It's time to move on from the USA and the UK – New Zealand is fast becoming one of the top foreign destinations for Indian students seeking outstanding higher education. Despite there being only eight universities, each institute has a remarkable reputation, exceptional facilities, renowned faculty and offers a wide range of courses. Moreover, these eight universities have appeared in the top 500 of the QS World University Rankings 2023.
Of course, before finalising New Zealand as your study destination, you must research how much it would cost to study in New Zealand for Indian students. While the college or university tuition fees would constitute the major chunk of your expenses, you should remember to include living costs and the other minor expenses you’re bound to encounter in your journey.
Major Expenses when Studying in New Zealand
Nowadays, millions of Indian students dream of pursuing higher education abroad. However, there’s no doubt that expenses play a significant role in whether students can fulfil this dream. According to most overseas education consultants, the two major expenses students have to worry about the most are – tuition fees and accommodation living costs.
- Tuition Fees
The yearly tuition fees you're expected to pay depend on several factors, such as the following:
- Degree of education (Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, Doctoral degree, etc.)
- University of choice
- Degree program (Arts, Science, Management, etc.)
Here’s an average estimate of the fees you might be expected to pay for particular degrees of education:
- Bachelor’s degree – approx. NZD 25,000 per year (approx. INR 13 lakhs)
- Master’s degree – approx. NZD 30,000 per year (approx. INR 16 lakhs)
- Doctoral programs – approx. NZD 10,000 per year (approx. INR 52,000)
- MBA degrees – approx. NZD 50,000 per year (approx. INR 26 lakhs)
The fees depend on the institutes as well. For example, the first-year tuition fee for an MBA program of duration 12-16 months at the University of Auckland is approximately INR 25 lakhs. Meanwhile, at the Victoria University of Wellington, the cost of an MBA degree with a duration of 16-20 months is around INR 13 lakhs.
Compared to the USA or the UK, the tuition fees to study in New Zealand for Indian students are significantly more affordable. So, remember to look into the yearly fees, scholarship opportunities and other details to figure out how much you'd have to pay to complete your degree.
- Accommodation Living Expenses
The other significant expense to study in New Zealand for Indian students is the living costs. Once you secure a place in any university, you should figure out your accommodation options. Most institutes offer on-campus residence facilities, which can cost approximately NZD 200 – NZD 600 weekly (approx. INR 10,000 – INR 32,000). However, since there's a significant demand for on-campus living facilities, you need to apply well in advance to secure a spot.
Homestays are another preferred option for students pursuing short-term courses. Here, you can get a private room or share a room with another student in any native person’s house. The rent is approximately NZD 100 – NZD 400 (approx. INR 5,200 – INR 21,000) per week.
Other than on-campus facilities and homestays, you can opt for private rooms in flats (approx. NZD 200 or INR 10,400) and shared rooms in flats (approx. NZD 120 or INR 6,300) or youth hostels.
Now, let's explore the living expenses you might incur while staying in New Zealand.
Weekly living expenses in New Zealand:
- Food and beverages – approx. NZD 150 (approx. INR 8,000)
- Household items – approx. NZD 220 (approx. INR 11,500)
- Transportation – approx. NZD 80 (approx. INR 4,200)
- Health – NZD 40 (approx. INR 2,100)
- Recreation social life – NZD 70 (approx. INR 3,700)
Based on consensus, the average yearly living cost to study in New Zealand for Indian students is around NZD 12,500 – NZD 16,000 (approx. INR 6.5 lakhs – INR 8.5 lakhs).
Miscellaneous Costs to Pursue Higher Studies in New Zealand
Most Indian students consider the tuition fees and living costs when planning their finances to study in New Zealand, forgetting that there are plenty of other expenses to be taken into account. Let's explore some of these in detail:
- Cost of exam preparation and applications
Submission of English language proficiency test scores when applying to universities in New Zealand is compulsory. Some accepted tests include the IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, DET, etc. So, when considering your expenses, you should include the costs of signing up for IELTS or PTE tutorial sessions and the application fees.
- PTE Academic – INR 13,300
- IELTS – INR 15,500
- DET – approx. INR 4000
- TOEFL – approx. INR 15,700
- Cost of applying to universities
Indian students must pay a non-refundable application fee of NZD 100 (approx. INR 5,200) when applying to any university in New Zealand. However, if you fall under the Special Admission or Discretionary Entrance category, the application fee is only NZD 60 (approx. 3,200).
Additionally, since SOPs are one of the most crucial documents that can improve the chances of securing admission to the top institutes in New Zealand, many students hire SOP writing services. You'll find several overseas education consultants in India that offer affordable coaching to write amazing SOPs.
- Cost of applying for a student visa
Once you’ve secured admission to your shortlisted university, you must apply for a student visa. The application cost is NZD 330 (approx. INR 17,200), while the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) charges are NZD 35 (approx. INR 2,000).
- Cost of health insurance
All Indian students travelling to New Zealand for higher education must apply for health insurance. When sending in applications, check whether your shortlisted institute provides health insurance plans for international students. If not, you can apply for private health insurance, which can cost approx. NZD 200 – NZD 800 yearly (approx. INR 10,500 – INR 41,700).
The charges provided are mere approximations since exchange rates might increase or decrease your exact budget. If the tuition fees or living costs are out of your budget, you can apply for scholarships and education loans and get part-time jobs in New Zealand if your program allows working while studying.
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