Often referred to as the youngest country, in recent years New Zealand has emerged as an educational hub. Offering an extremely high standard of education and a good quality of life, in the surrounds of breathtaking scenery and at a reasonable price, it's no wonder that more and more international students are opting to study in beautiful New Zealand.
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For most international students studying in any country, tuition fees will be the main expense, followed by living costs.
Tuition fees
Most overseas students will be required to pay international fees. You must pay your fees in advance, as proof of payment is required for your student visa application. The annual fee for study can vary depending on your institution and course, but average fees for an undergraduate degree are from NZ$18,500- 25,000 per year, and postgraduate degrees can cost up to $40,000. Universities New Zealand has a useful table showing the average fees for different subject areas at each of New Zealand's eight universities - click here.
Polytechnic courses range from around NZ$10,000-15,000 per year.
English Language courses are normally approximately NZ$320-400 per week.
These are just average figures to give an idea of what your tuition fees might be - you should contact your chosen institution for details about their tuition fees.
Financial help and scholarships
International students are eligible for a number of different scholarships offered by New Zealand’s government, institutions and private organisations. To find information on the current scholarships available that are suitable for you, please visit New Zealand Educated.
You may also be eligible for scholarships or financial aid from the government or organisations in your own country. You should visit your government’s website to see if this is a possibility.
Living costs
Living costs are likely to be your biggest expense, after tuition fees. Living costs will vary depending on where you are studying, your lifestyle and your course. You should budget for accommodation (see our Accommodation page for average costs), food, utility bills, travel, medical costs or insurance, plus money for social activities or hobbies. You may also need to pay for books and course materials.
Here are some average costs to give you an idea of living costs (all figures are in NZ$ and are approximate figures):
An average food bill should be around $50-150 per week, though this will depend on your tastes and what items you buy. Average costs of everyday items:
Banking
When you arrive in New Zealand you may want to open a bank account, which is relatively easy. New Zealand currency is the NZ dollar ($), which is divided into 100 cents (c). It is advisable to bring money in the form of traveller’s cheques, or arrange a bank transfer once you have set up your New Zealand account, as carrying large amounts of cash can be unsafe.
It is important to tell your current bank that you are going abroad if you intend to use your bank account in New Zealand. Otherwise, they may freeze your account for security purposes.
Many banks in New Zealand offer international student packages. Your institution may have an arrangement with a bank so remember to ask about this. To open a student bank account, you will usually need:
Once you have opened an account, your chosen bank will send you through an account number and ATM card. You can use your ATM card to withdraw cash from ATM machines and to pay for purchases. Most banks are not open on weekends or public holidays, but ATMs are available 24 hours. You may also be able to use telephone or internet banking.
Last updated: 8 September 2011
