The cost of studying in New Zealand [Infographic]

Do you know why there’s a 28% hike in the number of Indian students who study in New Zealand? Because – ‘Study. Work. Settle’ is New Zealand’s motto in welcoming international students. The island nation’s vibrant student community, growing economy and its ‘oh so beautiful’ landscape have been attracting over 16,000 Indian students to its universities every year. 

There are eight universities and several academic institutions in New Zealand. And all of these eight universities are ranked among the top 100 in the world. Wow, right?

So now that you have plans to study in New Zealand – let’s look at the cost factor involved. Well, we all know oversees education ain’t gonna be cheap *duh* - But did you know that New Zealand is far cheaper when compared to Australia or the US? That’s right! Furthermore the rate of unemployment in New Zealand is pretty low too. *Wohoo!* 

Now, let’s go deeper into the expenses - how expensive is your study in New Zealand going to be? What are you going to shell out on? What help could you get from the institutions and how can you finance yourself?  We’re going to break down every single expense factor and even explore ways for you to be self-sufficient financially. So, stay with us till the end guys!

But before we jump into the expenses, let’s take a look at how the degrees are structured in New Zealand.

The bachelors degree programmes are three-years long and are split into three corresponding levels – Level 5 (Diploma), Level 6 (Advance diploma) and 7 (Bachelors degree). This means that if you complete 3 years, you’ll earn a bachelors degree and if unfortunately you drop out at any of the previous levels, you’d still earn a diploma or an advance diploma. Sounds great, innit? 

Moving on, here are your major expenses when you study in New Zealand:

Tuition fees: Tuition fees in New Zealand vary with the type of qualification. Apart from the eight state universities, New Zealand is also home to several polytechnics – which on an average cost NZD 18,000 – NZD 25,000 a year (INR 9 – INR 12 lakhs). 

At the university level, undergraduate programmes roughly cost between NZD 18,000 to NZD 25,000 a year and postgraduate programmes typically cost more, at around NZD 26,000 to NZD 37,000 a year. 

Your tuition fees also depend on your chosen subject of study. Programmes in the field of arts and social sciences approximately cost NZD 20,000 and programmes in science and engineering fields cost about NZD 25,000.

Furthermore, if you’re choice of postgraduate study is an MBA – then you should be prepared to shell out an average of NZD 40,000 a year. 

Take the University of Auckland for example - tuition fees for undergraduate arts and social science programmes range between NZD 30,000 to NZD 35,000 per year, while law and engineering programmes cost up to NZD 43,000. Fees for postgraduate study in arts and science programmes will cost you around NZD 35,000 to NZD 40,000 a year, while management programmes are available from NZD 55,000 to NZD 77,000.  

Accommodation: Finding a place to live while you study in New Zealand is simple and comfortable. Most universities and institutes offer on-campus accommodation for international students. This would cost you about NZD 260 per week.

For example, the Auckland University of Technology offers multiple on-campus accommodations. Its City Campus accommodation comes in small rooms (NZD 262/week), standard rooms (NZD 295/week) and large rooms (NZD 317/week); while its North Campus accommodation provide standard rooms at NZD 275/week.

There are also plenty of other options such as shared flats at NZD 120/week or private flats at around NZD 180/week.  

Alternatively, if you prefer renting an apartment off-campus along with your friends, there are numerous flats for rent across New Zealand. The rents vary with the city you’re gonna live in. For example, according to Times Higher Education stats, Auckland is the most expensive city in the country costing NZD 202 per week, followed by Wellington costing NZD 170 per week, Christchurch at NZD 132 per week and Dunedin costing NZD 147 per week. 

Living expenses 

Apart from the tuition and accommodation cost, you’ll also need to account for miscellaneous expenses– both on a regular and random basis. If you’re living on campus, your utility bills and Wi-Fi connections are taken care of. You’d still need to shell out NZD 20 every month on your phone bill though. 

However, if you’re living on rent outside, internet, water, electricity and gas are few of the other expenses that you’ll have to bear on a regular basis. These utilities add up to about NZD 100 per month per person – assuming you’re sharing the flat. You’ll also need to set aside NZD 85 for your monthly internet plan.   

In addition to all these, a one-way transport ticket costs NZD 3.50 (with exclusive monthly student passes) and a meal in an average restaurant would cost you NZD 18. 

Psst, a Big Mac is priced at about NZD 6.

Don’t worry. Here’s how you can fund yourself!

Visa benefits

One of the biggest advantages of studying in New Zealand is its visa. Post your study in New Zealand, your visa gets extended for up to three years by default – allowing you to look for a job opportunity. This way, whatever investments you’ve made for your study in New Zealand can easily be retrieved. Furthermore, by securing a job abroad, your earnings and savings would be significantly on the higher end.  

Once you become a PR in New Zealand after your studies, your loan for higher education can be availed at 0% interest.

There’s always a part-time job option

If you’re a full time student, you’re allowed to work part-time for 20 hours per week (subject to your visa conditions). The minimum wage by the government for adults in New Zealand is NZD 13 per hour. There are plenty of opportunities for part-time jobs – right from restaurants/super markets to libraries and petrol stations. 

So now that we’ve sorted out all the expenses you’ll need to bear for your study in New Zealand, the next step is to start your admission process. Get help from our expert guides this instant to secure your place in New Zealand’s top academic institutions.