New Zealand

New Zealand uses the New Zealand Dollar ($NZD) as its currency.

Institutions in New Zealand are permitted to set their own tuition fees. This means that what you pay will be different depending on your institution of choice. International students can expect to pay between $22,000 and $32,000 for a bachelor’s degree, and between $26,000 and $37,000 for a postgraduate course. However, if you choose a course such as medicine, engineering, or veterinary science, your fees are likely to be higher. All Ph.D. students pay the same, which is $6,500 to $9,000 per year. For information about the cost of your specific course, contact your institution.

There are scholarships available for international students at all levels, including students wanting to gain a Ph.D. These scholarships are offered by the institutions themselves, or the government. Contact your institution to get more information about your eligibility.

Living costs depend on where you choose to live in New Zealand. As in most countries, the bigger cities will require a larger living budget than the smaller cities and towns. It is recommended that you allow between $15,000-$27,000 per year. If you will be studying in New Zealand for more than one year, you will be required to prove that you have at least $15,000 to support yourself for the first year. If you are studying for up to a year, you are required to prove that you have at least $1,250 for each month of study.

If you have a student visa, you are able to work up to 20 hours per week during term time, and full time out of term time. Students completing Masters by Research or Ph.D. are able to work full time throughout their studies, including term time.

In order to study in New Zealand, you might have to purchase health insurance. This will depend on where you are from. If you hold a student visa, you are not eligible for publicly funded health services. The exception to this rule is students from Australia and the United Kingdom or Ph.D. students. These students are entitled to publicly funded health care for immediately necessary treatment only. If you are from any other country or need to access further medical treatment, you will need to make sure that you have valid medical and travel insurance throughout your stay. Your chosen institution will be able to provide more information regarding this.

There are three official languages in New Zealand; English, Maori, and New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL). Te Reo Maori became an official language in 1987. NZSL, the main language of the deaf community in New Zealand, became an official language in 2006.

With only 3.7% of the population speaking Maori, the language is in danger of extinction. Authorities are working to make sure this doesn’t happen, implementing Maori classes in schools, as well as television channels broadcasting exclusively in Maori. Studying in New Zealand would be a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in historic culture, picking up some Maori language and NZSL.

The majority of courses are offered in English. If your native language is not English, you may have to prove that your English skills will meet the teaching standards. If you do not, it is common for institutions to offer language programs to improve your skills.

There are plenty of work opportunities available for international students. On a student visa, you are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week through the semester, and during vacations, you can work up to 40 hours. The international studies office at your university can help you find a job to sustain you during your time in New Zealand. Another great thing is that you can get a permit at the end of your degree program and work for 12 months in the country under a special “work permit” that is alongside your student visa.