Cost of Studying in New Zealand

We have compiled a list of expenses to help you with accurate cost estimations for studying in New Zealand

New Zealand can be an expensive proposition if not planned properly and hence it is imperative to understand the various types of costs that you will likely incur along with rough estimates. It is important to do this calculation before you depart from India, as this will help you plan your expenses properly.  Read along the major head cost as we present you all the expenses for studying in New Zealand under various heads below.

1. Tuition Fees will be the major expense

• When we speak about expenses to study abroad, the first thing to consider is the tuition fee, which will form the major part of your expense sheet. The amount of tuition fee varies greatly depending on the level of qualification, the university or the school that you are applying to and finally the major factor is the course itself.
• To generalize it can be said that courses, which involve humanities, education or arts, will be comparatively less expensive than courses that involve commerce, finance or management. While it is not surprising that, the most expensive of the lot will be technical courses like medicine and engineering.
• It should also be noted that a bachelor’s course or undergraduate courses are less expensive than the master’s courses when you take into account yearly tuition fees in New Zealand
• If you wish to reduce the cost of this major expense of tuition fees, we suggest applying for the various scholarships available for Indian students in New Zealand

2. Accommodation

• One option that most universities in New Zealand will offer is On-campus accommodation. These can be self-serviced or fully serviced as well. Living on the on-campus accommodation is a great idea whereby you can save on transportation costs, but you will need to apply in advance, as these are in short supply and high demand. The on-campus accommodation will cost you on average NZ $ 300/week.
• If you do miss out or prefer to stay off-campus, then you will have to look for a room on rent. Generally, the university’s accommodation office may be able to help search and scout for nearby available options.
• Few things to keep in mind when looking for an off-campus accommodation or room on rent in New Zealand
  • The costs will vary a lot from one city to another and depending on the nature of the agreement, you will have to pay extra for services like electricity, internet, water, television connection. Bear in mind there are options, which are all-inclusive too. Typically, house rent for a one-bedroom apartment ranges from NZ $150.
  • You can book temporary accommodation before you fly from India.

3. Student Visa

• A nominal but crucial expense for studying in New Zealand is the cost of the student visa, which is currently NZ$ 270. For detailed information on application and documentation procedure for New Zealand visa please click here

4. Food and living expenses

• One of the recurring expenses that you will need to bear while studying in New Zealand will be food and living costs. An international student to budget for various items must avoid overspending. Generally, an average lifestyle will need about 11,000 to 17,000 NZ$ per year living expenses.
• Communication expenses are also recurring since all international students will need this service to communicate with family members back home and local usage. It should be noted that unlike India, the communication industry is very different in New Zealand and hence one needs to plan for these expenses in the budget. We advise students to look for student-specific plans and offers to start since these plans offer many benefits targeted to the student population.
• Study material would also need to be purchased separately for many of the courses and this will also be considered at the expense during the budgeting. Opting to buy second-hand books is a good alternative to save on costs here too.
• Personal expenses can greatly vary between different people. Grocery, laundry, toiletries, etc. will need to be purchased.

5. Health Insurance

• It is mandatory for all international students coming to New Zealand for studies to have a medical insurance plan before the start of the program. The average cost of a medical insurance plan purchased from outside the university would be approximately 200 – 700 NZ$ a year. A high standard of healthcare is available for all international students across New Zealand. Many times Universities themselves provide the health insurance plan and the cost for the same is included in the offer letter.

6. Getting around

• In a developed and advanced country like New Zealand, there are many options available for transportation. We advise students to make use of student discount coupons and monthly passes while traveling in public transport. In case you plan to have a personal vehicle, do plan the expenses for the same including rental, fuel, and maintenance.