University Cost Calculator

University tuition fees in New Zealand for domestic students typically range from NZD $6,000 to $10,000 per year for most undergraduate programmes, with engineering, medicine, and law programmes at the higher end. For example, arts and commerce degrees at the University of Auckland or Victoria University of Wellington typically cost around $6,500–$8,000/year, while medical degrees can cost $15,000–$24,000/year for domestic students. In addition to fees, students need to budget for living costs: rent ($200–$400/week depending on city and accommodation type), food ($150–$250/week), transport, textbooks ($500–$1,500/year), and personal expenses. Over a typical three-year bachelor's degree, the combined fees and living costs for a student living away from home can easily exceed $80,000–$100,000. Fortunately, NZ has the first year (or two years for vocational training) fees-free policy and interest-free student loans to help manage these costs. Source: individual NZ university websites; StudyLink (studylink.govt.nz).

New Zealand's fees-free policy entitles eligible domestic students to have their first year of tertiary education (or first two years of vocational training) paid by the government, with no tuition fees charged to the student. The policy was introduced in 2018 and applies to students who have not previously undertaken more than half a year of tertiary education. The fees-free entitlement covers tuition fees, student services levies, and course-related costs at approved tertiary providers, including universities, polytechnics (Te Pukenga institutions), wananga, and private training establishments. For students doing vocational or industry training, the entitlement extends to two years. The fees-free policy is administered by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC). After using the fees-free entitlement, students can access the Student Loan scheme for subsequent years. As of 2024, the government has proposed extending fees-free to two years for university students. Source: Tertiary Education Commission (tec.govt.nz); StudyLink.

In New Zealand, eligible domestic students can borrow through the Student Loan scheme for three components: course fees (the full cost of your tuition fees and compulsory charges); course-related costs (a lump sum of up to $1,000 per year for books, equipment, and course materials); and living costs (a weekly amount to help with day-to-day expenses, $333.48 per week from 1 April 2026 for students not receiving the Student Allowance). There is no fixed total borrowing cap — the amount you can borrow depends on your course fees and which living costs component you qualify for. Most full-time students borrow $10,000–$20,000 per year in total, though medical and law students may borrow more due to higher fees. The student loan is interest-free while you remain in New Zealand. Repayments begin when your income exceeds $24,128 per year, at a rate of 12 cents per dollar earned above that threshold. Source: StudyLink — Student Loan (studylink.govt.nz); IRD.

In New Zealand, student living costs support is available through two main channels. The Student Allowance (a non-repayable grant) pays up to $380.43 per week (after tax) for eligible students aged 24 and over living away from home from 1 April 2026. Students who do not qualify for the full Student Allowance, or who prefer to borrow, can access the Student Loan living costs component of $333.48 per week from 1 April 2026. University accommodation in New Zealand varies considerably: university halls of residence typically cost $300–$450 per week (room and board), while private flat sharing typically costs $180–$350 per week for rent alone depending on the city. Students should also budget for utilities, food ($120–$200/week), transport, clothing, phone, and personal costs. Students on a student visa (international students) are not eligible for StudyLink support and must demonstrate they have sufficient funds of approximately NZD $15,000 per year for living costs when applying for a student visa. Source: StudyLink NZ; Immigration NZ.