Cheapest Universities in New Zealand for International Students 2025

Cheapest Universities in New Zealand for International Students 2025

Edited By Prabhjyot Kaur | Updated on Mar 26, 2025 02:46 PM IST

Cheapest Universities in New Zealand 2025: Studying in New Zealand is a dream of many study abroad aspirants that can be achieved easily with some of the affordable universities in New Zealand. It is one of the leading student destinations for higher education. High-quality education, international cultures, English-speaking citizens, and some of the cheapest universities in New Zealand 2025 are the reasons why many students are interested in studying in this country. That is why students who want their education to be affordable seek the cheapest universities in New Zealand. Many students fear IELTS and look for cheap universities in New Zealand for international students without IELTS.

This Story also Contains
  1. List of Cheap Universities in New Zealand for International Students 2025
  2. University of Otago
  3. Massey University
  4. Victoria University of Wellington
  5. University of Canterbury
  6. University of Waikato
  7. Lincoln University
  8. Cost of Living in New Zealand
  9. Cheapest Cities in New Zealand
  10. Scholarships to Study in New Zealand
Cheapest Universities in New Zealand for International Students 2025
Cheapest Universities in New Zealand for International Students 2025

These cheapest universities in New Zealand for Indian students not only affordable but also provide quality education with globally recognized degrees. Studying in New Zealand not only helps the candidate during their education period but also makes it easier to work in the country after higher education. Some of the cheapest universities in New Zealand for international students 2025 include Massey University, University of Waikato, Lincoln University, and more. Read the article to know more details about the cheapest universities New Zealand for international students 2025, cost of living, tuition fees, etc.

Cheapest Universities in New Zealand for Indian Students 2025

New Zealand is known for its high-quality education and welcoming environment for international students. For Indian students, several cheapest university in New Zealand offer affordable tuition fees while maintaining excellent academic standards.

Here are some of the cheapest universities in New Zealand for international students 2025:

1. University of Waikato

2. Massey University

3. Victoria University of Wellington

4. Lincoln University

5. University of Otago

6. Auckland University of Technology (AUT)

7. Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT)

8. Southern Institute of Technology (SIT)

Top 8 Cheapest Universities in New Zealand 2025

Cheap UniversitiesQS WUR 2025Average Tuition fees per yearAverage Tuition fees per year in Rs.
The University of Auckland65NZ35,000toNZ50,00017 - 24 Lakhs
University of Otago214NZ$ 34, 251 to 50,00016 - 24 lakhs
Massey University=239NZ35,000toNZ50,00017 - 24 Lakhs
Victoria University of Wellington244NZ30,000toNZ40,00014 - 19 Lkahs
University of Waikato235NZ29,025toNZ42,31014-20 lakhs
University of Canterbury=261NZ$35,00017 lakhs
Lincoln University=371NZ31,500toNZ54,00015 - 26 lakhs
Auckland University of Technology412NZ35,000toNZ50,00017 - 24 Lakhs

We have given a comprehensive guide on all the cheapest universities in New Zealand for international students 2025 below. Prospects can explore these to shortlist the universities for higher studies in New Zealand.

List of Cheap Universities in New Zealand for International Students 2025

New Zealand is home to many top colleges in the world. The public universities in New Zealand offer the best education at cheaper rates. These are the cheapest universities in New Zealand for international students in 2025 and rank in QS world rankings. The best universities detailed below are the low-tuition universities in New Zealand for international students.

These are considered the best colleges because most of them are ranked as the top universities in the world according to the QS World Rankings 2025. The candidates can also apply for scholarships in New Zealand for international students, which can further reduce the financial budget. Upon securing admission into these cheapest university in New Zealand for international students 2025, the candidates can apply for scholarships. There are even cheap universities in New Zealand without IELTS where students can get easy admission.

University of Otago

University of Otago is a public university located in Dunedin, New Zealand. The university is one of the best universities in New Zealand holding a rank of top 214 in the World according to the QS WUR 2025. The university offers more than 200 UG and PG programs in fields like medicine, social sciences, humanities, music, arts, agriculture, business, and many others, etc.

The University of Otago is one of the cheapest universities in New Zealand 2025 providing courses at a tuition fee ranging from around NZD 34, 251 to 50,000 per year. The cost of living in New Zealand for the students living around Dunedin is about NZD 22,000–NZD 26,000 for 40 weeks.

Cost of Studying

INR 3L to INR 4L (NZD 6.2K to NZD 8.5K)

Cost of Living

INR 90K (NZD 1.8K)

Popular Programs

Commerce, Law Honours

English Language Proficiency Scores

IELTS: 6.0 | TOEFL: 80

The University of Auckland

The University of Auckland located in Auckland, New Zealand is a public university founded in 1883. It is one of the top universities in New Zealand ranking 65th position according to the QS World University Rankings 2025.

The university offers courses in over 100 subjects across eight faculties, where subjects like education, Geography, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Civil Engineering, and Anthropology, are ranked in the top 50 positions according to the QS world university rankings by subjects 2025.

University of Auckland is one cheapest universities in New Zealand 2025 providing affordable courses with tuition fees ranging from NZD 35,000 to NZD 50,000 per year.

Cost of Studying

INR 19L (NZD 36.8K)

Cost of Living

INR 3L (NZD 5.3K)

Popular Programs

Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Social Work

Entry Requirements

Minimum Percentage: 75% to 80%

English Language Proficiency Scores

IELTS: 6.0 | TOEFL: 80

Auckland University of Technology

The Auckland Univerity Technology is a public university located in Auckland, New Zealand founded in 2000. It is one of the New Zealand cheapest university offering a wide range of courses in UG and PG programs like medicine. Nursing, arts, engineering, etc. The university is especially renowned for postgraduate courses and is considered to be among the top cheapest universities in New Zealand for masters.

As one of the cheapest universities in New Zealand, the university offers courses with tuition fees ranging from NZD 35,000 to NZD 50,000 per year. The university ranks 412th place in the top universities list according to the QS World University Rankings 2025.

Cost of Studying

INR 19L to INR 22L (NZD 36.6K to NZD 44.7K)

Cost of Living

INR 2.6L (NZD 5.3K)

Popular Programs

Bachelor of Business

Master of Philosophy

Entry Requirements

Minimum Percentage: 40 - 70 %

English Language Proficiency Scores

IELTS: 6.0 - 7.0 | TOEFL: 80 - 98

Massey University

Massey University is a public university located in Palmerston North, New Zealand. It is one of the best universities in New Zealand ranking =239th position according to the QS World University Rankings 2025. The university offers a wide range of online and on-campus courses in UG PG and Ph.D.

Massey University is one of the cheapest universities in New Zealand 2025 with tuition fees ranging from NZD 35,000 to NZD 50,000 per year. As a degree student at Massey University, the cost of living is around NZDD 20,000 for a year as per the New Zealand student visa.

Cost of Studying

INR 15L to INR 21L (NZD 30.4K to NZD 41K)

Cost of Living

INR 1.4L (NZD 2.9K)

Popular Programs

Bachelor of Creative Media Production

Master of Creative Enterprise

Entry Requirements

Minimum Percentage: 75 to 85%

English Language Proficiency Scores

IELTS: 6.0 to 6.5 | TOEFL: 80 to 90

Victoria University of Wellington

Victoria University of Wellington is a public university located in Wellington, New Zealand. It is one of the best New Zealand colleges for international students established in 1897. The university holds the top 244th ranking among the universities in the world according to the QS WUR 2025 ranking.

The university provides both online and on-campus programs covering a wide range of courses like fashion technology, filmmaking, finance, french, social sciences, music, architecture, marketing, and many more etc. The Victoria University of Wellington is one of the cheapest universities in New Zealand 2025 for graduate international students with tuition fee ranging from NZD 30,000 to NZD 40,000.

Cost of Studying

INR 16L (NZD 31.7K)

Cost of Living

INR 2.6L (NZD 5.3K)

Popular Programs

Bachelors in Humanities and Social Sciences

Bachelors in Commerce

Entry Requirements

Minimum Percentage: 75%

English Language Proficiency Scores

IELTS: 6.5 | TOEFL: 90

University of Canterbury

The University of Canterbury is a public university located in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is one of the best public universities in New Zealand ranking =261st place according to the QS World University Rankings of 2025.

The university offers over 120 qualifications in more than 150 subject areas. The University of Canterbury is one of the cheapest universities in New Zealand for masters for international students with tuition fees of around NZD 35,000.

Cost of Studying

INR 17L to INR 35L (NZD 32.8K to NZD 34.9K)

Cost of Living

INR 1.6L (NZD 3.3K)

Popular Programs

Bachelors in Arts, Education & Social Science

MBA in Business & Accountancy

Entry Requirements

Minimum Percentage: 55% to 75%

English Language Proficiency Scores

IELTS: 6.5 to 7 | TOEFL: 90 to 100

University of Waikato

The University of Waikato located in Hamilton, New Zealand is a public university. Many subjects of the University of Waikato are ranked highly in the QS World University subject rankings. The university focuses on the foundational knowledge and experience required for the students to achieve their career and life goals. It is one of the best cheapest universities in New Zealand for masters 2025.

It is one of the chosen universities in New Zealand to study abroad which holds the top 235th position in the QS World University Ranking 2025. This is one of the New Zealand cheapest university with tuition fees ranging from NZD 29,025 to NZD 42,310.

Cost of StudyingINR 15L to INR 18L (NZD 30.8K to NZD 34.7K)
Cost of LivingINR 1.7L (NZD 3.4K)
Popular ProgramsBachelor of Business
BA in Education and Society
Entry RequirementsMinimum Percentage: 75% to 80%
English Language Proficiency ScoresIELTS: 6.0 | TOEFL:80
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Lincoln University

Lincoln University located in Christchurch City, New Zealand is a public university formed in 1990. It is one of the best universities to study in New Zealand for international students, which holds the top =371st in the QS World University Ranking 2025.

The university offers a wide range of 133 courses in bachelors, masters PG diploma, doctoral degrees, etc. This is one of the cheapest universities in New Zealand for masters degree with tuition fees of around NZD 31,500 to NZD 54,000.

Cost of Studying

INR 8L to INR 18L (NZD 16.6K to NZD 36K)

Cost of Living

INR 81.3K (NZD 1.6K)

Popular Programs

BA Hons Marketing and Advertising

Master of Environmental Management

Entry Requirements

Minimum Percentage: 65%

English Language Proficiency Scores

IELTS: 6.0 to 7.0 | TOEFL: 79 to 100

Note: Several institutions are among the cheap universities in New Zealand without IELTS 2025. These universities either provide English pathway courses for students or offer an option to attempt other English tests such as TOEFL, PTE, CAE, DET, and more.

Cost of Living in New Zealand

Did you have any idea that the cost of living in New Zealand is 15.1% lower than in the US? The cost of living in New Zealand varies around INR 86.5K (NZD 1.7K) a month excluding rent.

Cost of living in New Zealand depends on lifestyle and where you live. Because of reduced housing and transportation costs, living in smaller towns is sometimes cheaper compared to living in large cities.

Following is an monthly estimate of living expenses:

Particulars

Average Monthly Expenditure (in NZD)

Monthly Living Expenses in New Zealand (INR) Approximately

Housing Rent (1 Bedroom Rent)

430 to 490

22,000 to 26,000

Food Expenses (Grocery)

200 to 250

10,000 to 13,000

Public Transportation (Bus Pass and Metro Card)

170 to 200

8,800 to 10,300

Phone and Internet Network

100

5,200

Health Expenses

50-100

2,600 to 5,200

Day-to-day Expenses

50

2,600

Miscellaneous Expenses

100 to 200

5,200 to 10,000

Cheapest Cities in New Zealand

Cost of living in New Zealand varies basis on the city you choose to live in. Knowing the cheapest cities in New Zealand will help you make the better decision and also will help you in budget calculation. Some of the popular cheapest cities in New Zealand are:

Cities

Single Person Estimated Monthly Costs (including rent)

Auckland

INR 3L (NZD 5.3K)

Palmerston North

INR 1L (NZD 2.9K)

Wellington

INR 3L (NZD 5.3K)

Lincoln

INR 81K (NZD 1.6K)

Hamilton

INR 2L (NZD 3.4K)

Dunedin

INR 1L (NZD 3.1K)

Christchurch

INR 2L (NZD 3.3K)

Scholarships to Study in New Zealand

International students planning to study abroad in New Zealand are eligible for a number of scholarships by the New Zealand government, universities, foreign governments, and private authorities. The scholarships seek to lower the burden of the students in New Zealand's high-cost educational system.

Some of the popular scholarships are:

S.no.

Name of scholarship

Description

1

New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships (NZIDRS)

  • By the New Zealand government

  • Indian students pursuing PhD in New Zealand

  • Covers tuition fees, associated student levies, living stipend, and health insurance for three years.

2

New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships

  • Indian students applying for master’s degree or PhD

  • Covers tuition fee, living expenses, travel and health insurance, and establishment allowance.

3

New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA)

  • By Education New Zealand (ENZ) Manapou ki te Ao and New Zealand's eight universities

  • For Indian Students

4

SEG Scholarship

  • By the Soshi Educational Group

  • For the study of geophysics and related geosciences for undergraduate (A and B scholarships) and other programs (C scholarships)


    • Scholarship A: NZD 7,000 annually

    • Scholarship B: NZD 5,000 annually

    • SEG Scholarship C: NZD 3,000 annually

5

Palmerston North City Mayor's Goodwill Ambassador Scholarship

  • By the City Council of Palmerston North

  • For career-based/vocational, undergraduate, and postgraduate courses.

  • Scholarship value: NZD 1,000 towards the first year's tuition

Know more about studying in New Zealand:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is New Zealand cheap for International students?

There is no special reduction in fees for international students in New Zealand. However, the cost of education including living expenses can be around INR 25 Lakhs to 30 Lakhs per year even in the cheapest universities in New Zealand.

2. Is Australia cheaper or New Zealand cheaper to study?

The cost of living in New Zealand is cheaper when compared to Australia. However, the tuition fees can be varied from university to university. So on the whole New Zealand is cheaper when compared to Australia.

3. How many days does it take to get a student New Zealand visa?

For international students, the New Zealand student visa processing can take around 5 weeks, excluding public holidays. This timeline can be varied depending on the education provider of the applicant. For students applying for visas to study in universities, the average processing time is around 22 week days and can be dragged up to 47 weeks days.

4. Are there fully-funded scholarships in New Zealand available for International students?

There are fully funded scholarships in New Zealand for international students like Commonwealth scholarships, New Zealand development scholarships, etc., which cover the entire tuition fee of the colleges.

5. What is the cheapest university to study in New Zealand?

Victoria University of Wellington is the cheapest university in New Zealand with tuition fees of around INR 14 to 20 lakhs per year. It is one of the top public universities holding the 241st position in the World University ranking according to the QS Rank 2024. The university is well known for its causes in Arts and humanities, geosciences and Psychology.

6. What is the low ranking university in New Zealand?

The  Auckland Univerity Technology has the lowest rank among the list of top universities in New Zealand. The university holds 407th place as per the QS World University Ranking 2024. It is the second largest university in New Zealand. The tuition fee at the university is around NZ35,000toNZ50,000 (i.e., INR 17 to 24 lakhs) per year.

7. What are the cheapest cities in New Zealand for international students?

Cities like Christ Church, Hamilton, Dunedin, and Palmerston North are the most affordable cities for international students in New Zealand. The top universities like Victoria University, Waikato, Otago, etc and a few more are located in these places. New Zealand are located in these places.

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Questions related to

Get answers from students and experts

Hello Aspirant.

New Zealand is a great place for studying abroad as it offers a quality education as well as good quality of life. The education system of New Zealand is also designed to be at the advantage of students.

For complete information regarding studying in New Zealand, refer to this link - https://studyabroad.careers360.com/articles/study-in-new-zealand-1

Now, coming to your concerned course ,i.e. Masters in Computer Science, it will be wise to consider studying in New Zealand due to a number of reasons. The factors for it are - all of New Zealand's universities are among 3% of top universities globally, etc.

For complete information regarding Masters in Computer Science from New Zealand, refer to this link - https://www.upgradabroad.com/articles/masters-in-computer-science-in-new-zealand/

Hope you find this helpful. All the best.

To compare your qualifications to those of a doctor trained in New Zealand, go to the Medical Council's website at www.mcnz.org.nz first. Before submitting any job applications, speak with the Medical Council immediately to apply for registration. You should speak with the closest New Zealand consulate office to determine whether you are eligible to immigrate to this nation. These are often found in the New Zealand High Commission or Embassy in the majority of foreign nations.

Your expenses will be majorly covered by the stipend you get and you'll have to arrange some more money for your fees and your stay/food etc.

Hope I have answered your question. All the best!

Hello,

To begin with, New Zealand has more than a half dozen universally-ranked universities offering courses that aren’t only up-to-date and practical but unique in many ways. Also, the small class size, typical of most universities in New Zealand, is built for hands-on educati on. Many students come to New Zealand because the tuition fee is amongst the lowest in the world, or may be because they want to take advantage of the abundant work opportunities that are on offer.

To get to know Living expenses and other details, refer the below link,

https://studyabroad.careers360.com/articles/engineering-in-new-zealand-how-much-does-it-cost

Hope this will help you, good luck!!!

Hello Aspirant

Hope you are doing fine and great. As per your query, I would glad to tell you that admission system of new zealand universities are quite different from indian universities . They consider marks upto a certain level if you do have high academics scores still it is not neccesary that you will get good colleges. You need have to proper justified STATEMENT OF PURPOSE, LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION , HIGH ILETS BAND(ATLEAST 6.5) , transrcipt, CERTIFICATION In some short term courses, Extracicrcularrs like work  in ngo or some social work. Try to build your profile in every aspects



Hope you found this answer helpful. Good luck for your future


Hello,

Studying abroad is a big decision to make and for many, finding the right study abroad destination involves meeting several criteria. As You asked for the Safest Countries for Higher studies and Women Safety, Here are the countries,

  1. Denmark
  2. Austria
  3. Canada
  4. Japan
  5. Sweden
  6. Ireland
  7. Switzerland
  8. Australia.

Hope this information will help you,

Good Luck!!!

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