Study in New Zealand
Here’s a comprehensive guide for all Indian students who want to study in the New Zealand
Ranking second on the Global Peace Index 2022, New Zealand is undoubtedly the safest country to study in. With globally ranked universities and a responsive education system, it has the right mix of opportunities, culture, economy and climate to thrive for an Indian student. Not to miss, its unspoiled scenery will make your experience worth every penny.
Scholarships for New Zealand
Here are some popular scholarship programs you can apply to as an Indian student:
Name of scholarship | Description |
New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships (NZIDRS) | Funded by the New Zealand government, these scholarships are for Indian students who wish to pursue a PhD in New Zealand. Inclusions under this award are university tuition fee, associated student levies, living stipend (up to NZ$25,000 tax-free) and health insurance coverage (up to NZ$600 annually) for three years. (However, it may vary as per different education providers) |
New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships | Indian students who apply to master’s degree or PhD can try for the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP). The plan will cover tuition fee, living, travel and health insurance, and establishment allowance. This scholarship offers many benefits such as: Full tuition fees An allowance of NZ$ 491 per week for living expenses For covering, setup cost an establish allowance of NZ$ 3,000 Medical and travel insurance and research cost for postgraduate students New-zealand- government-scholarships/new-zealand-scholarships-for-international-tertiary- students/scholars-get-ready-to-start-your-scholarship/#PolicyHandbook |
New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA) | NZEA features scholarships across all eight universities, offering an opportunity for Indian students to experience New Zealand excellence in various fields. This scholarship is funded by Education New Zealand (ENZ) and New Zealand universities catering to Indian students. The number of scholarships in PG programs is 28 and in UG is 3. The value of this scholarship is NZ 5,000 each for PG course and NZ 10,000 each for UG course. |
NZ-GRADS New Zealand Global Research Alliance Doctoral Scholarship | The Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions has launched new NZ-GRADS program if you aspire to complete your PhD in agriculture emission science. It covers the following expenses for 36 months (3 years): Tuition fees up to NZD 10,000 per year An annual stipend for covering expenses NZD 28,000 per year (tax-free) Medical insurance up to NZD 700 per year Visa application cost not exceeding up to $1,000 Airfare upon returning to New Zealand up to a maximum amount of $6,000 Research allowance up to $1,500 Feel free to reach out to your IDP international education expert for the application process |
SEG Scholarship | This scholarship program is funded by the Soshi Educational Group. It encourages the study of geophysics and related geosciences for undergraduate (A and B scholarships) and other programs (C scholarships) Value of the scholarships a) Scholarship A: NZD 7,000 annually b) Scholarship B: NZD 5,000 annually c) SEG Scholarship C: NZD 3,000 annually The length of the award is one year |
Palmerston North City Mayor’s Goodwill Ambassador Scholarship | It is sponsored by the City Council of Palmerston North for promoting Palmerston North as a favourable location for international students. It is provided for career-based/vocational, undergraduate, postgraduate courses. Value of the scholarship: NZD 1,000 towards the first year’s tuition |
New Zealand Student Visa
If you are over 18 years and plan to study in New Zealand for more than six months, here’s an overview of the types of student visa available for you:
S.No. |
Types of student visa | Description |
1 |
Fee Paying Student Visa | Study full-time for up to four years and be able to work part-time |
2 |
Exchange Student Visa | Study full-time for up to four years for an approved student exchange program |
3 |
Foreign Government Supported Student Visa | Study full-time for up to four years on a foreign government loan or scholarship |
4 |
Pathway Student Visa | Study up to five years for 3 consecutive courses on a single student visa and be able to work part-time |
*For detailed information, please visit the New Zealand Government’s Immigration website
Cost of studying in New Zealand
Most commonly humanities, arts and education courses are cheaper, while subjects such as medicine and engineering are likely to be more expensive. If you wish to study at postgraduate level, the tuition fee
s are typically higher and the costs vary depending on the program. As with most other countries, MBA programs are often the most expensive. The average cost for these programs ranges between NZ$31,000-50,000 (indicative).
S.No. |
Study Program |
Cost (in NZ$)* |
1 |
Undergraduate degree |
$20,500 – $25,000 annually |
2 |
Master’s degree |
$19,000 – $29,000 annually |
3 |
Doctoral degree |
$6,500 – $9,000 annually |
4 |
MBA |
$31,000 – $50, 000 annually |
*Please note that all figures are indicative Know more about cost of living in New Zealand using our cost-calculator toolIntakes in New Zealand In some universities, intakes may also be referred to as a semester. The two intakes available in New Zealand are:
- Semester 1: February to June
- Semester 2: July to November
Admissions for vocational courses may also be available in the months of March, April and May.
Live life in the FastLane
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Education system in New Zealand
Study levels Education in New Zealand is categorised under five stages:
- Early childhood: for ages up to five years
- Primary school: for ages 5 to 10 years
- Intermediate school: for ages 11 to 12 years
- Secondary school: for ages 13 to 18 years
- Tertiary education: 18 years and above
FAQ’s Related to Study in New Zealand
1. What are the eligibility criteria to study in New Zealand?
Here is the eligibility criteria for different academic levels: For Graduation:
- Completion of an equivalent of year 13.
- Minimum requirement of 50-60% or above for admission.
- English Language proficiency test such as IELTS.
For Postgraduation:
- Minimum score of 50-60% in undergraduate studies.
- GMAT or GRE scores are required for management studies.
- Some universities may consider work experience or internships.
- English proficiency must be demonstrated through tests like IELTS.
2. Which exam is required for New Zealand?
Here are the examinations necessary for studying in New Zealand:
- Language proficiency exam: IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
- Subject-specific assessments
- GRE (Graduate Records Examinations)
- UCAT ANZ (University Clinical Aptitude Test for Australia and New Zealand)
3. What is the IELTS score for New Zealand?
To be eligible for a student visa in New Zealand, you must achieve a band score of 5.5 in the IELTS test. However, for university admission, a minimum overall band score of 6 is required, with a score of 5.5 in each section.
4. What are pathway programs in New Zealand?
New Zealand universities offer foundation or pathway programs specifically designed to assist international students in meeting entry requirements, choosing the right program, or bridging the gap between their studies. These programs are beneficial for students who may not meet certain course entry requirements or are uncertain about their program choice.