Study a master’s degree
Whether you’re interested in extending your career options, or doing specialised research, a New Zealand master’s degree can give you a competitive edge.
A New Zealand master’s degree can take 1 year, 18 months, or 2 years of study, depending on the programme and your existing qualifications.
Taught Master’s
Fast-track your professional career by studying for a taught master’s degree. Develop your skills through structured coursework and real-world projects.
Taught master’s programmes often include internship opportunities and industry connections that will help you get a good start in your career when you graduate.
Research Master’s
Gain specialist knowledge by studying for a research master’s degree. Build on your existing subject knowledge with an extensive research project.
Work closely with expert academic staff who will challenge you to think critically and creatively, helping you develop a future-focused skillset. Graduate with a qualification that’s highly respected anywhere in the world.
Universities are just one option. You can also study a master’s degree at institutes of technology and polytechnics, or at a private training establishment.
Entry requirements
Entry into postgraduate programmes requires a qualification equivalent to a New Zealand bachelor’s degree or higher, from a recognised institution, with sufficient grades.
Refer to the education provider’s website for specific entry requirements.
Work while you study and post-study
Taught master’s students can work part-time while studying, and full-time during holidays.
Research master’s students are able to work full-time all year.
Once you have completed your master’s degree in New Zealand, you can apply for a 3-year post-study work visa(external link that opens in a new tab).
The research skills I’ve developed in my master’s degree help me understand everyone’s perspective when working in a team and find the best possible solution.
Ayush Nauria, Software developer at Invenco Group Ltd., Master of Health Informatics, AUT
Still have questions?
English language requirements for master’s study vary across education providers. Many universities offer English language pathway programmes to help you get your English to the required standard. Read more about learning English.
As a master’s student, you can support your partner’s work visa. Your partner can then support a student visa for any dependent children, and they won't have to pay international student fees to attend our primary or secondary schools.
There are many master’s study options offered by quality New Zealand education providers that allow you to study online. Explore online master’s courses.
How soon are you planning to begin your studies?
Great! Get started by using our course search tool to find a programme that suits you. Then follow our 5 step guide to plan your study experience.
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