English (Māori is an official language of New Zealand and part of the country's education and cultural framework; language requirements are provider-specific)
Study in New Zealand
Your New Zealand study plan starts here.
NZD
Wellington
Why Study in New Zealand?
New Zealand universities, institutes of technology and other NZQCF-aligned tertiary providers offer programmes from Bachelor's to doctoral level for international students.
Education System: New Zealand uses the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF), which has 10 levels: Level 7 includes Bachelor's degrees and related qualifications, Level 8 includes postgraduate certificates and diplomas and Honours degrees, Level 9 is Master's level and Level 10 is doctoral level. Tertiary education includes universities, the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST), polytechnics and institutes of technology, wānanga, private training establishments and government training establishments. NZQA maintains the NZQCF and quality-assures non-university tertiary providers, while universities operate under their own statutory framework with qualifications approved through Universities New Zealand/CUAP.
Tuition Fees
International tuition fees vary by qualification, institution, subject and study duration - there is no single national fee. Check the exact fee with the education provider or the official course listing.
Postgraduate tuition fees vary by qualification, institution, subject and study duration. Check the exact fee with the education provider.
Doctoral tuition and funding arrangements vary by institution and programme. Check the exact arrangements with the university.
Official Study with New Zealand guidance states that international tuition varies according to the type of course, the location and provider, and the duration of study. The official course database provides programme-level tuition information for individual courses.
Visa & Work Rights
Fee Paying Student Visa - for students paying international tuition fees themselves or through family support, loans or a partial scholarship; requires an offer of place from an approved New Zealand education provider and permits full-time study on the approved course
INZ currently lists 80% of Fee Paying Student Visa applications as processed within 8.5 weeks, with processing varying by provider, season and individual application; students are strongly encouraged to apply around 3 months before intended travel
For tertiary study, English-language study and other non-compulsory study, the INZ student-fund requirement is NZD $20,000 per year, or NZD $1,667 per month where the period of study is shorter than one year. This is a proof-of-funds immigration requirement, not a tuition figure and not an estimate of actual living costs. Prepaid accommodation can be deducted from the required living-cost funds where accepted, with evidence of the remaining balance required. Applicants must also demonstrate sufficient money to leave New Zealand at the end of the stay, such as a paid outward ticket or additional funds to purchase one - this is separate from the living-cost requirement.
Fee Paying Student Visa - current INZ application cost starts from NZD $850, with the exact amount depending on the applicant's circumstances. An International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) of NZD $100 applies to most student visa applicants who are not exempt. These amounts are not combined into a single universal total.
Since 3 November 2025, eligible student visa holders can work up to 25 hours per week during the study period, where their visa conditions permit it, and may be allowed to work full-time during scheduled holidays depending on their visa conditions and course. Work rights depend on the conditions recorded on the student's visa. Where practical work experience is a required part of the course, it may be permitted in addition to other work hours where the visa conditions and course requirements support it.
Eligible graduates may obtain a Post Study Work Visa for up to 3 years, depending on the qualification and study completed. Degree-level eligibility generally includes a qualification at NZQCF Level 7 or above studied full-time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand; a Master's or Doctoral qualification studied full-time for at least 30 weeks can lead to a 3-year Post Study Work Visa. Not every graduate gets 3 years. From 16 November 2026, eligibility is extended to graduates who complete a Graduate Diploma at NZQCF Level 7 studied full-time in New Zealand and hold a Bachelor's degree, and a Short-term Graduate Work Visa opens for applications, providing eligible graduates with up to 6 months of open work rights to seek work and explore longer-term options. The Post Study Work Visa currently costs from NZD $1,670, with 80% of applications processed within 4 weeks.
Living Costs
approximately NZD $140 per week for a room in a shared house, up to approximately NZD $484 per week for a catered hall of residence (indicative)
approximately NZD $80-120 per week for basic groceries (indicative)
up to approximately NZD $37 per week depending on distance (indicative)
power approximately NZD $200-300 per month for a private house (indicative)
phone approximately NZD $19 per month; unlimited shared-flat Wi-Fi approximately NZD $90 per month (indicative)
Living costs vary by city, accommodation and lifestyle. Official New Zealand guidance gives indicative costs for accommodation, food, transport, utilities and communications rather than one universal national living-cost figure. This is separate from the visa proof-of-funds requirement of NZD $20,000 per year (NZD $1,667 per month for shorter study), which is an immigration requirement rather than an estimate of actual living expenses.
Common Questions
Do I need a visa to study in New Zealand?
Most international students do. The Fee Paying Student Visa is for students paying international tuition fees themselves or through family support, loans or a partial scholarship. You need an offer of place from an approved New Zealand education provider, and the visa permits full-time study on the approved course.
How much money do I need to show for a New Zealand student visa in 2026?
For tertiary study and other non-compulsory study, the INZ student-fund requirement is NZD $20,000 per year, or NZD $1,667 per month where the period of study is shorter than one year. This is a proof-of-funds immigration requirement, not an estimate of actual living costs. You must also demonstrate money to leave New Zealand at the end of your stay, which is separate from the living-cost requirement.
How much does it cost to study in New Zealand?
International tuition fees vary by qualification, institution, subject and study duration - there is no single national fee. Official Study with New Zealand guidance notes that tuition varies with the type of course, the location and provider, and the duration of study. Check the exact fee with your education provider.
How much does it cost to live in New Zealand as a student?
Living costs vary by city, accommodation and lifestyle. Official New Zealand guidance gives indicative examples such as NZD $140 per week for a room in a shared house and NZD $80-120 per week for basic groceries, rather than one universal national figure. This is separate from the NZD $20,000 per year visa proof-of-funds requirement, which is an immigration threshold.
Can international students work while studying in New Zealand?
Yes. Since 3 November 2025, eligible student visa holders can work up to 25 hours per week during the study period where their visa conditions permit it, and may work full-time during scheduled holidays depending on their visa conditions and course. Work rights depend on the conditions recorded on your visa.
How long does a New Zealand student visa take?
INZ currently lists 80% of Fee Paying Student Visa applications as processed within 8.5 weeks, with processing varying by provider, season and individual application. Students are strongly encouraged to apply around 3 months before intended travel.
What happens after I graduate in New Zealand?
Eligible graduates may obtain a Post Study Work Visa for up to 3 years, depending on the qualification and study completed. Not every graduate gets 3 years. From 16 November 2026, a Short-term Graduate Work Visa also opens for applications, providing eligible graduates with up to 6 months of open work rights to seek work and explore longer-term options.
Do I need insurance while studying in New Zealand?
Yes. Fee Paying Student Visa applicants must agree to hold acceptable medical and travel insurance for the period covered by their visa, meeting the requirements of the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 and acceptable to the education provider. PhD students have a different treatment under the applicable rules.
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