Postgraduate Courses in New Zealand – Eligibility, Courses, Universities, Etc.

Updated on 23 February, 2024

upGrad Abroad Team

upGrad Abroad Team

upGrad abroad Editorial Team

Indian students in New Zealand continue to rise. Thus, it is no surprise that  many students have shown interest to pursue post-graduation in the country. Globally recognized institutions and an interactive learning system make New Zealand the right combination of quality education, and opportunities for international students. 

 

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Reasons to Choose New Zealand for Postgraduate Courses

Top universities in New Zealand are equipped with all kinds of modern facilities. There are hundreds of reasons to study in New Zealand. Some of the major ones are- 

  • Internationally Recognized Universities: All top universities of New Zealand consistently rank high across top-ranking systems like Times Higher Education Rankings and QS World University Rankings. Qualifications from any of these are valued worldwide. The universities have a friendly atmosphere for research and studies.
  • Lower Tuition fees: Pursuing your master’s degree in New Zealand is comparatively affordable. Various high-ranking colleges and universities have different fee structures, but, on average, a student needs approx NZ$ 22,000 to NZ$ 35,000 a year to study. 
  • Work While You Study (and after): Working part-time can be a great way to help cover your living expenses in New Zealand and can also help you to gain work experience in your field of study. 
  • Quality of Life: New Zealand offers a beautiful, multi-cultural environment perfectly harmonious with the country’s outdoorsy lifestyle.

Top 10 PG Courses in New Zealand

Given below are the top 10 postgraduate courses in New Zealand with multiple career options

      Degree         Specializations

 

Business

Master of Business and Management (MBM),
Masters of Management Studies (MMS),
Master of E-Commerce,
Master of Professional Management
    Science           Master of Science
Master of Science (Research)
Master of Science (Technology)
Master of Environmental Planning
Master of Applied Psychology – MAppPsy
            Computers Master of Cyber Security (MCS)
Master of Computer Graphic Design (MCGD)
              Engineering Master of Engineering (MEng)
              Humanities Master of Sport and Leisure Studies

The universities in New Zealand not only provide 2 or 3 years of Master’s programs, but some courses are also of one-year duration. 

These courses are an additional feature that you can avail of in New Zealand. Some of these courses are – 

  • Master of Education – The program is designed for graduates seeking postgraduation to improve their skills and career prospects. The program is of 12-18 months duration.
  • Master of Commerce – In this 12-15-month course, students are introduced to subjective and objective knowledge and the practical research scope of the discipline.  
  • Masters of Conservation Biology – In 12 months course duration, the students are introduced to environmental studies that include biodiversity, aquatic life, etc. 
  • Masters of Engineering Practice – This 12-month coursework at Victoria University has an excellent scope of research and good placement opportunities. 
  • Master of Fine Arts – This one-year degree course will help you hone your creative skills. The arena of this course curriculum is diverse, including film, music, painting, etc. 
  • Master of Management – The course is of 15 months. The degree aims to provide the students with masterclasses on coursework, practical skills, and specialization in business and other core subjects. 
  • Masters of Professional Accounting – This course offers a variety of interdisciplinary studies like business issues, finance, professional accountancy, etc. The course duration is 15 months. 

The courses mentioned above are designed for those who want to complete their masters within a year or slightly more.  

Related Topics for Studying in New Zealand
New Zealand Scholarship for Indian Students- Your Guide MS in New Zealand for Indian Students – An Overview An overview on how to get PR in New Zealand
New Zealand Student Visa Rejection – Reasons Best tips on how to get a student visa for New Zealand IELTS Score for Studying in New Zealand

Top 5 Universities in  New Zealand for PG Courses:

                    QS WUR 2023 University 
87 The University of Auckland
217 University of Otago
275 Victoria University of Wellington
284 University of Canterbury
292 Massey University

Eligibility Criteria for PG Courses in New Zealand

Eligibility criteria for each program in New Zealand may vary based on the university and course. However, some essential requirements for students applying for PG courses are given below: 

  • A bachelor’s degree in a related discipline you want to pursue your postgraduate diploma or master’s in. 
  • English language proficiency scores in standardized exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo, etc. (The PG diploma in New Zealand IELTS score requirement is 5 with no bands less than 6.0)
  • Original documents like birth certificates, recent photographs, national identity cards, etc. would be required. 
  • A recommendation letter from the last school/ college you’ve attended. 
  • You must show your graduation certificate to the university authority to apply for PG courses. 

Popular Intakes in New Zealand

Students can apply for the two significant intakes. They usually start in January and July.

Semester Session Admissions Begin Admission Intake Deadline*
Odd Semester February to June November January/February
Even Semester July to November February July

Cost of Attendance    

This includes your average tuition fees and your cost of living. The average tuition fees for studying master’s degree in New Zealand may cost around NZ $20,000- 30,000, wherein the annula cost of living may hover between NZ $18,000- 20,000. The cost of living includes the necessities like accommodation, electricity, food, transportation, and others.

Scholarships to study Postgraduate course in New Zealand

Here are some popular scholarship programs you can apply to as an Indian student: 

    Name of Scholarship Benefits
New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships (NZIDRS) Tuition fee, associated student levies, living stipend (up to NZ$25,000 tax-free) and health insurance coverage (up to NZ$600 annually) for three years.
New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships
  • Full tuition fees waived
  • An allowance of NZ$ 491 per week for living expenses
  • Medical and travel insurance and research cost for postgraduate students

 

New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA) The value of this scholarship is NZ $5,000 each for PG course and NZ $10,000 each for UG course. 
NZ-GRADS New Zealand Global Research Alliance Doctoral Scholarship
  • Tuition fees up to NZD 10,000 per year
  • An annual stipend for covering expenses of NZD 28,000 per year (tax-free)
  • Medical insurance up to NZD 700 per year
  • Visa application cost not exceeding up to $1,000
  • Airfare upon returning to New Zealand up to a maximum amount of NZ $6,000
  • Research allowance up to NZ $1,500
SEG Scholarship

Value of the scholarships 

 

a) Scholarship A: NZD 7,000 annually  

b) Scholarship B: NZD 5,000 annually 

c) SEG Scholarship C: NZD 3,000 annually.

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Related Topics for Studying in New Zealand
New Zealand Scholarship for Indian Students- Your Guide MS in New Zealand for Indian Students – An Overview An overview on how to get PR in New Zealand
New Zealand Student Visa Rejection – Reasons Best tips on how to get a student visa for New Zealand IELTS Score for Studying in New Zealand
MBA in New Zealand for Indian Students   BBA in New Zealand

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a postgraduate qualification in New Zealand?

Like in most other countries, a master’s or postgraduate degree is one to two years. To take the course, one has to be eligible as per the norms of the respective university. 

How can you study PG in New Zealand?

To study PG in New Zealand, the student must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent course of at least three years. For the required grade in graduation, check the official website of the respective universities where you’re applying. Besides these, you must prepare your visa for studying in New Zealand in advance.

Which are the best PG courses to study in New Zealand?

There are multiple courses to choose from at the PG level. Some of the best courses include – Master of Professional Accounting, Master of Management, Master of Architecture, Master of Commerce, Master of Computer Science, etc. You can find several other niche courses and specializations in New Zealand.

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upGrad Abroad Team

upGrad abroad Editorial Team

We are a dedicated team of study-abroad experts, ensuring intensive research and comprehensive information in each of our blogs. With every piece written, we aim at simplifying the overseas education process for all. Our diverse experience as journalists, content writers, editors, content strategists, and marketers helps create the most relevant and authentic blogs for our readers.

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