Study in Auckland, New Zealand

About Auckland

Auckland (Tāmaki Makaurau in Māori) is New Zealand's largest city. It lies between two harbours in the north of the North Island. The Auckland Region had 1,656,486 usual residents at the 2023 census, according to Stats NZ, and the city's promotion agency counts more than 200 ethnicities among them.

For a student, Auckland is a large, multicultural, English-speaking city with the sea, beaches and islands close by. It has the widest choice of tertiary education in the country: universities, vocational institutes, private training establishments (PTEs), English language schools and specialist colleges.

Studying in Auckland

Auckland has three major universities: Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology (AUT) and Massey University, whose Albany campus is on the North Shore. The University of Auckland was founded in 1883 and is the country's largest university, with over 40,000 students, nearly 10,000 of whom graduate each year. Teaching is in English.

Our directory lists four schools in Auckland: three higher education institutions and one hospitality school. Besides the University of Auckland, examples are:

• Whitecliffe College of Arts & Design, a Category One Private Training Establishment established in 1984. It teaches fine arts, design, information technology, fashion and creative arts therapies, from certificates up to the Master of Fine Arts.
• New Zealand Institute of Studies (NZIoS), at Level 12, 155 Queen Street in the city centre. It teaches the New Zealand Certificate in English Language (NZCEL) at levels 3 to 5 and a Certificate in Foundation Studies (Business) at level 4, and states that it is NZQA approved and accredited.
• Professional Business and Restaurant School (PBRS), at 150 Hobson Street, established in 2000. It offers New Zealand certificates in cookery and in food and beverage service, and the New Zealand Diploma in Hospitality Management up to level 6.

Student visa

According to Immigration New Zealand, you need a student visa to study for more than 3 months. The most common is the Fee Paying Student Visa: it is issued for up to 4 years, costs from NZD 850 and requires an offer of place from an approved education provider. For a full-time English course there is a separate English Language Student Visa. With a visitor visa or an NZeTA you can study for up to 3 months in any 12-month period. Immigration New Zealand advises applying at least 3 months before you travel.

The Fee Paying Student Visa lets you work part-time up to 25 hours a week while studying and full-time in the holidays, depending on your visa conditions.

Cost of living for students

The clearest official benchmark is the visa rule on funds. Self-funded students in tertiary or English language study must show NZD 20,000 for each year of study, or NZD 1,667 for each month if the course is shorter than a year, on top of tuition fees.

Housing is the largest expense. Options range from purpose-built halls of residence to private rentals and homestays. Most rentals are unfurnished. Central suburbs such as Kingsland, Grafton, Mount Eden and Newmarket are popular with students.

Public transport is cheaper with an AT HOP card: with it you do not spend more than $50 in a 7-day period on buses, trains and inner-harbour ferries. Full-time students at Auckland tertiary institutions can get a 40% discount on most buses, trains and ferries; part-time students are not eligible.

Getting around and daily life

Auckland Transport runs the buses, trains and ferries. Fares depend on how many of the nine fare zones you travel through, and the maximum you pay is a 4-zone fare. Ferries cross the harbour to Devonport, Waiheke Island and Rangitoto Island.

According to NIWA, northern New Zealand, including Auckland, has a sub-tropical climate with warm humid summers and mild winters. Typical summer daytime maximums range from 22 °C to 26 °C and winter maximums from 12 °C to 17 °C. Winter usually has more rain.

Frequently asked questions

Which universities are in Auckland?

The three major universities are Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology (AUT) and Massey University's Albany campus. The University of Auckland, founded in 1883, is the largest in New Zealand.

Do I need a visa to study English in Auckland?

For courses longer than 3 months, yes: there is an English Language Student Visa for full-time English courses. Visitor visa and NZeTA holders can study for up to 3 months in any 12-month period.

How much money do I need for a year in Auckland?

Immigration New Zealand asks self-funded tertiary and English language students to show NZD 20,000 for each year of study for living costs, or NZD 1,667 a month for shorter courses. Tuition fees come on top.