Top and Best Student Cities in New Zealand in 2025

Top Student Cities in New Zealand: A vast landscape, which covers everything that an adventure seeker looks out for, makes New Zealand one of the most popular destinations for tourists across the globe. But what most people are not aware of is that the country is also steadily climbing the ranks among major study destinations in the world. According to Immigration New Zealand, over 100,000 international students get enrolled in various Kiwi universities every year. While searching and applying to universities in New Zealand, it is important that you know about the environment in and around the campus you will be living in. Apart from quality institutes, New Zealand boasts of many cities which attract a number of international students due to their easy accessibility and affordable living costs compared to cities in other major study abroad destinations.

This Story also Contains

1. List of Best Student Cities in New Zealand
2. Top Educational Institutions in New Zealand
3. Tuition Fees and Living Expenses in New Zealand
4. Benefits of Studying in Top Cities in New Zealand
5. Cost of Living in New Zealand

Here we bring you the list of the top student cities in New Zealand:

List of Best Student Cities in New Zealand

Find below the list of the best student cities in New Zealand:

• Auckland

• Christchurch

• Wellington

• Dunedin

• Hamilton

Auckland

Home to some of the best universities in New Zealand, Auckland has established itself as a well-known student centre, attracting the majority of international students in the country. The city, which is ranked 18^th in the top student cities in New Zealand and the world by QS, is home to some of the most well-known universities in New Zealand, like the University of Auckland, Auckland Technology University, among others.

One of the interesting aspects of Auckland is that it is small in size, and thanks to a fast-growing transport network, most of the attractions can be explored within half an hour of the city centre.

Being one of the most populated and prosperous areas of New Zealand, the cost of living in Auckland for international students is among the highest in the country. Like in most cities, the cost of accommodation is the primary financial burden. Rent can be anywhere between NZ150 and 300 per week and can average around NZ $8000.

Here’s an annual breakdown of the living expenses for international students in Auckland:

Christchurch

The Garden City of New Zealand is known for its quality institutes as it is for its numerous adventurous attractions. The city is also among the top 50 student cities in the world as per QS, making it the second Kiwi city to be listed in the QS student city ranking apart from Auckland. One of the largest cities in the South Island of New Zealand, Christchurch has a strong population of 400,000. The city is also home to famous universities like the University of Canterbury and Lincoln University.
Although relatively cheaper than Auckland, Christchurch, being among the top student cities in New Zealand, still falls among the costliest cities of New Zealand, especially in terms of living. However, international students wishing to cut costs can opt to live outside the campus and even take up work during their studies in New Zealand.
Here’s a breakdown of the living expenses for international students in Christchurch:

Wellington

What can be a better place to study than at the centre of the country’s economic and social activities? The famous capital of New Zealand offers the best of entertainment landscapes in New Zealand. Wellington is also the first place in New Zealand where English settlers had arrived; hence, the city is a delight for explorers who enjoy historic streets and buildings. Besides claiming the Victoria University of Wellington, the capital is also home to branches of many universities like Massey and the University of Otago, among others, making it one of the top student cities in New Zealand.
Here’s a breakdown of the living expenses for international students in Wellington:

Dunedin

Dunedin is a commercial centre of Otago. It is the top destination for different education options, including schools, higher education institutions, and English Language Learning Programs. There are several colleges in Dunedin where students can pursue undergraduate, postgraduate and professional courses. The universities in Dunedin are popular among international students for their professional courses.

Hamilton

Hamilton is another one of the top student cities in New Zealand, located in the Wakaito region of the country. Hamilton is not only a major tourist destination in the South Pacific; it is also a study destination for over 40,000 students. One of the reasons behind its popularity among students is that it offers all the elements that students require- Cafes, libraries, shops—and is comparatively cheaper to most student cities in New Zealand.
Here’s a breakdown of the living expenses for international students in Hamilton:

Top Educational Institutions in New Zealand

When you decide to study in the best cities in New Zealand. First, you must look for the top universities in New Zealand based on your benefits, convenience of study and other necessary parameters. Some major institutions in New Zealand to pursue higher education are the University of Otago, University of Auckland, University of Canterbury, Victoria University of Wellington, and Auckland University of Technology.

Tuition Fees and Living Expenses in New Zealand

As one of the popular study destinations for students, the tuition fees and living costs in New Zealand are comparatively low. Every year, thousands of international students enrol in several universities in New Zealand. Along with the tuition fees and living fees, the accommodation fee, transportation and food charges are also cheaper in New Zealand as compared to other countries like the UK and USA. The tuition fees in private and public universities differ based on the level of education, degree and duration of the studies. The information about the tuition fees at top universities in New Zealand is given below:

Benefits of Studying in Top Cities in New Zealand

The universities in New Zealand are ranked consistently among the list of the top universities based on the Times Higher Education Rankings as well as QS World Rankings. If we look at the New Zealand Education System, it focuses on research-based learning, and practical education is accessible along with theory-based learning. It also provides various opportunities for students in research, excellent teaching facilities, experienced faculty members, robust technology and equipment, and well-equipped laboratories, which attract international students to study abroad. The universities in Dunedin and Palmerston North have excellent state-of-the-art research facilities. The tuition fees in universities are lower compared to universities in the United Kingdom and the United States.

Cost of Living in New Zealand

If you are looking to move out to study in New Zealand, the budget for the cost of living in Zealand is 750–1,300 EUR per month. In terms of education, New Zealand has numerous educational institutions with reasonable tuition fees. New Zealand offers options for accommodation to international students in different forms, which include halls of residence, homestays and flats.

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