Tuition Fees for Studying in New Zealand
International students pay each university's own international fee, set per subject and per year. The fees here are in New Zealand dollars (NZD).
Example Tuition Invoice
Example: Master of Information Sciences
Student ID: Example
Example only. Your university sends your real invoice after you accept your offer.
How Tuition Fees Work in New Zealand
A full-time year is 120 points. Most fee lists show the cost of one such year. Some master's degrees charge one fee for the whole programme.
What the Visa Needs
Each university publishes its own international fees. Fees depend on your subject and how many points you take.
Domestic fees are the lower fees New Zealand citizens pay. International PhD students at the University of Auckland (UoA), Victoria University of Wellington (VUW, Te Herenga Waka) and the University of Otago (Otago) pay them if they live in New Zealand.
All fees here are for 2027, unless a different year is named. Your final fee depends on the courses you pick.
Fees Change Each Year
Fees at Popular Universities (2027)
Each university sets its own fees. Here is one example from each.
| University Type | Range | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| University of Auckland (UoA) | Postgraduate: from NZD 50,534.40 a year for business and economics; NZD 58,257.60 a year for engineering and science | Estimates for one full-time year. |
| Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) | Postgraduate: NZD 41,118.00 (commerce) to NZD 52,395.60 (engineering) a year | Includes GST, for one full-time year. |
| University of Canterbury (UC) | Master of Applied Data Science: NZD 59,400 for 180 points | Special Programme Fee, paid at the start for the whole degree. |
| Massey University (Massey) | Master of Information Sciences: NZD 47,490 a year | Full-time study (120 points), GST included. |
| Auckland University of Technology (AUT) | Master of Business Management: NZD 62,789.51 for 180 points | Includes the student services levy. This is an estimate. |
- Bachelor's, master's and PhD degrees
- Publish their own international fees
Tuition Fees by Study Level
Fees depend on the level and the subject. These are examples.
Range
UC Bachelor of Commerce: NZD 39,590 a year. UoA Bachelor of Commerce: NZD 51,020.40 a year.
Key Considerations
- Engineering costs more: UoA NZD 60,909.60, UC NZD 49,540 a year.
- VUW undergraduate commerce: NZD 39,798.00 a year.
Some Programmes Cost More
Example Fees by Subject (2027)
These are example fees. Your course fee may differ.
| Field of Study | Low-End | High-End | Special Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering, postgraduate (after a bachelor's degree) | VUW: NZD 52,395.60 a year | UoA: NZD 58,257.60 a year | Both fees are for one full-time year. |
| Science, postgraduate (after a bachelor's degree) | VUW: NZD 48,157.20 a year | UoA: NZD 58,257.60 a year | Both fees are for one full-time year. |
| Computing and information | Massey University (Massey): NZD 47,490 a year | Auckland University of Technology (AUT): NZD 49,459.67 a year | Massey: Master of Information Sciences. AUT: Postgraduate Diploma in Computer and Information Sciences. AUT's fee includes the student services levy (a fee for campus services). |
| Engineering, bachelor's | University of Canterbury (UC): NZD 49,540 a year | UoA: NZD 60,909.60 a year | Bachelor of Engineering with Honours. Both fees are for one full-time year. |
- A fee for campus services (the student services fee)
- Insurance your university asks for
- Books and pens: about NZD 1,200 a year at UoA
- Some courses charge for field trips or site visits
Compare the Same Things
Other Fees to Budget For
Tuition is not the only cost.
- Student services feeUoA: NZD 9.44 per point (2026 fee). Massey: NZD 1,236 for full-time study (120 credits) on campus.
A fee every student pays for campus services.
- InsuranceMassey Studentsafe: NZD 899 for 1 academic year (2026 fee)
Most students need medical and travel insurance for the visa. PhD students do not need insurance for the visa.
- Books and stationeryUoA: about NZD 1,200 a year
Course books and supplies.
Most Students Need Insurance
Pro Tips for Managing Additional Fees
- Check your university's non-tuition fee list.
- Insurance fees are often due with tuition.
When to Pay
You need a tuition receipt for your student visa.
1Pay after your offer
- Gives time for the university to issue your receipt.
- At Otago, pay as quickly as you can after your offer.
2Pay after visa approval in principle
- If you apply from outside New Zealand, you may wait to pay until Immigration New Zealand (INZ), the visa office, gives approval in principle (AIP): a yes, if you pay.
- Your visa then takes longer than if you paid first.
Pay on Time
Quick Facts
Keep these in mind when you plan.
- 1UoA postgraduate engineering: NZD 58,257.60 for a full-time year.
- 2VUW postgraduate commerce: NZD 41,118.00 for a full-time year. This includes GST (New Zealand's sales tax).
- 3UC Master of Applied Data Science: NZD 59,400 for the whole 180-point programme.
- 4Massey Master of Information Sciences: NZD 47,490 for a full-time year.
- 5AUT Master of Business Management: NZD 62,789.51 for 180 points. It includes the student services levy.
- 6UoA PhD students who live in New Zealand pay the lower domestic fee. See the PhD fee below.
Add the student services fee, insurance and books. UoA's student services fee is NZD 9.44 per point (2026 figure), about NZD 1,132.80 for a full-time year.
Universities set their fees each year.
Check the university's fee page for your course. It gives the exact fee.
Planning Tip
Related Money Pages
Plan the rest of your budget with these pages.
Living Costs
Scholarships
Proof of Money for Your Visa
Insurance
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