Cheapest Universities in New Zealand for Indian Students (2026)

Nearly 12,000 Indian students are currently studying in New Zealand, and the country has 8 universities featured in the QS World University Rankings 2026. This makes NZ a strong option for students looking for globally ranked universities without extremely high tuition fees.

Here is the list of the cheapest universities in New Zealand for international students:

• University of Canterbury

• Massey University
• Lincoln University
• University of Waikato
• Victoria University of Wellington
• University of Auckland
• Auckland University of Technology (AUT)
• University of Otago
• Southern Institute of Technology (SIT)
• Ara Institute of Canterbury

Let's learn about each of them in detail now:

University of Canterbury

The University of Canterbury is considered one of the most affordable universities in NZ because it is located in Christchurch, where student living costs are lower (NZD 1,380/₹75K per month) than in Auckland and Wellington. International students spend less on rent and daily expenses, which keeps the overall study cost manageable even with standard public university tuition.

Massey University

Founded in 1927, Massey University operates major campuses in Palmerston North, Wellington, and Auckland. This gives students the option to choose a lower-cost city. Students studying in Palmerston North usually spend around NZD 1,200-1,600 per month (₹65,300-₹87,100), which is cheaper than in Auckland.

Lincoln University

Lincoln University is located near Christchurch and benefits from a lower-cost setting where international students spend NZD 1,300-1,700 per month (₹70.8K-₹92.5K) on living expenses, which is cheaper than Auckland or Wellington. More than this, technical courses, which are usually expensive here, charge tuition fees around NZD 35,000 (₹19.05L) per year.

University of Waikato

The University of Waikato is based in Hamilton, where international students spend around NZD 1,200-1,600 per month (₹65K-₹87K), making it cheaper overall.

Its international tuition fees stay within NZD 32,000-40,000 per year (₹17.4-₹21.8L) for most of the programs. It is among the affordable universities in New Zealand for engineering and business-based degrees.

Victoria University of Wellington

Victoria University is located in New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington. The monthly living cost for international students is around NZD 1,400-1,800 (₹76K-₹97K), which is slightly higher than in smaller cities but still reasonable for a capital city.

Tuition fees for UG and PG programs range from NZD 33,000-49,000 (₹17.9L to ₹26.6L), making it one of the most low-cost universities in NZ with strong offerings in law, business, and humanities.

University of Auckland

The University of Auckland (UoA) is New Zealand’s largest university and was founded in 1883. It is located in the heart of Auckland city, where the average living cost for international students is around NZD 1,500-1,800 per month (₹81K-₹97K).

Comparing it with other universities, the tuition fees here goes up to NZD 58,257 (₹31.71L) but the scholarships provided by UoA awards amount between NZD 10,000-15,000 (₹5.44-8.16 lakh), which can cover a large portion of tuition or living costs.

Auckland University of Technology (AUT)

AUT focuses on career‑ready education, with an employment rate of around 92% for graduates within six months of finishing their degree. This shows strong return on investment. 

The average living cost in Auckland is NZD 1,400-1,700 per month (₹76K-₹92K), but scholarships of up to NZD 10,000 (₹5.44 lakh) and part‑time work options help lower the total cost of study, making AUT a cheap university in New Zealand.

University of Otago

The University of Otago is based in Dunedin, one of the most affordable student cities with a total living cost of about NZD 15,000 per year (₹8.16 lakh) for accommodation, food, and essentials, which is lower than other cities like Auckland or Wellington.

Otago also has a strong employment outcome, with about 85% of graduates securing jobs after study, making it a value‑for‑money university in NZ for international students.

Southern Institute of Technology (SIT)

At SIT in Invercargill, many international students find total living costs much lower. A shared accommodation costs about NZD 150 per week (₹8K) and single rooms roughly NZD 245 per week (₹13K), while monthly groceries, transport, and essentials stay under NZD 800-1000 (₹43K-54K).

SIT is one of the cheapest universities in New Zealand, with UG tuition starting around NZD 22,500 (₹12.24 lakh) a year when compared to other famous colleges.

Ara Institute of Canterbury

Ara is not ranked in QS 2026. Its low tuition (NZD 18,000/ ₹10.02L) combined with the student services fee of NZD 392.50 (₹21.3K) per year makes it an affordable university in NZ.

The cost of studying in New Zealand ranges from NZD 18,000 to 55,000 (₹9.8L to ₹29.93) per year. It depends largely on the level of study and the type of program you choose, with research degrees and diplomas costing less than taught master’s or MBA programs.

The table below shows the average annual tuition fees for international students in NZ:

International students should be prepared for non-tuition expenses like accommodation, transport, health insurance, visa, and study materials, which together can cost between NZD 20,000 and NZD 28,000 per year (₹10.9-₹15.3 lakh).

Here is a clear breakdown of the major non-tuition expenses for international students:

Top scholarships in New Zealand, like the Manaaki Government Scholarship or the UoA International Student Excellence Scholarship, can reduce study costs by covering full or partial tuition fees.

Here is the table covering popular scholarships in New Zealand:

To choose a truly affordable university in New Zealand, you should focus mainly on the total cost of study (tuition + living expenses) and return on investment (ROI) after graduation, not just low tuition fees alone.

Here are the most important factors you should check before shortlisting a low-cost university in NZ:

• City-wise Living Cost Impact: Universities in cities like Invercargill, Hamilton, Palmerston North, or Christchurch can save you NZD 300-600 per month (₹16K-₹33K) compared to Auckland or Wellington, which lowers your overall budget.
• Actual Tuition Range for Your Course (Not University Average): Always check the course-specific fee; many cheap universities still charge high fees for specific programs like MBA, Engineering, or Health Sciences, while others keep them under NZD 30,000-35,000 (₹16-19L).
• Scholarships vs Fee Ceiling: A university with higher tuition can still be affordable if it offers guaranteed scholarships of NZD 5,000-15,000 (₹2.7-8.1L) that directly reduce payable fees.
• Graduate Employability & Part-Time Work Access: Universities with strong graduate employment rates (85-92%) and campuses in student-friendly job markets allow you to recover costs faster through part-time work and early job placement.
• Student Services & Hidden Costs: Compare compulsory costs like student services levies, insurance, and transport access; these can add NZD 1,000+/(₹54K+) per year if not factored in early.

Many students focus only on tuition fees while shortlisting universities, but the real challenge comes from managing living costs, hidden fees, and course-specific expenses over the full study period. A university that looks cheap on paper can become expensive if it is based in a high-cost city or offers limited scholarships. Always evaluate the total yearly cost, not just the admission offer, before making a final decision.

With Yocket Premium, students get personalised university shortlists based on budget, city-wise living costs, and actual course fees, not broad averages. You also receive expert guidance on scholarships, visa planning, and realistic cost breakdowns, helping you avoid financial surprises. This makes choosing an affordable university in New Zealand clear, structured, and stress-free.