Costs
Tuition
NZD 22,000–40,000/year for most programmes. PhD students pay domestic fees (NZD 7,000–8,000/year) — a massive discount.
Living Costs
Auckland: NZD 1,500–2,000/month. Wellington: NZD 1,300–1,800/month. Christchurch, Hamilton, Dunedin: NZD 1,000–1,400/month.
Total Annual Cost
€22,000–40,000/year for taught master's. PhD: €10,000–12,000/year (domestic tuition rates).
Part-Time Work
20 hours/week during term. Full-time during breaks. PhD students: unlimited work hours. Average earnings: NZD 800–1,200/month.
Post-Study & Immigration
Post-Study Work Visa
Post-Study Work Visa: 1 year (Level 7), 2 years (Level 8 bachelor's), 3 years (Level 9 master's or higher). Regional study may add additional time.
Path to Permanent Residency
Skilled Migrant Category (SMC): points-based system. NZ qualification + employment + age + skill shortage = high points. Typical: study (2yr) + work (2yr) + residency application. Regional work adds bonus points.
Language Requirements
English (all programmes). IELTS 6.0–6.5 for most. Some accept Duolingo, PTE, Cambridge. Lower requirements for pathway programmes.
Visa Processing
4–6 weeks. Online application through Immigration NZ. Need: offer of place, financial proof (NZD 20,000/year living + tuition), health insurance, chest X-ray.
Top Universities
| University | QS 2025 | Tuition (Int'l) | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Auckland | #65 | NZD 35,000–45,000 | Engineering, Business, Health, Creative Arts |
| University of Otago | #206 | NZD 28,000–38,000 | Medicine, Health Sciences, Sciences, Humanities |
| Victoria University of Wellington | #241 | NZD 27,000–35,000 | Law, Humanities, Sciences, Architecture |
| University of Canterbury | #256 | NZD 28,000–35,000 | Engineering, Sciences, Forestry, Education |
| University of Waikato | #235 | NZD 27,000–35,000 | Business, Computing, Sciences, Education |
Scholarships
NZ Aid Scholarships (Manaaki)
Award: Full tuition + NZD 491/week + flights + insurance
Eligibility: Developing countries (Pacific focus) · Deadline: Feb–Mar
New Zealand government scholarship. Priority for Pacific Island nations. Return-home requirement.
Eligibility: Developing countries (Pacific focus) · Deadline: Feb–Mar
New Zealand government scholarship. Priority for Pacific Island nations. Return-home requirement.
New Zealand Excellence Awards
Award: NZD 10,000–30,000
Eligibility: Selected countries · Deadline: Varies
Education New Zealand scholarships. Country-specific.
Eligibility: Selected countries · Deadline: Varies
Education New Zealand scholarships. Country-specific.
University of Auckland International Scholarship
Award: NZD 10,000
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Per intake
Automatic consideration for strong applicants.
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Per intake
Automatic consideration for strong applicants.
University of Otago International Research Master's Scholarship
Award: Full tuition + NZD 17,000/year
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Varies
For research master's at Otago.
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Varies
For research master's at Otago.
Dodd-Walls Centre PhD Scholarships
Award: Full tuition + NZD 30,000/year
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Ongoing
For photonics and quantum technology PhD.
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Ongoing
For photonics and quantum technology PhD.
2026 Policy Updates
What changed: PhD students continue to pay domestic tuition rates — making NZ one of the best PhD destinations globally. Post-study work visa durations stable. Green List occupations fast-track residency. Regional growth visa encourages study outside Auckland.
Best For
PhD students (domestic fees are incredible). Pacific Island students (NZ Aid scholarships). Students wanting English-speaking country with clearer immigration than UK/US. Agriculture, marine biology, and environmental science students. Those valuing quality of life and safety above all.
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