A New Zealand tertiary education is not only high quality but very cost competitive compared to other countries.
According to the 2009 Deloitte’s Comparative Costs for International Students report (commissioned for ENZ), tuition fees for undergraduate degrees in New Zealand are generally less expensive than similar courses in Australia, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom.
New Zealand is even more competitive when comparing the overall costs of living and studying.
In particular, the cost of doing PhD study in New Zealand is considerably less than other countries. This is largely due to New Zealand government policy that allows international PhD students to pay the same fees as New Zealand domestic students when they are supervised by leading researchers in New Zealand universities.
The following table compares the total cost of studying a New Zealand Bachelor degree with similar options overseas:
| Total Cost of Study Comparisons for International Students (in US$) | |||||
| University Bachelor degrees | New Zealand | Australia | Canada | UK | USA |
| Bachelor of Arts | $50,986 | $70,161 | $71,420 | $93,144 | $180,372 |
| Bachelor of Business | $53,616 | $71,838 | $72,240 | $94,448 | $183,908 |
| Bachelor of Education | $50,836 | $93,472 | $71,250 | $92,353 | $178,860 |
| Bachelor of Engineering | $81,446 | $104,600 | $75,557 | $106,292 | $187,386 |
| Bachelor of Information Technology |
$56,621 | $75,288 | $72,940 | $104,218 | $184,976 |
| Bachelor of Medicine * | $201,155* | $209,420* | $138,632** | $136,271 | $182,452 |
| Bachelor of Science | $57,298 | $76,821 | $71,420 | $106,185 | $184,976 |
| * The 6 year length of Bachelor of Medicine in New Zealand has a big impact on total cost of study. | |||||
Undergraduate study can cost about NZ$12,000 – $19,000 a year, depending on the course. It can cost about NZ$18,000- $20,000 a year for postgraduate study, depending on the course. Fees include:
• Government Service Tax (GST)
• registration and enrolment
• student health and counselling
• language support
• use of most campus facilities.
Actual living and study costs will vary depending on course and type of accommodation. The following estimates are guides for tertiary education:
• Textbooks and stationery $500 to $1000 a year
• Student ID card $20(compulsory)
(may be included in tuition fee however students will need to pay for replacements)
• Students' association membership $30
• Photocopy cards $100
• Bus fares $30 to $60 a week
• Coffee in student cafeteria $3 to $4 a cup
• Hot meals in cafeteria up to $10 for a one-course meal