Fees and payments for international students
Tuition fees are an important factor in deciding on where you will study, and they are useful for creating a budget before you travel to New Zealand.
Fees and payments for international students
Tuition fees are an important factor in deciding on where you will study, and they are useful for creating a budget before you travel to New Zealand.
We've prepared this short fees guide to help you get the information you need to make the best decisions for you.
Remember, tuition fees are just one type of cost to consider. You will also need to think about other costs like Overseas Student Health Cover, your course materials, housing or student accommodation, and everyday living costs. You can find links to more information about these at the end of this page.
Undergraduate and postgraduate taught (coursework) fees
As an international student at the University of Auckland, you will be considered a full-fee paying student, and need to pay for subjects each semester. For undergraduate and postgraduate taught (coursework) programmes, your tuition fees will be calculated based on the subjects you enrol in each semester, rather than the full programme of study you choose.
You can get an idea of how much your studies will cost each year by looking through our fees tables. Remember that these are only estimates, and your fees may differ, depending on which individual subjects you decide to study.
Doctoral (PhD) fees
Thanks to a special New Zealand Government funding scheme, if you are a new international PhD student living in New Zealand while you study, you will pay the same yearly tuition fees as other New Zealand students.
The 2025 PhD tuition fee is NZ$8,347.20 per year. To be eligible for this PhD fee scheme, you must be living in New Zealand for the duration of your doctoral programme. You may also undertake research activities elsewhere overseas during your programme, but for a total of no more than 12 months.
Doctoral (PhD) fees
Thanks to a special New Zealand Government funding scheme, if you are a new International PhD student living in New Zealand while you study, you will pay the same yearly tuition fees as other New Zealand students.
The 2025 PhD tuition fee is NZ$8,347.20 per year. To be eligible for this PhD fee scheme, you must be living in New Zealand for the duration of your doctoral programme. You may also undertake research activities elsewhere overseas during your programme, but for a total of no more than 12 months.
Paying your tuition fees
It's important to know exactly when and how you'll need to pay your fees because this also relates to your visa conditions.
When to pay your tuition fees
If you are enrolled in a full-year programme, you must pay the full year’s fees at the start of your first semester. You also need to make sure you pay your fees in time for your student visa application to be issued.
How to pay your tuition fees
There are various ways to pay your fees, but we recommend using Flywire – a payment system designed specifically to make paying your international student fees easy and secure.
When you are accepted into your programme at the University of Auckland, we will be sure to send you details about when and how to pay your fees.
Other costs to know about
Compulsory Student Services Fee
All students need to pay a Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF), estimated at NZ$1,108.80 for full-time study. Your fees will be used for providing important student services at the University, like
counselling and health services, and providing funding for different student clubs and societies.
Overseas student health and travel insurance
You must have health and travel insurance while studying in New Zealand, regardless of the type of visa you have.
When you accept your offer of admission, you will be automatically registered under the University's Studentsafe Inbound University policy by Allianz Partners. The insurance charge will be added to your tuition fees account.
You may also like to explore other options for getting insurance.
Tips for managing your money in Auckland
In addition to your tuition fees, you will also need to plan to set aside some money for things like textbooks, a laptop if needed, stationery, project resources, accommodation, food, weekly bills and leisure activities. These will differ for every student, and will depend on the kind of lifestyle you want (and can afford).
We've put together a series of handy tips for managing your money and creating a budget while you are living in Auckland.
Tips for managing your money in Auckland
In addition to your tuition fees, you will also need to plan to set aside some money for things like textbooks, a laptop if needed, stationery and project resources, accommodation, food, weekly bills and leisure activities. These will differ for every student, and will depend on the kind of lifestyle you want (and can afford).
We've put together a series of handy tips for managing your money and creating a budget while you are living in Auckland.
Scholarship students
pay less in tuition fees
At the University of Auckland, we have scholarships available that can cover all or part of your tuition fees, and/or provide you with funding to help you cover your everyday living costs.
If you are awarded a University of Auckland scholarship that covers your tuition fees, your fee payments will be made automatically.
If your scholarship is awarded by another organisation or an employer, you will need to send them your fees statement/invoice.
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