text.skipToContent text.skipToNavigation

Studying in New Zealand for International Students

When you decide to study in New Zealand, you can be confident that any university you choose will fulfil the highest educational standards. For international students, it offers the perfect mix of high-quality education, diverse culture, economic stability, and a pleasant climate.

Table of contents

Why study in New Zealand?
Admission requirements in New Zealand for international students
The cost of studying in New Zealand for international students
Scholarships for international students in New Zealand
Student visa requirements in New Zealand

Why study in New Zealand?

New Zealand has a lot to offer, including a world-class education system, internationally recognised qualifications, a wealth of research opportunities, and an unrivalled quality of life.

Research and innovation

Those interested in conducting academic studies will find numerous resources in New Zealand. The country is proud of its knowledgeable professors, modern labs, and wide availability of cutting-edge resources.

Work while studying

It is possible for international students in New Zealand to work full-time during academic holidays and up to 20 hours per week during the academic year. What's more, you can work full-time while earning your master's or doctorate in research.

One-of-a-kind scenery

The country's natural environment coexists in perfect harmony with its rich cultural diversity, making New Zealand a truly unique destination. Featuring a diverse range of natural scenery, including snowcapped mountains and erupting volcanoes, as well as golden sandy beaches, rolling green hills, and lush rainforests.

Admission requirements in New Zealand for international students

While admission requirements for international students are often specific to their chosen university and degree program, all universities share a few core needs that are standard across all institutions, and they are:

Official academic transcripts
English language proficiency tests like IELTS or TOEFL
Health insurance for overseas students
Statement of purpose
Recommendation letter

Live life in the FastLane

Want to check if you're eligible to get into your dream university? With IDP Fastlane you can get an in-principle offer in seconds!

Enter your preferences to find and short list matching courses, provide your academic details and get ready to receive a response from your dream university within seconds!

View Fastlane enabled universities

Cost of studying in New Zealand for international students

The cost of studying in New Zealand will change based on factors including the type of degree you want to earn and the university you want to enrol in. New Zealand universities typically charge between NZ$25,000 to NZ$50,000 per year in tuition fees. (Indicative)

Study Program	Annual Tuition Fees in NZ$
Bachelor’s degree	From $25,000 to $40,000
Master’s degree	From $28,000 to $40,000
Doctoral degree	From $7,000 to $15,000
MBA	From $35,000 to $50, 000

Scholarships for international students in New Zealand

Some of the most popular scholarships for international students in New Zealand are:

Scholarship Name	Value
University of Otago International Master's Research Scholarship	Up to 16,000 NZ$
UC International First Year Scholarship	Up to 15,000 NZ$
Entrance Scholarship	Up to 6,000 NZ$
UC Hiranga Scholarship	Up to 5,000 NZ$
UC Mathematics and Statistics High Achievers Award	Up to 2,000 NZ$

Student visa requirements in New Zealand

The type of visa in New Zealand you require will depend on the level of study you want to pursue and the length of your stay there.

However, you'll need the following in order to apply for a visa:

A valid passport
Acceptance letter from a New Zealand educational institute
Tuition fee receipt with payment history
Evidence to show that you have the funds to support your living costs while in the country
Health insurance for foreign students

More about studying and living in New Zealand