New ways of learning, affordable cost of living, and work-ready program! What’s more do you want? If you plan to study abroad in 2025, choose New Zealand for a world-class education, bespoke training, globally recognized qualifications, and top-notch skills that last a lifetime. Top Universities in New Zealand, such as the University of Otago, University of Waikato, and University of Canterbury, are known for their world-class faculty.
According to available data, all but 15,000 Indian students moved to New Zealand last year (2024) to study UG, PG, and diploma programs, marking a significant increase compared to 2022 and 2023, when the number was around 10,000 and 12,500, respectively. If you plan to study abroad this year and want to know the best Universities in New Zealand for a master's or bachelor's degree, this blog post would be your best guide. This blog will also help you know the eligibility, cost of living, average tuition fees, best UG and PG courses, scholarships, and more! Why wait? Read on to know more!
If you choose one of the top Universities in New Zealand to study a UG or PG program, you can feel confident in your decision. Why? New Zealand is one of the nations that sets its education apart from others. Also, education in New Zealand sets you up with globally recognized qualifications and real-world skills that will prepare you for the future.
Here are the top 5 Reasons New Zealand has become the most sought-after nation for international students for higher studies.
It may be your first, second, or last semester assignment or a doctoral research project; you get an abundance of study resources and help on your way. The best thing is that a lot of research papers are free with your University ID. Cool! Isn’t it?
LED classroom, round-the-clock support, and world-class faculty are always there to help. So, before the big day of your class presentation or thesis submission, you feel confident that all is ready in the nick of time.
You may stay in one of the university flats or private accommodation. Rest assured, everything is just two blocks away from your university. It is just a maximum of 5-10 minutes walking distance. Not only are the top business schools/or world-class universities close to your accommodation, but the recreational center, libraries, supermarkets, and everything are just a walking distance to your University.
Maybe you chose to study in Dunedin, which is a beautiful place. It is handy to have comfortable and safe accommodation only a short walk from your campus. Full of nature, with no congestion! Almost everything is always nearby. Interesting! Isn’t it?
It doesn’t matter if it is your first international flight from India. When you arrive in New Zealand, you will feel the charm of landing in a developed country, amicable people, and surely high-class, so your excitement will know no bound.
The nation is renowned for its awe-inspiring natural landscapes, friendly culture, pristine environment, and diverse wildlife, making New Zealand one of the top countries for many study-abroad aspirants around the world. If you plan to study abroad not just for studying in a foreign country, but bagging the life-time memory, then it is the best destination for you.
When you first arrive, you take the first few months to settle down. Oh, that’s normal. You work on some big assignments, but soon enough, you begin taking out time to explore new things, activities that you have not explored yet.
On the weekend, you can take a bus to Saint Clair Beach in Dunedin, which is a 30-minute ride. You may not become a pro surfer, but you will tick off surfing experience in your bucket of all the things you wanted to do and explore in New Zealand’s scenic South Island. It is a paradise for those who like nature. You may go and see penguins at the Otago Penisula, try your hand at archery, participate in inter-college Filmmaking competition, play rugby match, and so so on.
The average cost to study in one of the universities in New Zealand depends on the level of education, the course, and the city in which you live. Here are the average tuition fees:
Universities in New Zealand offer a bunch of bachelor courses for Indian students in Humanities, Science, Commerce, Finance and Accounting, Business, Media Science, and more. Here are the top 5 Bachelor Courses in New Zealand for Indian Students.
|
Top Bachelor’s Program |
Avg. Tuition Fees in NZD |
|
Engineering |
30,000 - 45,000 |
|
Business and Management |
20,000 - 50,000 |
|
Information Technology |
30,000 - 45,000 |
|
Health Science |
10,000 - 30,000 |
|
Environmental Science |
22,000 - 32,000 |
Universities and Business Schools in New Zealand offer a bunch of master courses for Indian students in Humanities, Science, Commerce, Finance and Accounting, Business, Media Science, and more. Here are the top 5 master courses in New Zealand for Indian Students.
|
Top Master’s Program |
Avg. Tuition Fees in NZD |
|
Master of Business Administration |
35,000 - 50,000 |
|
Master of Computer Science |
35,000 - 50,000 |
|
Master of Engineering |
35,000 - 50,000 |
|
Master of Environmental Science |
35,000 - 50,000 |
|
Master of Public Health |
35,000 - 50,000 |
New Zealand is well-known for top-class education and globally recognized educational institutions. Many universities are ranked well globally. Here are the top eight and the best universities in New Zealand for International students.
|
University |
Avg. UG Tuition Fees |
Avg. PG Tuition Fees |
QS World Rank 2025 |
|
University of Auckland |
22,000 - 32,000 NZD |
26,000 - 37,000 NZD |
68 |
|
University of Otago |
22,000 - 32,000 NZD |
26,000 - 37,000 NZD |
206 |
|
Victoria University of Wellington |
22,000 - 32,000 NZD |
26,000 - 37,000 NZD |
241 |
|
University of Canterbury |
22,000 - 32,000 NZD |
26,000 - 37,000 NZD |
256 |
|
Massey University |
22,000 - 32,000 NZD |
26,000 - 37,000 NZD |
239 |
|
University of Waikato |
22,000 - 32,000 NZD |
26,000 - 37,000 NZD |
250 |
|
Lincoln University |
22,000 - 32,000 NZD |
26,000 - 37,000 NZD |
362 |
|
Auckland University of Technology |
22,000 - 32,000 NZD |
26,000 - 37,000 NZD |
407 |
The cost of living in New Zealand varies across cities. Here are the average living costs.
Top Universities in New Zealand offer financial assistance or scholarships to international students. Also, Indian students can avail of specific scholarships to study bachelor or master courses in New Zealand. Here are the top five scholarships for Indian students.
|
Name of the Scholarships |
Description |
Amount Offered |
|
New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships |
Funded by the New Zealand government, NZIDRS supports international students |
Tuition fees and student levies |
|
New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships |
Offered by the New Zealand government in partnership with the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan |
Full coverage of tuition fees |
|
New Zealand Excellence Awards |
Jointly funded by Education New Zealand (ENZ) and New Zealand universities, NZEA offers scholarships to Indian students |
Postgraduate: NZD 5,000 |
|
University of Otago Doctoral Scholarships |
These scholarships are intended for outstanding applicants at the University of Otago. |
Stipend: NZD 25,000 per year |
|
Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships |
These are funded by the New Zealand government for students from developing countries. |
Full coverage of tuition fees |
If you choose one of the best universities in New Zealand for international students, among the top 8 universities to study your bachelor of master program, rest assured, your career and job prospects are higher than average. After completing your UG or PG program, you can work in multiple domains of your choice. Here are the top career and job prospects in New Zealand for international students.
|
Career |
Designation |
Top Employers |
Avg. Salary NZD |
|
Information Technology |
Software Developer, IT Manager, Data Analyst |
Datacom, Xero, Spark New Zealand |
80,000 – 150,000 |
|
Healthcare |
Registered Nurse, General Practitioner, Clinical Psychologist |
Te Whatu Ora – Health NZ, Bupa NZ, Southern Cross Healthcare |
65,000 – 180,000 |
|
Engineering |
Civil Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer |
WSP NZ, Beca Group, Fletcher Construction |
70,000 – 160,000 |
|
Consulting Management |
Construction Project Manager, Site Manager, Quantity Surveyor |
Fletcher Building, Downer Group, CPB Contractors |
60,000 – 140,000 |
|
Education |
Early Childhood Teacher, Secondary School Teacher, Special Education Teacher |
Ministry of Education, Public & Private Schools |
50,000 – 90,000 |
Studying in New Zealand offers a strong ROI due to its high graduate employability and post-study work opportunities. As you come to know, the Bachelor’s programs cost NZD 22,000–NZD 35,000 annually, while the master’s programs range from NZD 26,000–NZD 50,000 annually. With an average graduate salary of NZD 50,000–NZD 80,000, you can recover costs within a few years, particularly in high-demand fields like Information Technology, healthcare, accounting and finance, etc., making it a worthwhile investment.
New Zealand is not just a study-abroad destination for Indian students—it is a gateway to global careers and opportunities. With world-class education, bespoke practical training, stunning landscapes, and a thriving job market, studying in New Zealand is an investment in your future. Whether you are drawn to cutting-edge research, global exposure, industry connections, or a top-class lifestyle, New Zealand offers it all.
Why wait? Take the leap, explore your options to study in one of the top Universities in New Zealand, and start your journey toward high-standard academic and professional success. Your dream career in New Zealand is closer than you think—apply today with Education Vibes and turn your aspirations into reality!
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