New Zealand has gained global recognition as one of the best study abroad destinations in recent years. Besides world-class education, it offers unique landscapes, a peaceful environment, and a high standard of living. However, many international students wonder – is studying in New Zealand expensive?
The answer is that while New Zealand is more affordable than countries like the USA, UK, or Australia, you still need to plan your finances carefully. In this blog, we will break down the average cost of studying and living in New Zealand to help you make an informed decision.
Tuition Fees for International Students
Tuition fees form a significant portion of the cost of studying abroad. At New Zealand universities, international students pay between NZ$22,000 to NZ$35,000 per year for most undergraduate and postgraduate courses. However, this varies across subjects.
Humanities, arts, and education tend to be cheaper with annual fees ranging from NZ$22,000 to NZ$26,000. On the other hand, specialized fields like medicine, engineering, computer science etc. cost between NZ$32,000 to NZ$35,000 per year.
At NZ’s polytechnics and institutes of technology, tuition fees range from NZ$18,000 to NZ$28,000 based on the program. Their vocational courses are very affordable.
When looking at affordability, it is important to compare costs to alternative destinations. Countries like the USA, UK, Canada and Australia charge international students upwards of NZ$35,000 per year on average.
So New Zealand universities offer quality education and recognized degrees at 20-30% cheaper costs overall.
Affordable Universities in New Zealand
While selecting a university in New Zealand, tuition fees are an important factor for students seeking an affordable education. Here are some of the cheapest yet high quality universities in NZ:
Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) With fees ranging from NZ$8,000 to NZ$26,400 per year, SIT offers certificate, diploma and even degree programs in business, hospitality, design, construction, engineering technology etc.
Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology NMIT offers degrees in arts, science, engineering, health science, tourism etc. for NZ$18,900 to $28,350 per year.
Massey University One of NZ’s leading universities, Massey has an affordable fee range of NZ$23,070 to NZ$33,000 for over 200 programs including business, aviation, design, teaching etc.
University of Waikato From law and arts to environmental planning and tourism management, Waikato has undergraduate and postgraduate programs costing between NZ$25,160 to NZ$35,160 annually.
These institutes charge almost 25-50% lesser than average international tuition fees in New Zealand. So researching all options can lead to big savings.
Cost of Living in New Zealand for Students
While tuition fees form a big chunk of the cost, you also need to account for daily living expenses in New Zealand like:
- Accommodation
- Food/Groceries
- Transport
- Entertainment
- Utilities
- Health insurance
Universities estimate living costs to be around NZ$15,000 to NZ$25,000 per year for international students. But this varies across different cities and your lifestyle.
Accommodation Costs
Student accommodation arranged by universities generally costs between NZ$210 to NZ$555 per week. Private hostels and guesthouses charge NZ$140 to NZ$210 per week while monthly rent for a shared house can be around NZ$120 per week.
Renting an entire apartment on your own will cost over NZ$180 per week. So sharing accommodation is more affordable.
Many students prefer staying on-campus in first year as halls of residence provide convenient and safe housing. It also helps avoid rental contracts and deposits.
Food, Transport and Other Costs
Grocery shopping and eating out in New Zealand restaurants will cost about NZ$135 per week on average. Getting a bus pass and using public transport frequently adds up to NZ$80 weekly.
Then you need to budget for faster internet data plans (NZ$25 weekly), a basic phone plan (NZ$15), clothes/shoes (NZ$20) and some entertainment expenses like sports, movies etc (NZ$65).
Costs related to healthcare, insurance, education supplies etc would be extra. So having NZ$15,000 to NZ$20,000 beyond tuition fees is essential.
Part-time Work for International Students
The good news is international students are allowed to work 20 hours during semesters and full-time during vacations in New Zealand. This allows you to earn around NZ$15 to NZ$20 per hour, helping offset some living expenses.
In a year, it is possible to make NZ$12,000 to NZ$15,000 through part-time work while studying full-time. Students pursuing PhD and research-based master’s degrees can even work for 40 hours per week.
So yes, while New Zealand is not as cheap as some Asian or Latin American study destinations, it offers world-class education and quality of living at reasonable costs compared to the USA, UK or Australia.
With some smart planning around tuition fees, part-time work and controlling living expenses, studying in New Zealand can be an affordable investment into your future. The culture, safety standards and post-study work rights here further sweeten the deal!