Studying New Zealand is as expensive as studying in any OECD countries. Tuition fees for international students vary considerably depending upon the type of course, the length of program and the location.

New Zealand Immigration Department puts a specific figure on the costs of international students. You must provide evidence that you can cover your living expenses while you are studying in New Zealand. You will need to demonstrate that you have at least NZ$15,000 to support your education trip. On top of it, upon receiving the Approval-in-Principal (AIP) from New Zealand Immigration Department, you will need to wire (or need to send the banker’s check of tuition fees) the tuition fees for the first year. Please note unlike other OECD countries as education destinations, the government of New Zealand mandates you to pay a one-year upfront tuition fee.

According to New Zealand Education, the official government website for international students, typical annual fees for international students are:

• Bachelor’s degree - From NZ$22,000 to NZ$32,000
• Master’s degree - From NZ$26,000 to NZ$37,000
• Doctoral degree - From NZ$6,500 to NZ$9,000

Health insurance is a requirement of the Ministry of Education’s Code of Practice. International student visa holders are generally not eligible to access the publicly funded health and disability services.

Your course provider usually arranges your insurance policy on your behalf, and the amount of premium is added to your cost sheet of the estimated tuition fees. Overseas health coverage is compulsory for all international students.

Visa Requirements

Your GEC counselor will explain you about visa requirements for your New Zealand application.
In order to succeed in your student visa application, you must demonstrate your genuine intent to study, have enough financial support to pay your tuition fees, maintenance expenses and air tariff.

Apart from these basic visa requirements set out by the New Zealand Immigration department, you may also need following documents/evidence:

Your university/ITP/college will issue an offer letter which depicts your full name, DoB/Passport Number, student ID, name of the course, length, concentration (discipline),title of degree, full-time status, and tuition fees

You will need to have a chest x-ray and/or a medical examination as proof of your good health.

Travel insurance is mandatory for international students for the entire period of their stay on a student visa.

An undertaking from a person or an institution stating that the student has suitable accommodation arranged in New Zealand.

The IELTS mark card is one of the prerequisites for New Zealand schools and Immigration Department.

For more information about New Zealand student visa, Click here

Scholarships help students reduce their financial expenses for studying along with a sense of achievement and a sense of endorsement of their achievements. There are a range of scholarships available for international students wishing to study at New Zealand schools. To obtain a scholarship, you need to meet the certain scholarship criteria laid down by the specific New Zealand institution. Criteria may vary from university to university and hence check the individual website of institution. However, certain basic such as mentioned below remain constant for all countries.

• Area of study
• Nationality
• Academic excellence (past and ongoing)
• Achievement
• Government’s grant for specific area of studies and nationality
• Financial need
• Quality of leadership
• Essay writing
• Community involvement or service
• Gender (certain scholarships are available for male or female)

Country overview

The main industries in New Zealand are tourism, mining, machinery and transportation equipment, manufacturing, construction, agriculture, food processing and finance with the GDP of US$186.4 billion in 2017. The economy works on free market principles and is open for foreign direct investment.

By numbers

GDP contributors as on March 2015

Source: New Zealand Immigration, New Zealand Now

Some skills are chronically short supply. Immigration New Zealand regularly updates the list of skill shortages. Currently, the below-mentioned skills fall under immediate or long term shortages:

For more detailed information about both long term shortage skills and immediate shortage skills, please click the official website of Immigration New Zealand: Click Here

There is acute shortage of skilled personnel in various sectors in New Zealand. Students have an opportunity to network with people from various industries and also have a chance to build their rapport by working part time legally while they study. Some courses also offer internships which can be best used as a tool to develop relationship with employers. Students with the skills in demand and education can stay in New Zealand by applying for a Skilled Migrant visa.

Earn while you study

Immigration New Zealand authorizes international students to work part time i.e. 20 hours weekly while their study is in session. To qualify for a part-time work permit, the student must be enrolled for the course which has at least one year length. The part-time job can certainly help you reduce the education expense burden to some extent.

Post study work permit

Graduates with skills in demand are wanted in various industries in New Zealand. There exist many jobs which are classified under long term and immediate shortage skills. The industries which experience the acute need of skilled employees are tourism, mining, machinery and transportation equipment, manufacturing, construction, agriculture, food processing and finance.

Immigration New Zealand gives one-year post study search visa to all international students. Those who wish to live permanently in New Zealand can apply for a Skilled Migrant visa by meeting other immigration factors.

Disclaimer: The government of New Zealand does not guarantee international students the permanent residency.