Study in New Zealand: A Complete Guide for Indian Students
Why Choose New Zealand as Your Study Abroad Destination? Rapidly emerging as one of the top study abroad destinations for Indians and other international students, New Zealand ranks as the 6th safest country in the world as per Berkshire Hathaway’s 2025 report. The country has a perfect mix of renowned universities, a vibrant culture and a dynamic economy, making it an ideal destination for Indian students seeking quality education. Not to miss, the breath taking landscapes of New Zealand that add to students’ experience in the country. Ranked as the 4th most peaceful country in the world as per the Global Peace Index 2024, New Zealand offers a welcoming and safe environment to all international visitors, ensuring a high quality of life. The beautiful country even offers a Post-Study Work Visa for up to three years, allowing international students to seek employment and gain work experience post-graduation. Moreover, around 95% of graduates from New Zealand find employment within six months of graduating. New Zealand’s Education System New Zealand’s education providers follow the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) to acknowledge the level and quality of qualifications offered. The NZQF has 10 levels, 7 to 10 covering degrees, graduate and postgraduate qualifications. New Zealand has 8 state-funded universities, 16 Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) which have been unified into the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST), and about 550 Private Training Establishments (PTEs), which include English language schools. Popular Student-Friendly Cities in New Zealand With numerous cities boasting world-class universities and rich culture, study in New Zealand for international students is a top choice for international students. As per the QS Best Student Cities 2025, here’s a list of some of the best cities in New Zealand: City Rank Student MixProportion of International Students Employer ActivityYouth Employment Activity Auckland 24 90.4 68.7 Christchurch 79 71.8 40.9 Top Universities to Study in New Zealand 2025 Home to prestigious universities, New Zealand is committed to academic excellence, research innovation, and hands-on experience. Let’s have a look at the top 5 universities in New Zealand as per the QS World Ranking 2025: University Rank City The University of Auckland 65 Auckland University of Otago 214 Dunedin University of Waikato 235 Hamilton Massey University 239 Palmerston North Victoria University ofWellington 244 Wellington Top Courses to Pursue in New Zealand in 2025 With some of the most diverse degrees to pursue, 2025 will see an increasing number of students opt for the following programs in New Zealand: Intakes in New Zealand Universities Now that you’ve planned to study in New Zealand, you must be informed about the intakes universities offer.New Zealand universities offer two intakes: the first one starts in January and the other starts in July. There’s also a rolling intake where universities accept applications throughout the year. New Zealand universities receive a large number of applications in the July intake. Most international students opt for the July intake as it allows them to choose from a wide range of courses and universities. To help you better, here’s a timeline of how and when to plan your education abroad in New Zealand: Timeline for July 2026 Intake Events August-December 2025 Research and shortlist your course and university December 2025-February 2026 Take the required proficiency exams February-March 2026 Compile your documents and apply to shortlisted universities March-April 2026 Receive Offer Letter April-June 2026 Apply for your student visa July 2026 Plan your travel Study in New Zealand Cost in 2025 The cost of education in New Zealand depends on the program and university you choose to study in. Pursuing courses like humanities, education, and arts is comparatively more affordable than pursuing programs in medicine and engineering fields. Let’s have a look at the costs involved in pursuing various programs: Program Tuition Fees (annual) Diploma or Certificate NZD 23,376 – NZD 47,752 English Language NZD 350 (per week) Bachelor’s NZD 20,000 – NZD 40,000 Master’s NZD 20,000 – NZD 45,000 Doctoral NZD 6,500 – NZD 7,500 Cost of Living in New Zealand 2025 Living in New Zealand as an international student, your expenses would rely on aspects like which city your university is in, how you commute to your university, and the type of accommodation you opt for. Here’s a classification of expenses for living in Germany: Expenses In NZD Accommodation On campus NZD 215 to NZD 555 per weekOff campus NZD 120 to NZD 600 per week Utilities NZD 100 per month Food and groceries NZD 80 to NZD 100 per week Insurance (health & travel) NZD 350 per semester Phone bill NZD 20 per month Internet NZD 70 per month Public Transport NZD 2.5 to NZD 37 per week Scholarships Available for International Students in New Zealand With world-class education opportunities in prestigious universities, New Zealand offers numerous fully funded scholarships. Scholarships for Indian students aspiring to study in New Zealand make it the perfect choice for aspiring students seeking affordable education abroad. Let’s look at a few scholarships for Indian students planning to pursue their education in New Zealand. Eligibility Criteria for Studying in New Zealand Considered one of the most preferred study destinations in the world, New Zealand offers high education standards at world-class universities. If you plan to pursue a UG course in New Zealand, you must have a certificate of higher secondary qualification from a renowned board of education. A minimum score of 50-60% or above is required as per the universities. Universities also require language proficiency test scores such as IELTS (these scores’ requirements vary as per university). If you’re applying for a Master’s degree in New Zealand, you need to have a graduation degree in the course relevant to your field of study with a minimum score of 50-60%. GMAT or GRE grades are required for students aiming for management studies. Some universities even consider internships and work experience in the field of study. English proficiency tests such as IELTS are also required by universities (these scores’ requirements vary as per universities). How to Apply for