Study in New Zealand

A photograph of the University of Bristol

Studying in New Zealand is one of the most popular study destinations for many international students. So besides the strengths in the education system, what is the reason why studying in New Zealand has become a dream destination for international students? Let's find the answer to the question: "Should I study in New Zealand or not?"

1. Why should you study in New Zealand?

1.1. Universities in the top 3% of the world

Similar to other developed countries, education in New Zealand always encourages students to ask questions and develop critical thinking. In addition to book knowledge, students will be able to practice and accumulate the necessary skills for future work.

For those of you who study in New Zealand and graduate from high school, Bachelor's or Postgraduate programs, your degree is globally recognised and is a solid stepping stone to get you off to a head start in the international job market.

According to QS World Ranking 2025, universities in New Zealand also hold quite impressive rankings on the global academic map, such as:

University of Auckland is ranked 65th worldwide
University of Otago is ranked 214 worldwide
Massey University is ranked 239 worldwide
University of Waikato is ranked 235 worldwide
Victoria University of Wellington is ranked 244 worldwide
University of Canterbury is ranked 261 worldwide
Lincoln University of ranked 371 worldwide
Auckland University of Technology is ranked 412 worldwide

1.2. Plenty of opportunities to work during and after graduation

When studying abroad in New Zealand, you can choose to work 20 hours per week during your studies and full-time on holidays. After graduation, you can stay and work for 1-3 years depending on the study program you choose.

For those who choose to study abroad for a PhD in New Zealand, the government always has talent remuneration policies as well as a family sponsorship policy to go to New Zealand during the study process here.

1.3. Many attractive scholarships to study in New Zealand

Universities in New Zealand always have attractive scholarships depending on the level of study and field of study you choose. To learn more about the available scholarships to study in New Zealand in 2025, contact IDP now or apply below for detailed advice.

2. How much does it cost to study in New Zealand?

How much does it cost to study in New Zealand? What is the tuition fee for each level? are always the concerns of students and parents when planning to study abroad in this country. Basically, tuition fees in New Zealand will be relatively cheaper than in other countries. However, tuition fees will vary depending on each level of study.

Level of study	Estimated Tuition Fees
English	$499-548/week
High School	19,500 - 45,000 NZD/year
University Preparation	$25,080- $31,250 NZD/ year
College	$30,096-39,800 NZD/year
University	NZD 29,425 - NZD 55,247 per year
Postgraduate	$34,650 - $53,030 NZD/year

Note: the cost of levels is subject to change, contact IDP for the latest information

See more: How much money does it cost to study in New Zealand?

3. Scholarships to study in New Zealand?

The New Zealand government offers a variety of scholarships for international students who are already eligible to study full-time at a school or institution. 100% full scholarships from the government and partial scholarships from New Zealand Universities with many attractive values.

It is understandable that no matter what level or profession you are studying, the New Zealand government and schools have scholarships to suit your academic ability. Here are a few popular scholarships to study in New Zealand from universities.

Field	Scholarship Name	Level of study	Scholarship Value
University of Otago	University of Otago Pathway Scholarships	Foundation	NZD $5,000
Waikato College	Early Bird	Pathway Course	$2,000
University of Otago	University of Otago Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships	UG	From NZD $10,000 up to ~NZD $35,000.
Lincoln University	International School Leavers Scholarship	UG	$10,000
University of Otago	Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship	UG	$10,000 one-time, first year
University of Otago	University of Otago Global Scholarships	UG	$15,000 once, first year
Universityo of Waikato	Vice Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship	UG/PG	Up to NZD$15,000
The University of Auckland	International Student Excellence Scholarship	UG/PG/PGD	Up to $10,000 first year
The University of Auckland	ASEAN High Achievers Scholarship	UG/PG/ PGDip	Up to $10,000 for tuition (one-time)

Contact IDP to get a full list of scholarships to study in New Zealand .

In addition, to be more proactive in looking for scholarships to study in New Zealand, you can refer here.

See more: Latest New Zealand Study Abroad Scholarships

4. How much IELTS do I need to study in New Zealand?

For those who choose to study abroad in New Zealand, you will not need to have a foreign language qualification - IELTS. However, you may have to take an entrance test or take an interview in English before attending the main course.

If you want to study abroad at the college level, you need to achieve IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.5, and postgraduate students need to achieve IELTS 6.5 with no skills below 6.0. Preparing a solid foundation in English not only helps you to be accepted into the school, but also helps you easily catch up with academic and practical teaching methods, easily make new friends and work confidently in a team throughout the learning process.

5. What major should I study in New Zealand?

Once you choose a high-demand field of study in New Zealand, you can find the opportunity to stay and work for a long time, and also settle in the country. Some of the majors that attract human resources in New Zealand can be mentioned such as:

Information Technology - IT
Health - Medicine
Engineering and Technology
Science – Scientific Research

See more: 8 easy majors to apply for a job and settle in New Zealand

IDP Free Study Abroad Advice and New Zealand Scholarship Hunt!

New Zealand is a world leader in the Future Education Index, making it a great destination for international students with a world-class education system. If you want to build a suitable study-abroad route, as well as find the most economical solution to study in New Zealand, let an IDP consultant contact you and provide detailed instructions.

IDP consultants will help you connect with reputable partner schools in New Zealand, advise on choosing the right major and course, support the hunt for scholarships to study in New Zealand with many attractive values, prepare study abroad documents, guide to apply for a New Zealand student visa with a success rate of over 95%.

In addition, you can attend IDP's study abroad fairs or events held throughout the year to have a face-to-face conversation with university representatives and review applications on the spot. You can experience the superior Fastlane feature of the IDP Live app, which allows you to track your application progress and receive an offer letter 2-3 times faster than the usual application method.

Quickly contact IDP or consult through the online IDP office for advice on your journey to study in New Zealand today