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Cost of Studying Masters in New Zealand

Author: Yuvraj Singh
by Yuvraj Singh
Posted: Sep 06, 2025

The aim to pursue a masters in New Zealand for international students involves planning financially and keeping your priorities in mind. The choice to study abroad comes with its challenges and opportunities, and one of the challenges that students face is managing the financial parameters to successfully study in a foreign university. New Zealand has built a reputation for offering world-class education in globally recognised universities with a welcoming environment for international students. Studying in a country like New Zealand is surely exciting and full of opportunities, but it also requires financial investment. We will learn in depth what an MS in New Zealand cost for international students.

Cost to Pursue a Masters in New Zealand for International Students

Understanding the cost to pursue a masters in New Zealand involves tuition fees, cost of living, and other expenses associated with the studies. Most master's programs in New Zealand have a duration of 1-2 years, which will influence your total cost of education.

Tuition fees

An MS in New Zealand costa tuition fee of NZ$26,000-40,000 per year, depending on the university, particular course, and in some cases, the nationality of an international student. The cost of a master's from a university in New Zealand will cost approximately ₹13-20 lakhs for Indian students. The table below represents the general cost of tuition fees for different programs.

Program

Annual Tuition Fee (In New Zealand Dollars)

Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

6,000–30,000

Science, Engineering & Technology

30,000–38,000

Business & Management

31,000–37,000

Specialised Programs (Medicine, Law, Architecture)

35,000–40,000

Living Expenses

The cost of living to pursue a masters and study in New Zealand is around NZ$20,000 per year for international students. This covers accommodation, food & groceries, public transport, utilities & internet, and miscellaneous expenses (entertainment, personal costs). Living costs can be higher in cities like Auckland and Wellington and lower in smaller towns like Dunedin or Palmerston North.

Other Costs Associated With Applying for a Masters in New Zealand for International Students

There are other costs associated with living in a foreign country while pursuing higher studies, such as having health insurance or resources used in studying after admission. Before admission, there are costs related to pursuing a masters in New Zealand that can include visa application fees and other expenses.

  • Health Insurance - NZ$500-700 per year

  • Student Service Fee - NZ$150-300 per year

  • Study Materials & Books - NZ$500-1,000 per year

  • Visa Application Fee - NZ$430 per application (₹21,000)

  • Transportation Cost - ₹45,000-65,000 for one-way airfare between Indian and New Zealand

How to Manage Finances for Studying a Masters in New Zealand?

Apply for scholarships to lower the cost of studies or other areas of study, depending on the scholarship. Several universities and government authorities offer a scholarship to pursue a masters in New Zealand to lower tuition fees, making it a great study abroad option for those who wish to Study in New Zealand, including some of the following ones:

  • New Zealand International Scholarships

  • University-specific merit scholarships

    • University of Auckland

    • Victoria University of Wellington

  • Commonwealth Scholarships (eligible for only certain countries)

Conclusion

There are ways to lower the financial burden, at least for managing tuition fees, and that is by working part-time jobs and saving money by making changes in living arrangements. Choosing to cook food at home, using public transport, living in a shared accommodation, and using student discounts wherever possible are some of the ways students can expect to manage their financial parameters efficiently while pursuing a masters in New Zealand.

If you want to learn more about pursuing higher education for yourself, get in touch with the professionals at Education Vibes. Register now to get started!

About the Author

Hi, I’m Yuvraj Singh, an education consultant and founder at Education Vibes, passionate about guiding students toward global opportunities. https://educationvibes.in/blogs/details/top-universities-in-new-zealand

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Author: Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh

Member since: Aug 14, 2025
Published articles: 4

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