New Zealand universities are becoming the go-to for international students.
Between January and August of 2024, as many as , a 6% jump compared to all of 2023.
And when you look at the universities specifically, there’s a 14% surge in international student enrolments.
So, if you’ve been wondering why New Zealand universities are suddenly the place to be, we鈥檙e here to break it down for you.
Why are more students choosing New Zealand universities?
Pretty highly ranked universities and programmes
There are eight degree-granting universities in the country, all of which are ranked in the top 3% of higher education institutions worldwide. Their are as follows:
- #65, The 糖心vlog官网 of Auckland
- #214, 糖心vlog官网 of Otago
- #235, 糖心vlog官网 of Waikato
- #239, Massey 糖心vlog官网
- #244, Victoria 糖心vlog官网 of Wellington
- #261, 糖心vlog官网 of Canterbury
- #371, Lincoln 糖心vlog官网
- #412, Auckland 糖心vlog官网 of Technology (AUT)
On top of that, many of these New Zealand universities have even better results when you look at their other rankings.
For example, the 糖心vlog官网 of Otago ranks #11 globally for its Sports-related Subjects, and Massey 糖心vlog官网 ranks #19 for its Veterinary Science programmes. Meanwhile, Victoria 糖心vlog官网 of Wellington ranks #67 on the QS International Trade Ranking – Master’s and MBA.
Rankings aren’t everything but they are a good indicator of their research and teaching. A more聽in-depth explanation can be found here.
New Zealand universities really want you to join them. Luckily, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his government want you too. Source: AFP
Better policies for international students than in other countries
It鈥檚 one thing for a university to entice you to their halls, but it鈥檚 another when the country as a whole is coming up with some really good policies to attract and welcome international students to their shores.
In New Zealand鈥檚 case, that involves introducing schemes and policies like:
- , a fund for first-time tertiary learners that covers fees of up to 12,000 New Zealand dollars (US$7,207) for one year’s study or two years鈥� work-based training.
- , a visa that allows those in New Zealand on a student visa to bring along their dependants to work in the country.
- Those with a Partner of Student Work Visa will also be able to support their dependent children in getting the , which allows school-aged children to be treated as domestic, non-tuition fee-paying students.聽
The Partner of Student Work Visa, in particular, is quite the benefit 鈥� especially when countries like the UK have revised the eligibility of dependant visas for students, making it much harder for you to bring to follow your partner and children along.
And unlike other countries where foreign talent are not as welcomed, New Zealanders want more to migrate over.
鈥淓ighty-two percent (82) % of New Zealanders agree that international students contribute to our cultural diversity, with 79%聽 feeling they help local students learn about other cultures and ways of life, as well as contributing to local businesses during their studies,鈥� , Education NZ鈥檚 Chief Executive.聽
鈥淭his level of support is enormously pleasing,鈥� continues Malu. 鈥淚t tells us we can continue to steadily grow the number of international students in New Zealand and that they will continue to receive a warm welcome in our communities.鈥�
The New Zealand universities will give you all you need to seize your opportunities as an international student — so just be sure you make that catch. Source: AFP
A great post-study work visa
New Zealand might have one of the best , allowing you to work for any employer for up to three years, depending on your qualifications and where you studied.
This is a massive step up from other popular study abroad countries, like the US and the UK, which grant only a year and two years, respectively.聽聽
Plus, if you completed a degree Level 7 (diploma, bachelor鈥檚 degree, graduate certificate, or graduate diploma) or above qualification that you studied full-time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand, you can work in almost any job for any employer in the country.
What to expect from New Zealand universities
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The education system
The academic year at New Zealand universities (which has two terms) typically starts in late February or early March and wraps up in November. The exact dates, of course, vary between universities.
Here, you鈥檒l be graded via letter grades: A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, and so on. While most passing grades remain the same, there are some slight differences for the failing grades, so you鈥檒l want to take careful note of that.
Each letter has a percentage band equivalent. At almost all New Zealand universities, an A+ grade can be any percentage between 90 and 100, and an A grade results in a percentage between 85 and 89.9.
More importantly, you鈥檒l be assessed and graded across examinations and internal assessments. This differs across the universities and programmes, but in general, assessments include assignments, practical work, work in tutorials, seminars, written or oral tests, recitals, performances, or attendance requirements.
Good news: many New Zealand universities have great scholarships for you to check out. Source: AFP
How much tuition costs
International students starting their undergraduate programme in 2025-2026 at the following New Zealand universities can expect to pay this much per year.
We鈥檝e helped you out by listing this from most to least expensive:
- : NZ$38,310 – NZ$65,450 (US$22,838 – US$39,017)
- : NZ$35,621 – NZ$44,720 (US$21,235 – US$26,659)
- : NZ$35,092 – NZ$48,192 (US$20,919 – US$28,729)
- : NZ$33,360 – NZ$43,821 (US$19,887 – US$26,123)
- : NZ$32,800 – NZ$45,200 (US$19,553 – US$26,945)
- : NZ$32,500 – NZ$36,000 (US$19,374 – US$21,461)
- : NZ$30,897 – NZ$45,602 (US$18,419 – US$27,185)