Migration Overseas
Migration Overseas
Back to New Zealand
STUDY IN NEW ZEALAND

World-Class Education in Aotearoa

Study at New Zealand's top-ranked universities with a clear pathway to residency. Earn while you learn with part-time work rights and stay up to 3 years after graduation to find employment.

8
Universities
25
Hrs/Week Work
3
Years Post-Study
180+
Days to PR

No Age Bar

Mature students welcome

Pay After Approval

Tuition fee after visa approval

Spouse Work Rights

Open work rights for partner

Children's Education

Domestic fees for kids

Average Salary

NZD $55,000/year

Work Rights Post-Study

Up to 3 years available

Top New Zealand Universities

All 8 universities in New Zealand are ranked in the global top 3%, with strong international reputations.

#1

University of Auckland

QS 68 - Engineering, Medicine

#2

University of Otago

QS 206 - Medicine, Sciences

#3

Victoria Wellington

QS 241 - Law, Humanities

#4

University of Canterbury

QS 256 - Engineering

#5

Massey University

Agriculture, Veterinary

#6

Waikato University

Business, IT

#7

Lincoln University

Agriculture, Environment

#8

AUT Auckland

Design, Engineering

Popular Institutes for Indians

Te Pukenga institutes and private colleges popular among Indian students for practical, job-focused qualifications.

Unitec (Auckland)

IT, Construction, Business

MIT (Auckland)

Engineering, IT, Trades

Whitireia (Wellington)

IT, Healthcare, Business

Ara (Christchurch)

Engineering, Construction

NZMA

Hospitality, Cookery, Business

Aspire2 International

IT, Business, Healthcare

NZSE (Auckland)

Software, Cybersecurity

Cornell IT (Auckland)

IT, Data Science, Networks

Eastern Institute of Technology

Engineering, Health, Computing

Nelson Marlborough Institute

Business, Engineering, Tourism

NorthTec

Trades, Business, Health

Otago Polytechnic

Health, Engineering, Design

Southern Institute of Technology

Computing, Engineering, Health

Toi Ohomai Institute

Business, Health, Engineering

UCOL

Business, Design, IT, Health

Wintec

Engineering, Computing, Business

WITT

Engineering, Health, Design

NZQF Levels Explained

New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) determines your qualification level and post-study work visa duration.

Level Qualification Type Duration Post-Study Work Visa
10 Doctoral Degree (PhD) 3-4 years 3 Years
9 Masters Degree 1-2 years 3 Years
8 Postgraduate Diploma / Honours 1 year 2-3 Years
7 Bachelor's Degree / Graduate Diploma 3-4 years / 1 year 2-3 Years
6 Diploma (Level 6) 1-2 years 1 Year
5 Diploma (Level 5) 1-2 years 1 Year
4 Certificate (Level 4) 6 months - 1 year 1 Year

Post-study work visa duration varies by location. Regional NZ may offer longer visa for same qualification.

Why Study in New Zealand?

A world-class education with excellent post-study opportunities and quality of life.

Work While Studying

Work up to 25 hours per week during term (from 2026) and full-time during holidays. Earn NZD $23.15+/hour minimum wage.

3-Year Post-Study Visa

Masters/PhD graduates get 3 years post-study work visa. Bachelor's graduates get 2-3 years based on location.

Clear PR Pathway

Skilled Migrant Category or Green List residence for graduates with job offers in shortage occupations.

Partner Work Rights

Spouse gets open work visa if studying Masters/PhD or Level 7-8 in Green List occupation.

Quality of Life

Safe, beautiful country with friendly people. English-speaking with multicultural society.

Affordable Education

Tuition fees NZD $22,000-50,000/year. Lower living costs compared to Australia, UK, USA.

Post-Study Work Visa Duration

Stay and work in New Zealand after completing your studies. Duration depends on qualification level and study location.

3

Years

Masters (Level 9) or PhD holders anywhere in NZ. Bachelor's in regional NZ.

2

Years

Bachelor's (Level 7) or Graduate Diploma (Level 8) in Auckland/Wellington.

1

Year

Diplomas and Certificates (Levels 4-6). Can extend with job offer.

Green List Occupations

Study in these in-demand fields and get a direct pathway to residency after graduation with post-study work rights.

Engineers

Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Software & other engineering disciplines with strong job demand.

Dental Professionals

Dental Technicians & Dentists with direct pathway to permanent residency.

Construction Manager

Construction Project Managers with site experience in high demand.

Early Childhood Teachers

Early Childhood Teachers & Educational Psychologists needed nationwide.

Healthcare Professionals

Nurses, Midwives & Food Technologists in critical shortage.

Medical Lab Technicians

Medical Laboratory Technicians with excellent residency prospects.

Student Visa Requirements

Key requirements for New Zealand student visa from India.

Offer of Place

Acceptance letter from an NZQA-accredited institution. Full-time course required for student visa.

Proof of Funds

NZD $20,000/year for living costs + tuition fees. Can show bank statements, scholarship, or loan approval.

English Proficiency

IELTS 6.0 overall (5.5 each band) for most programs. Higher for Medicine, Law. PTE/TOEFL accepted.

Health & Character

Medical exam from panel physician. Police clearance certificate. Health insurance for duration of stay.

Genuine Student

Must demonstrate genuine intention to study. Immigration may interview to verify study plans.

Mandatory Documents

Prepare these documents for your New Zealand student visa application and university enrollment.

Application Form / Online University Application

Marksheet of SSC (10th Grade)

Marksheet of HSC (12th Grade)

All Graduation Marksheets (Pass/Fail)

All Post-Graduation Marksheets (Pass/Fail)

Degree/PG Certificate & Transcript

IELTS / TOEFL / PTE Score Card

Statement of Purpose (SOP)

Passport Copy (Biodata Page)

Experience Letters (If Any)

Reference Letters (Academic/Professional)

Medical Examination Report

Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)

Study Costs in NZ

Estimated costs for international students in New Zealand (in NZD).

Tuition Fees (per year)

  • Bachelor's Degree$22,000 - $35,000
  • Masters Degree$26,000 - $50,000
  • PhD$6,500 - $9,000 (subsidized)
  • Diploma/Certificate$18,000 - $25,000
  • MBA$30,000 - $55,000

Living Expenses (per year)

  • Accommodation$10,000 - $15,000
  • Food & Groceries$3,000 - $5,000
  • Transport$1,500 - $2,500
  • Health Insurance$600 - $1,000
  • Personal Expenses$2,000 - $3,000

Show Money Calculation Formula

Total Show Money (NZD) =
Tuition Fee (full course duration) +
Living Cost (NZD $20,000 × number of years) +
Airfare (NZD $2,000)

Example: 2-year Masters (NZD $30,000/yr) = (30,000 × 2) + (20,000 × 2) + 2,000 = NZD $122,000
FREE TOOL

New Zealand Study Cost Calculator

Get detailed expense breakdown for your study journey

Calculate

New Zealand Study Intakes

Plan your New Zealand study journey with our intake calendar. View application deadlines and course start dates.

Popular Student Cities

Choose your ideal study destination in New Zealand.

Auckland

Largest city, most jobs, multicultural

Wellington

Capital, tech hub, creative industries

Christchurch

Garden city, engineering jobs, affordable

Dunedin

Student city, Otago Uni, low costs

Step-by-Step Process

Follow these steps to apply for New Zealand student visa from India.

1

Choose Course & University

Research courses on NZQA website. Check university rankings and course fees. Consider post-study work opportunities.

2-4 Weeks
2

Get IELTS/PTE Score

Take English proficiency test. Most programs need IELTS 6.0 or PTE 50+. Book test 2-3 months before application deadline.

4-6 Weeks
3

Apply to University

Submit application through university portal or agent. Include transcripts, SOP, references. Pay application fee.

4-8 Weeks
4

Receive Offer & Pay Fees

Accept offer and pay first year tuition. Get Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for visa application.

1-2 Weeks
5

Apply for Student Visa

Submit online visa application at Immigration NZ. Upload documents, pay visa fee ($395), book medical exam.

4-8 Weeks Processing
6

Visa Approval & Travel

Receive visa approval (eVisa). Book flights, arrange accommodation. Arrive 1-2 weeks before orientation.

Ready to Fly!

PR / Settlement Pathway

Score points across multiple categories to apply for Skilled Migrant Category residence.

Category Criteria Points
Occupation Registration 2 years relevant work experience 3 pts
4 years relevant work experience 4 pts
5 years relevant work experience 5 pts
6+ years relevant work experience 6 pts
Education PhD (Level 10) 6 pts
Masters Degree (Level 9) 5 pts
PGDip / Honours Degree (Level 8) 4 pts
Annual Income 3x median income (NZD $88.98/hr) 6 pts
2x median income (NZD $59.32/hr) 5 pts
1.5x median income (NZD $44.49/hr) 3 pts

Additional Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common questions about studying in New Zealand.

What are the main intake periods for New Zealand study?

The main intakes are February and July. Secondary intakes include May, September, and November depending on the institution and program. Most programs follow the February-July-February schedule.

Can mature students apply for New Zealand student visa?

Yes, absolutely! New Zealand has no age bar for student visa applicants. Mature students are welcome and can pursue any qualification level. Immigration only assesses your genuine intention to study and financial capacity.

When do I pay my tuition fees to the university?

You can pay your tuition fees after receiving your visa approval. This is a unique advantage - you're not required to pay the full fees upfront before applying for the visa. Payment schedules vary by institution.

Can my spouse work if I'm studying in New Zealand?

Yes! Your spouse gets open work rights if you're studying for a Master's degree, PhD, or Level 7-8 qualification in a Green List occupation. For Bachelor's degrees, your spouse gets limited work rights.

What is the Green List and how does it help?

The Green List comprises occupations in critical shortage in New Zealand. Graduates with qualifications and job offers in Green List occupations (Engineers, Nurses, Teachers, etc.) have a direct pathway to permanent residency under the Straight to Residence policy.

How do I calculate the required show money for my application?

Use this formula: Total Show Money = (Tuition Fee × number of years) + (NZD $20,000 × number of years for living costs) + NZD $2,000 for airfare. Example: 2-year Masters at NZD $30,000/year = (30,000 × 2) + (20,000 × 2) + 2,000 = NZD $122,000.

How long does PR processing take after visa grant?

After completing your studies and receiving a job offer in your field, the Skilled Migrant Category PR processing typically takes 6-8 weeks from the time you submit your Expression of Interest. Straight to Residence applications for Green List occupations are even faster.

Ready to Study in New Zealand?

Our education counselors will help you find the right course, apply to universities, and guide you through the visa process.

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