7 Cheapest Universities in Auckland for International Students

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In Auckland, there are a lot of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in New Zealand without paying a lot. These institutions also provide well-rounded academic programs and curriculums, allowing students to earn a degree with less burden on their pockets.

Now, if you’re planning to study in Auckland, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 7 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in Auckland, make sure to read more!

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Cheap Bachelor's Colleges and Universities in Auckland for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Auckland ordered by their tuition fee for international bachelor's students.

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Auckland Institute of Studies 18,600 NZD 25%
Otago Polytechnic 21,000 NZD - 27,800 NZD 15%
Unitec Institute of Technology 21,500 NZD - 25,800 NZD 13%
Manukau Institute of Technology 22,500 NZD - 25,600 NZD 9%
New Zealand Tertiary College 24,000 NZD 3%
Auckland University of Technology 31,000 NZD - 42,800 NZD -25%
University of Auckland 33,900 NZD - 48,900 NZD -37%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 24,700 NZD for universities in Auckland.

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1. Auckland Institute of Studies

The Auckland Institute of Studies is a private university in Auckland, New Zealand. It was founded in 1990 in a shopping mall in the heart of Auckland, and it now includes campuses in St. Helens and Asquith. Programs in finance, language studies, business, information technology, tourism, and hospitality management are available at the undergraduate and graduate levels through the university.

2. Otago Polytechnic

The vision and values of Otago Polytechnic are surrounded by their goals of building student capabilities and skills. As one of New Zealand’s leading educational institutions, they emphasize the importance of research and academic projects that are vital to the nation’s growth. Currently, Otago Polytechnic delivers more than 180 programs for undergraduate and graduate degrees. 

Besides fostering academic excellence, Otago Polytechnic provides a student-friendly environment as they emphasize real-life learning in their classes. As a result of the university’s efforts to provide quality education, they are hailed as one of the country’s top-performing institutions.

3. Unitec Institute of Technology

The Unitec Institute of Technology is one of the biggest technological universities in New Zealand. It focuses on giving students hands-on learning experiences to prepare them for the job market. This is done through research opportunities, collaboration with governmental organizations and international businesses, laboratory practices, and internship programs. Although this is an institute of technology, it has multiple degrees related to other areas like teaching, humanities, or languages. It also offers highly flexible options for working adults as well as the alternUnitec Institute of Technologyative of obtaining credits from your work experience.

4. Manukau Institute of Technology

The Manukau Institute of Technology is a private university in Auckland, New Zealand. It was established in 1970 and is now among the biggest national suppliers of technical, vocational, and professional education. The institute provides technical training in a wide range of disciplines, including hairdressing, business, engineering, social work, and culinary arts.

5. New Zealand Tertiary College

New Zealand Tertiary College is a private college in Auckland, New Zealand. Glennie Oborn, an educator, started it as the Kindercare Early Childhood Teachers College in 1982. It was the first university to get an early childhood program approved. The college currently provides undergraduate and graduate degree programs in a range of educational disciplines.

6. Auckland University of Technology

The Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is a university in Auckland, New Zealand. It was founded in 1895 as a technical college, but it was only given university status in 2000. It is the third-largest university in the nation and enrolls approximately 29,000 students in a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

7. University of Auckland

The University of Auckland is a public research university in Auckland, New Zealand. As an affiliate college of the University of New Zealand, it was established in 1883 as the Auckland University College. The university consistently ranks among the top 100 universities in the world and provides undergraduate and graduate degree programs in a variety of subjects.

Cheap Master's Colleges and Universities in Auckland for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Auckland ordered by their tuition fee for international master's students.

University Annual Master's International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Otago Polytechnic 18,100 NZD - 28,300 NZD 42%
Unitec Institute of Technology 24,800 NZD - 29,100 NZD 21%
Manukau Institute of Technology 25,800 NZD 17%
Auckland Institute of Studies 33,800 NZD -8%
Auckland University of Technology 36,500 NZD -17%
University of Auckland 38,300 NZD - 59,800 NZD -23%
New Zealand Tertiary College 40,000 NZD - 52,000 NZD -28%

* Average Master's International Tuition is 31,100 NZD for universities in Auckland.

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1. Otago Polytechnic

The vision and values of Otago Polytechnic are surrounded by their goals of building student capabilities and skills. As one of New Zealand’s leading educational institutions, they emphasize the importance of research and academic projects that are vital to the nation’s growth. Currently, Otago Polytechnic delivers more than 180 programs for undergraduate and graduate degrees. 

Besides fostering academic excellence, Otago Polytechnic provides a student-friendly environment as they emphasize real-life learning in their classes. As a result of the university’s efforts to provide quality education, they are hailed as one of the country’s top-performing institutions.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, Otago Polytechnic should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 18,015 NZD to 28,220 NZD annually for their master's degree.

2. Unitec Institute of Technology

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is Unitec Institute of Technology. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at Unitec Institute of Technology is 24,730 NZD to 29,040 NZD.

The Unitec Institute of Technology is one of the biggest technological universities in New Zealand. It focuses on giving students hands-on learning experiences to prepare them for the job market. This is done through research opportunities, collaboration with governmental organizations and international businesses, laboratory practices, and internship programs. Although this is an institute of technology, it has multiple degrees related to other areas like teaching, humanities, or languages. It also offers highly flexible options for working adults as well as the alternUnitec Institute of Technologyative of obtaining credits from your work experience.

3. Manukau Institute of Technology

The Manukau Institute of Technology is a private university in Auckland, New Zealand. It was established in 1970 and is now among the biggest national suppliers of technical, vocational, and professional education. The institute provides technical training in a wide range of disciplines, including hairdressing, business, engineering, social work, and culinary arts.

The tuition fee at Manukau Institute of Technology for incoming international master’s students is 25,800 NZD. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. Auckland Institute of Studies

Another affordable university to consider in Auckland is Auckland Institute of Studies.

The Auckland Institute of Studies is a private university in Auckland, New Zealand. It was founded in 1990 in a shopping mall in the heart of Auckland, and it now includes campuses in St. Helens and Asquith. Programs in finance, language studies, business, information technology, tourism, and hospitality management are available at the undergraduate and graduate levels through the university.

The tuition fee in Auckland Institute of Studies for master’s program for foreign students starts from 33,750 NZD.

5. Auckland University of Technology

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, Auckland University of Technology has some of the lowest tuition fee prices for foreign students who are planning to take a master's degree here. International master's students only pay as low as 36,500 NZD yearly.

The Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is a university in Auckland, New Zealand. It was founded in 1895 as a technical college, but it was only given university status in 2000. It is the third-largest university in the nation and enrolls approximately 29,000 students in a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

6. University of Auckland

The University of Auckland is a public research university in Auckland, New Zealand. As an affiliate college of the University of New Zealand, it was established in 1883 as the Auckland University College. The university consistently ranks among the top 100 universities in the world and provides undergraduate and graduate degree programs in a variety of subjects.

7. New Zealand Tertiary College

New Zealand Tertiary College is a private college in Auckland, New Zealand. Glennie Oborn, an educator, started it as the Kindercare Early Childhood Teachers College in 1982. It was the first university to get an early childhood program approved. The college currently provides undergraduate and graduate degree programs in a range of educational disciplines.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get admission to affordable universities in Auckland?

Applying to cheap universities in Auckland requires you to complete different requirements depending on your degree and chosen university. These usually include admission forms, language proficiency scores, and a visa. Check out our full guide to studying in New Zealand for a more comprehensive guide!

2. What can I study at Best affordable universities in Auckland?

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Auckland. For example, one of the best affordable schools in Auckland is the Auckland Institute of Studies, which offers Business, Tourism Management, and Hospitality Management to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the Auckland Institute of Studies offers Business Administration, and Information Technology.

It's important to take a look at all your options when selecting where to attend post-secondary school. With so many different types of schools, degrees, and universities in Auckland, it can be tough to know where to start looking.

So, make sure to explore the best public universities in Auckland as well if you're looking for affordable education!

We hope that this article on affordable institutions in Auckland for international students was helpful!