🇳🇿 New Zealand · Study Abroad
How to study in New Zealand as an international student — application steps, student visas, and living costs.
Quick answer
To study in New Zealand you apply to an education provider; once you accept the offer of place and pay, you apply to Immigration New Zealand (INZ) for a fee-paying student visa, showing funds and health/travel insurance. Teaching is in English. Explore options on the provider sites and apply by the deadline.
New Zealand is a popular English-language study destination with eight universities plus institutes of technology and polytechnics. International students apply directly to the institution and then obtain a student visa. The official Study with New Zealand (Education New Zealand) is the starting point, and the NZQA assures quality and recognises qualifications.
- Eight universities plus institutes of technology/polytechnics; English-language study.
- Apply directly to the institution and then obtain a student visa.
- Study with New Zealand is the official guide; NZQA assures quality and recognises qualifications.
Step-by-step
- 1
Choose your course and institution
Choose an education provider and course and apply for admission; teaching is in English. Explore the provider sites.
- 2
Meet academic and language requirements
Meet the academic entry requirements and prove language ability (e.g. an English or local-language test) at the level the course demands.
- 3
Apply for admission
Apply for admission through the relevant application route by the deadline, with transcripts, test scores and supporting documents.
- 4
Receive offer and enrollment document
On acceptance, obtain your official enrollment/acceptance document, which you will need for the visa application.
- 5
Apply for your student visa
Apply to Immigration New Zealand (INZ) for a fee-paying student visa, showing your offer, funds and health/travel insurance.
- 6
Arrive, enroll and know the rules
Arrive before the term, complete enrollment and any residence registration, and note the rules on part-time work and post-study stay.
Checklist
- Course, level and institution chosen
- Academic + language requirements met
- Admission application submitted by deadline
- Offer + enrollment/acceptance document received
- Proof of funds + health cover prepared
- Student visa applied for + granted
- Arrival, enrollment + registration done
- Work-hours and post-study stay rules understood
Official authorities
- Study with New Zealand (Education NZ)
Official study-in-New-Zealand portal.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I apply for the visa?
To Immigration New Zealand (INZ), online, once you have accepted your offer of place and paid the required fees.
Can I work while studying in New Zealand?
Many student-visa holders can work a limited number of hours per week during study and full-time in scheduled breaks; check your visa.
Is health insurance required?
Yes — international students must hold appropriate health and travel insurance for the duration of their study.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- govt.nz — New Zealand government services portal
- Immigration New Zealand — Visas, work/student visas, and residence
- Inland Revenue (IRD) — Income tax, GST, and the IRD number
- business.govt.nz — Company registration, employment, and compliance