UPDATED: JUL 2023
COST OF STUDYING
Diplomas/Certificates
Choose a course to suit your budget. For example, study for a two-year New Zealand Diploma in Engineering for $18,500 or a one-term Certificate in Computing for $12,425.
Postgraduate degree
Fees range from about $26,000 to $37,000, with higher fees for subjects such as medicine and veterinary science.
Choose a course to suit your budget. For example, study for a two-year New Zealand Diploma in Engineering for $18,500 or a one-term Certificate in Computing for $12,425.
Postgraduate degree
Fees range from about $26,000 to $37,000, with higher fees for subjects such as medicine and veterinary science.
COST OF LIVING
As part of your student visa application, you must provide evidence that you can cover your living expenses while studying in New Zealand. If you’re studying in New Zealand on a scholarship or a sponsor/family member has agreed to accept financial responsibility for you while you’re here, you may not be required to show proof of funds.
If you will be studying in New Zealand for more than one year, you’ll need to prove that you have at least $15,000 to support yourself for the first year. If you’re studying for less than a year, you must have at least $1250 for each month of study to contribute to your living expenses.
Living costs will depend on your lifestyle and which part of the country you live in. Some costs vary by region. For example, you may need to travel more to the main centres, and transport costs may be more expensive than in your home country.
As an example of how much to budget for, Victoria University recommends that students allow between $18,000-$27,000 each year, the University of Auckland recommends $20,000-$25,000, the University of Otago recommends $15,000-$17,000 and Massey University recommends $15,000-$18,000.
You may be able to offset some of your costs by working. Most student visas enable you to work up to 20 hours per week, or full-time in the holidays.
Visit the Work Section of Thinking New
Check out our the Think New blog for more ideas on saving costs while you study in New Zealand.
If you will be studying in New Zealand for more than one year, you’ll need to prove that you have at least $15,000 to support yourself for the first year. If you’re studying for less than a year, you must have at least $1250 for each month of study to contribute to your living expenses.
Living costs will depend on your lifestyle and which part of the country you live in. Some costs vary by region. For example, you may need to travel more to the main centres, and transport costs may be more expensive than in your home country.
As an example of how much to budget for, Victoria University recommends that students allow between $18,000-$27,000 each year, the University of Auckland recommends $20,000-$25,000, the University of Otago recommends $15,000-$17,000 and Massey University recommends $15,000-$18,000.
You may be able to offset some of your costs by working. Most student visas enable you to work up to 20 hours per week, or full-time in the holidays.
Visit the Work Section of Thinking New
Check out our the Think New blog for more ideas on saving costs while you study in New Zealand.
STUDYING AND WORKING
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WORKING AFTER STUDYING
You can apply for a visa to work in New Zealand for up to 3 years after you finish your study if you have an acceptable qualification.
A Post-study work visa lasts for 1, 2 or 3 years depending on the level of your qualification and where you studied. From the end of November 2018, it replaces 2 previous visas:
Your partner can apply for a work visa and your dependent children can study fee-free as domestic students.
Check all the criteria and work out how long you can work for.
Post-study work visa
If you plan to live in New Zealand permanently getting a skilled job in an occupation where there’s a shortage could improve your chances of getting a residence visa.
Skill Shortage List Checker
The button below takes you to the New Zealand Government site where you can search to learn if your skills are needed in New Zealand. There are 5 skill levels; 1 being highly skilled.
On the site you can learn the ranking of your skill and if there is a shortage and how urgent the shortage is. The more urgent the shortage; the easier to get the visa. Remember: A skill that is in demand today may not be a year or two from now.
A Post-study work visa lasts for 1, 2 or 3 years depending on the level of your qualification and where you studied. From the end of November 2018, it replaces 2 previous visas:
- Post Study Work Visa (open)
- Post Study Work Visa (employer-assisted).
Your partner can apply for a work visa and your dependent children can study fee-free as domestic students.
Check all the criteria and work out how long you can work for.
Post-study work visa
If you plan to live in New Zealand permanently getting a skilled job in an occupation where there’s a shortage could improve your chances of getting a residence visa.
Skill Shortage List Checker
The button below takes you to the New Zealand Government site where you can search to learn if your skills are needed in New Zealand. There are 5 skill levels; 1 being highly skilled.
- Managerial and professional roles mainly in these industries: education and training (teachers); professional and technical services; health and social assistance; and agriculture (farmers and farm managers).
On the site you can learn the ranking of your skill and if there is a shortage and how urgent the shortage is. The more urgent the shortage; the easier to get the visa. Remember: A skill that is in demand today may not be a year or two from now.
New Zealand needs nurses and critical workers now.
So will the Government’s latest immigration changes work?
So will the Government’s latest immigration changes work?
VISAS
The link below takes you to the New Zealand Government site which explains what visas are available and authorization to work as a student and after completing your educational program.