New Zealand Tuition Fees for International Students: 2027 Fees Compared

TL;DR: What are New Zealand tuition fees for international students? Each university sets its own, priced for one full-time year of 120 credits or points. On the 2027 fee pages checked today, the bachelor's degrees compared below at Massey and Waikato run from NZD 34,020 to NZD 50,762 a year, and most 120-credit master's from NZD 40,010 to NZD 52,720. International PhD students who study in New Zealand pay domestic fees at universities such as Massey and Otago. Fees are charged per course or paper, so your exact bill depends on what you enrol in.

A New Zealand fee page does not give one number for a degree. It gives a price for a year of study, often as a range, and the range depends on the subject and the number of credits you take.

This guide explains how New Zealand universities charge international students, compares 2027 fees from two universities' own pages, covers the PhD exception and ends with what to check on any fee page. If you are applying from Sri Lanka, the local points are near the end.

Not sure which New Zealand course fits your background? Check your eligibility with Prosper.

How do New Zealand universities charge international fees?

• By the year of study. Massey quotes degree fees for "1 year of full-time study (120 credits)". A semester of full-time study is 60 credits.
• By the course you take. Massey charges "for each course you enrol in", and Waikato says "Tuition fees are calculated on a per-paper basis: you only pay for the papers you choose."
• As estimates. Massey labels its tables "Estimate of fees for 2027", and Waikato says "All fee amounts are approximate, and subject to change."
• Including GST. Massey's figures are in New Zealand dollars and include GST.

A master's that is 180 credits or points costs more in total than a 120-credit one, even when the yearly rate is similar. Our guide to one-year master's in New Zealand explains the credit sizes.

What do 2027 fees look like?

International fees from each university's own page, in NZD, for one year of full-time study unless shown otherwise.

Waikato also lists 2026 figures, which are lower: its Bachelor of Business is NZD 38,252 for 2026 against NZD 40,165 for 2027. Check which year a fee page shows before you budget.

Want to know which programme and fee level fits your plan?

Check your eligibility ›

Do international PhD students pay less?

Yes, when they study in New Zealand. Massey says: "International PhD students living in New Zealand for the duration of their doctoral study pay the same as domestic students." Its 2027 PhD fee is NZD 8,550 a year for international students studying in New Zealand, against NZD 40,010 for those studying from overseas. Otago's international fees page says: "If you are an international PhD student, you are eligible to pay domestic tuition fees." Our guide to a PhD in New Zealand for international students covers the rest of the route.

What else do you need besides tuition?

Tuition is only part of the money you show for a student visa. Study with New Zealand says students must provide evidence of at least NZD 20,000 for living costs (NZD 17,000 for school years 1 to 13). Our guide to New Zealand student visa funds explains how to show both amounts, and New Zealand student visa finances covers dependants.

What should you check on a fee page?

• The year. A 2026 figure on a page you read in late 2026 is already out of date for a 2027 start.
• The credit size. Compare 120 with 120 and 180 with 180.
• The range. A range means the subject or papers you choose set the final figure. Ask the university for the fee for your exact programme.
• Annual rises. Otago notes that "tuition fees increase each year", so budget for a higher fee in the later years of a multi-year degree.

Applying from Sri Lanka

• Tuition is paid in New Zealand dollars. Ask your bank how long a transfer takes and keep the receipt for your visa file.
• Budget in NZD first and convert to LKR at the date you plan to pay, because the exchange rate moves between offer and payment.
• If you are weighing New Zealand against another destination, compare one full year of study at the same credit size, not headline totals.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to study a master's in New Zealand?
On the 2027 pages checked today, most 120-credit master's at Massey and Waikato cost between NZD 40,010 and NZD 52,720 for the year. MBAs of 180 credits cost about NZD 65,000.

Are New Zealand tuition fees charged per year or per course?
Both. Universities quote a full-time year of 120 credits, but charge for each course or paper you enrol in.

Do international PhD students pay domestic fees in New Zealand?
Yes, at universities such as Massey and Otago, provided they study in New Zealand.

PS: Before comparing two offers, put both fees on the same footing: the same year, the same credit size, the same subject. Check your eligibility with Prosper and we will help you compare.

Check your eligibility ›

Team Prosper

References

1. Tuition fees for international students, Massey University. https://www.massey.ac.nz/study/fees-and-funding/tuition-fees-for-international-students/ (accessed 21 October 2026)
2. International tuition costs, University of Waikato. https://www.waikato.ac.nz/study/fees-costs/international-tuition-costs/ (accessed 21 October 2026)
3. International tuition fees, University of Otago. https://www.otago.ac.nz/study/fees/international-tuition-fees (accessed 21 October 2026)
4. Cost of living, Study with New Zealand. https://www.studywithnewzealand.govt.nz/en/plan-your-studies/cost-of-living (accessed 21 October 2026)