Study Destination

5 Best Affordable Universities in New Zealand for International Students

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Rohan Deshmukh
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Dreaming of a stellar education without breaking the bank? New Zealand is your go-to study destination! Universities in New Zealand rank in the top 3% of universities globally, according to the 2024 QS World University Rankings report. Offering 10-20 million in scholarships annually, the island country houses some of the best yet affordable universities in New Zealand. Famous among aspirants wanting to complete their education at cheap universities in New Zealand, the country also welcomes bright international students across the world.

Join us as we guide you through all you need to know about the island country's top-ranked yet affordable universities. Learn about scholarships, global reputation across coveted programs, a welcoming nature, and more! Gain pro tips from expert counselors on strategizing your applications. Stay tuned as we wrap up with recommendations from Yocket Premium for personalized mentoring on a shortlist and apply to universities matching your budget, interests, and career goals seamlessly!

Suggested: Get Started with Your Dream to Study Abroad  

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Top 5 Cheapest Colleges In New Zealand For International Students

As a student, you can be assured that you will receive the best education in New Zealand. As the colleges rank best globally, the government runs regular quality checks on them. Hence, we’ve curated the list of the top cheapest colleges in New Zealand.

let's learn about each of them in detail now

1. University of Auckland

Ranking in the Top 100 universities for 30 subjects in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023. The University of Auckland generates around $230 million (INR 19,070 million) in annual research revenue and has gained 30% of the government funding before. Considered the best and the cheapest college in New Zealand, it’s looked upon by many students for better employability opportunities.

Suggested: How to apply to study in New Zealand?

University of Auckland Tuition fee (2024)

Course subjects

Annual fees

Arts and social sciences

NZD 4,000 (INR 2,07,280) - NZD 9,000 (INR 4,66,390)

Business and Economics

NZD 4,000 (INR 2,07,280) - NZD 9,000 (INR 4,66,390)

Science and Engineering

NZD 4,000 (INR 2,07,280) - NZD 7,000 (INR 3,62,740)

2. University of Canterbury

Ranked in the world’s top 1% globally. The University of Canterbury harbors world-class research opportunities and innovation programs for diverse, multi-ethnic groups of students. It has over 130 student clubs and student organizations like UCSA. It is also one of the cheapest universities in New Zealand to pursue your dream course.

Suggested: Best courses to pursue in New Zealand

University of Canterbury Tuition fee (2024)

For Undergraduate Programs

Course subjects

Annual fees

Arts and social sciences

NZD 30,000 (INR 15,54,630) - NZD 40,000 (INR 20,72,840)

Science and Engineering

NZD 35,000 (INR 18,13,740) - NZD 45,000 (INR 23,31,950)

Commerce

NZD 32,000 (INR 16,58,270)

Graduation Programs

Course subjects

Annual fees

Arts and social sciences

NZD 14,000 (INR 7,25,490) - NZD 17,000 (INR 8,80,950)

Science and Engineering

NZD 14,000 (INR 7,25,490)

Commerce

NZD 15,000 (INR 7,77,310)

Some of the cheapest courses for international students in New Zealand (At the University of Canterbury) include:

  • BA in Law, Fine Arts, Music, Communication, Teaching, and Social Work.

UC offers over NZ $20 million (INR 1,030 million) in scholarships and educational prizes annually. You can apply for these scholarships on the University website making it one of the cheapest colleges in New Zealand for international students.

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3. Lincoln University

Lincoln University is rated among the top 1.5% of the global QS World University Rankings 2023-24. It has ranked in the top 100 as the land-based Agriculture and Forestry education specialist. The areas of their educational expertise lie in the fields of Agriculture, Horticulture, Viticulture, Business, Environment, Food and Wine, Architecture, Science, Sports and Recreation, and Tourism.

The cheapest courses offered at Lincoln University are Applied Sciences, Landscape Architecture, and Agriculture-related courses. The University offers 4 scholarships to International students making it one of the most affordable universities in New Zealand.

Lincoln University Tuition fee (2024)

Courses offered

Course fees

Undergraduate degrees (including Honours)

NZD 29,000 (INR 15,02,810) - NZD 32,000 (INR 16,58,270)

Graduate Certificates and Diplomas

NZD 14,000 (INR 7,25,490) - NZD 30,000 (INR 15,54,630)

Postgraduate Certificates and Diplomas

NZD 15,000 (INR 7,77,310) - NZD 30,000 (INR 15,54,630)

Master's

NZD 29,000 (INR 15,02,810) - NZD 57,000 (INR 29,53,800)

PhD (only in philosophy)

NZD 7,000 (INR 3,62,740)

Suggested: Masters (MS) in New Zealand

4. Auckland University of Technology

AUT is the second-largest university in Aotearoa, New Zealand. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs along with certificate and diploma courses. AUT is one university that doesn’t just focus on academics but on sports as well. They provide courses in Sports, Art, Design, Communication, and media studies.

Auckland University of Technology Tuition fees 2024

Course Subjects

Course Fees

Math and Sciences

NZD 34,000 (INR 17,61,910) - NZD 40,000 (INR 20,72,840)

Hospitality and Tourism

NZD 15,000 (INR 7,77,310) - NZD 30,000 (INR 15,54,630)

Arts, Social Sciences, Law and Sports

NZD 17,000 (INR 8,80,950) - NZD 35,000 (INR 18,13,740)

Suggested: Cost of studying in New Zealand

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5. Massey University

It is ranked in the top 3% of universities worldwide (QS World University Rankings), the no.1 university in New Zealand, and the lead university in Government-funded research. It is recognized for its world-class programs in Veterinary Science, Agriculture, and Business. This is New Zealand’s only university-based aviation school. It is also the only university-based trading room in the country.

Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programs Fees at Massey University

Course Subjects

Course Fees

Arts

NZD 27,000 (INR 13,99,170) - NZD 36,000 (INR 18,65,560)

Science

NZD 15,000 (INR 7,77,310) - NZD 30,000 (INR 15,54,630)

Business

NZD 17,000 (INR 8,80,950) - NZD 35,000 (INR 18,13,740)

In addition to tuition fees, you are also required to pay non-tuition fees like insurance and a student visa application fee. Thus, note that we’ve discussed only universities with low tuition fees above.

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Luckily for international students, the list of university-offered scholarships is extensive. Moreover, there are other waivers and allowances offered by the New Zealand government. Massey offers $8M (INR 660 million) worth of scholarships while the University of Canterbury offers $20M. Further on, you can offset these costs by working.

EXPLORE: Schedule a FREE consultation call with a Yocket professional to help you plan your New Zealand journey.

From the Desk Yocket

New Zealand stands as a beacon of quality education with a plethora of affordable options for international students. From the University of Auckland's global reputation to Lincoln University's expertise in agriculture, these institutions offer excellent academic pathways. The emphasis on diverse fields, coupled with generous scholarships, makes studying in New Zealand an enriching experience without breaking the bank. So, if you seek a blend of academic excellence and financial sensibility, New Zealand's universities provide a compelling choice for your educational journey.

For those navigating the quest for budget-friendly education in New Zealand, Yocket is your compass. Decode the realm of affordable universities with our expert guidance in 2025. Empower your educational journey with Yocket – your key to unlocking quality education without compromising your budget. Explore more for a smarter, cost-effective approach to studying in New Zealand.

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