Study in New Zealand 2026: The Complete Scholarship & Cost Guide
This guide covers the main scholarships available, what they actually cover, how much it costs to study there without one, and the practical steps to apply.
Main Scholarship Programmes
Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships
Fully Funded · Government
Flagship programme run by New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Available to citizens of selected developing countries in the Pacific and Asia. Applications for 2026 opened 1 March and closed 10 April. The portal has historically closed early for high-volume countries — apply in the first week.
What It Covers
- Full tuition fees
- Living allowance — NZD 615/week
- Establishment allowance — NZD 3,000
- Medical and travel insurance
- Return flights to/from New Zealand
- Home leave travel (programmes > 1.6 years)
- Research / thesis support (postgrad)
- Reintegration allowance — NZD 1,000
Eligible Countries
| Region | Countries |
|---|---|
| Asia | Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Viet Nam |
| Pacific | Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu |
Who Can Apply
- Citizens of eligible countries, aged 18+ when scholarship starts
- Must have lived in home country for 2 years before commencing study
- Postgrad: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time work experience
- School leavers applying for undergrad are exempt from work experience
- Must return home for at least 2 years after completing the scholarship
Approved Institutions
University of Auckland · Victoria University of Wellington · Massey University · University of Otago · AUT · University of Canterbury · University of Waikato · Lincoln University · plus 3 institutes of technology
University-Level Scholarships
University of Auckland International Scholarships
No separate application needed — assessed automatically during admission. Minimum GPE of 6 required for most awards.
| Scholarship | Value | Who |
|---|---|---|
| International Excellence | NZD 10,000 | All new international undergrad/postgrad |
| India High Achievers | NZD 20,000 | Students from India |
| ASEAN Scholarship | NZD 10,000 | ASEAN country students |
| International School Leavers | NZD 20,000 | Completed NZ secondary school |
Semester 2 2026 closed 1 Apr 2026 · Next round (Sem 1 2027) opens 9 Sep 2026
University of Otago Scholarships
Most awards assessed automatically during admission. Manaaki scholars at Otago can hold both the government and a university scholarship simultaneously — combined value up to NZD 65,000.
| Award | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| International Academic Excellence | NZD 35,000 | Competitive, alongside domestic students |
| Global Scholarship | NZD 15,000 | Unlimited offers, auto-assessed |
| Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship | Varies | High-achieving international undergrads |
| Te Huarahi Scholarship | Min NZD 5,000 | Separate form required |
AUT International Scholarships
Regional awards for South Asia, Southeast Asia, North Asia, and Europe. Southeast Asia PhD award: NZD 10,000 annually. NCUK pathway: 2 × NZD 10,000 awards.
Manaaki inquiries: [email protected]
University of Waikato
Top 1.1% globally. Nearly 20% international students from 80+ countries. Merit-based scholarships open to all — check waikato.ac.nz for current deadlines.
NZ International Doctoral Research Scholarships (NZIDRS)
Open to PhD applicants from any country. Covers tuition, living stipend, and health insurance. International PhD students already pay domestic rates at NZ universities — NZD 6,500–9,000/year, not international tuition rates.
What Does It Actually Cost?
This is what most guides gloss over. Here are current figures from official sources (2025–2026).
Annual Tuition Fees — International Students
| Programme Level | Annual Fee (NZD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | NZD 22,000 – 32,000 | Humanities lower end; engineering/health top end |
| Postgraduate / Master's | NZD 25,000 – 45,000 | MBA programmes higher |
| PhD | NZD 6,500 – 9,000 | International students pay domestic rates |
| Medicine / Vet Science | Varies by institution | Generally higher; check directly |
Annual Living Costs by City
Auckland
Wellington & Christchurch
Dunedin / Hamilton / Palmerston North
Accommodation — Weekly Cost
- Room in shared house NZD 140–250
- University halls (self-catered) NZD 169–400+
- Catered halls Up to NZD 484
- Private apartment NZD 250–400
Mandatory Additional Costs
How to Apply: Step by Step
The Manaaki application process (official process as of March 2026).
Check your country's eligibility
Visit nzscholarships.govt.nz. If your country isn't listed, university scholarships are still open to you.
Take the online eligibility questionnaire
A "register" button only appears if you pass. It screens for age, citizenship, residency, and work experience.
Create your Manaaki account
Your application lives here. Save and return any time before the deadline.
Choose your institution and courses
No admission offer needed at this stage — but verify you meet the institution's minimum academic and English requirements before applying.
Upload academic transcripts
Include the grading scale. Shortlisted candidates later need verified, English-translated copies.
Submit before the deadline — ideally day one
The portal has historically closed early for high-volume countries. Don't wait.
English language test (if shortlisted)
IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, or Cambridge Academic English. You do not need scores at the application stage.
Preferred candidate stage
If selected, you then formally apply for admission to your chosen institution.
Accept your offer
Both the scholarship offer and the admission offer must be actively accepted by the deadline in your offer letter.
English Language Requirements
Each institution sets its own minimums. General expectations for postgraduate Manaaki applicants:
IELTS Academic
TOEFL iBT
PTE Academic
IELTS fee covered for shortlisted applicants from: Cambodia, Indonesia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, and Vanuatu. Undergraduate minimums are somewhat lower — check each institution directly.
Priority Fields of Study (Manaaki)
Priority fields depend on your country's development needs as defined by the NZ Aid Programme. Common priorities across most eligible countries:
- Renewable energy and climate adaptation
- Agriculture and food security
- Disaster risk management
- Public health and nursing
- Public sector governance and law
- Private sector development and economics
- Education and teacher training
Applying outside a priority field doesn't disqualify you — but your chances are lower. Connect your proposed study clearly to your country's development needs in your application.
Post-Study Work Rights
- Graduates of 2+ year degrees qualify for a post-study work visa
- Standard duration: 3 years
- During study: up to 20 hrs/week during semester
- Full-time during scheduled university holidays
Manaaki condition
Scholars must return to their home country for at least 2 years after completing the scholarship before taking up any post-study work visa in New Zealand.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I apply for more than one scholarship at a time?
Do I need to be admitted before applying for Manaaki?
Is there an age limit for Manaaki scholarships?
What GPA or academic average do I need?
Can I bring my family to New Zealand on a scholarship?
Does Manaaki cover accommodation costs specifically?
Are PhD fees lower than undergraduate fees?
What if my country is not eligible for Manaaki?
All figures in NZD. Scholarship details and deadlines change annually — verify everything on official scholarship pages before applying.