Study in New Zealand

Why study in New Zealand?

One national framework

Every qualification in New Zealand – from a certificate to a doctorate – sits on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF), and providers that enrol international students must be approved and quality-assured. This makes it easier to compare courses across universities, polytechnics and private institutions, and to see exactly what level of qualification you will earn.

Flexible Master’s options

Postgraduate study is organised by credits. Many Master’s degrees take one year (120 credits), 18 months (180 credits) or two years (240 credits), depending on the programme and your previous study, and there are one-year postgraduate diplomas at level 8. Indian students can often choose a programme that matches their background and budget.

Work during and after your studies

A student visa may allow you to work up to 25 hours a week during term and full-time in scheduled breaks. After a Master’s studied in New Zealand you may be able to stay for up to three years on a Post-Study Work Visa (see “Working while you study and after graduation” below).

Scholarships for Indian students

The New Zealand Excellence Awards are open only to Indian students, and universities offer their own international scholarships (see “Scholarships” below).

The education system

Universities, polytechnics and private institutions

• Universities – New Zealand has eight universities. They offer Bachelor’s, Master’s and doctoral degrees and are the most common choice for Indian Master’s students.
• Polytechnics and institutes of technology – these offer practical, career-focused certificates, diplomas, degrees and some postgraduate qualifications. From 2020 most of them were part of one national institution, Te Pūkenga. The government is now reversing that merger: from 1 January 2026, ten regional polytechnics began operating independently again, some standalone and others in a federation anchored by the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand. Te Pūkenga – now called the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST) – still runs four of them (NorthTec, Tai Poutini Polytechnic, the Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki and Whitireia & WelTec) during 2026, and they are due to leave it on 1 January 2027. When you apply, check the current name of the institution and who will award your qualification.
• Private training establishments (PTEs) – privately owned institutions registered with NZQA, often offering diplomas and vocational courses in areas such as business, IT and hospitality. For a student visa, your provider must have signed the Code of Practice for the pastoral care of international students.
• Wānanga – Māori tertiary institutions that teach in a Māori cultural setting.

Qualification levels (NZQCF)

The level of your qualification affects your work rights after graduation, so check it before you accept an offer.

As of October 2026 — sources: NZQA, How the New Zealand education system works, Ministry of Education, regional polytechnics to be re-established from 2026, NZIST (formerly Te Pūkenga), Immigration New Zealand, Fee Paying Student Visa.

Popular universities

All eight of New Zealand’s universities are public institutions:

• University of Auckland (Auckland)
• Auckland University of Technology – AUT (Auckland)
• University of Waikato (Hamilton and Tauranga)
• Massey University (Palmerston North, Auckland and Wellington)
• Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington (Wellington)
• University of Canterbury (Christchurch)
• Lincoln University (near Christchurch)
• University of Otago (Dunedin)

Each university has its own strengths, fees and entry rules, so compare the programme pages rather than the university name alone.

Entry requirements

Every institution sets its own entry requirements for each programme, so always read the programme page. You apply directly to the institution, usually online.

Master’s studies

• A recognised Bachelor’s degree, usually in a related subject, with good marks. Universities often express this as a B or B+ average or a minimum grade point average.
• Three-year Indian degrees: a New Zealand bachelor’s degree is usually three years (level 7), so a three-year Indian degree can be considered for postgraduate study. Whether it is enough for a particular Master’s is the university’s decision. Some one-year Master’s degrees expect an honours degree, a four-year degree or relevant study, while 180- or 240-credit Master’s degrees and level 8 postgraduate diplomas may be open to graduates of three-year degrees.
• Level 8 or level 9: a postgraduate diploma (level 8) is usually one year; a Master’s (level 9) takes one to two years. Only a Master’s or doctorate studied in New Zealand leads to the three-year Post-Study Work Visa; a postgraduate diploma usually leads to a shorter one.
• Proof of English (see below), plus usually a CV and a statement of purpose. Some programmes ask for work experience, a portfolio or references.

Bachelor’s studies

International students need a strong Class 12 result. For example, the University of Waikato and Massey University ask Indian applicants for an average of about 75% across the best four academic subjects with at least 60% in English for CBSE or CISCE, and some state boards have higher thresholds. Requirements differ between universities and programmes.

As of October 2026 — sources: NZQA, How the New Zealand education system works, University of Waikato, entry requirements for international students, Massey University, entry requirements for international students, Massey University, qualification types and levels.

English requirements

Universities set their own minimum scores. For example, the University of Auckland’s standard requirement for postgraduate study is:

• IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0, or
• PTE Academic 58 overall with no communicative score below 50.

Some programmes, such as law and some health programmes, ask for more. Check the score for your own programme, including any minimum for each band.

Polytechnics and PTEs must follow NZQA’s English language entry requirements for international students. For IELTS Academic, the minimum is 6.0 with no band below 5.5 for degree-level study (NZQCF levels 6–7), and 6.5 with no band below 6.0 for postgraduate study (levels 8–10). Institutions can set higher scores. NZQA also says non-university providers cannot accept results from the new-format TOEFL iBT introduced on 21 January 2026.

India is not on NZQA’s list of countries whose schooling or English-taught degrees count as proof of English, so most Indian students should plan to take a test.

As of October 2026 — sources: University of Auckland, postgraduate English language requirements, NZQA, English language entry requirements for international students.

Scholarships

• New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA) – offered only to Indian students, funded by Education New Zealand together with New Zealand’s universities, for undergraduate and postgraduate study. For postgraduate awards, university listings ask for a recognised bachelor’s degree with a B- to B average or equivalent and IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0 (or equivalent). Award values, the number of awards, eligible courses and closing dates change from round to round, so check the current round before you apply.
• University scholarships – each university offers its own awards for international students, often as a partial tuition fee reduction. Some are considered automatically with your application; others need a separate application. Check the scholarship pages of each university on your shortlist.
• Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships – the New Zealand Government’s main scholarship programme is open only to citizens of listed eligible countries. As of October 2026, India is not on that list.

As of October 2026 — sources: Study with New Zealand, NZEA, University of Waikato, NZEA for India, Manaaki eligible countries.

Education and living costs

Fees are set by each institution and vary by subject. As an indication of 2026 tuition for international students in a full-time year (120 credits):

Laboratory-based, engineering and health programmes usually cost more than arts, education or business. Polytechnic and PTE fees are set by each provider. Fees change every year, so check the current fee for your programme and year of entry.

Proof of funds and the Funds Transfer Scheme

For the visa you must show:

• Tuition: proof that you have paid the fees for one course or one year, whichever is shorter.
• Living costs: NZD 20,000 for each year of tertiary study, or NZD 1,667 a month for courses shorter than a year – unless a sponsor supports you. For applicants from India, only immediate family can sponsor you or give a financial undertaking.
• Onward travel: a ticket out of New Zealand, or extra money to buy one.

Immigration New Zealand may ask students from India (and some other countries) to use the Funds Transfer Scheme (FTS). If so, it tells you in an Approval in Principle letter. You then open an FTS savings account and an everyday account with ANZ or – for university and polytechnic students – BNZ, which was added as a provider in October 2026. You transfer your first year’s living costs to the savings account, and once you are in New Zealand a set amount (about NZD 1,666 a month for NZD 20,000) moves to your everyday account each month. Your visa is finalised after Immigration New Zealand has the bank’s confirmation and your tuition receipt.

Figures as of October 2026 — sources: University of Waikato, international tuition costs, University of Auckland, postgraduate international fees, Lincoln University, programme pages, Immigration New Zealand, Fee Paying Student Visa, Funds Transfer Scheme, BNZ joins the Funds Transfer Scheme.

Working while you study and after graduation

While you study

• If your visa allows it, you can work up to 25 hours a week during study and full-time in scheduled holidays.
• Full-time holiday work needs a course worth at least 120 credits.
• The limit rose from 20 to 25 hours a week for visas granted from 3 November 2025. Students holding an older visa with a 20-hour condition can apply to vary it.
• Your work rights are printed on your visa – always check its conditions. Part-time earnings cannot replace the funds you must show for the visa.

After you graduate: the Post-Study Work Visa

The Post-Study Work Visa lets eligible graduates stay and work in New Zealand. How long you get depends on the level of your qualification and how long you studied for it:

Key rules:

• You can hold a Post-Study Work Visa only once, so plan which qualification you will use it for.
• If you move from a postgraduate diploma straight into a Master’s using credits from the diploma, the transferred credits do not count towards the Master’s 30 weeks.
• Apply no later than 3 months after your student visa expires (6 months for doctoral graduates).
• You need at least NZD 5,000 in funds. As of October 2026 the fee is from NZD 1,670, and 80% of applications are processed within 4 weeks.
• From 16 November 2026, graduates of a level 7 graduate diploma studied full-time in New Zealand who also hold a bachelor’s degree (from New Zealand or overseas) become eligible for a visa of up to 1 year, and all applications must be made online.

Rules as of October 2026 — sources: Immigration New Zealand, Fee Paying Student Visa, Upcoming changes to student visa work rights, Post-Study Work Visa, Post-Study Work Visa eligibility extended from 16 November 2026.

Student visa

To study full-time in New Zealand as an international student, you will usually need a Fee Paying Student Visa. It can be granted for up to 4 years, normally for the length of the study you have paid for.

What you need

• A passport valid for at least 3 months after you plan to leave New Zealand
• An offer of place from an approved education provider that has signed the Code of Practice (a conditional offer is accepted when you apply from outside New Zealand)
• Proof of tuition payment, living-cost funds and onward travel (see “Education and living costs” above)
• Evidence that you are a genuine student of good health and good character; once you arrive, you must keep up your attendance and academic progress

Medical and police certificates

• Chest X-ray: needed if you will stay more than 6 months and are a citizen of, or have spent more than 3 months in the last 5 years in, a country without low tuberculosis incidence – this usually includes Indian citizens.
• Medical certificate: fee-paying students do not usually need a full medical examination unless Immigration New Zealand asks for one.
• Police certificate: needed if you are 17 or older and will spend 24 months or more in New Zealand in total. It must be less than 6 months old when you apply.
• Any X-ray or medical results must be less than 3 months old when Immigration New Zealand receives them.

Insurance

You must hold travel and health insurance from the start of your course until your visa expires. It must meet the Code of Practice requirements and be acceptable to your education provider. PhD students are exempt from this condition.

Applying and processing

You apply online, upload your documents and pay the visa fee, which starts from NZD 850. As of October 2026, Immigration New Zealand decides 80% of applications within 7 weeks and is busiest from October to March, so apply at least 3 months before you plan to travel. Your partner and children cannot be included in your application; they apply for their own visas.

Rules as of October 2026 — source: Immigration New Zealand, Fee Paying Student Visa.