It’s no surprise that New Zealand has gained traction among international students as a popular study-abroad destination. A few reasons for the rising popularity of masters in New Zealand for international students are the country’s globally accredited degrees, ample research opportunities, and an outstanding quality of life. With pristine scenery and globally ranked universities, New Zealand offers the right mix of growth opportunities, culture, exposure, and natural environment to thrive in.
New Zealand is experiencing rapid economic growth, becoming one of the most prosperous and globalised economies in the world. New Zealand excels in dairy & agriculture, forestry, mining, and manufacturing while also making substantial growth in the IT sector.
The expanding economy of New Zealand creates a high demand for skilled employees, and therefore, a Masters in New Zealand for Indian students offers excellent post-study work opportunities. Students with a 2-year masters degree in New Zealand can get a 1-year work permit after completing their degree.
In this blog
- How long is a Masters in New Zealand?
- How much does it cost to pursue a Masters in New Zealand?
- What is the cost of living in New Zealand?
- What are the requirements to study in New Zealand?
- What are the top courses to study while pursuing a Masters in New Zealand?
- What are the best universities for a Masters in New Zealand?
- Here’s why you should pursue a Masters in New Zealand
How long is a Masters in New Zealand?
MS in New Zealand is usually 2 years long, with the first year focusing primarily on coursework while the second year concentrates more on fieldwork and research-based study. Some masters degrees in New Zealand may also have a course duration of one year. You may pick either of the two depending on your academic and professional qualifications.
How much does it cost to pursue a Masters in New Zealand?
Compared to European and American universities, the cost of a Masters in New Zealand is less. Even top universities across New Zealand offer affordable, high-quality education. While medicine and engineering are more expensive, humanities, arts, and education degrees are less costly. The average tuition fee for a Masters in New Zealand is around NZ$ 20,000. Fees for doctoral programs are typically higher as compared to other masters programs in New Zealand.
ProgramAmount (in NZ$)Amount (in INR)Masters DegreeNZ$ 20,000 — NZ$ 30,000INR 9,87,390 — INR 14,81,085Doctoral DegreeNZ$ 6500 — NZ$ 9000INR 32,901 — INR 4,44,325MBBSNZ$ 30,000 — NZ$ 50,000INR 14,81,085 — INR 24,68,476
What is the cost of living in New Zealand?
New Zealand offers not only high-quality, world-class education but also affordable living to international students. The New Zealand government allows international students to work part-time jobs for 20 hours per week during their semester.
Cities like Auckland, Wellington, and Queensland are student cities and require an all-inclusive financial plan that covers your food & lodging, transportation, and other daily expenses. Here’s an idea of the expenses you’ll have to bear while living as an international student in New Zealand.
Expense TypeAmount in NZ$AccommodationNZ$ 800 — NZ$ 1000FoodNZ$ 200TransportationNZ$ 100 — NZ$ 120Phone BillNZ$ 50Health ExpensesNZ$ 40 — NZ$ 100Daily NecessitiesNZ$ 40 — NZ$ 50MiscellaneousNZ$ 100
What are the requirements to study in New Zealand?
The requirements for a masters in New Zealand for Indian students vary depending on the courses they opt for and the university they apply to. Some general requirements at universities across New Zealand include the following:
- A bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50–60%
- Academic transcripts and other certificates of merit
- IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE scores for English Language Proficiency
- GRE or GMAT score based on the course applied to
What are the top courses to study while pursuing a Masters in New Zealand?
If you’re planning to pursue a Masters in New Zealand, you can explore the following top courses:
- Finance
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- IT & Computer Science
- Marketing
- Media Studies
- Hospitality & Tourism Management
- Nursing
What are the best universities for a Masters in New Zealand?
Several universities in New Zealand feature in global rankings, such as Times, QS University, etc. Here is a list of the best universities for a Masters in New Zealand for Indian students:
- The University of Auckland
- University of Otago
- Victoria University of Wellington
- University of Canterbury
- Massey University
- University of Waikato
- Lincoln University
- Auckland University of Technology
Here’s why you should pursue a Masters in New Zealand
World Class Education
New Zealand has 8 major universities and all of them offer good quality MS studies with the latest curriculum. Moreover, good universities have great labs, workshops and libraries which facilitate a superior learning experience.
GRE Score Waiver
Many New Zealand universities do not have a GRE score requirement to pursue a Masters in New Zealand. However, they do require an IELTS score (above 6.5) or TOEFL score (above 80).
Masters in New Zealand: Affordable Programs
Masters in New Zealand is comparatively more affordable than similar programs in other developed countries. Curriculum offered is up to date and most programs allow for pursuing different elective combinations. Course duration generally ranges from 16 to 24 months.
Jobs After Graduation
New Zealand has a growing economy and a stable job market. Most New Zealand universities have a career development centre which can help students prepare their CV and job applications. Some universities hold career expos where students can build and nurture relationships with prospective employers for internships and jobs. While studying, one can work for 20 hours a week during term and for full-time during holidays.
Visa Norms and Residence
Recent graduates can work for 12 months by obtaining the post-study work visa (open) and then may further apply for post-study work visa (employer assisted) to extend their stay for another 24 months. If granted the employer-assisted visa, one can apply for residency under the skilled migrant category.