A viable education is critical in securing a rewarding career in this modern competitive landscape. Thousands of students look for international degree opportunities to enhance their educational profile every year. However, it can become challenging with higher education schools asking for a lump sum of tuition fees.
New Zealand’s forerunner status in crucial international organizations assists students. This country’s university tuition is relatively affordable because the government substantially supports institutions. In 2023, the government allocated NZ$6.2 billion to universities. Along with government support, several universities offer scholarship opportunities and lower tuition fees to foreign applicants.
This article will look at the best New Zealand universities that cater to this.
Affordable Schools in New Zealand for International Students
Having several prestigious universities, New Zealand excels in the education sector. The top of them which offer affordable educational opportunities are as follows.
1. Southern Institute of Technology
The Southern Institute of Technology is number one on our list of acclaimed institutes. It is widely known for its tertiary education system and has played an excellent role in various research areas. Students from over 80 countries worldwide are enrolled in different programs here. The school offers a range of programs, from teaching practical skills to in-depth industry techniques.
Undergraduate and graduate opportunities are available in business, hospitality, nursing, engineering, etc. They also provide training opportunities and internships. It is also considered among the cheapest academic institutes in New Zealand, making it highly accessible for international students.
2. Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
From quality education to global exposure, Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology is a leading school with an affordable cost of study. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority or NZQA, the country’s official accreditation agency, has approved all its degree plans.The institute’s close association with the business sector allows its students to get valuable hands-on expertise in their chosen study area.
Accommodation, financial assistance, and career guidance are just a fraction of the student facilities provided by Toi Ohomai. Moreover, the institution offers a wide variety of courses, from undergraduate to graduate degrees. The many disciplines represented at the institution are business, the arts, engineering, forestry, healthcare, etc. Toi Ohomai also provides several training opportunities.
3. UCOL Te Pūkenga Whanganui
Next, we recommend the Whanganui University College of Learning or UCOL, which has polished students for years to assist them in intellectual discovery. An experienced and passionate faculty supports them with modern learning approaches. It is an all-inclusive space and has given rise to a notable line of alums. Industry-equipped learning facilities are one of their specialties.
Study courses at Whanganui UCOL mainly offer bachelor’s and graduate degrees and postgraduate certifications with fewer fees. Applied science, design, and business are the most popular courses offered. Each course is meant to give students the edge they need in their chosen profession. Owing to the prestige of its degrees, there is a significant demand for the institute’s graduates.
4. Ara Institute of Canterbury
Ara Institute of Canterbury is a forward-thinking, revolutionary higher educational institution. It is a university wholly funded and managed by the New Zealand government. It is credited with a century and a half of educational efficiency. It also equips students with a top-notch educational atmosphere and career growth prospects.
It has international recognition as a Level 1 NZQA-recognized institution and South Island’s most prominent tech school. It is a registered service provider for Immigration New Zealand’s Pathway visa pilot program. Ara is dedicated to providing students with an innovative digital education that will make them competitive in the workforce.
Moreover, the institute offers international students several undergraduate programs with affordable fees. Subjects offered here include architecture, engineering technology, and many others. It also provides several industry-sponsored courses that help students prepare for high-demand careers.
5. University of Auckland
The University of Auckland is the most comprehensive provider of higher education programs. The institute has the most prominent student body. Many different types of advanced degrees are provided here. In addition to being one of the most distinguished establishments in the country, it is routinely ranked among the globe’s top 100 universities by the most reputable international rankings.
Its most popular majors are business, engineering, medicine, law, and technology. The school’s curriculum is based on extensive research into regional employment market trends and is adapted to match the community’s demands. Admission to this university is not easy, requiring prior educational excellence and other requirements.
6. University of Waikato
The University of Waikato, founded in 1967, is a comprehensive educational institution in Hamilton, New Zealand. This school was established to fulfill the academic needs of citizens in the Southern Auckland region. With tuition starting from $29,425 a year for a tertiary degree, it is the cheapest in New Zealand for international students.
Waikato offers undergraduate and graduate arts, law, psychology, health, engineering, computing science, education, Indigenous studies, and management programs. Nearly 30% of Waikato’s over 13,000 students represent various nations from all over the world.
7. Victoria University of Wellington
Known in Maori as the Te Herenga Waka, the Victoria University of Wellington is an affordable public institution in New Zealand founded in the year 1897. Formerly a constituent college of the University of New Zealand, it was established following the passing of the Act of Parliament. The school’s three campuses are Kelburn, Pipitea, and Te Aro. Students here can study education, engineering, science, social science, humanities, health, management, law, government, finance, economics, information management, architecture, and design.
8. University of Canterbury
The University of Canterbury – or Cantuar for short – was founded in 1873 in Christchurch. As the first constituent college of the University of New Zealand, it is etched in history as the second-oldest educational institution in the country. Here, international students can major in either the arts, business, law, education, health, human development, engineering, or science, to name a few.
More than just having a 1:1 ratio of female and male students, Cantuar is also known for its diverse student population. The cost of this institution’s tuition varies not only by level but also by subject. Generally speaking, the price of a postgraduate course will be higher than that of an undergraduate program. It’s also the same for disciplines that require laboratory work instead of those that rely solely on classroom education.
9. University of Otago
Next on our list of cheapest universities in New Zealand is the University of Otago, a public educational institution in Dunedin, Otago. However, it also has satellite campuses in Christchurch, Wellington, Invercargill, and Auckland. In partnership with Mana Whenua, the University of Otago produced a new tohu and ikoa Māori (Māori name) and accepted them in May 2024.
Founded in 1869 by Thomas Burns, the university is heralded as the oldest in the entire country. With its long history of education, it offers various undergraduate and graduate programs through the Schools of , , , and .
10. Massey University
Massey University is a public institution founded in 1927. It is based in Palmerston North, with branches in Wellington and Albany. The school has various colleges and their respective institutions, schools, departments, and centers, each providing a distinct set of courses in closely related fields.
It is the only school in the country to offer veterinary medicine, aviation, dispute resolution, and nanoscience courses. Apart from these unique programs, this cheap higher education provider in New Zealand also offers degrees in business, health, creative arts, humanities, health, science, and Maori knowledge.
11. Lincoln University
Lincoln University, or Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki, was founded in 1990 following its separation from the University of Canterbury. Based in Lincoln, Canterbury, it is recognized as one of the country’s eight public educational institutions. Our worldwide rank in the 2024 THE World Rankings stayed within the 401-500 range, while we rose to third equal in New Zealand.
This higher institution offers various programs in agribusiness and commerce, agriculture and life sciences, environment, society, and design. Despite being one of the smallest universities in enrollment, it has a large international student population.
12. Auckland University of Technology
Auckland University of Technology, another affordable higher education provider in New Zealand, is a former technology school founded in 1895. After more than a century of operation, it was finally granted university status in 2000. AUT has three campuses in the North, South, and City of Auckland. Although it is known for its technological courses, the school in this country also offers degrees in art and design, business, clinical science, communications, education, hospitality, law, and public health.
FAQs: Studying in New Zealand
What are the General Requirements to Study in New Zealand?
Prospective students must have completed the required NCEA Level 3 qualifications, which include the following general requirements, to be eligible for New Zealand university admission.
- The minimum educational requirement for admission is completion of secondary school. It is considered to be the same as New Zealand’s 13th grade. Examples include the UK GCSE A, Hong Kong A levels, or the Malaysian Australian Matriculation Year 12 certificate.
- Getting a student visa to study in New Zealand is mandatory for international students. On the New Zealand Immigration website, the applicant may submit an online application for a student visa.
- A student wanting to enroll at a university in New Zealand must prove proficient in English. It may be achieved by taking an IELTS or TOEFL exam.
Do Universities in New Zealand Offer Fully-Funded Scholarships to International Students?
Financial assistance is a significant provision in New Zealand. Scholarships are available from the government and several individual institutions in the country. The amounts and requirements for these scholarships vary widely, but some provide total funding.
For instance, the University of Auckland provides foreign students with ample opportunities through its scholarship programs, including substantial fee waivers. As much as NZ $20,000 is awarded to deserving candidates as part of their tuition fee adjustment. Other additional monetary benefits are also offered.
International education and degrees are important in expanding employment possibilities for students globally. New Zealand offers the cheapest universities with the lowest tuition fees. We hope this article helped you in the best way!
We hope this article on the cheapest universities in New Zealand for international students was helpful. If you are interested in knowing more information like this, check out our Study in New Zealand Page and the Available Programs for International Students!
