Study in New Zealand: A Complete Guide for Indian Students

Why Choose New Zealand as Your Study Abroad Destination?

Rapidly emerging as one of the top study abroad destinations for Indians and other international students, New Zealand ranks as the 6th safest country in the world as per Berkshire Hathaway’s 2025 report. The country has a perfect mix of renowned universities, a vibrant culture and a dynamic economy, making it an ideal destination for Indian students seeking quality education. Not to miss, the breath taking landscapes of New Zealand that add to students’ experience in the country.

Ranked as the 4th most peaceful country in the world as per the Global Peace Index 2024, New Zealand offers a welcoming and safe environment to all international visitors, ensuring a high quality of life. The beautiful country even offers a Post-Study Work Visa for up to three years, allowing international students to seek employment and gain work experience post-graduation. Moreover, around 95% of graduates from New Zealand find employment within six months of graduating.

New Zealand’s Education System

New Zealand’s education providers follow the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) to acknowledge the level and quality of qualifications offered. The NZQF has 10 levels, 7 to 10 covering degrees, graduate and postgraduate qualifications.

New Zealand has 8 state-funded universities, 16 Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) which have been unified into the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST), and about 550 Private Training Establishments (PTEs), which include English language schools.

Popular Student-Friendly Cities in New Zealand

With numerous cities boasting world-class universities and rich culture, study in New Zealand for international students is a top choice for international students. As per the QS Best Student Cities 2025, here’s a list of some of the best cities in New Zealand:

Top Universities to Study in New Zealand 2025

New Zealand’s prestigious universities focus on academic excellence, research innovation, and providing hands-on experience. Let’s have a look at the top 5 universities in New Zealand as per the QS World Ranking 2025:

Top Courses to Pursue in New Zealand in 2025

With some of the most diverse degrees to pursue, 2025 will see an increasing number of students opt for the following programs in New Zealand:

• Computer Science
• Educational Research
• Psychology
• Commerce
• Agriculture
• Biomedical Engineering

Intakes in New Zealand Universities

Now that you’ve planned to study in New Zealand, you must be informed about the intakes universities offer.
New Zealand universities offer two intakes: the first one starts in January and the other starts in July. There’s also a rolling intake where universities accept applications throughout the year. New Zealand universities receive a large number of applications in the July intake. Most international students opt for the July intake as it allows them to choose from a wide range of courses and universities.

To help you better, here's a timeline of how and when to plan your education abroad in New Zealand:

Study in New Zealand Cost in 2025

The cost of education in New Zealand depends on the program and university you choose to study in. Pursuing courses like humanities, education, and arts is comparatively more affordable than pursuing programs in medicine and engineering fields. Let’s have a look at the costs involved in pursuing various programs:

Cost of Living in New Zealand 2025

Living in New Zealand as an international student, your expenses would rely on aspects like which city your university is in, how you commute to your university, and the type of accommodation you opt for. Here’s a classification of expenses for living in Germany:

Scholarships Available for International Students in New Zealand

With world-class education opportunities in prestigious universities, New Zealand offers numerous fully funded scholarships. Scholarships for Indian students aspiring to study in New Zealand make it the perfect choice for aspiring students seeking affordable education abroad. Let’s look at a few scholarships for Indian students planning to pursue their education in New Zealand.

• New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships (NZIDRS): Funded by the New Zealand government, these scholarships are for students who wish to pursue a PhD in New Zealand. The scholarship covers university tuition fees, associated student levies, living stipend (up to NZ$25,000 tax-free) and health insurance coverage (up to NZ$600 annually) for three years.
• New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships: Indian students pursuing their master’s degrees or PhD can opt for the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP). This scholarship covers full tuition fees, living expenses worth NZD 491 per week, travel and health insurance, and an establishment allowance worth NZD 3000.
• New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA): NZEA features scholarships that offer an opportunity for Indian students to experience New Zealand’s educational excellence in various field. This scholarship is funded by Education New Zealand (ENZ) and New Zealand universities catering to Indian students. NZEA offers 28 scholarships in PG programs and 3 scholarships in UG programs. The value of this scholarship is NZ 5,000 each for PG courses and NZ 10,000 each for UG courses.
• Palmerston North City Mayor's Goodwill Ambassador Scholarship: Sponsored by the City Council of Palmerston North, this scholarship promotes Palmerston North as a favourable location for international students. The scholarship offers NZD 1,000 towards the first year's tuition for career-based/vocational, undergraduate, postgraduate courses.

Eligibility Criteria for Studying in New Zealand

Considered one of the most preferred study destinations in the world, New Zealand offers high education standards at world-class universities. If you plan to pursue a UG course in New Zealand, you must have a certificate of higher secondary qualification from a renowned board of education. A minimum score of 50-60% or above is required as per the universities. Universities also require language proficiency test scores such as IELTS (these scores’ requirements vary as per university).

If you're applying for a Master’s degree in New Zealand, you need to have a graduation degree in the course relevant to your field of study with a minimum score of 50-60%. GMAT or GRE grades are required for students aiming for management studies. Some universities even consider internships and work experience in the field of study. English proficiency tests such as IELTS are also required by universities (these scores’ requirements vary as per universities).

How to Apply for an Education Loan for Studying in New Zealand?

Securing an education loan to study in New Zealand can be a time-consuming process as you will compare various lenders to find the most suitable loan for you. It is also recommended that you start the loan process for studying in New Zealand at least 3-4 months before your enrolment day to ensure smooth and timely completion.

At Lorien Finance, we ensure you don’t have to go through this daunting and time-consuming process, thus, we do all the hard work for you.

On getting in touch with you, our loan counsellors understand all your needs related to securing a study abroad loan for New Zealand in your dream university and help you compare the interest rates among 15 international and domestic banks and NBFCs. They negotiate with these lenders on your behalf so that you fulfil your study-abroad dream cost-effectively.

Once you find the most suitable lender per your needs, the loan counsellor will help you proceed with the application process. After submitting all required information and necessary documents, your application will be logged in with the lender, who after carefully scrutinising it, will approve or reject it.

Lorien’s loan counsellors help you throughout the way to minimise any chances of loan rejection. Once the loan is sanctioned, you decide your loan disbursement date and finalise your loan.

We aim to ensure you have a smooth loan application process without any hassle so that your focus remains on your education abroad.

How to Apply for a Study Visa for Studying in New Zealand?

With some of the world’s top universities offering high-quality education in New Zealand, international students from all parts of the world are attracted to the country. As Indian students planning to pursue higher education in New Zealand, you require a student visa. To know everything you’d need for a student visa for New Zealand, continue reading:

If you’re above 18 and plan to study in New Zealand for more than six months, here's a list of the types of visas you can apply:

Indian students planning to study in New Zealand will most often apply for a fee-paying student visa.

• Get a medical examination by a doctor approved by Immigration New Zealand.
• Get a clearance certificate from a Regional Passport office or from the Deputy Commissioner of Police for your area.
• Apply for your student visa application online using the Immigration New Zealand website as it is faster and easier than completing a paper form. The cost of the same is NZD 295.
• Attach all the required documents and submit your application. The time to receive a decision depends on the country you're applying from. It is recommended to apply three months in advance from the course start date.

Documents Required for a New Zealand Student Visa

• Complete and signed application form
• Acceptance letter from a New Zealand education provider
• A copy of your passport
• Evidence of tuition fee payment
• Evidence of funds
• Evidence of your health and character
• Past academic transcripts
• Language test scores
• Standardised test scores
• Salary slips, if you have work experience
• ID proof (PAN Card or Aadhaar card)

Post-Study Work Visa in New Zealand

Your qualification determines eligibility for a one, two, or three-year work visa application. To be eligible for a Post-Study work visa you must:

• Have completed a New Zealand tertiary qualification.
• Apply within three months of your student visa's expiration after completing your qualification.
• Show that you have at least NZD 5,000 to support yourself financially.

You must apply for this visa within three months of your study completion/ student visa expiring. If you completed a doctorate degree, you can apply within six months of degree completion. Post-study work visa in New Zealand is offered only once to an applicant. Visa applications are assessed within 38 weekdays, with 90% of applicants receiving approval during this period.

FAQs

How safe is New Zealand for International students?
With low crime rates and welcoming communities, international students are safe and supported in New Zealand. The country also ranks as the 4th safest country in the world per the Global Peace Index 2024.

What’s the best way to find affordable housing in New Zealand?
Shared apartments and homesteads are the most affordable options when looking for a budget-friendly accommodation while studying in New Zealand.

How easy is it to travel within New Zealand as a student?
Travelling within the country is easy and affordable with options like public buses, trains, inter-city buses or carpools.

How can I build a network in New Zealand as a student?
Network in New Zealand by joining student associations, attending events, using LinkedIn, or career fairs.

Can I bring my family with me while I study in New Zealand?
You can be accompanied by a dependent while you study in New Zealand. Your spouse/partner may even be eligible for a work visa.