Study in New Zealand: Find Program, Colleges, Costs, Scholarship, Visa and Job Details

Getting an internationally recognized degree while having the time of your life is what comes along when you plan to study in New Zealand. New Zealand recently emerged as a new favorite destination among international students planning to study abroad. New Zealand boasts being ranked second on the Global Peace Index, making it one of the safest study abroad destinations.

Students in New Zealand are encouraged to be questioning, flexible, and to seek their answers through research initiatives and experiential learning. This young country has made its way from picturesque landscapes to progressive education. Growing popular among Indian students, there are over 30,000 Indian students pursuing higher education from New Zealand Universities.

Where and What to Study in New Zealand?

Tertiary education in New Zealand is offered from entry-level (certificate, diploma) to postgraduate. The country has eight universities, 18 polytechnic institutions, and 600 private training institutions.

The small classrooms at all types of tertiary education institutions, students can enjoy with teachers' attention and high teaching standards.

Top Universities to Study in New Zealand

Tabulated below are the top 8 universities in New Zealand by QS Rankings 2024 along with some popular programs they offer:

Top Courses to Study in New Zealand

Among the plethora of courses offered by universities in New Zealand, some of the most popular one’s among international students include:

Why Study in Zealand?

There are many reasons to consider when choosing New Zealand as your study destination. Though safety and the country's peace index top this list, here are some other factors that are considered important for students planning to move abroad.

• Globally Recognized Institutions: Eight of New Zealand’s higher education universities have consistently ranked among the world’s top universities ranking by QS and Times Higher Education.
• Internationally Recognized Qualifications: Through participation in various intergovernmental agreements, such as Lisbon Recognition and Convention, qualification at universities and schools have been internationally recognized.
• Excellent Pedagogy: New Zealand’s education system focuses on research-based learning, similar to UK’s education system. Students are encouraged to utilize learnings from a classroom to real-life problem-solving situations.
• Quality Control: Higher education in New Zealand is quality controlled by the government and Universities in New Zealand. Polytechnic institutions are state-owned and private institutions are monitored by New Zealand’s qualification authority.
• Employability: Education from New Zealand universities is highly regarded among employers. This enhances your career prospects in New Zealand as well as internationally.
• Scope for Doctorate Aspirants: There is an abundance of research opportunities for students. A PhD student enjoys additional benefits in New Zealand. These include getting to study at domestic student’s fees and working full-time during studies.

Admission to Study in New Zealand

Admission deadlines/cycle, academic requirements, visa applications, altogether make up for the application process to study in New Zealand.

Application Cycle

New Zealand mostly offers admissions semester-wise, which is twice a year.

• Semester I- February
  • The application forms for this intake are released in the month of September of the previous year.
• Semester II- September
  • The application forms for this intake are released in the month of May of the current year.

For the programs offering admissions round the year, there is an intake every month, which results in the admission for the entire year. It is recommended that the applications be submitted at least 4 months prior to the starting date. Applicants should ensure that they apply way before the deadlines New Zealand Universities approach for getting enough time to obtain a student visa.

Admission Requirements to Study in New Zealand

To get admission to the top universities in New Zealand, international applicants must have the following proofs or documents to submit:

• Proof of language proficiency- You are required to submit IELTS/TOEFL scores to pursue UG or PG programs in Australian Universities
• Transcripts/certificates of completion of education from recognized institutions. You must also have your mark sheets.
• For admissions to some postgraduate courses, like MBA in New Zealand, you will be required to have GMAT test scores.
• No standardized tests are required to study UG programs in the universities of New Zealand.
• New Zealand Student Visa must be obtained as soon as acceptance is received.

New Zealand Student Visa

Some of the requirements for international students to fulfill for obtaining the New Zealand Student Visa are:

• Offer or acceptance letter from an institution approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.
• A written guarantee from a person or institution that suitable accommodation is available- if you are under 18 years.
• Proof of sufficient funds to sustain through your stay in New Zealand.
• A return ticket to home country or proof of funds showing the capability to afford one.
• Tuberculosis test
• Visa application fees- 35NZD (~1725 INR)

Cost to Study in New Zealand

The flexible education system is designed to fit into every budget. The cost of living in New Zealand is similar to other OCED countries and is balanced by the high-quality living standards and safe environment it has to offer.

Tuition Fees to Study in New Zealand

The tuition fees for pursuing higher education in New Zealand is detailed below:

Tuition Fees for Top Universities in New Zealand

Tuition fees for some of the popular programs offered by top universities in New Zealand are as follows:

Cost of Living in New Zealand

When applying for a student visa you are required to submit proof of sufficient funds. In most cases, you will be required to prove that you have around 17,000 NZD (8.69 lakhs INR) for your first year. In case you are planning to study for less than a year, you will be asked to show at least 1,417 NZD (72,509 INR) each month.

Depending on the city and university you opt for, the cost of living will vary. Here is a list of expenses you will encounter when planning your studies from New Zealand:

Scholarships to Study in New Zealand

The cost of living in New Zealand is comparatively higher when compared to other popular study destinations. Hence, you may feel that studying in New Zealand is a financial burden. This is not the case. Several scholarships to study in New Zealand are available for international students.

The criteria for applying for scholarships in New Zealand is to have good merit or competitive academic score. You can receive as much as a complete tuition waiver. Some of the popular scholarships are:

Looking for more scholarships to study in New Zealand? Click Here.

In case you don’t grab a scholarship to study in New Zealand, you can always choose to work while studying. On a student visa, you are allowed to work for 20 hours a week during semesters and full-time during break. If you are a master or Ph.D. student, you will be allowed to work full-time during the term as well. Apart from finding jobs on-campus, you can look for options at: Sjs.co.nz, Careers.govt.nz, Seek.co.nz, Workhere.co.nz, Trademe.co.nz, etc.

Jobs in New Zealand

After completion of the degree, students can choose to stay back in New Zealand for work or further studies. Aspirants can obtain a post-study work visa for 1-3 years to have access to open work conditions in New Zealand.

The average annual salaries recorded for New Zealand workers are 97,600 NZD (49.94 lakhs INR). The lowest recorded salary was 24,600 NZD (12.58 lakhs INR) and the highest was 434,000 NZD (2.22 crores INR). These salaries were reported inclusive of additional benefits on the CTC. The distribution of salaries in New Zealand is:

• 25% of employees earn less than 60,700 NZD/yr
• 50% of employees earn less than 91,400 NZD/yr
• 75% of employees earn less than 127,000 NZD/yr
• 100% of employees earn less than 434,000 NZD/yr

Some points to note for the salaries offered to employees in New Zealand:

• As per these recorded salaries, the wage gap between males and females was around 5%.
  • Men earn average annual salaries of 99,900 NZD (51.11 lakhs INR) while women earn 95,000 NZD (48.61 lakhs INR).
• Employees receive an increment of 8% in a time span of 16 months.
• Salary distribution across cities varies. Given below is a graphical representation of the average annual salaries in New Zealand.

Highest paid degrees at Universities in New Zealand:

Some of the highest paying degrees at universities in of New Zealand are given in the table below:

The above-mentioned table is a clear indication of the high salary packages offered to students pursuing education at New Zealand Universities.

Pursuing an education in New Zealand makes you work-ready, as it inculcates the skills and qualifications required to succeed in the professional and practical world. Additionally, studying in New Zealand also opens your path to moving to Australia for work. Hence, studying in New Zealand is a righteous decision fueled by the safety, health security, education quality, and welcoming nature of the country.