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
#1
19 students got admitted to this university
#2
Guided 158 students to New Zealand universities.
Commonly asked questions On Universities and Colleges in New Zealand: Top Universities, Cost & Fees
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.
#37 students got admitted to this university
#418 students got admitted to this university
Commonly asked questions On Universities and Colleges in New Zealand: Top Universities, Cost & Fees
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
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
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.
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.
47 students got admitted to this university
#656 students got admitted to this university
Commonly asked questions On Universities and Colleges in New Zealand: Top Universities, Cost & Fees
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
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 |
59 students got admitted to this university
Lincoln, Other - New ZealandPublic#8Guided 158 students to New Zealand universities.
Auckland, Other - New ZealandPrivate13 students got admitted to this university
13.7K+ students got admitted through us.
Commonly asked questions On Universities and Colleges in New Zealand: Top Universities, Cost & Fees
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.
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
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.
Auckland, Other - New ZealandPrivateGuided 158 students to New Zealand universities.
8 students got admitted to this university
Auckland, Other - New ZealandPrivate
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Rotorua, Other - New ZealandPublicGuided 158 students to New Zealand universities.
Auckland, Other - New ZealandPublic13.7K+ students got admitted through us.
New Plymouth, Other - New ZealandPrivate13.7K+ students got admitted through us.
Auckland, Other - New ZealandPublicGuided 158 students to New Zealand universities.
Guided 158 students to New Zealand universities.
Auckland, Other - New ZealandPrivateWe can fast-track your application in a week.
Invercargill, Other - New ZealandPrivate13.7K+ students got admitted through us.
Auckland, Other - New ZealandPrivate13.7K+ students got admitted through us.
Ardmore, Other - New ZealandPrivateGuided 158 students to New Zealand universities.
Wellington, Other - New ZealandPublicWe can fast-track your application in a week.
Wellington, Other - New ZealandPrivateGuided 158 students to New Zealand universities.
Auckland, Other - New ZealandPrivateWe can fast-track your application in a week.
Auckland, Other - New ZealandPrivateGuided 158 students to New Zealand universities.
Christchurch, Other - New ZealandPrivateGuided 158 students to New Zealand universities.
Wellington, Other - New ZealandPublicWe can fast-track your application in a week.
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New Plymouth, Other - New ZealandPublic13.7K+ students got admitted through us.
