Study in New Zealand from India

Studying in New Zealand from India: 8 things to know

New Zealand suits Indian students who want a long post-study stay: a master’s studied full-time in New Zealand for at least 30 weeks gives up to 3 years of open work, and you can work 25 hours a week while studying.

1. Post-Study Work Visa: up to 3 years of open work after a master's studied full-time in New Zealand for at least 30 weeks. Once only; apply within 3 months of the student visa ending. Fee from NZD 1,670; NZD 5,000 funds.
2. Courses that lead to a post-study work visa: master's of 30+ full-time weeks in New Zealand (3-year post-study visa) and postgraduate diplomas of 30+ weeks (post-study visa for the time studied, about 1 year). Courses that give less or no post-study work: 60-credit postgraduate certificates (half a year, normally under 30 weeks), part-time, online or distance programmes (no student visa), graduate diplomas and graduate certificates (Level 7: undergraduate awards, at most 1 year of post-study work), and diplomas that admit on Class XII (not postgraduate).
3. Student visa (Fee Paying Student Visa): from NZD 850; 80% decided within 7 weeks. Show one year's tuition paid (or pay after approval in principle) and NZD 20,000 a year for living costs, plus a ticket home.
4. Loans and sponsors from India: loan sanction and disbursal letters; loans from 12 listed public-sector banks are processed faster; NBFC loans are not recommended by INZ. Only immediate family can sponsor or sign the Financial Undertaking. INZ may require the Funds Transfer Scheme (ANZ or BNZ).
5. Work: 25 hours a week in term (since 3 Nov 2025), full-time in scheduled breaks; no limit for research master's and PhD.
6. Partner can work: a master's student's partner can get an open Partner of a Student Work Visa (from NZD 1,630; NZD 4,200 funds).
7. English: IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0) or PTE 58 (no skill below 50) at the universities; Duolingo 120 accepted by AUT, Waikato, Massey, VUW, Canterbury, Lincoln and Otago (not Auckland). Not mandatory for the visa itself.
8. Intakes: February/March and July. February deadlines run from 31 Oct (Massey) to 1 Dec (Auckland, Canterbury, Lincoln). Apply for the visa at least 3 months before travel; applications from India take longer.

How do New Zealand universities and master’s degrees work?

A New Zealand master’s (Level 9) takes 1 year (120 points) after honours or a postgraduate diploma, or about 18 months to 2 years (180 or 240 points) after a bachelor’s. There are 8 state-funded universities.

• Providers: 8 state-funded universities (Auckland, AUT, Waikato, Massey, Victoria University of Wellington, Canterbury, Lincoln, Otago), 16 polytechnics (ITPs) and about 550 private training establishments. A student visa needs an approved provider that has signed the Code of Pastoral Care (Code of Practice 2021).
• Levels (NZQCF): bachelor's, graduate certificate and graduate diploma = Level 7; postgraduate certificate (60 credits) and postgraduate diploma (120 credits) = Level 8, not degrees; master's = Level 9; doctorate = Level 10. 120 credits (points) = one full-time year.
• Master's length: 120 points (1 year) usually needs honours or a postgraduate diploma; 180 points (about 18 months) or 240 points (2 years) after a bachelor's.
• Admission is set by each university per programme. Rules on visas, work and post-study are national.
• Entry level of sub-master's awards: diplomas (Levels 5–6) can admit on Class XII (AUT: Standard XII, 60%); graduate diplomas and graduate certificates (Level 7) need a degree (Massey: a 3-year diploma or degree); postgraduate certificates and diplomas (Level 8) need a bachelor's.

Can I apply with an Indian degree, and is a 3-year bachelor’s accepted?

Yes: a 3-year bachelor’s is accepted, often for the 180- or 240-point master’s. AUT asks for 65% in the final year; other universities ask for a B or B- average and publish no India percentage.

• 3-year bachelor's: accepted, often for the 180- or 240-point master's. AUT: minimum 3-year degree, 65% in the final year (70% for Business, Computer and Information Sciences, Science); AUT postgraduate diplomas from 40%.
• Other universities ask a B or B- average (often in final-year courses) and publish no India percentage. Auckland converts grades with its own GPE scale (B- = 65–69%, B = 70–74% on its scale; Indian Second Class starts its B range).
• Recognised institutions: AUT and VUW use NOOSR/ENIC (UK ENIC) lists; Massey and Auckland publish Indian institution lists.
• Indian English-medium degree as English proof: only at some universities and only for listed institutions (Auckland and Otago lists; Waikato via UK ECCTIS; VUW only IITs and NITs).
• Not found: university rules on backlogs, gap years and online Indian degrees. Massey does not accept provisional results as proof of a degree; Lincoln accepts applications while results are pending.
• Bachelor's from Class XII (information only): Waikato and Massey take CBSE/ISC at 75% (English 60%).

How do I apply to a New Zealand university?

You apply on each university’s portal or through a university-listed agent (VUW takes Indian postgraduate applications through agents only). February deadlines run from 31 Oct (Massey) to 1 Dec (Auckland, Canterbury, Lincoln).

• Apply on each university's portal or through a university-listed agent. VUW takes Indian postgraduate applications through agents only.
• Fees: Auckland NZD 100 (none through a registered agent); VUW none; Waikato, Massey, Canterbury and Lincoln list none; Otago lists NZD 93 for admission on an overseas qualification (ad eundem statum): confirm with Otago before applying.
• Decisions: Auckland within 4 weeks of complete documents; VUW 3–4 weeks.
• Documents: transcripts with the grading scale, degree certificate, official English translations, English test, certified passport copy; Otago may ask for an ECE credential report. Research master's: research proposal, CV and an agreed supervisor.
• Offer, then visa: a conditional offer is enough for a visa approval in principle; then pay tuition and send the unconditional offer, usually within 10 days (15 with the Funds Transfer Scheme).

How much does it cost, and how much money must I show?

Taught master’s cost about NZD 42,000–75,000 a year. For the visa you show one year’s tuition paid and NZD 20,000 a year for living costs, with bank statements for the last 3 months.

• Tuition (international, NZD): taught master's about 42,000–75,000 a year. Examples: Auckland Master of IT 55,214 (2026); AUT Master of Computer and Information Sciences 49,460 per 120 points; Massey Master of Information Sciences 47,490 (2027); VUW Master of Computer Science 72,250 full programme (2027); Otago MSc(Applied) Computer Science 74,760 (2027). Plus a student services levy of about 1,100–1,300.
• Visa funds: NZD 20,000 a year (NZD 1,667 a month under a year). Bank statements must show the last 3 months; fixed deposits held 3+ months; deposits over NZD 2,000 must be explained.
• Not accepted as tuition proof: screenshots of bank transfers and receipts from education agents.
• Funds Transfer Scheme: NZD 20,000 per year moved to an ANZ or BNZ account; released at up to NZD 1,666 a month after arrival; refunded if the visa is declined.
• Living costs: Auckland and Wellington NZD 20,000–27,000 a year; Dunedin NZD 18,000–21,000.
• Scholarships for Indians: Auckland India High Achievers (25% of first-year tuition; offer by 20 Oct 2026); Canterbury India High Achievers NZD 5,000. Open to Indians: Otago Global Master's NZD 15,000; VUW NZD 10,000; Lincoln NZD 7,000–15,000; Waikato up to NZD 15,000; Massey NZD 5,000.
• Refunds if the visa fails: Auckland refunds less NZD 1,060 (may be waived); Waikato less NZD 500; Canterbury in full on request; Otago less NZD 100.

How do I get a New Zealand student visa from India?

You apply online with INZ for a Fee Paying Student Visa (from NZD 850) at least 3 months before travel, with a chest X-ray. In 2025, 59% of offshore student visas decided for India were approved.

• Fee Paying Student Visa, online with INZ from outside New Zealand. Up to 4 years; issued for the period paid for.
• Checklist: passport, photo, offer of place, tuition receipt (or approval-in-principle route), funds and their source, Financial Undertaking or sponsor if used, outward ticket or money, insurance, chest X-ray (India is not a low-TB country), police certificates if total stay is 24 months or more.
• Genuine intentions: study plans, why this course, plans after study, source of funds and any refusal by any country. Declaring a plan for a post-study visa is not held against the student.
• Processing: universities' students averaged 2 weeks recently (80% within 5 weeks); peak October to March; no priority for late applications.
• Approval rate: offshore student visas from India in 2025: 4,276 approved of 7,235 decided (59%); 2,838 declined.
• Refusal: an application made from India cannot be reconsidered; a new application is needed.
• Already in New Zealand on a visitor visa: a student visa can be applied for onshore (genuine intentions still checked).
• Family: partner on a Partner of a Student Work Visa (open work; same length as the student's visa; living together). Children: free (domestic) schooling only through a PhD parent or through the partner's work visa; otherwise visitor visas (school up to 3 months) or international fees.

When should I start preparing?

Start 12 months before a February intake: shortlist in February–May, take IELTS or PTE in May–August, and apply between August and November (Massey closes 31 Oct).

Can I work while studying, and what happens on arrival?

You can work 25 hours a week in term and full-time in scheduled breaks, as an employee only. Insurance is a visa condition, and changing provider needs a new student visa.

• Work: 25 hours a week in term, full-time in scheduled breaks (courses of 120+ credits over 8+ months); employee only, no self-employment. Minimum wage NZD 23.95 an hour (from 1 Apr 2026). Income tax from 10.5% on the first dollar (17.5% above NZD 15,600).
• Keep the visa: attend, make progress, study the programme and provider on the visa. Changing provider needs a new student visa.
• Housing: no postgraduate hall guarantee; apply from 1 August the year before. Bond at most 4 weeks' rent; rent in advance at most 2 weeks; letting fees and key money are unlawful.
• Health: insurance is a visa condition; public health care is mainly for residents.
• Travel: a multiple-entry condition is needed to leave and come back.
• Emergency 111; police non-urgent 105. Racial discrimination is unlawful (Human Rights Commission).

Can I stay and work in New Zealand after graduating?

Yes: a master’s with at least 30 full-time weeks in New Zealand gives a Post-Study Work Visa of 3 years’ open work, once only. Apply within 3 months of the student visa ending.

• Post-Study Work Visa (INZ rules WD3.1 from 18 Nov 2024 and WD3.5 from 20 Apr 2026): only full-time weeks studied in New Zealand count (holidays, repeated papers and credit-transferred study excluded). Once only. Apply within 3 months of the student visa ending (6 for a doctorate); it can be applied for from India within that window. Partner can get a work visa; children can study as domestic students.

• Employer visa (AEWV): full-time offer from an accredited employer at the market rate; up to 5 years.
• Residence (Skilled Migrant Category): 6 points and a skilled job with an accredited employer; age 55 or under. A New Zealand master's (30 weeks full-time, plus a bachelor's) = 6 points. Green List jobs: residence straight away or after 2 years.
• Citizenship: usually after 5 years as a resident. India does not allow dual citizenship.
• Back in India: AIU grants equivalence for degrees from accredited foreign universities.

Common mistakes Indian students make

The costliest mistakes: choosing a postgraduate certificate or any programme with under 30 full-time weeks in New Zealand, NBFC loans or unexplained deposits, and missing the 3-month post-study window.

1. Choosing a postgraduate certificate, or any programme with under 30 full-time weeks in New Zealand: no post-study visa.
2. Part-time or online study: no student visa.
3. NBFC loans or unexplained deposits.
4. A sponsor who is not immediate family.
5. Bank-transfer screenshots or agent receipts as tuition proof.
6. Applying for the visa late (India's caseload is slower).
7. Relying on an English-medium letter from an unlisted Indian institution.
8. Changing provider without a new visa.
9. Missing the 3-month post-study window, or having used a post-study visa before.
10. Job-offer scams, which INZ says are common in India and South Asia.