Most Affordable Universities in NZ

Most Affordable Universities in New Zealand

New Zealand is a destination for businesses, major motion picture production, and, yes, even students. In fact, the country is rising through the ranks of popular international study destinations, with some estimates suggesting that over 130,000 students travel to the country to study each year. With its jaw-dropping nature, its multicultural focus, and its world-class academic institutions, it’s no wonder [insert link to Why Study in NZ article] students are flocking to the country in droves.

Students look to take up the opportunity to study abroad turn to New Zealand for more than just its beauty, its international population, and its universities: the country is also known to be a less expensive alternative to its famous neighbor, Australia. While the cost of living in New Zealand [link to Cost of Living in NZ article] remains relatively high, students can take comfort in the fact that the country is rich in ways to save money and still experience all it has to offer. One of those is the cost of the universities. New Zealand is frequently listed alongside countries like Italy and Spain as a destination with a surprisingly low cost of education for international students.

Here is a list of 10 of the most affordable institutions in New Zealand, based on Bachelor’s of Business degrees:

1. Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT)

Annual Tuition: NZ$18,000

The largest public Tertiary Education Institution at the top of New Zealand’s South Island, NMIT's Nelson campus is joined by others in Blenheim, Marlborough, and a now a Global Campus in Auckland. Since 1904, NMIT offers 100 programs at certificate, diploma, or degree level across a broad range of areas and has a yearly enrollment of around 3,000 equivalent full-time students – locally, nationally and internationally.

2. Whitireia New Zealand

Annual Tuition: NZ$18,950

Originally known as Whitireia Community Polytechnic, Whitireia New Zealand is a government-owned and -funded tertiary education institute in New Zealand. Since its establishment in 1986, the school, which is set on the shores of Porirua Harbour, has witnessed steady growth and now is home to over 7,500 students, who attend its campuses in Auckland, Wellington, Kāpiti, and Porirua.

3. Waikato Institute of Technology (WINTEC)

Annual Tuition: NZ$19,050

One of New Zealand's leading institute of technology based in Hamilton, WINTEC welcomes approximately 20,000 students from 52 countries each year. The institute currently offers 10 degree programs, 35 diplomas, and 12 postgraduate qualifications. With 3 main main campuses in and around Hamilton, the institute also has 3 additional campuses spread throughout the Waikato region.

4. University of Otago

Annual Tuition: NZ$25,600

Two years shy of its 150^th anniversary, University of Otago ranks second only to the University of Auckland in the number of A-rated academic researchers it employs. It also ranks highly in national league table and has topped the New Zealand Performance Based Research Fund evaluation. Otago is known for its vibrant student life, particularly its flatting, which is often in old houses, and its world-class programs in a variety of fields.

5. Victoria University of Wellington

Annual Tuition: NZ$26,145

Well known for its programs in law, humanities, and an array of scientific disciplines, Victoria University in Wellington offers a broad range of other courses. Victoria held the highest average research grade in the New Zealand Government's Performance-Based Research Fund exercise in 2012, having been ranked 4th in 2006 and 3rd in 2003. The university has been ranked 229th in the World's Top 500 universities by the QS World Rankings.

6. Lincoln University

Annual Tuition: NZ$26,500

Formed in 1990 when Lincoln College, Canterbury became the University of Canterbury, Lincoln University offers its students a range of undergraduate study areas include agriculture, commerce, computing, engineering, environment, landscape, Māori planning, sciences, transport, and even winemaking. With a student population of almost 6000 from over 60 countries, Lincoln’s campus sits just outside Christchurch.

7. University of Canterbury

Annual Tuition: NZ$26,800

New Zealand’s second-oldest university, the University of Canterbury was founded in 1873 as Canterbury College, and now operates its main campus in the Christchurch suburb of Ilam, offering degrees in Arts, Commerce, Education, Engineering, Fine Arts, Forestry, Health Sciences, Law, Music, Social Work, Speech and Language Pathology, Science, Sports Coaching, and Teaching to its 15,000 students.

8. University of Waikato

Annual Tuition: NZ$27,165

Located in Hamilton, with a satellite campus located in Tauranga, the University of Waikato was established in 1964 and was the first university in New Zealand to be designed from a blank canvas. The University owes its existence to a determined group of Hamilton locals, who in 1956 launched a petition for a university; now, it is placed 292 in the world by the QS World University Rankings.

9. Massey University

Annual Tuition: NZ$27,690

Based in Раlmеrstоn North, with significant campuses in Аlbаny and Wellington, Massey University has approximately 35,000 students, making it New Zealand's second largest university. More than 3,000 international students from over 100 countries study at the university, which is the only school in New Zealand offering degrees in aviation, dispute resolution, veterinary medicine, and nanoscience.

10. Auckland University of Technology

Annual Tuition: NZ$31,890

With five faculties across three campuses in Auckland (City, North, and South campuses) and an additional three specialist locations (AUT Millennium, Warkworth Radio Astronomical Observatory and AUT Centre for Refugee Education), AUT enrolled more than 29,000 students in 2016, including 4,194 students from 94 countries. An impressive 86% of AUT's graduates are employed full-time within nine months of graduating.

Honorable Mention: University of Auckland

Annual Tuition: NZ$33,630

The largest university in New Zealand, located in the country's largest city, University of Auckland is the highest-ranked university in the country, being ranked 81st worldwide in the 2016/17 QS World University Rankings. Established in 1883, its more than 40,000 students enjoy the benefits of it range of programs and high quality education at a surprisingly low cost of tuition.