Study in New Zealand
Migration Program Details & Application
Program Overview
Project Description: Overview of Studying in New Zealand
New Zealand's higher education system mainly consists of the following three types of institutions, and their qualifications are recognized by the Chinese Ministry of Education:
• Eight public universities ("New Zealand's Group of Eight"): Focusing on academic research, all are ranked among the top 500 globally in the 2026 QS rankings. Four of their business schools hold the "Triple Crown" accreditation, an honor held by only the top 11 TP3T business schools worldwide. Their strengths lie in business, engineering, computer science, and medicine, among other fields.
• 16 polytechnics: They focus on practical and applied courses (vocational and technical training), with courses closely integrated with industry needs, relatively low tuition fees, and high cost-effectiveness.
• Private institutions: offer career-oriented courses, with popular fields including early childhood education, hospitality management, and animation design.
Duration of study and fees
• Study duration: Undergraduate programs typically take 3-4 years, Master's programs 1-2 years, and Doctoral programs around 3 years.
• Average annual tuition fee (RMB):
• Bachelor's degree: 86,000 - 193,000 yuan
Master's degree: 108,000 - 198,000 yuan
• PhD: Approximately 28,000 - 34,000 RMB (International students enjoy the same treatment as local students)
• Living expenses: It is recommended to prepare around NZ$20,000 (approximately RMB 85,000) per year, as the cost of living in the Auckland area is relatively high.
New Zealand's higher education system mainly consists of the following three types of institutions, and their qualifications are recognized by the Chinese Ministry of Education:
• Eight public universities ("New Zealand's Group of Eight"): Focusing on academic research, all are ranked among the top 500 globally in the 2026 QS rankings. Four of their business schools hold the "Triple Crown" accreditation, an honor held by only the top 11 TP3T business schools worldwide. Their strengths lie in business, engineering, computer science, and medicine, among other fields.
• 16 polytechnics: They focus on practical and applied courses (vocational and technical training), with courses closely integrated with industry needs, relatively low tuition fees, and high cost-effectiveness.
• Private institutions: offer career-oriented courses, with popular fields including early childhood education, hospitality management, and animation design.
Duration of study and fees
• Study duration: Undergraduate programs typically take 3-4 years, Master's programs 1-2 years, and Doctoral programs around 3 years.
• Average annual tuition fee (RMB):
• Bachelor's degree: 86,000 - 193,000 yuan
Master's degree: 108,000 - 198,000 yuan
• PhD: Approximately 28,000 - 34,000 RMB (International students enjoy the same treatment as local students)
• Living expenses: It is recommended to prepare around NZ$20,000 (approximately RMB 85,000) per year, as the cost of living in the Auckland area is relatively high.
Eligibility & Requirements
Application requirements
Application requirements vary depending on the level of education:
1. Undergraduate Application
New Zealand accepts Chinese Gaokao (National College Entrance Examination) scores and offers a variety of flexible entry pathways:
• Direct admission through the National College Entrance Examination (suitable for high school graduates):
• Academic: Achieve the local first-tier university admission score or a total score of 64%-70% or above (e.g., 480-525 points out of a total score of 750).
• Language: IELTS overall score of 6.0 (no individual section score below 5.5). Language courses are available if the score is not met.
• Foundation/International Year One (suitable for Grade 11 or 12 students): No Gaokao score required. Apply based on high school grades (average score of 70%-80%+) and IELTS score of 4.5-5.5. After completion, you can directly enter undergraduate studies.
2. Master's Application
• Education: Bachelor's degree with a degree certificate, GPA of 70%-75% or above; for popular majors at prestigious universities such as the University of Auckland, a GPA of around 85% is recommended.
• Language: IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); Education, Nursing and other related majors require 7.0+.
• Features: Some master's programs (such as business and IT) accept applications from students with different majors; associate degree holders can transition to a master's degree through the "Associate to Master" (GD or Pre-master) pathway.
3. Funds and Visa
• Proof of funds: You need to provide a guarantee of approximately RMB 150,000 to 200,000 per year (it is usually recommended to prepare around RMB 300,000 to cover the first year's expenses). Generally, you need to have a deposit history of more than 6 months or use a dedicated account.
• Visa benefits: Visa application is not mandatory without IELTS (with direct entry to language courses); spouses can obtain work visas, and children can attend public primary and secondary schools for free.
Application requirements vary depending on the level of education:
1. Undergraduate Application
New Zealand accepts Chinese Gaokao (National College Entrance Examination) scores and offers a variety of flexible entry pathways:
• Direct admission through the National College Entrance Examination (suitable for high school graduates):
• Academic: Achieve the local first-tier university admission score or a total score of 64%-70% or above (e.g., 480-525 points out of a total score of 750).
• Language: IELTS overall score of 6.0 (no individual section score below 5.5). Language courses are available if the score is not met.
• Foundation/International Year One (suitable for Grade 11 or 12 students): No Gaokao score required. Apply based on high school grades (average score of 70%-80%+) and IELTS score of 4.5-5.5. After completion, you can directly enter undergraduate studies.
2. Master's Application
• Education: Bachelor's degree with a degree certificate, GPA of 70%-75% or above; for popular majors at prestigious universities such as the University of Auckland, a GPA of around 85% is recommended.
• Language: IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); Education, Nursing and other related majors require 7.0+.
• Features: Some master's programs (such as business and IT) accept applications from students with different majors; associate degree holders can transition to a master's degree through the "Associate to Master" (GD or Pre-master) pathway.
3. Funds and Visa
• Proof of funds: You need to provide a guarantee of approximately RMB 150,000 to 200,000 per year (it is usually recommended to prepare around RMB 300,000 to cover the first year's expenses). Generally, you need to have a deposit history of more than 6 months or use a dedicated account.
• Visa benefits: Visa application is not mandatory without IELTS (with direct entry to language courses); spouses can obtain work visas, and children can attend public primary and secondary schools for free.
Application Process & Advice
suggestion
• Choose a major that aligns with "immigration/employment": New Zealand has a "green list." If you plan to stay in New Zealand, prioritize in-demand fields such as information technology, engineering, nursing, early childhood education, and architecture. Graduates in these fields earn high starting salaries, and their immigration applications are significantly more advantageous. While business studies are popular, competition is fierce, and internships are often necessary.
• Consider regional differences when choosing a school: Auckland offers many job opportunities but has a high cost of living; Wellington has a thriving creative industry; Canterbury and Waikato offer relatively better value for money and also have good polytechnics and public universities.
• Take advantage of your work rights: With a student visa, you can legally work 20 hours per week (full-time during holidays), with a current minimum hourly wage of NZ$23.5 (about RMB 100), which can effectively supplement your living expenses.
New Zealand Study Abroad Application Process
It is recommended to prepare according to the following timeline, which usually needs to be done six months to a year in advance:
1. Planning and School Selection (1 year to 3 months before enrollment): Select schools and majors based on your background and immigration intentions (refer to the ENZ website Course Finder).
2. Application Material Preparation (March-June): Prepare transcripts in both Chinese and English, graduation certificate/proof of enrollment, language proficiency scores, personal statement (PS), and letters of recommendation. It is recommended to familiarize yourself with the GPA calculation methods of your target universities beforehand.
3. Application Submission and Follow-up (June-August): Submit your application through the official website or StudyLink system. Some top universities or medical programs may have additional interview requirements.
4. Visa Application and Pre-Departure (August - January of the following year): After receiving the offer (a Conditional Offer requires submitting a graduation certificate or language proficiency certificate to obtain a Full Offer), pay tuition fees and apply for a student visa after receiving confirmation. The processing time is usually about 4 weeks; a medical examination is essential beforehand.
5. Arrival and Start of School: Arrange accommodation and airport pick-up. Upon arrival, activate insurance and bank accounts to officially begin your study abroad life.
6. Consulting fee: US$500
• Choose a major that aligns with "immigration/employment": New Zealand has a "green list." If you plan to stay in New Zealand, prioritize in-demand fields such as information technology, engineering, nursing, early childhood education, and architecture. Graduates in these fields earn high starting salaries, and their immigration applications are significantly more advantageous. While business studies are popular, competition is fierce, and internships are often necessary.
• Consider regional differences when choosing a school: Auckland offers many job opportunities but has a high cost of living; Wellington has a thriving creative industry; Canterbury and Waikato offer relatively better value for money and also have good polytechnics and public universities.
• Take advantage of your work rights: With a student visa, you can legally work 20 hours per week (full-time during holidays), with a current minimum hourly wage of NZ$23.5 (about RMB 100), which can effectively supplement your living expenses.
New Zealand Study Abroad Application Process
It is recommended to prepare according to the following timeline, which usually needs to be done six months to a year in advance:
1. Planning and School Selection (1 year to 3 months before enrollment): Select schools and majors based on your background and immigration intentions (refer to the ENZ website Course Finder).
2. Application Material Preparation (March-June): Prepare transcripts in both Chinese and English, graduation certificate/proof of enrollment, language proficiency scores, personal statement (PS), and letters of recommendation. It is recommended to familiarize yourself with the GPA calculation methods of your target universities beforehand.
3. Application Submission and Follow-up (June-August): Submit your application through the official website or StudyLink system. Some top universities or medical programs may have additional interview requirements.
4. Visa Application and Pre-Departure (August - January of the following year): After receiving the offer (a Conditional Offer requires submitting a graduation certificate or language proficiency certificate to obtain a Full Offer), pay tuition fees and apply for a student visa after receiving confirmation. The processing time is usually about 4 weeks; a medical examination is essential beforehand.
5. Arrival and Start of School: Arrange accommodation and airport pick-up. Upon arrival, activate insurance and bank accounts to officially begin your study abroad life.
6. Consulting fee: US$500