Cost of Studying and Living in New Zealand for Indian Students in 2025: Budget-Friendly Tips

Indian students prefer New Zealand as one of the preferred destinations for studying abroad. The major reasons why New Zealand is preferred include:

World-renowned Universities
Best-in-class academic infrastructure facilities
Exposure to the latest technological advancement
Great facilities for research
Vibrant International Student Community
Diverse cultural atmosphere
Good chances of getting Permanent Residency
Safe and secure atmosphere

The following documents are required before you start applying for admission in New Zealand:

Offer of Place: Before the student starts to apply for the visa, an offer of Place from an approved New Zealand education provider is required. This document shows that the student has been accepted for a full-time course at an accredited university or institution in New Zealand.
Valid Passport: The passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months before your intended departure date from the country.
Financial Proof of Funds: It is important to show that you have enough financial backing to support your education and living costs in New Zealand.

Tuition Fees: Proof reflecting that you have paid the fees or have enough finances to pay for the course fees.
Living Cost: Students need to show that they have enough funds to support their stay in New Zealand (NZD 25,000 per year is required as of 2024).
Cost of Return Travel: Proof of funds must be shown that the student has enough money to buy a return ticket or has additional funds to cover the cost.

Medical Examination: Students must undergo medical examinations to ensure that they are fit and in compliance with New Zealand’s standards of health. A report on the examination is an important document that the student needs to have.
Health Insurance: All International students need to have comprehensive health insurance. The students need to do proper research while finalizing the insurance provider. Some universities offer insurance plans.
English Proficiency Exam: The English proficiency exam needs to be undertaken by international students. Exams like TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE are accepted, and the scores vary from university to university along with the program level.
Other Documents Include:
- Updated Resume/ CV
- Birth Certificate
- Passport size Photographs
- Letters of Recommendation / Statement of Purpose
- Academic Transcripts

The cost of studying in New Zealand comprises various factors that need to be researched in detail before a student finalizes his plans to start with the admission process. The factors are:

1. Tuition Fees for Indian Students

Below is an overview of tuition fees for various programs for different levels of education in 2025:

Undergraduate programs are for 3 to 4 years, depending on the program selected. The following table gives an overview of the same.

Course	Average Annual Tuition Fees (NZD)	Equivalent in INR (Approx.)
Humanities	NZD 22,000–30,000	₹11,00,000–₹15,00,000
Management of Business	NZD 25,000–35,000	₹12,50,000–₹17,50,000
Engineering and Computer Technology	NZD 30,000–40,000	₹15,00,000–₹20,00,000
Medicine and allied areas of Health Sciences	NZD 35,000–70,000	₹17,50,000–₹35,00,000
Basic Sciences	NZD 26,000–35,000	₹13,00,000–₹17,50,000

2. Tuition Fees for Postgraduate Programs

Postgraduate courses are for around 1 to 2 years. Postgraduate programs give a lot of importance to hands-on training, research, and even innovating something that could offer great value to society on a larger level.

Course	Average Annual Tuition Fees (NZD)	Equivalent in INR (Approx.)
Humanities	NZD 26,000–32,000	₹13,00,000–₹16,00,000
MBA/PGDM	NZD 30,000–45,000	₹15,00,000–₹22,50,000
Engineering and Technology	NZD 35,000–50,000	₹17,50,000–₹25,00,000
Basic Sciences	NZD 30,000–40,000	₹15,00,000–₹20,00,000
Medicine and Allied Healthcare programs	NZD 40,000–75,000	₹20,00,000–₹37,50,000

It is highly advised that students go to the respective websites of the universities for a detailed understanding of the fee structure. There could be a possibility that certain universities do offer waivers and scholarships to international students which will ease their tuition costs.

Scholarships in New Zealand for Indian Students

Scholarships in New Zealand are based on academic performance, specific need for a particular course, leadership qualities excellence, leadership potential, etc.

Below is a snapshot of the major scholarships available for Indian students.

Name of the Scholarship	Amount
Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship	Fully Funded
New Zealand Excellence Awards (India)	NZD 320K (INR 1.60 Cr.)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) Scholarship	Fully Funded
University of Auckland International Student Excellence Scholarship	Upto NZD 10K (INR 5L) in tuition fees
University of Otago International Research Master’s Scholarship	Tuition fee waiver for one year NZD 18K (INR 9L) stipend per year

Cost of Living Expenses

Living in New Zealand is more affordable than many other countries, but it still requires careful budgeting. The living expenses will also depend on your style of living, the type of accommodation chosen, and the city.

Here’s a breakdown of typical monthly expenses:

1. Accommodation Cost:

This cost comprises your major chunk of monthly expenses. You can choose from various options which can help you manage your expenses accordingly.

On Campus Residence: This form of accommodation could cost in the range from NZD 1,000 to NZD p.m 1,500 (approximately ₹50,000 to ₹75,000).
Shared Apartments: The cost of sharing a flat or a rental place with friends is preferred since it also gives you privacy and independence, unlike the On-campus residence option. The cost could range from between NZD 600 and NZD 1,000 per month (around ₹30,000 to ₹50,000).
Independent and Private Accommodation: This form of accommodation is more expensive compared to other forms since it provides complete independence and comfort typically between NZD 800 and NZD 1,300 monthly (₹40,000 to ₹65,000).

2. Cost of Groceries:

3 Transportation / Commute Cost:

New Zealand has a great public transportation system, especially in bigger cities like Wellington and Auckland. Student passes at discounted rates are available which can cost between NZD 20 to NZD 50 per week (approximately ₹1,000 to ₹2,500) per week.
Cycling is another form of transportation that is both eco-friendly and budget-friendly and is gaining a lot of popularity among students.

4. Health Insurance:

Work Opportunities

Part-Time Work: International students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year. They can work full-time during academic holidays. Various options like on-campus jobs and other jobs in the hospitality segment can be considered.
Earn While You Study: If you find a job related to your area of education, consider the same since it can help you get rich practical experience along with some funds that can lower your financial burden.

Conclusion

In-depth research, careful planning, and budgeting can ensure that international students can enjoy their academics and live comfortably in New Zealand without having to worry about financial stress.

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