An international bachelor's year at a New Zealand university costs roughly $19,290–34,530 (NZD 34,020–60,910) in tuition alone in 2027, from arts programmes at Waikato to engineering at the University of Auckland. Medicine and dentistry run $49,070–65,800 (NZD 86,561–116,080) a year. On top come a compulsory student services fee (about NZD 1,100–1,300), insurance (NZD 899–999) and living costs: the visa requires NZD 20,000 ($11,340) a year, while universities estimate real student costs at NZD 22,000–27,000 ($12,470–15,310) for the academic year. A first bachelor's year with a hall of residence therefore lands at about $32,600–36,600 (NZD 57,500–64,500); a 180-point master's completed in 12 months is closer to $53,000.
Below are 2027 fees at named universities, foundation costs, hall and flat prices, insurance, pre-departure payments, scholarships open to applicants from Russia and Kazakhstan, and five sample budgets. Figures come from official pages; US dollars use the ECB rate of 28 September 2026, rounded to the nearest $10. For a country overview, see studying in New Zealand.
How universities charge
Fees are quoted per 120 points, a full-time undergraduate year. A heavier load, such as 135 points in an Auckland conjoint degree, raises the invoice proportionally. Master's programmes come in 120, 180 and 240 points, so "per year" and "per programme" prices can differ sharply.
Three rules shape the budget:
- The student services fee is extra. Auckland charged NZD 9.44 per point in 2026 (NZD 1,132.80 for a full year) and had not yet set the 2027 rate when we checked. Canterbury charged NZD 1,236 per 120 points and Otago NZD 11.93 per 0.01 EFTS, about NZD 1,193 for a full load, both in 2026. AUT quotes programme prices with its NZD 1,259.67 levy included.
- Fees rise every year. Auckland's BA went from NZD 40,225 in 2026 to NZD 42,236 in 2027, a 5% increase. Otago caps increases for continuing students at 5% a year, and Canterbury already publishes fees for 2027 and 2028.
- Location of study matters. Some universities, including Massey and Victoria, remove GST from fees for students studying from outside New Zealand.
Bachelor's fees for 2027
| University | Programme | Fee per year (120 points) |
|---|---|---|
| University of Auckland | BA / BCom / BE(Hons) | $23,940 / 28,920 / 34,530 (NZD 42,236 / 51,020 / 60,910) |
| University of Auckland | MBChB, from year two | $49,070 (NZD 86,561) |
| AUT | BA / Business / Computer and Information Sciences / Engineering | $21,030 / 21,940 / 24,890 / 28,400 (NZD 37,100 / 38,700 / 43,900 / 50,100) plus a NZD 1,259.67 levy |
| University of Waikato | BA / BBus / LLB / BCompSc | $19,290–25,140 / 22,770 / 23,910 / 24,950 (NZD 34,020–44,342 / 40,165 / 42,173 / 44,006) |
| Massey University | BA and BSc / Business / BVSc | $19,980–24,700 / 22,240 / 49,180 (NZD 35,250–43,570 / 39,230 / 86,750) |
| Victoria University of Wellington | BA / BCom / BSc / LLB / BE(Hons) | $21,260 / 22,560 / 24,320 / 24,860 / 27,920 (NZD 37,500 / 39,800 / 42,900 / 43,850 / 49,250) |
| University of Canterbury | BA / BCom / BSc | $20,640 / 22,440 / 25,500 (NZD 36,410 / 39,590 / 44,980) |
| University of Otago | BA / BCom / BSc Computer Science | $22,500–27,260 / 24,290–25,830 / 26,730 (NZD 39,690–48,090 / 42,840–45,570 / 47,145) |
| University of Otago | Health Sciences First Year / MB ChB years 4–6 | $25,750 / 65,800 (NZD 45,415 / 116,080) |
| Lincoln University | bachelor's, 2026 rate | $19,840–20,970 (NZD 35,000–37,000) |
The same degree differs by 10–15% between universities, while different subjects at one university can differ by 50%. A university-by-university comparison of strengths and rankings is in universities in New Zealand.
Foundation: the extra year
Most school leavers from Russia and Kazakhstan need a foundation programme or an accelerated diploma before the degree, which adds a year of costs.
| Programme | Length | 2027 fee |
|---|---|---|
| University of Auckland's college, Accelerated / Standard | 6 / 12 months | $16,580 / 22,110 (NZD 29,253 / 39,003) + NZD 575 enrolment |
| AUT Foundation (UP Education), Accelerated / Standard | 6 / 12 months | $13,060 / 20,890 (NZD 23,032 / 36,851) + NZD 2,000 resource fee |
| Canterbury, Certificate in Foundation Studies | two trimesters | $16,350 (NZD 28,842) |
| Otago, Foundation Studies Certificate | two semesters | $18,330–19,070 (NZD 32,341–33,637) |
| Massey, Foundation Certificate (International) | 8 or 12 months | $18,590 (NZD 32,800) |
Victoria's foundation programme is run by the same provider, UP Education, but check its 2027 Wellington fee on the programme website: this table lists only prices we verified. Accelerated diplomas that replace year one cost more: NZD 38,535–40,635 ($21,850–23,040) at Otago and NZD 36,100–44,476 ($20,460–25,210) at Canterbury depending on the field. Grade thresholds for each route are in our guide to applying to New Zealand universities.
Master's and PhD in brief
Master's study in 2027 ranges from NZD 36,500–39,000 ($20,690–22,110) per 120 points at Lincoln to NZD 58,258 ($33,030) for science and engineering at Auckland. A 180-point programme costs half as much again: Canterbury's MBA is NZD 65,700 ($37,240) and AUT's NZD 67,289.51 ($38,150) for the programme. Most new international PhD students pay domestic fees, such as NZD 8,847.60 ($5,020) a year at Auckland (2026) or NZD 8,550 ($4,850) at Massey, provided they live in New Zealand throughout. More in master's degrees in New Zealand.
Housing and living costs
Immigration New Zealand asks for NZD 20,000 ($11,340) for each year of study, or NZD 1,667 ($950) per month for programmes shorter than a year. That is a visa threshold, not a forecast. Otago estimates NZD 22,000–27,000 ($12,470–15,310) for a 40-week academic year in Dunedin.
| Housing option | Example price | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Catered hall, Auckland, 2026 | $12,130–13,460 (NZD 21,395–23,735) per year | meals, utilities, Wi-Fi, recreation centre |
| Catered college, Otago, 2027 | $12,180–14,500 (NZD 21,488–25,580) per academic year | room and meals |
| Victoria halls, Wellington | $9,290–13,220 (NZD 16,380–23,322) for 38–39 weeks | depends on the hall |
| Canterbury halls, 2027 | $11,990–18,940 (NZD 21,158–33,410) | total cost from UC's comparison chart |
| Catered hall, Hamilton (Waikato) | NZD 446–510 ($250–290) per week | room and meals |
| University self-catered room, Auckland, 2026 | NZD 330–500 ($190–280) per week | room only, 52-week agreement |
| Shared four-bedroom house, Christchurch | about NZD 436 ($250) per week | NZD 200 rent, NZD 145 food, plus transport, phone and personal costs |
| Homestay, Hamilton | NZD 357 ($200) per week + NZD 470 placement fee | room and meals |
Auckland also suggests budgeting about NZD 70 a week for entertainment and the gym, from NZD 65 for a GP visit if you are not enrolled with a practice, from NZD 70 for a dentist and from NZD 40 for a haircut. Renting a flat in Christchurch typically means a bond of about NZD 800 and about NZD 400 of rent in advance.
Health and travel insurance
Insurance for the full length of the student visa is a visa condition, and its minimum standard is set by the Code of Practice for international learners. Most universities enrol students in Allianz's Studentsafe policy and invoice it with tuition:
- Otago and Lincoln list NZD 999 ($570) for a full year in 2027; Otago charges NZD 499.50 for one semester;
- the premium was NZD 899 ($510) at Victoria and Waikato in 2026;
- UP Education colleges charge NZD 992 for 12 months during foundation.
An alternative policy is accepted only if the university judges it equivalent; Otago asks to receive it at least four weeks before the semester. Doctoral students are exempt from the visa insurance condition, but universities may still require cover.
One-off payments before you start
| Payment | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Fee Paying Student Visa for a Russian citizen | NZD 850 ($480), including the NZD 100 IVL | Immigration New Zealand |
| Chest X-ray for stays over six months | clinic price | a panel physician clinic |
| Police certificate (from 17, for stays totalling 24 months or more) and certified translation | local fees | the authority in your country and a translator |
| English test | test centre fee | test centre |
| Translation of school or university documents | translator's fee | translation company |
| Auckland hall booking | NZD 1,100 deposit, of which NZD 450 is a non-refundable administration fee; plus a NZD 400 residential services fee in 2027 | the university |
| Victoria hall booking | about NZD 1,000 deposit | the university |
| Flights and first weeks of living | depends on route | — |
Scholarships you can realistically target
Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are not open to citizens of Russia or Kazakhstan; eligibility is limited to Pacific countries and a short list of Asian countries. University awards are partial and usually cover the first year.
| University | Scholarship | Value and conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria | Undergraduate / Postgraduate International Scholarship | NZD 15,000 ($8,500) for the first bachelor's year and NZD 10,000 ($5,670) for a master's, awarded automatically |
| Canterbury | UC International First Year Scholarship (Offshore) | NZD 15,000; applications for Semester One 2027 from 5 September to 31 October 2026 |
| Waikato | Vice-Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship | up to NZD 15,000 for bachelor's and taught master's; by 30 November for the March intake |
| Otago | Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship / Coursework Master's Scholarship | NZD 10,000 each; the latter excludes the MBA |
| Auckland | International Student Excellence Scholarship (master's) | 25% of one year's tuition; invitations issued on 21 October 2026 to students holding an offer by 20 October |
| Auckland, Victoria, Canterbury | doctoral scholarships | a stipend of up to NZD 35,468 a year at Auckland (2026), NZD 32,000 at Victoria, NZD 32,650 at Canterbury, plus tuition |
A scholarship reduces the first invoice but does not remove the visa requirement to show living funds.
Can work cover the costs?
A student visa normally allows up to 25 hours of work a week during study and full-time work in scheduled holidays. Earnings help with day-to-day costs, but Immigration New Zealand assesses the money you hold before arrival, not expected wages. Work rules are in our New Zealand student visa guide.
Five sample first-year budgets
These show the order of magnitude for 2027. Flights, personal spending and exchange-rate movements are excluded.
| Scenario | Components | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Standard foundation at the University of Auckland's college | 39,003 tuition + 575 enrolment + 992 insurance + 20,000 visa living minimum | ≈ NZD 60,570 ($34,340) |
| BA at Otago in a catered college | 39,690 tuition + ≈1,193 services fee + 999 insurance + 22,651 college | ≈ NZD 64,530 ($36,580) |
| BCom at Victoria in a hall for 38–39 weeks | 39,800 tuition + 16,692 Cumberland hall + ≈999 insurance, services fee excluded | ≈ NZD 57,490 ($32,590) |
| Master of Data Science at Victoria, 180 points in 12 months | 72,300 tuition (48,200 per 120 points × 1.5) + ≈999 insurance + 20,000 minimum | ≈ NZD 93,300 ($52,890) |
| PhD at Auckland before any scholarship | 8,847.60 tuition + 1,132.80 services fee + 20,000 minimum | ≈ NZD 29,980 ($17,000) |
When and how to pay
For the visa you must show tuition paid for one year or for the whole course if it is shorter. Offshore applicants may wait to pay until Immigration New Zealand approves the visa in principle, which protects the money if the visa is declined but adds time. Check refund rules too: Waikato, for example, refunds international students in full less NZD 500 if they withdraw before the start, and less NZD 2,000 after the start within the course deletion period.
Immigration New Zealand takes Visa, Mastercard and UnionPay cards for visa fees. Cards issued by Russian banks do not work abroad, so arrange a lawful payment route well in advance; see how to pay for studies abroad from Russia.
Common budgeting mistakes
- Using prices from old articles. Figures of NZD 14,000–30,000 describe past years; bachelor's fees start at NZD 34,020 in 2027.
- Reading a master's "per 120 points" price as the programme price. A 180-point master's costs 1.5 times as much.
- Treating the visa minimum as a budget. NZD 20,000 barely covers a catered hall, before personal costs.
- Forgetting the foundation year. It adds NZD 23,000–39,000 in fees plus a year of living costs.
- Leaving insurance until later. Universities invoice the policy with tuition, and it is a condition of the visa.
FAQ
Bachelor's tuition in 2027 runs from NZD 34,020 to NZD 60,910 ($19,290–34,530), excluding medicine. Add a hall, insurance and the services fee and our sample first-year budgets come to NZD 57,500–64,500.
Proof of tuition for the first year (or the whole course if shorter), plus NZD 20,000 per year of study for living costs, or NZD 1,667 a month for shorter courses. You also need funds for an onward ticket.
No for bachelor's and master's degrees. PhDs come closest: most universities charge new international doctoral students domestic fees of about NZD 8,500–11,200 a year, and doctoral scholarships usually cover those fees.
Usually not, but the university adds it to your invoice. In 2027 the Studentsafe policy costs NZD 999 a year at Otago and Lincoln.
Published catered hall prices in Auckland, Dunedin, Wellington and Christchurch are similar, about NZD 20,000–24,000 per academic year. The gap opens once you rent: an Auckland university room costs NZD 330–500 a week for the room alone, while Canterbury estimates a whole weekly student budget in Christchurch at about NZD 436.
Universities invoice in New Zealand dollars. Keep the budget in NZD and hold a margin for currency movements and bank charges on international transfers.
Sources
- Immigration New Zealand: Fee Paying Student Visa, International Visitor Levy and working on a student visa — checked 28 September 2026
- University of Auckland: undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral fees, halls, accommodation fees and cost of living — checked 28 September 2026
- AUT: international student fees — checked 28 September 2026
- University of Waikato: tuition, non-tuition costs and refunds and cost of living — checked 28 September 2026
- Massey University: international tuition fees — checked 28 September 2026
- Victoria University of Wellington: fees and costs, hall prices and insurance — checked 28 September 2026
- University of Canterbury: bachelor's fees, student services levy, flatting estimate and 2027 hall comparison (PDF) — checked 28 September 2026
- University of Otago: fees, student services fee, insurance, colleges, living costs, scholarships and foundation and diploma fees — checked 28 September 2026
- Lincoln University: international fees — checked 28 September 2026
- University of Auckland International College: 2027 fees and AUT foundation: 2027 fees — checked 28 September 2026
- University of Auckland: International Student Excellence Scholarship and doctoral scholarships — checked 28 September 2026
- Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships: eligible countries — checked 28 September 2026
- US dollar conversion at the ECB reference rate of 28 September 2026: EUR/USD 1.1378, EUR/NZD 2.0071, so NZD 1 ≈ $0.5669.
Programme-specific budgets, requirement checks and document preparation are provided under an agreement with StudyU. Admission and scholarship decisions are made by the university, visa decisions by Immigration New Zealand.
Next steps
- Universities in New Zealand: All Eight, 2027 Fees and How to Choose
- Applying to New Zealand Universities After 11 Years of School: Routes, Deadlines and Documents
- Master's Degrees in New Zealand: 120, 180 and 240-Point Programmes, 2027 Fees and Post-Study Work
- New Zealand Student Visa: Requirements, Documents, Work Rights and Post-Study Options
- Studying in New Zealand for international applicants
- How to Pay for Studies Abroad from Russia: What Works in 2026
