Tuition fees and cost of living
New Zealand’s flexible education system has study options to suit every budget. The cost of living is similar to other OECD countries, and is combined with an excellent work/life balance and a high quality of life.
Tuition fees
From short-term English language courses to postgraduate degrees, there’s a qualification to suit you. Tuition fees for international students vary depending on the type of course, where you study and how long you study for. The fees listed below are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD).
Annual fees for state schools start at about $11,000 for primary schools and $14,000 for secondary schools. Annual fees for private primary and secondary schools start at about $25,000.
Choose a course to suit your budget. For example, study for a one-term New Zealand Certificate in Engineering for $23,376 or a one-year Diploma in Computing for $46,752.
Fees range from about $35,000 to $55,000* per year, with higher fees for subjects such as medicine and veterinary science. Many bachelor’s degrees can be completed in three years. Important to note: Fees can vary, so it's best to contact education providers for exact course costs. *Cost updated March 2025.
Fees range from about $20,000 to $45,000, with higher fees for subjects such as medicine and veterinary science.
International PhD students pay the same as New Zealand PhD students, which is about $6,500 to $7,500* per year for most subjects. Fees do vary depending on the education provider so it’s to best to contact them for exact costs per course. Important to note: Fees can vary, so it's best to contact education providers for exact course costs. *Cost updated March 2025.
There are a wide range of English courses to choose from and fees vary. For example, you can study a general English course for $350 per week, or a Cambridge English exam course for $5,100 for 12 weeks.
Living costs
Living costs will depend on your lifestyle and which part of the country you live in. It may be cheaper to live in a small town than a big city for example, because of lower housing and transport costs.
As an example of how much to budget for, Victoria University of Wellington and the University of Auckland estimate living costs to be around $20,000-$27,000 each year, and the University of Otago (based in Dunedin) estimates $18,000-$21,000.
When applying for a student visa, you’ll be required to provide evidence that have at least NZ$20,000 (or NZ$17,000 for school years 1-13) to cover your living expenses for your first year of study. The funds required will be lower for shorter lengths of study.
You may be able to offset some of your costs by working. Most student visas enable you to work up to 25 hours per week, or full-time in the holidays.
Typical living costs
Accommodation
Weekly accommodation costs start at $140 for a room in a shared house to $484 for a catered hall of residence...
Entertainment
The University of Auckland suggests budgeting $55 a week for entertainment...
Food
You should budget at least $80-$120 per week to cover basic grocery costs...
Power
If you’re living in a private house, electricity costs will be around $200-$300 per month...
Transport
Depending on how far you live from your place of study, public transport costs can be up to $37 a week...
Phone
Choose from monthly account plans or pre-paid plans for mobile phones for about $19...
Internet
The average price for unlimited wifi for a shared flat is $90 a month...
Budgeting tips from international students
How much money do I need to live in Auckland?
"As an international student, I know it is not an easy thing to live abroad. You need to take care of yourself and manage your time and your own money."
How to save money on travel in New Zealand
"Travelling around New Zealand while you study is an exciting experience. But as a student, you’re always afraid that you'll starve for weeks after once you’ve spent all your money on travel."
Tips for traveling light on a budget
"Minimalistic travelling was completely new to me before coming to New Zealand. This is how I managed to do it while travelling across New Zealand during the semester break."
How soon are you planning to begin your studies?
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