New Zealand University Applications Are Heating Up: Growth Plan Targets, QS 2027 Rankings, and University of Auckland 2027 Tuition Fees

2026-10-04 · Guides

The New Zealand government plans to reach 105,000 international students in 2027 and 119,000 in 2034, doubling the economic output to NZD 7.2 billion. In the QS 2027 rankings, 8 universities in New Zealand are listed, with The University of Auckland ranked 67th. At The University of Auckland, international undergraduate tuition fees for most majors in 2027 will increase by approximately 5%–6% compared to 2026.

New Zealand is actively expanding its international student population. The International Education Going for Growth Plan, released by the government in July 2025, aims to reach 105,000 international students by 2027 and 119,000 by 2034, doubling the industry's economic contribution to NZD 7.2 billion. Supporting measures include increasing on-campus work hours to 25 hours per week and allowing exchange students to work. In terms of education quality, 8 New Zealand universities are ranked in the QS World University Rankings 2027. Regarding costs, the University of Auckland has announced its 2027 international undergraduate tuition fees, with most majors increasing by about 5%–6% compared to 2026.

Below is a breakdown covering policies, rankings, and tuition fees. Data is current as of October 4, 2026.

Policies: What Goals Are Set in the Growth Plan

On July 14, 2025, the New Zealand government released the International Education Going for Growth Plan. The main objectives are as follows:

Metric	2024	2027 Target	2034 Target
Number of international students	83,400	105,000	119,000
Industry economic contribution	—	—	NZD 7.2 billion (doubled)
Awareness as a university destination	40%	—	44%
Proportion ranked in top 3 choices	18%	—	22%

To achieve these goals, the plan includes several measures directly related to students:

Increased work hours during studies: Eligible student visa holders can now work up to 25 hours per week, up from 20 hours. The Immigration website currently states 25 hours per week for student visas.
Work rights for exchange students: Work rights during studies are extended to all university exchange students and Study Abroad program students, including those studying for just one semester.
Mid-term research: Led by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), this involves researching short-term visas for sub-degree programs and simplifying the application process for multi-year visas.

Another implemented change is the adjustment to the post-study work visa: from November 16, 2026, individuals with a bachelor's degree who have completed a postgraduate diploma full-time in New Zealand can apply for a post-study work visa, alongside a newly introduced short-term graduate work visa of up to 6 months. For detailed rules, please refer to our other article, "New Zealand Student Visa Allows 25 Work Hours Per Week; Three Changes to Post-Study Work Visas Starting November 16."

Signs of Growth

In September 2026, Education New Zealand (ENZ) released two relevant updates:

September 17: A survey by Navitas of 870 education agents across 64 countries and regions shows that 88% of agents believe New Zealand's image as "safe and stable" is improving, and 88% believe its "open and welcoming" image is improving. Among the university destinations surveyed, New Zealand saw the highest growth in student interest. Agents note that students are increasingly prioritizing four factors: cost, post-graduation work opportunities, visa certainty, and career prospects.
September 30: The CEO of ENZ posted that the latest international student enrollment data is "encouraging," with more students choosing New Zealand. Specific figures were not disclosed in the post, but ENZ will provide detailed information at a webinar on October 14.

Rankings: 8 New Zealand Universities in QS 2027

The QS World University Rankings 2027 were released on June 18, 2026. A total of 8 New Zealand universities made the list:

University	City	QS 2027 Rank
University of Auckland	Auckland	67
University of Otago	Dunedin	198
Massey University	Palmerston North	215
Victoria University of Wellington	Wellington	=241
University of Canterbury	Christchurch	257
University of Waikato	Hamilton	=293
Lincoln University	Lincoln	=419
Auckland University of Technology (AUT)	Auckland	431

Rankings are just one reference for choosing a university. Program strength, city, costs, and graduate outcomes are equally important, so it is recommended to consider them together.

Tuition: University of Auckland 2027 International Undergraduate Tuition

The University of Auckland website lists the estimated international undergraduate tuition fees for both 2026 and 2027 (full-time for one year, 120 credits). A comparison of selected majors is as follows:

Major	2026	2027	Increase
Bachelor of Arts (General)	NZD 40,225	NZD 42,236.40	~5%
Bachelor of Commerce	NZD 48,133	NZD 51,020.40	~6%
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)	NZD 58,009	NZD 60,909.60	~5%
Bachelor of Laws	NZD 47,218	NZD 49,578.00	~5%
Bachelor of Health Sciences	NZD 42,818	NZD 44,959.20	~5%
Bachelor of Architecture	NZD 52,148	NZD 54,754.80	~5%
Bachelor of Design	NZD 49,226	NZD 51,687.60	~5%
Medicine (Year 2 onwards)	NZD 86,561	NZD 86,561.00	Unchanged

Notes:

The above are estimated tuition fees published by the university; the actual amount is subject to the fee statement generated by the student system after course selection.
The first year of Medicine is studied as a Bachelor of Health Sciences, calculated at the Health Sciences tuition rate.
In addition to tuition, the student visa requires proof of NZD 20,000 per year for living expenses. Taking Commerce as an example, the total for one year of tuition and living expenses proof for 2027 enrollment is approximately NZD 71,000.

For the 2027 tuition fees of the other seven universities, please refer to their respective official websites.

Advice for Families

Plan your budget early: Tuition fees may be adjusted annually. Calculate based on the tuition schedule for your enrollment year, rather than using previous years' figures.
Consider the whole picture when choosing a university: Evaluate rankings, programs, city, and post-graduation work visa pathways together.
Pay attention to visa timelines: Immigration recommends applying for your visa at least 3 months before classes start.
Prepare for language tests early: Language requirements are subject to each university's official website. It is recommended to prepare for language tests like IELTS as early as possible.

Need Help?

To learn more about choosing universities and budgeting for New Zealand, you can book a one-on-one consultation, or check out our university admissions planning services; if you need to prepare for language tests, learn more about our IELTS training.