Choosing the Best City to Study in New Zealand

New Zealand is international student’s first choice when it comes to its serene landscape and calm environment even across its larger metropolitans. As a foreigner who studying there, you ought to have more facilities that can help your career and academics.

From our experience, we will never be suggesting one specific city. Because it comes down to everyone’s personal preferences. However, we can tell factors that you should consider, such as academics, cost of living, community, and part-time job opportunities.

Christchurch is more often considered the best city to study in New Zealand, owing to its well-ranked educational institutions and being the most preferred city by international students as per the QS survey. Besides this city, many major cities are par excellence and perfection for you. 

We preselected some cities based on the best universities, program options, job opportunities, and cost of living for international students in New Zealand. Our team spoke with our alumni students to get hands-on feedback for you to consider while making the right decision:

Auckland

Auckland is considered the best place to study in New Zealand. If you want to study in Auckland, then the University of Auckland is considered the best since it consistently ranks among the top 100 universities in QS World University Rankings 2024. 

The best programs to study are Accounting, Architecture, Education, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Psychology. 

When it comes to part-time job opportunities, on-campus part-time jobs are more easily available for international students. However, in Auckland, jobs like retail assistant, waiter, teaching assistant, academic administrator, and cake shop assistant.

The cost of living for international students in Auckland is as follows:

Breakdown of Monthly Living Cost in Auckland

Wellington 

Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand, more famous for its windy atmosphere, artistic cityscape, and diverse culture. The Victoria University of Wellington is considered the best university in Wellington.

If you want to study in Wellington, these programs are English Literature, History, Media and Communication, Law, Biological Sciences, Environmental Science, Computer Science and Landscape Architecture.

As an international student, you can easily find on-campus accommodation more affordable than off-campus accommodation. The best way to find more affordable options can be flatting or living away from the city center.

International students can get access to many part-time job opportunities such as research assistant, data entry clerk, administration assistant, event staff, barista, bookstore, and tutor. 

Christchurch

Christchurch is one of the most beautiful cities in New Zealand, which is also the largest city on the South Island. The University of Canterbury is considered the best in the city. Apart from that, many students find the city as New Zealand's best city to study.

If you want to study in Christchurch, these programs are Environmental Science, Geography, Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, Architectural Engineering, Construction Management, Fine Arts, Film & Media, and Tourism Management. The cost of living for international students in Wellington is as follows:

Breakdown of Monthly Living Cost in Christchurch

In Christchurch, international students will have multicultural experiences since many students from different countries are there to study. Not only this, you will get a chance to explore New Zealand’s oldest Maori culture, which is considered the most indigenous heritage.

Dunedin

Dunedin is New Zealand’s most historic city with lots of Victorian and Edwardian architecture. The city is very safe for students. It is metaphorically called the "Edinburgh of the South," due to its historic buildings. 

The University of Otago is the city’s best university since it consistently ranks among the top universities with a wide range of programs. If you want to study in Dunedin, the best programs are Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Physiotherapy, English Literature, Law, Fine Arts, Ecology, Zoology, Marine Science, Environmental Management, Spatial Planning, Scottish Studies, and Heritage Management.

Breakdown of Monthly Living Cost in Dunedin

Hamilton

Hamilton is the best city in New Zealand for international students. It is nestled between the famous Auckland and Waikato. The city offers international students a very unique blend of modernism and access to nature.

For international students, the University of Waikato is the best option to study in  Hamilton. It is one of New Zealand’s top-ranked universities with diverse program offerings at different degree levels.

International students can enjoy so much in Hamilton besides their academics. The city has a beautiful waterfront with kayaks or natural hikes through botanical gardens. 

As for accommodation, you can expect to have a shared apartment or any other off-campus will cost you nearly NZ$600 to NZ$800 per month, whereas on-campus accommodations are more affordable, ranging from NZ$500 to NZ$700 per month.