full-time over the course of their vacations, provided one is enrolled in a course with a minimum academic duration of 1 year.

What are the eight universities of New Zealand?

In New Zealand, there are eight top universities that play a vital role in the nation's research development. All these 8 universities produce one-third of all research and development in this country, are home to many of New Zealand's scholars and researchers and the prominent providers of fundamental research in New Zealand. Below are the 8 universities of New Zealand: Auckland University of Technology Lincoln University Massey University University of Auckland University of Canterbury University of Otago University of Waikato Victoria University of Wellington

Is Australia better than New Zealand for Indian students to study in a foreign university?

Australia and New Zealand are some of the top study-abroad destinations for international students. Both the countries are home to several globally top-ranking universities. Although Australia has more number of universities that New Zealand, it is relatively cheaper to study in New Zealand than in Australia. And, considering the size and population of New Zealand the existing universities are enough. So, both the countries have their cons and pros, the best country for an international student should be the one that best suits their needs.

Universities and Colleges in New Zealand: Top Universities, Cost & Fees

Q: Which cities in New Zealand are good for international students?

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 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

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.

Table of Contents

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	IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, DET
Entrance Exams Required	GMAT
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

Apart from its scenic views and a high standard of living, the country also offers some of the best universities in the world, whose graduates receive job offers from some of the best companies across industries.

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
The University of Auckland	#65	#138
University of Otago	#197	#250
Massey University	#230	#338
Victoria University of Wellington	#240	#307
The University of Canterbury ( Te Whare Wananga o Waitaha)	#261	#325
University of Waikato	#281	#365
Lincoln University	#407	#453
Auckland University of Technology (AUT)	#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 Ranked LLM Universities in New Zealand	Top Ranked M.A. Universities in New Zealand
Top Ranked MIM Universities in New Zealand	Top Ranked M.S. Universities in New Zealand

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
UG Diploma	61
PG Diploma	36
BE/BTech	24
BBA	22
MBA/PGDM	17
UG Certificate	17
MIM	16
BSc	15
MS	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
IELTS	70
TOEFL	48
PTE	43
DET	6
GMAT	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	Massey University International Undergraduate Excellence Scholarships	NZD 30,000 (INR 15.54 L)
University of Auckland	University of Auckland India High Achievers Scholarship	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

The average salary of graduates increases as they gain more experience in their respective industries, with a beginner level professional paid on average about NZD 85,000 (INR 44 L), which goes up to NZD 140,000 (INR 72.5 L) after 4-9 years of experience.

Mentioned below is a table of average salary earned by graduates in New Zealand, as they progress further in their careers:

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