15 Cheapest Universities in New Zealand for International Students

In New Zealand, there are a lot of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in New Zealand without paying a lot. These institutions also provide well-rounded academic programs and curriculums, allowing students to earn a degree with less burden on their pockets.

Now, if you’re planning to study in New Zealand, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 25 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in New Zealand, make sure to read more!

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How do I get admission to affordable universities in New Zealand?

New Zealand is home to 7,015 international students, and a lot of them enjoy quality education without paying high costs!

Applying to cheap universities in New Zealand requires you to complete different requirements depending on your degree and chosen university. These usually include admission forms, language proficiency scores, and a visa. Check out our full guide to studying in New Zealand for a more comprehensive guide!

What can I study at Best affordable universities in New Zealand?

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in New Zealand. For example, one of the best affordable schools in New Zealand is the Ara Institute of Canterbury, which offers Journalism, Fashion Technology and Design, and Visual Communication Design to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the Ara Institute of Canterbury offers Sustainable Practice, and Creative Practice.

Cheap Bachelor’s Colleges and Universities in New Zealand for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in New Zealand ordered by their tuition fee for international bachelor’s students.

1. Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) is a public university in New Zealand with campuses in Nelson, Blenheim, Marlborough, Woodbourne, and Richmond. It was established in 1905 to offer training in cooking, engineering, woodworking, commerce, and plumbing. The current programs offered by NMIT include viticulture, aquaculture, nursing, maritime, adventure tourism, creative industries, business, and computing.

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology is the most affordable educational institution in New Zealand for undergraduate studies. Incoming international bachelor’s students are required to pay as low as 6,300 NZD.

2. Southern Institute of Technology

The next university on our list of cheap universities in New Zealand is Southern Institute of Technology.

The Southern Institute of Technology is committed to offering an effective and quality education relevant to the student’s professional success. This university is known for being one of the main providers of higher education in New Zealand, not only for its large student population but also for its active presence in a large part of the country. It has campuses in four cities, two specialized teaching centers, and the option of studying online. It’s also famous for its tuition-free scheme for all domestic students in all degree programs and for having affordable tuition fees for international candidates.

International students planning to study for a bachelor’s degree at Southern Institute of Technology must prepare a tuition fee of
17,400 NZD.

3. Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki

The Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki strives to take the best out of its students in order to make them successful professionals that will meet the needs of the local and international industries. Besides bachelor’s degree programs, this university has multiple certifications and diplomas for those who want to work in a trade or update their skills. Its education is mainly practical. It mixes hands-on learning with modern facilities that include industry projects, a simulation center, a construction training park, engineering laboratories, etc.

This public university has a tuition fee range of
18,000 NZD to 22,000 NZD for international students studying a bachelor’s program.

4. Auckland Institute of Studies

International Bachelor’s Tuition: 18,585 NZD
Domestic Bachelor’s Tuition: 0 NZD to 4,270 NZD
Auckland Institute of Studies Tuition Pages

Another cheap university to consider in New Zealand is the Auckland Institute of Studies.

The Auckland Institute of Studies is a private university in Auckland, New Zealand. It was founded in 1990 in a shopping mall in the heart of Auckland, and it now includes campuses in St. Helens and Asquith. Programs in finance, language studies, business, information technology, tourism, and hospitality management are available at the undergraduate and graduate levels through the university.

As a first-year international student here, you will be required to pay a tuition fee of
18,585 NZD. This is really affordable compared to other schools in New Zealand.

5. NorthTec

International Bachelor’s Tuition: 19,760 NZD to 23,381 NZD
Domestic Bachelor’s Tuition: 6,272 NZD to 6,847 NZD
NorthTec Admissions Pages
NorthTec Tuition Pages

Joining the cheapest universities in New Zealand is NorthTec.

NorthTec is mainly known in New Zealand for being an institution that helps preserve Māori traditions. Almost half of its students identify themselves as part of this Polynesian people. The university has special programs that help disseminate the foundations of this culture, like the Māori art bachelor’s degree, and integrated the values of this ethnic group into the curricula and activities. It also has six campuses throughout New Zealand, where the faculty and students constantly collaborate with the local communities.

With its affordable rates, you can have world-class education without breaking your wallet. To give you an idea, international undergraduate students pay
19,760 NZD to 23,381 NZD for bachelor’s studies at NorthTec.

6. Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology

The Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology is committed to offering an innovative learning experience to future professionals that will contribute to the local communities and the country’s economy. Besides offering degree programs in different areas of humanities, engineering, and science, the university promotes the preservation of the Māori culture by regularly holding activities and events. It also encourages student wellness through sports, professional development programs, workshops, and team-building projects.

7. Eastern Institute of Technology

The Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT) is a public university in New Zealand with three campuses in Hawke’s Bay, Auckland, and Gisborne. Phil Amos, the minister of education, launched it as the Hawke’s Bay Community College in 1975. The university currently offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in education, humanities, health sciences, and social sciences to over 10,000 students.

8. Otago Polytechnic

International Bachelor’s Tuition: 20,940 NZD to 27,800 NZD
Domestic Bachelor’s Tuition: 0 NZD to 8,002 NZD
Otago Polytechnic Admissions Pages
Otago Polytechnic Tuition Pages

The vision and values of Otago Polytechnic are surrounded by their goals of building student capabilities and skills. As one of New Zealand’s leading educational institutions, they emphasize the importance of research and academic projects that are vital to the nation’s growth. Currently, Otago Polytechnic delivers more than 180 programs for undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Besides fostering academic excellence, Otago Polytechnic provides a student-friendly environment as they emphasize real-life learning in their classes. As a result of the university’s efforts to provide quality education, they are hailed as one of the country’s top-performing institutions.

9. Wellington Institute of Technology

The Wellington Institute of Technology, also known as WelTec, is a polytechnic institute in Petone, Lower Hutt, New Zealand. It was formed in 2001 by the merger of the Central Institute of Technology and the Hutt Valley Polytechnic. The institute provides vocational education in more than 130 fields, including business, management, technology, the arts, design, counseling, engineering, and construction.

10. Whitireia New Zealand

International Bachelor’s Tuition: 21,024 NZD to 25,324 NZD
Domestic Bachelor’s Tuition: 0 NZD to 7,900 NZD
Whitireia New Zealand Admissions Pages
Whitireia New Zealand Tuition Pages

Whitireia New Zealand is a higher education institution committed to training students by providing a strong support network and a sense of belonging to a community. It works with different industries in order to provide real-life learning experiences and has partnerships with other universities to collaborate academically. It also focuses on developing research that’s innovative and potentially helpful for the local population. This is developed in areas like hospitality, information technology, social services, and healthcare.

11. Universal College of Learning

The Universal College of Learning (UCOL) is a polytechnic university in New Zealand with campuses in Palmerston North, Whanganui, Masterton, and Levin. It was founded in 1892 as the Palmerston North Technical School, and it initially offered trade apprenticeship courses. The university currently offers certificate programs as well as undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in a variety of subjects.

12. Unitec Institute of Technology

The Unitec Institute of Technology is one of the biggest technological universities in New Zealand. It focuses on giving students hands-on learning experiences to prepare them for the job market. This is done through research opportunities, collaboration with governmental organizations and international businesses, laboratory practices, and internship programs. Although this is an institute of technology, it has multiple degrees related to other areas like teaching, humanities, or languages. It also offers highly flexible options for working adults as well as the alternUnitec Institute of Technologyative of obtaining credits from your work experience.

13. Manukau Institute of Technology

The Manukau Institute of Technology is a private university in Auckland, New Zealand. It was established in 1970 and is now among the biggest national suppliers of technical, vocational, and professional education. The institute provides technical training in a wide range of disciplines, including hairdressing, business, engineering, social work, and culinary arts.

14. Ara Institute of Canterbury

The Ara Institute of Canterbury is a public institute of technology in Christchurch, New Zealand. It was founded in 2016 as a result of the merger of Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology and Aoraki Polytechnic. The institution focuses on providing applied tertiary education in a wide range of fields, including engineering, architecture, medicine, the creative arts, radio, and many more.

15. New Zealand Tertiary College

New Zealand Tertiary College is a private college in Auckland, New Zealand. Glennie Oborn, an educator, started it as the Kindercare Early Childhood Teachers College in 1982. It was the first university to get an early childhood program approved. The college currently provides undergraduate and graduate degree programs in a range of educational disciplines.

Cheap Master’s Colleges and Universities in New Zealand for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in New Zealand ordered by their tuition fee for international master’s students.

1. University of Canterbury

The University of Canterbury is a public research university in Christchurch, New Zealand. It was first established in 1873 as Canterbury College, a part of the University of New Zealand. The institution offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the humanities, business, education, law, social sciences, and music.

If you’re looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, University of Canterbury should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 16,304 NZD to 34,782 NZD annually for their master’s degree.

2. Southern Institute of Technology

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is Southern Institute of Technology. Here, you can finish your master’s degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at Southern Institute of Technology is 16,400 NZD.

3. Otago Polytechnic

International Master’s Tuition: 18,015 NZD to 28,220 NZD
Domestic Master’s Tuition: 5,230 NZD to 7,906 NZD
Otago Polytechnic Admissions Pages
Otago Polytechnic Tuition Pages

The tuition fee at Otago Polytechnic for incoming international master’s students is 18,015 NZD to 28,220 NZD. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. Waikato Institute of Technology

Another affordable university to consider in New Zealand is Waikato Institute of Technology.

The Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec) is a technical institute located in Hamilton, New Zealand. Other campuses are located throughout Hamilton and the Waikato Region. It began in 1924 as Hamilton Technical College. Wintec provides undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs, as well as tertiary programs in nursing, midwifery, design, engineering, and education.

The tuition fee in Waikato Institute of Technology for master’s program for foreign students starts from
19,120 NZD.

5. Eastern Institute of Technology

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, Eastern Institute of Technology has some of the lowest tuition fee prices for foreign students who are planning to take a master’s degree here. International master’s students only pay as low as
21,900 NZD yearly.

6. Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology

7. Whitireia New Zealand

8. Unitec Institute of Technology

9. Manukau Institute of Technology

10. Universal College of Learning

11. Wellington Institute of Technology

12. Ara Institute of Canterbury

13. Lincoln University

International Master’s Tuition: 31,100 NZD to 40,000 NZD
Domestic Master’s Tuition: 7,860 NZD to 8,255 NZD
Lincoln University Admissions Pages
Lincoln University Tuition Pages

Lincoln University is a public agricultural research university in Lincoln, Canterbury, New Zealand. It was established in 1878 as the School of Agriculture of Canterbury University College, and in 1990 it was given university status. The Faculty of Agribusiness and Commerce, the Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and the Faculty of Environment, Society, and Design are its only three academic departments, making it the smallest university in the nation.

14. Massey University

International Master’s Tuition: 32,910 NZD to 43,370 NZD
Domestic Master’s Tuition: 7,349 NZD to 12,072 NZD
Massey University Admissions Pages
Massey University Tuition Pages

Massey University is a public university in New Zealand with campuses in Palmerston North, Albany, and Wellington. It was established in 1927 as a result of the New Zealand Agricultural College Act, which permitted the merger of numerous agricultural schools. The institution provides undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in a variety of subject areas, including nanoscience, veterinary medicine, aviation, and conflict resolution, all of which are uniquely available at Massey University.

15. Victoria University of Wellington

The Victoria University of Wellington is a public university in Wellington, New Zealand. It was established as a part of the University of New Zealand in 1897. The university offers a wide range of other disciplines, including architecture, business, engineering, and health sciences, but it is known for its law and humanities programs.

It’s important to take a look at all your options when selecting where to attend post-secondary school. With so many different types of schools, degrees, and universities in New Zealand, it can be tough to know where to start looking.

So, make sure to explore the best public universities in New Zealand as well if you’re looking for affordable education!

We hope that this article on affordable institutions in New Zealand for international students was helpful!