New Zealand universities are becoming the go-to for international students.
Between January and August of 2024, as many as 73,535 foreign students chose to study there, a 6% jump compared to all of 2023.
And when you look at the universities specifically, there’s a 14% surge in international student enrolments.
So, if you’ve been wondering why New Zealand universities are suddenly the place to be, we’re here to break it down for you.
Why are more students choosing New Zealand universities?
Pretty highly ranked universities and programmes
There are eight degree-granting universities in the country, all of which are ranked in the top 3% of higher education institutions worldwide. Their QS World University Rankings 2025 are as follows:
- #65, The University of Auckland
- #214, University of Otago
- #235, University of Waikato
- #239, Massey University
- #244, Victoria University of Wellington
- #261, University of Canterbury
- #371, Lincoln University
- #412, Auckland University of Technology (AUT)
On top of that, many of these New Zealand universities have even better results when you look at their other rankings.
For example, the University of Otago ranks #11 globally for its Sports-related Subjects, and Massey University ranks #19 for its Veterinary Science programmes. Meanwhile, Victoria University of Wellington ranks #67 on the QS International Trade Ranking – Master’s and MBA.
Rankings aren’t everything but they are a good indicator of their research and teaching. A more in-depth explanation can be found here.
New Zealand universities really want you to join them. Luckily, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his government want you too. Source: AFP
Better policies for international students than in other countries
It’s one thing for a university to entice you to their halls, but it’s another when the country as a whole is coming up with some really good policies to attract and welcome international students to their shores.
In New Zealand’s case, that involves introducing schemes and policies like:
- Fees Free, a fund for first-time tertiary learners that covers fees of up to 12,000 New Zealand dollars (US$7,207) for one year’s study or two years’ work-based training.
- Partner of Student Work Visa, a visa that allows those in New Zealand on a student visa to bring along their dependants to work in the country.
- Those with a Partner of Student Work Visa will also be able to support their dependent children in getting the Dependent Child Student Visa, which allows school-aged children to be treated as domestic, non-tuition fee-paying students.
The Partner of Student Work Visa, in particular, is quite the benefit – especially when countries like the UK have revised the eligibility of dependant visas for students, making it much harder for you to bring to follow your partner and children along.
And unlike other countries where foreign talent are not as welcomed, New Zealanders want more to migrate over.
“Eighty-two percent (82) % of New Zealanders agree that international students contribute to our cultural diversity, with 79% feeling they help local students learn about other cultures and ways of life, as well as contributing to local businesses during their studies,” says Amanda Malu, Education NZ’s Chief Executive.
“This level of support is enormously pleasing,” continues Malu. “It tells us we can continue to steadily grow the number of international students in New Zealand and that they will continue to receive a warm welcome in our communities.”
The New Zealand universities will give you all you need to seize your opportunities as an international student — so just be sure you make that catch. Source: AFP
A great post-study work visa
New Zealand might have one of the best post-study work visas for international students, allowing you to work for any employer for up to three years, depending on your qualifications and where you studied.
This is a massive step up from other popular study abroad countries, like the US and the UK, which grant only a year and two years, respectively.
Plus, if you completed a degree Level 7 (diploma, bachelor’s degree, graduate certificate, or graduate diploma) or above qualification that you studied full-time for at least 30 weeks in New Zealand, you can work in almost any job for any employer in the country.
What to expect from New Zealand universities
The education system
The academic year at New Zealand universities (which has two terms) typically starts in late February or early March and wraps up in November. The exact dates, of course, vary between universities.
Here, you’ll be graded via letter grades: A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, and so on. While most passing grades remain the same, there are some slight differences for the failing grades, so you’ll want to take careful note of that.
Each letter has a percentage band equivalent. At almost all New Zealand universities, an A+ grade can be any percentage between 90 and 100, and an A grade results in a percentage between 85 and 89.9.
More importantly, you’ll be assessed and graded across examinations and internal assessments. This differs across the universities and programmes, but in general, assessments include assignments, practical work, work in tutorials, seminars, written or oral tests, recitals, performances, or attendance requirements.
Good news: many New Zealand universities have great scholarships for you to check out. Source: AFP
How much tuition costs
International students starting their undergraduate programme in 2025-2026 at the following New Zealand universities can expect to pay this much per year.
We’ve helped you out by listing this from most to least expensive:
- The University of Auckland: NZ$38,310 – NZ$65,450 (US$22,838 – US$39,017)
- University of Otago: NZ$35,621 – NZ$44,720 (US$21,235 – US$26,659)
- AUT: NZ$35,092 – NZ$48,192 (US$20,919 – US$28,729)
- Victoria University of Wellington: NZ$33,360 – NZ$43,821 (US$19,887 – US$26,123)
- University of Canterbury: NZ$32,800 – NZ$45,200 (US$19,553 – US$26,945)
- Lincoln University: NZ$32,500 – NZ$36,000 (US$19,374 – US$21,461)
- University of Waikato: NZ$30,897 – NZ$45,602 (US$18,419 – US$27,185)
- Massey University: NZ$28,080 – NZ$38,220 (US$16,739 – US$22,784)
Studying at one of the New Zealand universities will give you this view of the Aurora Australis, also known as the Southern Lights. This photo was taken at Lincoln University, which is located in Lincoln on the outskirts of Christchurch. Source: AFP
How to choose the perfect university for yourself
Here are some other considerations to take, aside from what we’ve mentioned above:
Where your university is located
It’s easy to overlook your surroundings when you’re just locked in on the university itself. However, where your university is located can drastically change your experience.
For example, your life outside your studies will look very different if you’re in Wellington versus in Palmerston North, where Massey University’s main campus is located. As the country’s capital city, it’s safe to say that Wellington is where you’ll find the most opportunities for your personal and professional growth, while those chances might not be as abundant in a smaller town like Palmerston North.
Take Vanessa Cha’s words for it.
Cha, an international student from Malaysia, had also spent some time studying in Japan and noticed some distinct differences in the lifestyles between the two countries.
“After classes in Japan, you can go out with friends, hang out, shop, karaoke, and drink because shops and restaurants are open until late. There’s a robust nightlife in Japan,” says Cha.
New Zealand, however, was more mellow – but not without its advantages.
“You go to classes, finish them, go home, eat dinner, do homework, and sleep. It’s a routine. Additionally, shops close early in the evening, at seven. But because of its lifestyle, it allowed me to complete all my degrees.”
Depending on the university, you might get more hands-on experience in some programmes compared to other New Zealand universities. Source: AFP
What your programme curriculum looks like
A second big factor to account for is what your curriculum entails.
At the University of Auckland, the Bachelor of Nursing programme features Nursing in Mental Health, Addictions and Disability as a compulsory core course in the second year, whereas AUT’s Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing) programme has the Mental Health Nursing Practice course and no clear indication that its other courses will focus on addictions.
So, if you have any plans to pursue a healthcare career with a focus on addictions, then you might want to opt for the University of Auckland’s programme instead – though we recommend emailing AUT to confirm the details first.
Another example is the university’s respective BA Psychology programmes.
AUT requires all its Bachelor of Arts students to complete core courses in Academic Communication, Culture and Society, and Knowledge and Inquiry to help students develop transferable skills and support their work in all other courses in the degree. The University of Auckland, however, doesn’t require such.
That means, at the University of Auckland, your electives focus only on courses directly relevant to psychology, like Youth Mentoring, Child Development, or Sports Psychology.
While at AUT, you might find yourself taking up courses like New Zealand Sign Language I or The Holocaust: Its Causes, Character, and Legacy, just to ensure you’re hitting all of your required credits for the programme.
The scholarships and financial aid available
Malaysians looking for the best New Zealand universities should really look into the University of Canterbury. Here, you’ll find a range of scholarships just for those from Malaysia, as well as the wider Asian region.
Some of these scholarships include the Tan Sri Datuk Oh Siew Nam P.S.M, P.J.N. Malaysian Scholarship and the Kuching Malaysian Alumni Scholarship, both of which awards up to NZ$10,000 (US$5,961) for a year, and the Sir Robertson Stewart Malaysian Scholarship, offering financial assistance towards tuition fees up to the value of NZ$15,000 (US$8,942) for one year.
