Lincoln University New Zealand: Entry, Fees, Intakes and How to Apply

TL;DR: Lincoln University New Zealand is a specialist land-based university in Lincoln, just outside Christchurch in Canterbury. It teaches agriculture, agribusiness, food, environment and land management. Several programmes show an international fee estimate of NZD 37,000 per 120 credits. Semester 1 starts on 22 February 2027, and offshore applications for it close on 1 December 2026.

Picture a campus on the Canterbury Plains where the dairy farm, the research plots and the lecture theatre all belong to the same degree. That is what you sign up for at Lincoln. This guide covers entry, fees, intakes, scholarships and the steps from offer to visa. Check your eligibility with Prosper before you choose a programme.

What is Lincoln University New Zealand?

Lincoln University is one of New Zealand's eight universities. Its campus is in Lincoln township on the Canterbury Plains, near Ōtautahi Christchurch, with regular buses into the city. Lincoln describes itself as the Southern Hemisphere's oldest agriculturally based university.

Teaching sits in three faculties:

• Agribusiness and Commerce: agribusiness, finance, trade and accounting.
• Agriculture and Life Sciences: agricultural science, soil science, pest management, wine and food science.
• Environment, Society and Design: landscape architecture, planning, land and property management, tourism.

Compare it with the other seven in our guide to New Zealand universities for international students.

Lincoln University entry requirements

Undergraduate. For GCE A Levels taken outside the UK, Lincoln asks for at least three results with at least one grade at C or above. The International Baccalaureate Diploma needs 24 points. Students below direct entry can start on the First-Year Pathway Diploma or the Pathway Certificate (Foundation), and other qualifications are assessed individually.

Postgraduate. Taught master's degrees such as the Master of Agricultural Science ask for a relevant bachelor's degree at New Zealand level 7, or a recognised equivalent, with a B average or better in the final-year courses.

English. If English is not your first language, Lincoln sets separate requirements on its English language requirements page. Its International Prospectus lists IELTS 5.5 for the pathway programmes and IELTS 4.0 to start English for Academic Purposes (EAP). See our New Zealand English language requirements and New Zealand university entry requirements guides.

Lincoln University fees for international students

Lincoln quotes a fee estimate per 120 credits, one full-time year. International figures at the time of writing:

Fees vary with course choice, and a Student Services Fee is added. Lincoln's PhD brochure suggests budgeting NZD 22,000 to NZD 25,000 a year for living costs. Compare other universities in New Zealand tuition fees for international students.

Prosper can apply to Lincoln University for you, starting with which programme and entry route fit your results.

Check your eligibility ›

Lincoln University intakes and how to apply

Lincoln's published dates for applicants outside New Zealand:

• Semester 1 2027: applications close 1 December 2026; teaching starts 22 February 2027.
• Semester 2 2027: applications close 1 June 2027; teaching starts 19 July 2027.

You apply through Lincoln's MyLinc portal. Each step unlocks the next:

Allow at least 12 to 15 weeks from application to visa decision. Our New Zealand student visa requirements and New Zealand student visa funds guides cover step 4. Prosper prepares and submits the application, follows up the offer, guides the fee payment and supports the visa application.

Lincoln University scholarships

Lincoln lists awards for new international students, including the International Undergraduate Scholarship, the International Pathway Merit Scholarship and the Undergraduate Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship. These are credited to your tuition fee account, and the undergraduate award asks for your offer letter. The Lincoln University Doctoral Scholarship covers tuition plus a NZD 32,000 annual stipend for three years; its 2026 round closed on 1 October. Check each value and closing date on the scholarship page.

Applying from Sri Lanka

Lincoln's entry tables name Sri Lanka. A/L passes in two academic subjects, one at C or better, meet entry to the First-Year Pathway Diploma. O/L results with a C average in four subjects meet entry to the Pathway Certificate (Foundation). Sri Lanka has no row in the bachelor's degree table, so Lincoln decides on direct entry from A/L results when it assesses your application.

Immigration New Zealand can ask for Sri Lankan documents to be checked, as our guide to IOM document verification for a New Zealand student visa explains. Also read what the New Zealand post-study work visa allows before choosing a programme length.

Frequently asked questions

Is Lincoln University a good university in New Zealand? Lincoln University is one of New Zealand's eight universities and the specialist for land-based study. It suits students who want agriculture, agribusiness, food science or land management.

What IELTS does Lincoln University need? Lincoln's International Prospectus lists IELTS 5.5 for pathway programmes and IELTS 4.0 for English for Academic Purposes. Degree scores are on Lincoln's English language requirements page, so check your programme before booking a test.

How much are Lincoln University fees for international students? Several Lincoln University programmes show NZD 37,000 per 120 credits, one full-time year. The one-year Master of Science in Food Innovation shows NZD 63,000 for 180 credits on its 2026 estimate.

When can I start at Lincoln University? Lincoln University's Semester 1 starts on 22 February 2027 and Semester 2 on 19 July 2027. Offshore applications close on 1 December 2026 and 1 June 2027.

Does Lincoln University have scholarships for international students? Yes. Lincoln University lists international awards such as the International Undergraduate Scholarship, credited to your tuition fees. Values and closing dates are on each scholarship page.

PS: Lincoln is a focused choice. If your interest is land, food or farming, its campus puts the farm and the classroom side by side. Semester 1 2027 is open to offshore applicants until 1 December 2026. Check your eligibility with Prosper and we will tell you which Lincoln route fits your results.

Check your eligibility ›

References

1. International undergraduate entry criteria, Lincoln University, https://www.lincoln.ac.nz/study/apply-and-enrol/apply/international-undergraduate-entry-criteria/ (accessed 26/10/2026)
2. How to apply and application closing dates, Lincoln University, https://www.lincoln.ac.nz/study/apply-and-enrol/apply/ (accessed 26/10/2026)
3. 2027 academic key dates, Lincoln University, https://www.lincoln.ac.nz/study/key-dates/2027-academic-key-dates/ (accessed 26/10/2026)
4. International Prospectus 2026/2027, Lincoln University, https://www.lincoln.ac.nz/assets/Publications/International-Prospectus.pdf (accessed 26/10/2026)
5. Bachelor of Land and Property Management, Lincoln University, https://www.lincoln.ac.nz/study/study-programmes/programme-search/bachelor-of-land-and-property-management/ (accessed 26/10/2026)
6. Bachelor of Viticulture and Oenology, Lincoln University, https://www.lincoln.ac.nz/study/study-programmes/programme-search/bachelor-of-viticulture-and-oenology/ (accessed 26/10/2026)
7. Master of Agricultural Science, Lincoln University, https://www.lincoln.ac.nz/study/study-programmes/programme-search/master-of-agricultural-science/ (accessed 26/10/2026)
8. Master of Science in Food Innovation, Lincoln University, https://www.lincoln.ac.nz/study/study-programmes/programme-search/master-of-science-in-food-innovation/ (accessed 26/10/2026)
9. Doctor of Philosophy brochure, Lincoln University, https://www.lincoln.ac.nz/assets/Publications/PhD-Brochure.pdf (accessed 26/10/2026)
10. Scholarship Guide, Lincoln University, https://www.lincoln.ac.nz/assets/Publications/LIN3320-Scholarship-Guide-Booklet_WEB.pdf (accessed 26/10/2026)
11. International Undergraduate Scholarship regulations, Lincoln University, https://www.lincoln.ac.nz/assets/Uploads/LU-International-Undergraduate-Scholarship-Form-v2.pdf (accessed 26/10/2026)
12. English language requirements, Lincoln University, https://www.lincoln.ac.nz/study/apply-and-enrol/english-language-requirements (accessed 26/10/2026)