New Zealand fees and costs
For any international student studying in any country, tuition fees will normally be a major expense. The costs for studying in New Zealand are generally far lower than in other study destinations such us the USA or UK
Tuition fees
The annual fee for undergraduate study can vary depending on your institution and course, but average fees range from NZ$18,000 to NZ$25,000.
The following should be included in your fee:
- Registration and enrolment
- Student health and counselling
- Language support
- Use of campus facilities
- Goods and Service Tax (GST)
Living and other costs
Application fees – most applications require a small administration fee. This is non-refundable, regardless of whether or not your application is successful
Travel costs – it is important to factor in travel costs for any visits to institutions. You can minimise costs by seeing institutions in the same area in one trip
Books and materials - shop around online for the best deals on books and resources. Some institutions will send a reading list before enrolment, so that you can buy books in advance. You should budget up to NZ$500 a year for textbooks and stationery
Living expenses – this heading covers accommodation, food, utility bills and money for recreation and entertainment. Tertiary students should budget for up to NZ$20,000 a year in living expenses.
Scholarships
The New Zealand Government offers a limited number of scholarships to international students. It is important to apply early.
New Zealand International Undergraduate Fees Scholarship: there are up to 28 scholarships per year for international students, awarded on the basis of academic merit. For full details, email: scholarships@educationnz.org.nz
LEARN (Livestock Emissions and Abatement Research Network) Fellowship: this programme offers up to nine scholarships per year to scientists and technicians from developing countries. To apply, visit the website at: www.livestockemissions.net
Opening a bank account
It is best to open a student bank account in New Zealand as your cash/debit/credit cards from home may not work. A current account, sometimes referred to as a cheque account, is normally available to students aged 18 or over. Current account services include:
- Cheque payment
- Money transfers
- Wire transfers
- Monthly balance statements
- EFTPOS (Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale) card transactions
- Direct debit payments
To qualify to open a student bank account in New Zealand, you will need to be enrolled on a course of at least one year and to be at least 18 years old. To open an account, you will need to provide the following:
- A passport
- A cash deposit of NZ$200 - $500
- A letter of acceptance from an institution
- Proof of a residential address (for example a utility bill)
Once you have opened an account, your chosen bank will send you through an account number and an ATM card. You can use this card to withdraw cash from ATM machines and to pay for purchases.
Internet banking is becoming increasingly popular in New Zealand. Transactions such as payments, direct debits and transfers can all be accessed without stepping into a branch. Accounts can also be accessed twenty fours a day, seven days a week providing you have an internet connection.
Several New Zealand banks allow international students to open a foreign currency account alongside their current account. However a termly deposit of approximately NZ$5,000 is usually required.
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We are grateful to Education New Zealand for their help in preparing this article. Visit their website at: www.newzealandeducated.com |
