Study in New Zealand
Study in New Zealand – 2025 Guide for Indian Students
Dreaming of world-class education in a safe, scenic, and welcoming country? Studying in New Zealand could be your perfect move in 2025. Known for its globally ranked universities, high-quality teaching, and generous post-study work rights, New Zealand is becoming a top destination for Indian students.
Whether you’re planning to pursue a degree in Engineering, IT, Business, or Healthcare, this guide gives you everything you need — from top universities and New Zealand scholarships 2025 to the student visa process and living expenses. The best part? You can work part-time while studying and gain a 3-year post-study work visa after graduation in most fields.
Pro Tip: With growing Indian communities in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, adjusting to Kiwi life is easier than ever.
Ready to explore your future in New Zealand? Let’s dive in and break it all down for you — step by step.
Top Universities in New Zealand for Indian Students
| University Name | Location | QS 2025 Rank |
|---|---|---|
| University of Auckland | Auckland | #68 |
| University of Otago | Dunedin | #206 |
| University of Canterbury | Christchurch | #256 |
| Victoria University of Wellington | Wellington | #241 |
| Massey University | Palmerston North | #292 |
| Auckland University of Technology (AUT) | Auckland | #407 |
Scholarships for Indian Students in New Zealand
Name of scholarship
Description
New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships (NZIDRS)
Funded by the New Zealand government, these scholarships are for Indian students who wish to pursue a PhD in New Zealand. Inclusions under this award are university tuition fee, associated student levies, living stipend (up to NZ$25,000 tax-free) and health insurance coverage (up to NZ$600 annually) for three years. (However, it may vary as per different education providers)
New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships
Indian students who apply to master’s degree or PhD can try for the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP). The plan will cover tuition fee, living, travel and health insurance, and establishment allowance. This scholarship offers many benefits such as: Full tuition fees An allowance of NZ$ 491 per week for living expenses For covering, setup cost an establish allowance of NZ$ 3,000 Medical and travel insurance and research cost for postgraduate students
New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA)
NZEA features scholarships across all eight universities, offering an opportunity for Indian students to experience New Zealand excellence in various fields. This scholarship is funded by Education New Zealand (ENZ) and New Zealand universities catering to Indian students. The number of scholarships in PG programs is 28 and in UG is 3. The value of this scholarship is NZ 5,000 each for PG course and NZ 10,000 each for UG course.
NZ-GRADS New Zealand Global Research Alliance Doctoral Scholarship
The Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions has launched new NZ-GRADS program if you aspire to complete your PhD in agriculture emission science. It covers the following expenses for 36 months (3 years): Tuition fees up to NZD 10,000 per year An annual stipend for covering expenses NZD 28,000 per year (tax-free) Medical insurance up to NZD 700 per year Visa application cost not exceeding up to $1,000 Airfare upon returning to New Zealand up to a maximum amount of $6,000 Research allowance up to $1,500 Feel free to reach out to your Connect2overseas international education expert for the application process
SEG Scholarship
This scholarship program is funded by the Soshi Educational Group. It encourages the study of geophysics and related geosciences for undergraduate (A and B scholarships) and other programs (C scholarships) Value of the scholarships a) Scholarship A: NZD 7,000 annually b) Scholarship B: NZD 5,000 annually c) SEG Scholarship C: NZD 3,000 annually The length of the award is one year
Palmerston North City Mayor's Goodwill Ambassador Scholarship
It is sponsored by the City Council of Palmerston North for promoting Palmerston North as a favourable location for international students. It is provided for career-based/vocational, undergraduate, postgraduate courses. Value of the scholarship: NZD 1,000 towards the first year's tuition
New Zealand Student Visa Requirements (2025)
S.No.
Types of student visa
Description
1.
Fee Paying Student Visa
Study full-time for up to four years and be able to work part-time
2.
Exchange Student Visa
Study full-time for up to four years for an approved student exchange program
3.
Foreign Government Supported Student Visa
Study full-time for up to four years on a foreign government loan or scholarship
4.
Pathway Student Visa
Study up to five years for 3 consecutive courses on a single student visa and be able to work part-time
Cost of Studying in New Zealand in 2025 in Rupees
| Program Type | Cost in NZD/year | Approx. INR (₹) Range |
|---|---|---|
| 🗣️ English Language Course | NZD 300 – 450/week | ₹49,000 – ₹73,000 per week |
| 🎓 Diploma/Certificate | NZD 12,000 – 18,000 | ₹19,20,000 – ₹28,80,000 |
| 🎓 Undergraduate Degree | NZD 22,000 – 32,000 | ₹35,20,000 – ₹51,20,000 |
| 🎓 Master’s Degree (PG) | NZD 26,000 – 40,000 | ₹41,60,000 – ₹64,00,000 |
| 🎓 PhD/Doctoral Program | NZD 6,000 – 12,000 | ₹9,60,000 – ₹19,20,000 |
Intakes in New Zealand
In some universities, intakes may also be referred to as a semester. The two intakes available in New Zealand are
- Semester 1: February to June
- Semester 2: July to November
Education system in New Zealand
- Early childhood: for ages up to five years
- Primary school: for ages 5 to 10 years
- Intermediate school: for ages 11 to 12 years
- Secondary school: for ages 13 to 18 years
- Tertiary education: 18 years and above
FAQs Related to Studying in New Zealand
For Graduation:
- Completion of an equivalent of year 13.
- Minimum requirement of 50-60% or above for admission.
- English Language proficiency test such as IELTS.
For Postgraduation:
- Minimum score of 50-60% in undergraduate studies.
- GMAT or GRE scores required for management studies.
- Some universities may consider work experience or internships.
- English proficiency demonstrated through tests like IELTS.
- Language proficiency exam: IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
- Subject-specific assessments
- GRE (Graduate Records Examinations)
- UCAT ANZ (University Clinical Aptitude Test for Australia and New Zealand)
To be eligible for a student visa, you must achieve a band score of 5.5 in the IELTS test. For university admission, a minimum overall band score of 6 is required, with a score of 5.5 in each section.
Pathway programs are foundation courses designed to assist international students in meeting entry requirements, choosing the right program, or bridging gaps in their studies. These programs are especially beneficial for students who may not meet certain course entry requirements or are uncertain about their program choice.
Connect2overseas can help you
