New Zealand is home to many public universities and is becoming a popular destination for Indian students. The reasons are top global universities, Faster visa processing, Climate, and post-study work opportunities. There are 8 public universities in New Zealand, and all of them are globally recognised and featured in Major ranking systems like QS Rankings and THE Rankings.
Some of the popular universities are the University of Auckland(#65), University of Otago(#197), Massey University(#230), and University of Canterbury(#261). The annual tuition fee for studying in New Zealand lies in the range of NZD 37,000-116,018(INR 20-62 lakhs). The cost of living in New Zealand for one academic year (40 weeks) is generally NZD 22,000-27,000 (INR 11.9-14.6 lakhs).
Check out: New Zealand as a Top Study Destination for Indian Students
- Why Study in New Zealand?
- Top Universities in New Zealand for Indian Students in 2026
- Eligibility Criteria for New Zealand Universities for Indian Students
- Documents Required for Admission in New Zealand Universities
- Cost of living in New Zealand 2026
- Scholarships in New Zealand for Indian students 2026
- How to Apply for a Student Visa as an Indian Student?
7.1 Documents Required for a Visa for an Indian Student
- Post-Study work opportunities in 2026
- FAQs
Why Study in New Zealand?
Some of the major reasons to choose New Zealand are as follows:
- Peaceful Environment: New Zealand ranks #3 in the Global Peace Index(GPI) 2025, which means it provides a safe and stable environment to students. The country has low crime rates and ensures a high quality of life for students.
- International exposure: Students will engage with other students from diverse communities, and can attend events and try different cuisines.
- Mediterranean climate: Students can experience cool, dry summers with longer sunlight/daylight hours.
- Work-life Balance: The University allows you to work part-time while pursuing your studies. INZ has declared that Students can work up to 25 hours per week to earn and support their lifestyle.
- Post-study Visa: After completing their graduation, international students can apply for a post-study work visa. This will help them stay and work in New Zealand for 1-3 years.
Top Universities in New Zealand for Indian Students in 2026
New Zealand has many globally ranked universities that offer UG, PG and Research programs. The popular domains include Business, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Aviation, IT, and Cybersecurity. The table mentioned below lists some of the popular universities, their rankings, popular programs and their annual tuition fees.
| University Name | QS World University Rankings 2026 | THE World University Rankings 2026 | Program offer | Annual tuition fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Auckland | #65 | #=156 | Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) |
NZD 116,018 |
| M.Mgmt | NZD 76,723 (INR 41 lakhs) |
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| University of Otago | #197 | #351-400 | B.com(International business) | NZD 42,315 (INR 23 lakhs) |
| Doctorate in Business Administration(DBA) | NZD 40,740 (INR 22 lakhs ) |
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| Massey University | #230 | #501-600 | Bachelor of Aviation | NZD 114,341 (INR 61 lakhs ) |
| Master Business Studies | NZD 39,840 (INR 21.5 lakhs) |
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| Victoria University of Wellington | #240 | #401-500 | Bachelors of Law | NZD 41,350 (INR 22.4 lakhs) |
| Master of Computer Science | NZD 68,150 (INR 36.9 lakhs) |
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| University of Canterbury | #261 | #601-800 | Bachelor of Fine Arts | NZD 38,730 (INR 20.9 lakhs) |
| Master of Business Management | NZD 56,850 (INR 38.8 lakhs) |
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| University of Waikato | #=281 | #401-500 | Bachelor of Engineering [B.Eng] Electronic Engineering | NZD 48,345 (INR 26.2 lakhs) |
| Master of Information Technology | NZD 46,200 (INR 25.01 lakhs) |
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| Lincoln University | #407 | #501-600 | Bachelors of Agriculture Science | NZD 37,000 (INR 20 lakhs) |
| Master of Management in Agribusiness | NZD 57,000 (INR 30.8 lakhs) |
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| Auckland University of Technology (AUT) | #410 | #501-600 | Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science | NZD 45,400 (INR 24.6 lakhs ) |
| MBA | NZD 59,850 (INR 32 lakhs ) |
Note: As of 30 March 2026, 1 New Zealand Dollar(NZD) is equivalent to 54.02 Indian Rupee(INR).
Eligibility Criteria for New Zealand Universities for Indian Students
The Eligibility criteria may vary by university and specified courses. The basic eligibility criteria for admission are as follows:
- For UG-programs: Completed secondary education with a minimum 75% marks.
- For PG-programs: Completed a Diploma or Bachelors degree with a good score.
- Age requirements: Minimum 16 or 17
- English proficiency score:
IELTS:6-6.5(with min 5.5 per band)
TOEFL(iBT):80 with a writing score of 21.
TOEFL(paper-based):60 with a writing score of 21.
Check out: Exams to study in New Zealand
Documents Required for Admission in New Zealand Universities
The documents required for admission to New Zealand Universities are as follows:
- Official Transcripts: Academic records and Marksheets.
- Proof of identity: A copy of a passport
- Photographs: Recent passport-sized photographs
- SOP(Statement of Purpose): A written document explaining your purpose for admission in a particular course.
- LOR(Letter of recommendation): 1-2 LoR from a previous employee or professor expressing your capabilities for the course.
- CV/resume
- English proficiency scorecard: If your first language isn’t english you need to provide the English proficiency scores(IELTS/TOEFL/PTE).
Cost of living in New Zealand 2026
The cost of living includes student accommodation, transportation, food and personal expenses. The monthly cost of living in New Zealand for an international student is ~NZD 2700(INR 1.4 lakhs).
The table below shows the breakdown of living expenses as per data from the University of Auckland. Students can plan their budget accordingly.
| Expense | Cost per month(in NZD) | Cost per month(in INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | NZD 2,093 | INR 1.13 lakhs |
| Food | (Included in accommodation) | (included in accommodation) |
| Transportation | NZD 160 | INR 8,671 |
| Personal/Miscellaneous Expense | NZD 540 | INR 29,267 |
Scholarships in New Zealand for Indian students 2026
There is a wide range of scholarships available for UG, PG and Doctorate programs to help students reduce their tuition fees. Some of the popular scholarships available for Indian students are as follows:
| University name | Scholarship type/name | Scholarship Details |
|---|---|---|
| The University of Auckland | The University of Auckland India High Achievers Scholarship | Eligibility- Indian Students enrolling in UG, PG and PG Diploma with great academic records. |
| Coverage- Covers one year's tuition fee up to NZD 20,000(INR 10.8 lakhs) | ||
| University of Otago | Vice-chancellor’s scholarship for International Students | Eligibility- Students who have completed their high school and are planning to enrol in a full-time program in their first year. |
| Coverage- Covers tuition fee up to NZD 10,000 (INR 5.4 lakhs) for 2 semesters. | ||
| Massey’s University | Business Excellence Scholarships | Eligibility-Students who have just finished secondary education with strong academic scores and are applying for a Bachelor's of Business or Bachelor's of Accountancy. |
| Coverage- Covers tuition fee up to NZD 5,000(INR 2.7 lakhs). | ||
| Victoria University of Wellington | VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship | Eligibility- International students enrolling for a master’s or Postgraduate diploma degree for a full-time program with a minimum of 120 points* Students who have completed an English program or a bachelor's degree from the same university are also eligible. |
| Coverage- Scholarship amount of NZD 10,000 (INR 5.4 lakhs) directly applied to the tuition fee for enrollment. | ||
| University of Canterbury | University of Canterbury India High Achievers Scholarship | Eligibility- Indian students with strong academic scores applying for UG or PG programs. |
| Coverage- Covers scholarship award money of NZD 5,000-10,0000 (INR 2.7-5.4 lakhs) towards tuition fee. | ||
| University of Waikato | Vice-chancellor’s International Excellence scholarship for India(VCIES) 2026- (Merit-based) | Eligibility- International students who are citizens or permanent residents of India enrolling for a UG or PG program at the University of Waikato. |
| Coverage- Covers scholarship amount of NZD 8,000-15,000 (INR 4.3-8.1 lakhs) directly to the tuition fee in the first trimester. | ||
| Lincoln University | Taught master’s merit scholarship | Eligibility- International students enrolling in the full-time taught master's program with strong academic grades. |
| Coverage- Covers scholarship amount of NZD 7,000-15,000 (INR 3.7-5.4 lakhs) according to the grades obtained in the final year of the Bachelor’s program (with a minimum B+ grade). | ||
| Auckland University of Technology(AUT) | AUT International scholarship-South Asia | Eligibility- International students from South Asia with strong academic scores enrolling for any full-time UG or PG program at AUT. |
| Coverage- Scholarship worth NZD 5,000-10,000 (INR 2.7-5.4 lakhs) for UG and NZD 7,000 (INR 3.7 lakhs)for PG directly applied to the tuition fees. |
*Note: In New Zealand, the education system uses points as credits to measure the volume of qualification: 120 points = 1 year of full-time study.
Check out: Popular scholarships to study in New Zealand
How to Apply for a Student Visa as an Indian Student?
Students need to hold a valid visa before entering and studying in New Zealand. Students can directly apply online for the Student visa through the Immigration New Zealand(INZ) Portal. The New Zealand visa processing wait time is generally 3-5 weeks, so students are advised to apply at least 3 months before their travel dates. After submitting all the essential documents, you need to pay the basic visa fee.
Documents Required for a Visa for an Indian Student
The documents required while applying for a visa are:
- Valid passport
- Passport-sized photographs
- University Offer Letter/ Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
- Proof of funds of NZD 20,000 (INR 10.8 lakhs)/year to cover your living expenses plus Return Airfares.
- Prepaid Tuition Fee receipt
- Medical certificates(Chest X-ray and general medical certificates)
Students are advised to have the electronic copies of these documents uploaded. Make sure your documents and photos are natural, unaltered.
Check out: New Zealand Pathway Student Visa for Indian Students
Post-Study work opportunities in 2026
After graduating from any university in New Zealand (UG, PG, or PhD), you can apply for the Post Study Work Visa (PSWV). This allows you to stay and work in New Zealand for up to 3 years and bring your family members. PSWV also offers strong pathways to PR(permanent residency) opportunities.
In Conclusion, New Zealand stands out as a popular destination for Indian Students. The country offers globally ranked universities, a safe and stable environment and also to Indian students a Post Study work visa.
FAQs
Ques: How long can PhD graduates stay and work in New Zealand?
Ans: As of now, PhD graduates can only work up to 3 years with a Post Study Work Visa(PSWV), but as per the recent India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA), STEM PhD graduates can work up to 4 years in the upcoming sessions.
Ques: Can I study multiple courses on a single Student visa in New Zealand?
Ans: Yes, with the pathway student Visa you can study up to 3 courses on a single visa up to 5 years without reapplying.
Found 4 universities
| Ranking | College Info | Top Courses | Fees & Cost of Living | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 #71/824 Collegedunia Study Abroad Ranking 2026(Overall) |  University of Auckland, AucklandNorth Island, New Zealand45%Acceptance Rate | MS Computer Science Course duration: 1 year Exams Accepted: IELTS6.5 | Tuition: (NZ$47,059/Yr)$26.8K/Yr Living: (NZ$7,920/Yr)$4.5K/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
#427/824 Collegedunia Study Abroad Ranking 2026(Overall) |  Auckland University of Technology, AucklandNorth Island, New Zealand91%Acceptance Rate | M.B.A Course duration: 18 months Exams Accepted: IELTS6.5PTE58 | Tuition: (NZ$44,408/Yr)$25.3K/Yr Living: (NZ$13,480/Yr)$7.7K/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -- | .png) Unitech institute of Technology, AucklandNorth Island, New Zealand85%Acceptance Rate | Master of Applied Business Course duration: 18 months Exams Accepted: IELTS6.5 | Tuition: (NZ$32,877/Yr)$18.7K/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| -- | .png) ICL Graduate Business School, AucklandNorth Island, New Zealand65%Acceptance Rate | M.Mgmt Course duration: 16 months Exams Accepted: IELTS6.5 | Tuition: (NZ$42,500/Yr)$24.2K/Yr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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