Manukau Institute of Technology: Fees, Entry and Intakes
TL;DR: Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) is a government polytechnic in South Auckland that has operated as one combined provider with Unitec since 1 January 2026. International students can take engineering, digital technology and other programmes from Level 5 to Level 7, starting in February or July, with indicative 2027 fees of about NZD 26,800 to NZD 31,600 a year.
Manukau Institute of Technology is a practical, career-focused choice for students who want hands-on training in Auckland rather than a research university. Its structure changed this year, so this guide explains what that means for you, then covers programmes, fees, English scores and the visa steps. Want to know if you qualify? Check your eligibility with Prosper.
What is Manukau Institute of Technology now?
New Zealand reorganised its polytechnics in 2025 and 2026. The Tertiary Education Commission lists "Manukau Institute of Technology and Unitec" as one of ten stand-alone polytechnics, operating from 1 January 2026.
MIT's own combined entity page, dated 3 July 2026, says the MIT and Unitec brands are still marketed separately for the time being, and qualifications are issued by MIT and Unitec as a combined provider. In practice, you still apply to MIT through manukau.ac.nz.
MIT teaches across four Auckland sites: Ōtara, Manukau, TechPark and MIT City, home of the New Zealand Maritime School. On the NZQA provider register, MIT holds Category 1 status, with NZQA "Highly Confident" in both its educational performance and its self-assessment, and it is a signatory to the Code of Practice for international students.
Prosper can apply to Manukau Institute of Technology for you.
Manukau Institute of Technology programmes and fees
MIT publishes indicative 2027 international fees per 120 credits, which is one full-time year. They exclude the student services fee.
| Programme | NZQF level | Length | Fee per year (NZD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Diploma in Engineering (Civil) | 7 | 1 year | 30,076 (2027) |
| Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Civil) | 7 | 3 years | 30,076 (2027) |
| New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Civil) | 6 | 2 years | 30,076 (2027) |
| Bachelor of Digital Technologies | 7 | 3 years | 26,780 (2027) |
| Bachelor of Nursing | 7 | 3 years | 31,556 (2027) |
The engineering graduate diplomas also come in Electrical and Mechanical streams. Two notes: the Bachelor of Nursing page says MIT cannot take any more applications for 2027, and the New Zealand Diploma in Business is now a Unitec qualification, so you apply through Unitec.
Manukau Institute of Technology intakes
Every programme above lists February and July intakes. MIT's calendar page does not yet show exact 2027 start dates, so confirm the date on your offer. International students must study on campus, in class.
Manukau Institute of Technology entry requirements
Academic entry is set by country and by level. A graduate diploma needs a three-year bachelor's in the same discipline, while diplomas and bachelor's degrees use your school results, as set out on MIT's academic entry page.
For English, MIT generally asks for IELTS Academic 6.0 with no band below 5.5. Some programmes ask for more. Nursing needs 6.5 in every band, and the Bachelor of Engineering Technology needs 6.0 with Writing and Speaking at 6.0. NZQA's table of accepted English results gives these minimums by level:
| NZQF level | IELTS Academic | PTE Academic | TOEFL iBT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 5 | 5.5, no band below 5.0 | 42, no band below 36 | 46 |
| Levels 6 and 7 | 6.0, no band below 5.5 | 50, no band below 42 | 60, Writing 18 |
| Level 8 and above | 6.5, no band below 6.0 | 58, no band below 50 | 79, Writing 21 |
The Duolingo English Test is not on that table.
How to apply and pay
MIT sets out seven steps: choose a programme, check entry requirements, apply for any cross-credits, email the application form with certified documents and an IELTS result under two years old, accept the Offer of Place, apply for the visa, then pay the full fee once Immigration New Zealand gives approval in principle.
No deposit is mentioned. MIT's 2026 withdrawals and refunds policy gives a full refund if your visa is declined and you send evidence within 10 working days. MIT does not list scholarships for international students.
Student visa costs, work rights and what comes after
From Immigration New Zealand: the Fee Paying Student Visa costs from NZD 850, you must show NZD 20,000 a year for living costs, and you can work up to 25 hours a week during study and full time in scheduled holidays if your course is at least 120 credits.
After a qualifying Level 7 bachelor's of at least 30 weeks of full-time study in New Zealand, graduates can apply for a Post Study Work Visa, which allows any job, within three months of their student visa expiring. From 16 November 2026, a Level 7 graduate diploma also qualifies if you studied full time in New Zealand for its full length, used no cross-credits, and already hold a bachelor's degree.
Applying from Sri Lanka
MIT assesses Sri Lankan school and university results against its country-by-country academic table, so send your A/L results or degree transcript for a check before you choose a level. For a graduate diploma, your bachelor's must be in the same field, for example a civil engineering degree for the civil stream.
On the visa side, applicants from Sri Lanka should plan for IOM document verification and the chest x-ray early, as both add time before approval in principle.
Frequently asked questions
Is Manukau Institute of Technology still part of Te Pūkenga?
No. From 1 January 2026, Manukau Institute of Technology operates with Unitec as "Manukau Institute of Technology and Unitec", one of ten stand-alone polytechnics listed by the Tertiary Education Commission.
Are MIT and Unitec the same institution now?
They are one combined provider, but MIT and Unitec are still marketed as separate brands for now. Qualifications are issued by MIT and Unitec as a combined provider.
What IELTS score does Manukau Institute of Technology need?
Manukau Institute of Technology generally asks for IELTS Academic 6.0 with no band below 5.5. Nursing needs 6.5 in every band.
How much are Manukau Institute of Technology fees for international students?
Indicative 2027 fees run from NZD 26,780 a year for the Bachelor of Digital Technologies to NZD 31,556 for the Bachelor of Nursing, excluding the student services fee.
Can I get a post-study work visa after an MIT graduate diploma?
From 16 November 2026, a Level 7 graduate diploma can qualify for a Post Study Work Visa if you studied it full time in New Zealand for its full length, used no cross-credits and already hold a bachelor's degree.
More guides
Compare MIT with other options in our guide to New Zealand universities for international students, read about its partner brand, Unitec Institute of Technology, check New Zealand qualification levels, see the New Zealand student visa funds rules, and read our guide to the New Zealand post-study work visa.
PS: Manukau Institute of Technology suits students who want a practical qualification in Auckland, but the right level depends on your existing study. Send us your results and we will match you to the programme and intake that fit. Check your eligibility with Prosper.
References
- Establishment of institutes of technology and polytechnics, Tertiary Education Commission, https://www.tec.govt.nz/strategic-initiatives/vocational-education-system/changes-to-the-vocational-education-and-training-vet-system/establishment-of-institutes-of-technology-and-polytechnics (accessed 12/11/2026)
- Combined entity, Manukau Institute of Technology, https://www.manukau.ac.nz/about/about-the-institute/combined-entity/ (accessed 12/11/2026)
- Provider details: Manukau Institute of Technology, NZQA, https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/providers/details.do?providerId=601047001 (accessed 12/11/2026)
- Graduate Diploma in Engineering (Civil), Manukau Institute of Technology, https://www.manukau.ac.nz/programme/graduate-diploma-in-engineering-civil-level-7/ (accessed 12/11/2026)
- Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Civil), Manukau Institute of Technology, https://www.manukau.ac.nz/programme/bachelor-of-engineering-technology-civil-level-7/ (accessed 12/11/2026)
- New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Civil), Manukau Institute of Technology, https://www.manukau.ac.nz/programme/new-zealand-diploma-in-engineering-civil-level-6/ (accessed 12/11/2026)
- Bachelor of Digital Technologies, Manukau Institute of Technology, https://www.manukau.ac.nz/programme/bachelor-of-digital-technologies-level-7-with-majors-in-networking-or-software-and-web-development/ (accessed 12/11/2026)
- Bachelor of Nursing, Manukau Institute of Technology, https://www.manukau.ac.nz/programme/bachelor-of-nursing-level-7/ (accessed 12/11/2026)
- New Zealand Diploma in Business, Manukau Institute of Technology, https://www.manukau.ac.nz/programme/new-zealand-diploma-in-business-level-5-with-strands-in-accounting-leadership-and-management/ (accessed 12/11/2026)
- MIT calendar and key dates, Manukau Institute of Technology, https://www.manukau.ac.nz/student-life/new-students/tools-and-resources/mit-calendar-and-key-dates/ (accessed 12/11/2026)
- Academic entry requirements, Manukau Institute of Technology, https://www.manukau.ac.nz/study/international-students/how-to-apply/entry-requirements-academic/ (accessed 12/11/2026)
- English entry requirements, Manukau Institute of Technology, https://www.manukau.ac.nz/study/international-students/how-to-apply/entry-requirements-english (accessed 12/11/2026)
- Table for internationally recognised English proficiency outcomes, NZQA, https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/assets/About-us/Our-rules-fees-and-policies/NZQA-Rules/2025/Table-for-internationally-recognised-English-proficiency-outcomes-for-international-students.pdf (accessed 12/11/2026)
- How to apply, Manukau Institute of Technology, https://www.manukau.ac.nz/study/international-students/how-to-apply/ (accessed 12/11/2026)
- Withdrawals and refunds policy for international students, Manukau Institute of Technology, https://www.manukau.ac.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/AM5-Withdrawals-and-Refunds-Policy-and-Procedures-MIT-International-Students_01_20260101.pdf (accessed 12/11/2026)
- Fee Paying Student Visa, Immigration New Zealand, https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/fee-paying-student-visa/ (accessed 12/11/2026)
- Post Study Work Visa, Immigration New Zealand, https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/post-study-work-visa/ (accessed 12/11/2026)
- Post Study Work Visa eligibility extended from 16 November 2026, Immigration New Zealand, https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/post-study-work-visa-eligibility-extended-from-16-november-2026/ (accessed 12/11/2026)
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