Study Cost in New Zealand

How much does it cost to Study in New Zealand?

Looking to take your studies to one of the most adventure-friendly locations on the planet without breaking the bank with fees and tuition? New Zealand should probably be at the top of your list. The country ranks third when it comes to the world’s most beautiful countries according to Business Insider and attracts some of the top travelers and students from around the globe.

While New Zealand’s nature is certainly appealing, another aspect that draws students to the country is the relatively low cost of study, especially when comparing to premier destinations like the US, Australia, and others. New Zealand has some of the most highly ranked universities in the world, which might come as a surprise given the lower cost of tuition they typically require. The reality, though, is that costs and fees fall within a wide range, and what a student ends up paying is largely based on a variety of important factors, each of which should be taken into consideration when deciding if New Zealand is the right place for your studies.

Here are 3 of the most important decisions students must make that are linked to the cost of studying in New Zealand:

Which Field of Study?

With some of the top universities in the world, New Zealand offers among the most rigorous and well-respected courses in nearly every field. The diversity in the programs is perhaps one of the aspects of education in New Zealand that encourages a constantly increasing number of international students to study there each year. New Zealand has seen yearly upticks in international students, and some estimations suggest that over 130,000 students in the country hail from other regions of the world.

Some of the most popular fields to study in New Zealand [link to Top Fields of Study in NZ article] include business, accounting, and engineering, among a slew of others.

The expected cost of study, on average, for undergraduates based on their field of study looks something like this: annual tuition for arts, humanities, and social sciences range between 10,000 and 12,000 NZD. For business, accounting, and commerce, it falls between 10,000 and 12,500 NZD. Computing and Sciences jump up slightly to a range of 13,000 to 15,000 NZD, and engineering jumps even more to between 16,000 and 17,500 NZD. Technology has the largest range, starting at 14,000 and going up to 18,000 NZD. Don’t be intimidated though: 1 NZD is equivalent to approximately 0.7 USD, meaning these prices are actually even lower than they appear.

Don’t forget, universities vary in the pricing, so be sure to check out the schools you’re interested in for more specific fees. If a student needs assistance with this or in any other step of the application process, they can reach out to services such as YesAtlas.

Which Degree Level are you Pursuing?

As is common in universities and academic institutions the world over, the degree level a student is seeking to pursue will also have a direct affect on the price tag attached to the degree program. Typically, graduate and postgraduate programs end up being slightly less expensive than undergraduate programs, if not for the baseline tuition, then for the fact that they tend to take less time to complete.

The same is the case in New Zealand. While the price of graduate programs on an annual basis is slightly higher, the overall cost will typically be less due to the relative brevity of the programs when compared to undergraduate degrees, which take 4 years to complete. This of course, has much to do with which field of study you wish to pursue.

Here’s a quick breakdown of graduate programs and their average fees, all in NZD: arts, humanities, and social sciences are the lowest, ranging from 14,000 to 16,000 NZD – just slightly higher than their undergraduate counterparts. MBAs, one of the most popular graduate degree programs, jump higher, with an annual tuition ranging between 18,000 and 24,000 NZD. Engineering has a similar range, with a slightly higher upper end of 24,500 NZD.

Will You Apply for a Scholarship?

Scholarships are definitely one of the most significant factors when it comes to determining the cost of tuition for a student’s international studies. But, they require hard work and dedication. Dozens of scholarships are available to international students, funded by a wide variety of sources like the Government of New Zealand, specific universities, and other private organizations. Scholarships are awarded based on their respective required qualifications, which can be needs-based or merit-driven.

Many scholarships are directed toward students in a particular degree program, a particular degree level, or from a particular personal background. Whether they are limited to students from a specific country or region, or are simply open to any nationality, students should look into the myriad of scholarship options applicable and available to them. For help in this process, students can turn to companies like YesAtlas, which will help them seek out and apply for any scholarships they might be interested in.