Why study in New Zealand?
New Zealand is a smaller, quieter study destination with a clear route from study to work. Most universities start their year in late February or March, with a second intake in July.
You first get an offer of place from an approved education provider. You then apply for a Fee Paying Student Visa, showing you can pay your tuition and have NZ$20,000 a year for living costs.
After a degree-level qualification, you can apply for a Post-Study Work Visa. A master's or doctoral degree gives you 3 years of open work rights if you studied in New Zealand for at least 30 weeks.
- Post-Study Work Visa of up to 3 years, with open work rights after a degree at level 7 or higher
- Students can usually work up to 25 hours a week in term and full-time in scheduled holidays
- Many master's programmes take 1 to 1.5 years, so you can finish sooner
- Indian students can use the Funds Transfer Scheme to show access to living-cost funds
- Green List occupations can lead to residence, either straight away or after 2 years of work
Popular universities in New Zealand
University of Auckland
Auckland · City and Grafton campuses
University of Canterbury
Christchurch · February and July starts for most degrees
University of Waikato
Hamilton · Campuses in Hamilton and Tauranga
Massey University
Palmerston North · Campuses in Auckland, Manawatū and Wellington
University of Otago
Dunedin · Main campus in Dunedin
Victoria University of Wellington
Wellington · Based in the capital, Wellington
Popular programmes
- Computer Science and IT
- Data Science and Analytics
- Cybersecurity
- Engineering
- MBA and Business
- Accounting
- Public Health
Courses from our Course Finder
Master of Data Science
University of Auckland · Auckland · Master’s · 180 or 240 points (full-time length varies)
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
University of Auckland · Auckland · Bachelor’s · 4 years
Bachelor of Commerce
University of Auckland · Auckland · Bachelor’s · 3 years
Master of Professional Accounting
University of Auckland · Auckland · Master’s · 15 months
Master of Public Health
University of Auckland · Auckland · Master’s · 120 or 240 points (full-time length varies)
Bachelor of Computer Science
University of Waikato · Hamilton · Bachelor’s · 3 years
Cost of studying: financial breakdown
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate tuition | NZ$42,600–58,000 / yr2026–27 international fees at Auckland, Canterbury, Massey and Waikato |
| Postgraduate tuition | NZ$47,500–65,700 / yrSome master's are priced for the whole programme, e.g. NZ$59,400–76,700 in total |
| Living costs / proof of funds | NZ$20,000 / yrImmigration NZ requirement for tertiary study of 1 year or more (NZ$1,667 a month if shorter) |
| Student visa fee | From NZ$850Fee Paying Student Visa; the exact fee depends on your country |
| Post-Study Work Visa fee | From NZ$1,670 |
| Medical and travel insurance | Varies by providerCompulsory; must be acceptable to your education provider |
Typical tuition in rupees: ≈ ₹23–36 lakh per year (European Central Bank and Bank of Russia reference rates, 9 October 2026).
Application checklist
- 1Valid passport
- 2Offer of place from an approved New Zealand education provider
- 3English test score (for example IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall for most degrees)
- 4Academic transcripts and certificates (Class 10, 12 and degree)
- 5Evidence you have paid, or can pay, your tuition fees
- 6Proof of NZ$20,000 a year for living costs, or a Financial Undertaking from an immediate family member
- 7Funds Transfer Scheme account, if you choose to use it
- 8Medical and travel insurance acceptable to your provider
- 9Chest X-ray or medical certificate if Immigration NZ asks
- 10Police certificate if Immigration NZ asks
Student visa: Fee Paying Student Visa
Indian students paying their own international fees need a Fee Paying Student Visa. Apply online once you have an offer of place from an approved provider. You must show you can pay tuition and living costs, and you cannot include your partner or children in this application.
What you’ll need
- Offer of place on an approved course from an approved education provider
- Enough money to pay your tuition fees, or a scholarship
- NZ$20,000 a year for living costs, or an acceptable sponsor (from South Asia, immediate family only)
- Full medical and travel insurance for your stay
- Good health and good character
- A genuine reason for coming to New Zealand
- Evidence you can leave New Zealand at the end of your stay
Processing time: 80% of applications are decided within 7 weeks (Immigration NZ).
Work and employment options
- While you study
- Up to 25 hours a week while studying and full-time in scheduled holidays, depending on your visa conditions
- After you graduate
- Post-Study Work Visa: up to 3 years. Master's or doctoral graduates who studied in New Zealand for at least 30 weeks get 3 years. For a qualification at level 8 or below, the visa matches the time you spent studying. Degree level 7 or higher gives open work rights. You can hold this visa only once.
- A degree at level 7 or higher lets you work for any employer, in any job, anywhere in New Zealand on the Post-Study Work Visa
- Green List occupations can lead to residence straight away or after 2 years of work
- Graduates with a non-degree qualification must work in a job related to what they studied
- Part-time work during study (up to 25 hours a week) helps you build local experience
Good to know: From 16 November 2026, a new Short-Term Graduate Work Visa gives 6 months of open work rights to eligible level 5–7 graduates, and graduate diploma holders who also have a bachelor's degree can qualify for the Post-Study Work Visa.
Scholarships to explore
- Massey University Toroa International Postgraduate Fee Scholarships: NZ$5,000 towards tuition for new international master's students (Semester 1, 2027)
- Waikato Management School Emerging Leaders Entrance Scholarship: NZ$10,000 for new Waikato MBA students
- University of Auckland scholarships for new international students at undergraduate and postgraduate level
Official sources · checked 10 October 2026
- Immigration New Zealand: Fee Paying Student Visa (opens in a new tab)
- Immigration New Zealand: Post-Study Work Visa (opens in a new tab)
- Immigration New Zealand: Staying to work after finishing your study (opens in a new tab)
- Immigration New Zealand: New and updated post-study work visa options (opens in a new tab)
- Massey University: Toroa International Postgraduate Fee Scholarships (opens in a new tab)
Figures are indicative planning ranges and change often. Always confirm fees, funds and visa rules on the university and official government websites before you apply.