NZ Study Cost Calculator
Get detailed expense breakdown
Migration Overseas
Since 1998
Study at New Zealand's top-ranked universities with a clear pathway to residency. Earn while you learn with part-time work rights and stay up to 3 years after graduation.
No age limit for education. Mature students welcome.
Tuition due only after visa approval.
Open work visa for partners on Masters courses.
Dependent children pay domestic fees (up to 50% saving).
Average graduate salary NZD $55,000/year.
Post-study work up to 3 years for Masters/PhD.
All 8 universities in New Zealand are ranked in the global top 3%, with strong international reputations.
QS 68 - Engineering, Medicine
QS 206 - Medicine, Sciences
QS 241 - Law, Humanities
QS 256 - Engineering
Agriculture, Veterinary
Business, IT
Agriculture, Environment
Design, Engineering
Te Pukenga institutes and private colleges popular among Indian students for practical, job-focused qualifications.
IT, Construction, Business
Engineering, IT, Trades
IT, Healthcare, Business
Engineering, Construction
Hospitality, Cookery, Business
IT, Business, Healthcare
Software, Cybersecurity
IT, Data Science, Networks
Engineering, IT, Health
Tourism, Health, Agriculture
Business, IT, Trades
Design, Engineering, Health
IT, Business, Construction
Engineering, IT, Hospitality
IT, Health, Education
Engineering, IT, Business
Engineering, Film, Health
New Zealand Qualifications Framework determines your qualification level and post-study work visa duration.
| Level | Qualification | Duration | PSW |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Doctoral (PhD) | 3-4 yrs | 3 Yrs |
| 9 | Masters | 1-2 yrs | 3 Yrs |
| 8 | PG Diploma/Honours | 1 yr | 2-3 Yrs |
| 7 | Bachelor's/Grad Dip | 3-4/1 yr | 2-3 Yrs |
| 6 | Diploma (L6) | 1-2 yrs | 1 Yr |
| 5 | Diploma (L5) | 1-2 yrs | 1 Yr |
| 4 | Certificate (L4) | 6mo-1 yr | 1 Yr |
Post-study work visa duration varies by location. Regional NZ may offer longer visa for same qualification.
A world-class education with excellent post-study opportunities and quality of life.
Work up to 25 hrs/week during term and full-time during holidays. NZD $23.15+/hr.
Masters/PhD get 3 years post-study work visa. Bachelor's get 2-3 years based on location.
Skilled Migrant Category or Green List residence for graduates with shortage occupation jobs.
Spouse gets open work visa if studying Masters/PhD or Level 7-8 in Green List occupation.
Safe, beautiful country with friendly people. English-speaking with multicultural society.
Tuition NZD $22,000-50,000/yr. Lower living costs vs Australia, UK, USA.
Stay and work in New Zealand after completing your studies. Duration depends on qualification level and study location.
Masters (L9) or PhD anywhere in NZ. Bachelor's in regional NZ.
Bachelor's (L7) or Graduate Diploma (L8) in Auckland/Wellington.
Diplomas and Certificates (Levels 4-6). Can extend with job offer.
These occupations offer direct residency pathway alongside post-study work visa. Graduates get immediate PR eligibility.
Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Software engineers. High demand across NZ projects.
Critical shortage in dental labs. Direct pathway to residence available.
Essential for NZ's ongoing construction boom. Immediate job opportunities.
High demand in schools. Leadership pathway to management roles.
Severe shortage in NZ healthcare. Fast-track to PR and PR sponsorship available.
Growing demand in pathology services. Excellent PR prospects post-graduation.
What this means for you: When you graduate from a Green List occupation program, you don't need to compete for points in the regular Skilled Migrant Category. You automatically qualify for residence as long as your employer is accredited and you have a 12+ month job contract.
Key requirements for New Zealand student visa from India.
Acceptance letter from an NZQA-accredited institution. Full-time course required for student visa.
NZD $20,000/year for living costs + tuition fees. Can show bank statements, scholarship, or loan approval.
IELTS 6.0 overall (5.5 each band) for most programs. Higher for Medicine, Law. PTE/TOEFL accepted.
Medical exam from panel physician. Police clearance certificate. Health insurance for duration of stay.
Must demonstrate genuine intention to study. Immigration may interview to verify study plans.
Essential documents required for NZ student visa application from India.
Pro Tip: Start gathering documents now. Get all certificates in English. Use a professional translator for non-English documents. Keep digital copies as backup.
Earn while you learn with generous work rights.
From 2026, work hours during term time increase to 25 hours per week. Full-time work allowed during scheduled holidays (Christmas, Easter, mid-semester breaks).
Estimated costs for international students in New Zealand (in NZD).
Get detailed expense breakdown
Here's how to calculate the total funds you need to show for your NZ student visa.
Funds can include: Personal savings, bank statements (6 months history), education loans from approved financial institutions, sponsor's funds (with affidavit), scholarships, or government schemes like AICTE/UGC loans.
Choose your ideal study destination in New Zealand.
Largest city, most jobs, multicultural
Capital, tech hub, creative industries
Garden city, engineering jobs, affordable
Student city, Otago Uni, low costs
Follow these steps to apply for New Zealand student visa from India.
Research courses on NZQA website. Check university rankings and course fees. Consider post-study work opportunities.
2-4 WeeksTake English proficiency test. Most programs need IELTS 6.0 or PTE 50+. Book test 2-3 months before application deadline.
4-6 WeeksSubmit application through university portal or agent. Include transcripts, SOP, references. Pay application fee.
4-8 WeeksAccept offer and pay first year tuition. Get Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for visa application.
1-2 WeeksSubmit online visa application at Immigration NZ. Upload documents, pay visa fee ($395), book medical exam.
4-8 Weeks ProcessingReceive visa approval (eVisa). Book flights, arrange accommodation. Arrive 1-2 weeks before orientation.
Ready to Fly!After completing your studies, here's how to transition to permanent residency through the Skilled Migrant Category.
Work experience in your qualified field. Points increase with years of experience.
Your NZ degree adds points. Post-graduate qualifications get bonus points.
Earning at or above the median wage adds significant points to your application.
The New Zealand student visa application fee is NZD $395 when applying online from India. Additional fees may apply for medical examinations and biometrics.
You need to show NZD $20,000 per year for living costs, plus your full tuition fees. Funds can be shown through bank statements, education loans, or scholarships.
Yes, you can work up to 20-25 hours per week during term time and full-time during scheduled holidays. The minimum wage is NZD $23.15 per hour.
Masters/PhD graduates get 3 years. Bachelor's degree holders get 2-3 years depending on study location. Diploma holders get 1 year, which can be extended with a job offer.
Most programs require IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each band. Medicine and Law may require higher scores. PTE Academic and TOEFL are also accepted.
If you're studying a Masters, PhD, or Level 7-8 qualification in a Green List occupation, your spouse can get an open work visa with full work rights.
After completing your studies, apply for post-study work visa and get a job. You can then apply for Skilled Migrant Category visa or Green List residency if your occupation qualifies.
Yes, health and travel insurance is mandatory for the entire duration of your student visa. Costs range from NZD $600-1,000 per year depending on coverage.
Main intakes are February and July each year. Secondary intakes happen in May, September, and November. Most universities and colleges follow this schedule for program start dates.
Yes, there is no age bar for education in New Zealand. Mature students of any age can apply for student visas. You just need to meet academic requirements and demonstrate genuine intention to study.
Payment terms vary by university. Typically, you pay tuition after receiving your visa approval. Some institutions offer payment plans. Confirm with your chosen university for their specific payment schedule.
If you're studying a Masters, PhD, or Level 7-8 qualification, your spouse gets an open work visa with full employment rights. This means they can work for any employer in any role without restrictions.
The Green List is a special immigration pathway for critical shortage occupations like nurses, engineers, and dental technicians. Graduates in these fields get direct PR eligibility without competing in the points system.
Total = Full course tuition + (NZD 20,000 per year × number of years) + NZD 2,000 for airfare. For example, a 3-year Bachelor costing NZD 25,000/year needs: (75,000 + 60,000 + 2,000) = NZD 137,000.
PR processing typically takes 6-8 weeks from submission of complete application. This is significantly faster than many other countries. Processing times may vary based on application complexity.
Our education counselors will help you find the right course, apply to universities, and guide you through the visa process.
Get Free ConsultationReady to explore your immigration options? Get a free eligibility assessment and take the first step towards your dream destination.
Get Free Assessment
