Study in New Zealand

Seeking a world-class education within a safe and beautiful environment? Consider New Zealand as your ideal study destination!

A photograph of the University of Bristol

Studying in New Zealand is one of the most popular study destinations for many international students. So besides the strengths in the education system, what is the reason why studying in New Zealand has become a dream destination for international students? Let's find the answer to the question, "Should I study in New Zealand or not?"

1. Why should you study in New Zealand?

1.1. Universities in the top 3% of the world

Similar to other developed countries, education in New Zealand always encourages students to ask questions and develop critical thinking. In addition to book knowledge, students will be able to practice and accumulate the necessary skills for future work.

For those of you who study in New Zealand and graduate from high school, Bachelor's or Postgraduate programs, your degree is globally recognised and is a solid stepping stone to get you off to a head start in the international job market.

According to QS World Ranking 2025, universities in New Zealand also hold quite impressive rankings on the global academic map, such as:

University of Auckland is ranked 65th worldwide
University of Otago is ranked 214 worldwide
Massey University is ranked 239 worldwide
University of Waikato is ranked 235 worldwide
Victoria University of Wellington is ranked 244 worldwide
University of Canterbury is ranked 261 worldwide
Lincoln University of ranked 371 worldwide
Auckland University of Technology is ranked 412 worldwide

1.2. Plenty of opportunities to work during and after graduation

When studying abroad in New Zealand, you can choose to work 20 hours per week during your studies and full-time on holidays. After graduation, you can stay and work for 1-3 years, depending on the study program you choose.

For those who choose to study abroad for a PhD in New Zealand, the government always has talent remuneration policies as well as a family sponsorship policy to go to New Zealand during the study process here.

1.3. Many attractive scholarships to study in New Zealand

Universities in New Zealand always have attractive scholarships depending on the level of study and field of study you choose. To learn more about the available scholarships to study in New Zealand in 2025, contact IDP now or apply below for detailed advice.

2. New Zealand education system

The education system in New Zealand is divided into three main levels, forming a flexible learning pathway and putting student development first.

Early Childhood Education (ECE)

Approaching education early will arouse confidence and nurture a desire to learn and explore the world in children. This is an important stepping stone to help children achieve better results when entering formal education levels, and at the same time, equip them with essential skills to grow and succeed in the future.

The preschool program is for children from birth to the start of school (usually 5 years old). Although not mandatory, the majority of New Zealand children participate in ECE to develop early social, emotional and cognitive skills.

Primary and Secondary Education

The general education system in New Zealand is built on the foundation of 13 school years, which is divided into two main stages: primary education lasts from Year 1 to Year 8 (about 5 to 12 years old); and secondary education from Grade 9 to Grade 13 (approximately 13 to 17 years old)..

During the final years of study (from Years 11 to 13), students will undergo competency assessments and receive a National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) at various levels. The NCEA is a nationally recognized high school qualification in New Zealand.

Tertiary Education

New Zealand has a diverse post-secondary education system designed to meet a myriad of academic and career orientation needs:

Universities: With 8 public universities, New Zealand is highly regarded globally for the quality of teaching and research. Universities in New Zealand offer intensive training programs at all levels, from bachelor's to PhD, spanning a wide range of disciplines and with an emphasis on academic research.
Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs): Te Pūkenga is New Zealand's national vocational and skills education network, established to bring together 16 public ITP institutes and a number of private vocational education institutions (wānanga).
Wānanga: These are special Māori institutions of higher education, which focus on the preservation, development, and dissemination of Māori knowledge, language, and culture. There are 3 main Wānanga offering programs from certificates to master's and doctorates in a learning environment imbued with Māori identity.
Private Training Establishments (PTEs): When you study abroad in New Zealand, you will have a wide choice of more than 400 private training establishments (PTEs). PTEs offer specialized training programs in a wide range of areas, from foundational knowledge to postgraduate courses, which stand out for their high flexibility in meeting individual learning needs and the demands of the labor market.

3. Top Universities in New Zealand

Here is a list of the Top Universities in New Zealand in 2025 (according to QS World University Rankings 2025):

The University of Auckland
University of Otago
University of Waikato
Massey University
Victoria University of Wellington
University of Canterbury
Lincoln University
Auckland University of Technology (AUT)

4. How much does it cost to study in New Zealand?

How much does it cost to study in New Zealand? What is the tuition fee for each level? are always the concerns of students and parents when planning to study abroad in this country. Basically, tuition fees in New Zealand will be relatively cheaper than in other countries. However, tuition fees will vary depending on each level of study.

Level of study	Estimated Tuition Fees
English	$499-548/week
High School	19,500 - 45,000 NZD/year
University Preparation	$25,080- $31,250 NZD/ year
College	$30,096-39,800 NZD/year
University	NZD 29,425 - NZD 55,247 per year
Postgraduate	$34,650 - $53,030 NZD/year

Note: the cost of levels is subject to change, contact IDP for the latest information

See more: How much money does it cost to study in New Zealand?

5. Scholarships to study in New Zealand?

The New Zealand government offers a variety of scholarships for international students who are already eligible to study full-time at a school or institution. 100% full scholarships from the government and partial scholarships from New Zealand universities with many attractive values.

It is understandable that no matter what level or profession you are studying, the New Zealand government and schools have scholarships to suit your academic ability. Here are a few popular scholarships to study in New Zealand at universities.

Field	Scholarship Name	Level of study	Scholarship Value
University of Otago	University of Otago Pathway Scholarships	Foundation	NZD $5,000
Waikato College	Early Bird	Pathway Course	$2,000
University of Otago	University of Otago Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships	UG	From NZD $10,000 up to ~NZD $35,000.
Lincoln University	International School Leavers Scholarship	UG	$10,000
University of Otago	Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship	UG	$10,000 one-time, first year
University of Otago	University of Otago Global Scholarships	UG	$15,000 once, first year
Universityo of Waikato	Vice Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship	UG/PG	Up to NZD$15,000
The University of Auckland	International Student Excellence Scholarship	UG/PG/PGD	Up to $10,000 first year
The University of Auckland	ASEAN High Achievers Scholarship	UG/PG/ PGDip	Up to $10,000 for tuition (one-time)

Contact IDP to get a full list of scholarships to study in New Zealand.

In addition to being more proactive in looking for scholarships to study in New Zealand, you can refer to here.

See more: Latest New Zealand Study Abroad Scholarships

6. How much IELTS do I need to study in New Zealand?

For those who choose to study abroad in New Zealand, you will not need to have a foreign language qualification - IELTS. However, you may have to take an entrance test or take an interview in English before attending the main course.

If you want to study abroad at the college level, you need to achieve IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.5, and postgraduate students need to achieve IELTS 6.5 with no skills below 6.0. Preparing a solid foundation in English not only helps you to be accepted into the school, but also helps you easily catch up with academic and practical teaching methods, easily make new friends and work confidently in a team throughout the learning process.

7. What majors should I study in New Zealand?

Once you choose a high-demand field of study in New Zealand, you can find the opportunity to stay and work for a long time, and also settle in the country. Some of the majors that attract human resources in New Zealand can be mentioned such as:

Information Technology - IT
Health - Medicine
Engineering and Technology
Science – Scientific Research

See more: 8 easy majors to apply for a job and settle in New Zealand

IDP Free Study Abroad Advice and New Zealand Scholarship Hunt!

New Zealand is a world leader in the Future Education Index, making it a great destination for international students with a world-class education system. If you want to build a suitable study abroad route, as well as find the most economical solution to study in New Zealand, let an IDP consultant contact you and provide detailed instructions.

IDP consultants will help you connect you with reputable partner schools in New Zealand, advise on choosing the right major and course, support the hunt for scholarships to study in New Zealand with many attractive values, prepare study abroad documents, guide to apply for a New Zealand student visa with a success rate of over 95%.

In addition, you can attend IDP's study abroad fairs or events held throughout the year to have a face-to-face conversation with university representatives and review applications on the spot. You can experience the superior Fastlane feature of the IDP Live app, which allows you to track your application progress and receive an offer letter 2-3 times faster than the usual application method.

Quickly contact IDP or consult through the online IDP office for advice on your journey to study in New Zealand today!