Study in New Zealand
New Zealand's qualifications sit on a single national framework (NZQF) that makes levels directly comparable, and recent policy changes make it easier for graduates to move from a student visa toward residence.
- Tuition
- US$9,600/yr
- Living
- US$8,800/yr
- Total
- US$18,400/yr
- Work rights
- 20 hours/week during term
- Post-study
- Post-study work visa — up to 3 years
Current position
Policy for international students
- On 23 September 2025 the government announced changes to the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa that favour graduates.
- Two new residence pathways take effect from August 2026: the Skilled Work Experience Pathway and the Trades and Technician Pathway.
- Points for New Zealand qualifications increase, particularly at master's and doctoral level, easing the transition from study to residence.
- The New Zealand work experience requirement drops from up to three years to two for most pathways.
- Applicants no longer need to meet a higher salary threshold at the point of applying for residence; the requirement is to sustain the required salary consistently throughout the qualifying employment period.
Cost
What a year in New Zealand costs
Adjust the level, city and scholarship percentage to see the effect on your annual total.
Scholarships: Institutional awards run 30-100% of tuition, and the New Zealand Scholarship programme funds full degrees for selected applicants.
Estimated annual cost
US dollars, indicative
Indicative US dollars per year. Actual fees depend on the institution and programme; confirm before you commit.
Admission
Entry requirements
- Completion of Grade 8 in Vietnam with a GPA of 7.0
- No IELTS required — the school interviews or sets its own English test
- High school graduate
- English at roughly IELTS 5.5 minimum
- Vietnamese high school graduate with a leaving score from 8.0, or
- Completion of the first year of a Vietnamese university degree with a GPA from 6.5, or
- Completion of high school, a foundation year or a diploma in New Zealand
- English at roughly IELTS 6.0
- A completed university degree with a GPA from 7.5, or
- A Vietnamese college qualification
- English at roughly IELTS 6.5
Funding
Scholarships & financial support
Institutional awards run 30-100% of tuition, and the New Zealand Scholarship programme funds full degrees for selected applicants.
Awards are almost always decided at the point of admission rather than afterwards, and most pools are allocated on a rolling basis. Applying early in the cycle is the single biggest thing within your control.
At a glance
- Work during study
- 20 hours/week during term
- After graduation
- Post-study work visa — up to 3 years
- Baseline tuition
- US$9,600/yr
- Baseline living
- US$8,800/yr
Subjects
What New Zealand is strong in
- Culinary Arts
- Hospitality & Service Management
- Finance & Business
- Accounting
- Information Technology
- Education
- Engineering
- Nursing
- Creative Arts & Design
Institutions
Where to study in New Zealand
11 institutions in our directory, across 3 categories.
-
University of Auckland Auckland
-
Massey University Palmerston North & Auckland
-
University of Otago Dunedin
-
Victoria University of Wellington Wellington
-
Auckland University of Technology (AUT) Auckland
-
Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) Hamilton
-
University of Canterbury International College (UCIC) Christchurch
-
Le Cordon Bleu New Zealand Wellington
Immigration
The New Zealand student visa
- Students need a Student Visa applied for online through Immigration New Zealand after receiving an offer of place.
- Requirements include the offer of place, evidence of NZD 20,000 per year for living costs plus tuition, medical and chest x-ray certificates, and a police clearance certificate.
- Processing typically takes four to eight weeks. Applications are strengthened by a clear statement of study intent.
- The visa is granted for the duration of the course and can be extended for onward study or converted to a post-study work visa on completion.
Questions
Frequently asked
Can I study in New Zealand without IELTS?
For high school entry, yes — the school interviews or sets its own English test. For tertiary study, most institutions accept alternatives such as PTE or their own internal test, or admit students into an English pathway that feeds into the main programme.
What is the NZQF?
The New Zealand Qualifications Framework places every qualification in the country on a single ten-level scale — certificates at levels 1-4, diplomas at 5-6, bachelor's at 7, postgraduate at 8-9, doctorate at 10. It makes different institutions directly comparable and simplifies credit transfer between them.
How much does a year cost?
About US$18,400 per year including tuition and living, with Auckland at the upper end.
How much do I need for proof of funds?
NZD 20,000 per year of study for living costs, plus tuition. This can be shown as a bank balance, a financial undertaking, or through a Fund Transfer Scheme account.
Can I work while studying?
Yes — 20 hours per week during term and full-time during scheduled holidays. Master's by research and doctoral students may work unlimited hours.
Can I stay after graduating?
Yes. The post-study work visa runs up to three years depending on the qualification level, and the 2026 residence pathway changes make the transition from there to permanent residence noticeably more accessible.
Planning New Zealand for 2026–27?
We will check your profile against the entry requirements, size the real budget and map the scholarship rounds worth applying to.