PhD in New Zealand is a 3 to 6 years program offered at top universities. The top universities are the University of Auckland and the University of Otago. The minimum admission requirements for PhD in New Zealand is to hold a University-level graduation with master's or bachelor's with honours, an IELTS score of at least 6.5 or an equivalent TOEFL score of 90+. Some of the universities might also require a GMAT/GRE score with a minimum GMAT score of 600.
The average annual fees at top universities in New Zealand for PhD studies ranges from 6,000 NZD- 10,000 NZD (3-5 Lakh INR). After graduation, one can receive job offers from various companies including Delimited, Air New Zealand and PwC. and earn an average annual salary of NZD 76,508 ( INR 39.22 Lakh).
PhD in New Zealand: Course Highlights
| Program | PhD/Doctorate |
| Program Type | Full-time |
| Program Duration | 3- 6 years |
| Eligibility Criteria | University-level graduation with master's or bachelor's with honours |
| GPA | 80% |
| English Proficiency Requirements | IELTS: 6.5 or above | TOEFL: 90+ |
| Annual Tuition Fee Range | 6,000 NZD- 10,000 NZD (3-5 Lakh INR) |
| Average Salary | NZD 76,508 ( INR 3,922,669) |
| Top Employers | Deloitte, PwC |
PhD in New Zealand: Top Universities
The following table shows the top universities offering PhD programs in New Zealand along with their respective application deadlines and annual tuition fees.
| University | Program | Deadlines | Annual Tuition Fees (NZ$) |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Auckland | Accounting, Chemistry, Engineering | Rolling Basis | 7,659.60 |
| University of Otago | Humanities, Science | Rolling Basis | 6,982-10,948 |
| University of Canterbury | Accounting, Humanities | Rolling Basis | 6,385 - 7,691 |
| Auckland University of Technology | Business | 1 Nov (for Feb intake) 1 Feb (for May intake) 1 Apr (for July intake) 1 Jul (for Oct intake) | 8,348 |
| Victoria University of Wellington | Biomedicine, Music | 1 March, 1 July, 1 November | 7,858-9,092 |
| University of Waikato | Philosophy, marketing, sociology | 31 May, 30 September | 6,829 |
| Lincoln University | Animal welfare, land management | Rolling Basis | 7,860 |
Why Study PhD in New Zealand?
New Zealand offers one of the best opportunities for PhD study. With exceptional faculty and infrastructure, students have a great chance to explore the research field and do it with a minimal cost. The following are some of the reasons why New Zealand is a popular choice for PhD study won by international students:
- The New Zealand universities are ranked among the top 3 per cent in the world according to the QS World Ranking.
- The cost of studies is at a minimum average of NZD 7,806 ( INR 400,224).
- Most of the universities offer a scholarship that values upto NZD 33,000 ( INR 1,691,954)
- The average salary of a PhD holder from New Zealand is NZD 76,508 ( INR 3,922,669)
- Even in the duration of studying, one can apply for and hold the work visa
PhD in New Zealand: Specializations and Syllabus
The PhD program is offered for a duration of 3-6 years. Various subjects are offered in different universities across New Zealand. This includes Humanities, Philosophy, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics, Music, etc. Many universities also allow students to work during their studies. Students are also offered the option of part-time study.
PhD in New Zealand: Admissions
The application process to study in New Zealand for a PhD requires the applicants to submit all the required documents. They have to meet the minimum eligibility criteria to apply. Every university has a set of eligibility to be fulfilled by the applicants while applying for a PhD program to their university. The following section discusses the admission requirements for the top universities offering PhD in New Zealand.
PhD in New Zealand: Eligibility Criteria
The following are the main eligibility criteria to be met for applying to any PhD studies in New Zealand
- Academic Degree- University-level graduation with master's or bachelor's with honours
- Minimum GPA - 80%
- GRE or GMAT Score - A minimum GMAT score of 600
- English Proficiency Test Score TOEFL: 90, IELTS: 6.5
- Letter of Recommendation (LOR): 2 Letters of Recommendation are required by most universities
- Resume: Resume with work experience have to be submitted
- Statement of Purpose (SOP): A 1-2 page Statement of research interest have to be submitted
- Research Proposal: Outline of a research project have to be submitted.
PhD in New Zealand: Admission Requirements
The following are the different top universities of New Zealand offering PhD studies along with the admission requirements to be submitted by applicants while applying.
| University | Academic Requirement | TOEFL Score | IELTS Score | Additional Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Auckland | Masters level qualification or equivalent with GPE 6.0 | 90 | 6.5 |
|
| University of Otago | University-level graduation with master's or bachelor's with honours | 90 | 6.5 |
|
| University of Canterbury | A research-focused honours or master’s degree, at First or Second Class or equivalent | 90 | 6.5 |
|
| Auckland University of Technology | Master of Bachelor's degree with honours | 90 | 6.5 |
|
| Victoria University of Wellington | Four years bachelor's degree | 90 | 6.5 |
|
| University of Waikato | Bachelor's with honours or masters with at least second class honours, or equivalent | 90 | 6.5 |
|
| Lincoln University | Masters's honours degree with minimum second-class Honora | 80 | 6.5 |
|
PhD in New Zealand: Cost of study
The cost of studying for a PhD in New Zealand includes the tuition fees and cost of living. The average tuition fee is about NZD 7,806 ( INR 4 Lakh). The cost of living in New Zealand is NZD 26,905 ( INR 13.73 Lakh). Thus, the total cost of studying comes to about NZD 34,711 ( INR 17.85 Lakh)
PhD in New Zealand: Tuition Fees
The tuition fees for studying PhD in New Zealand come to an average of NZD 7,806 ( INR 400,224).
| University | Total Tuition Fees (NZD) | Fee for Indian Students (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| University of Auckland | 7,659.60 | 3.91 Lakh |
| University of Otago | 6,982-10,948 | 3.54- 5.55 Lakh |
| University of Canterbury | 6,385 - 7,691 | 3.23- 3.90 Lakh |
| Auckland University of Technology | 8,348 | 4.23 Lakh |
| Victoria University of Wellington | 7,858-9,092 | 3.99-4.61 Lakh |
| University of Waikato | 6,829 | 3.48 Lakh |
| Lincoln University | 7,860 | 4.01 Lakh |
Cost of Living in New Zealand
The cost of living in New Zealand includes the cost of accommodation, meals, transportation, health insurance, and other personal expenses. This cost comes to around NZD 26,905 (INR 1,373,891)
| Expense Type | Average Annual Expense (NZD) | Cost for Indian Students (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 13,728 | 701,013 |
| Meals | 7,800 | 398,303 |
| Transportation | 2,080 | 106,214 |
| Health Insurance | 697 | 35,591 |
| Personal Expenses | 2,600 | 132,767 |
| Total | 26,905 | 1,373,891 |
PhD in New Zealand: Scholarships
Various scholarships are offered by different universities in New Zealand. This values up to NZD 33,000. Here is a list of top scholarships in New Zealand for international students applying for a PG Diploma:
| Scholarship | Awarded by (private/government/university) | Eligibility | Award Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship | University of Auckland | Recommendation by faculty about deserving candidates | NZD 28,800 |
| The University of Auckland Doctoral Faculty of Engineering Scholarship | University of Auckland | Recommendation by faculty about deserving candidates | NZD 33,000 |
| University of Otago City of Literature PhD Scholarship | University of Otago | Students intending to undertake PhD in the university | NZD 30,696 |
| University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship | University of Otago | Students intending to take their first doctoral scholarship | NZD 30,696 |
| AUT Doctoral Scholarships | Auckland University of Technology | Students enrolled in PhD programs at the university | NZD 30,000 |
| University of Waikato Doctoral Scholarships | University of Waikato | Full-time international doctoral students of the university | NZD 27,500 |
| Vice Chancellor’s International Excellence Scholarship | University of Waikato | Students exhibiting excellence in previous academic performance | NZD 15,000 |
| William Machin Doctoral Scholarship for Excellence | Lincoln University | Permanent residents or New Zealand citizens enrolled in the PhD | NZD 28,000 |
| Lincoln UniversityDoctoral Scholarships | Lincoln University | A minimum grade average of 80 per cent | NZD 28,000 |
PhD in New Zealand: Jobs and Placement Opportunities
After completing a PhD many job opportunities are available in New Zealand for graduates. An average salary of NZD 76,508 ( INR 3,922,669) is offered for these.
| Profession | Average Salary (NZD) | Salary for Indian Student (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Data scientist | 72,464 | 37 Lakh |
| Biochemist | 83,000 | 42.38 lakh |
| Research scientist | 78,140 | 39.90 Lakh |
| Academician | 72,428 | 36.98 Lakh |
PhD in New Zealand: Return on Investment
The table below summarizes the comparison between the total tuition fees and the average graduate salary for each university.
| University | Total Tuition Fees (NZD) | Average Graduate Salary Per Year (NZD) |
|---|---|---|
| University of Auckland | 7,659.60 | 83,000 |
| University of Otago | 6,982-10,948 | 110,000 |
| University of Canterbury | 6,385 - 7,691 | 53,000 |
| Auckland University of Technology | 8,348 | 43,000 |
| Victoria University of Wellington | 7,858-9,092 | 115,000 |
| University of Waikato | 6,829 | 53,000 |
| Lincoln University | 7,860 | 65,000 |
PhD in New Zealand: Degree Comparison in different countries
Degree in New Zealand vs Degree in the USA
| Parameter | PhD in USA | PhD in New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 5 years | 3- 6 years |
| Average tuition fees | 20,000 USD- 50,000 USD (16-41 Lakh INR) | 18,000 NZD- 40,000 NZD ( 9-20 Lakh INR) |
| Cost of living | $ 12,000 (INR 9.90 Lakh) | NZD 26,905 (INR 13.73 Lakh) |
| Visa | F1 visa | Pathway Student Visa |
| Average Salary | USD 103,000 ( INR 1.07 Cr.) | NZD 76,508 ( INR 39.22 Lakh) |
| English language proficiency tests | TOEFL: 90+ | TOEFL: 90+ | IELTS 6.5 or above |
The universities of New Zealand are ranked at the top worldwide and its PhD programs are quite commendable. Due to affordable tuition fees, research facilities and in-depth learning international aspirants are attracted to pursue the course in the country. Fulfilling all the mandatory requirements and having a relevant previous degree in a related field with a good score is all one needs to meet their dream of completing a PhD degree in New Zealand.
Explore: New Zealand Work Visa
FAQs
Ques. Is PhD fully funded in New Zealand?
Ans.In New Zealand, universities offering PhD, offer it at a low affordable cost. Apart from the low tuition fee, several scholarship offers are also available. These are provided mostly by the universities and the government. Thus, students can afford their PhD studies decently in New Zealand.
Ques.How much does a PhD cost in New Zealand?
Ans.In New Zealand, a PhD study, on average, costs about NZD 7,806. Many scholarships are also provided by the universities.
Ques.Who is eligible for a PhD in New Zealand?
Ans.To apply for a PhD in New Zealand Universities, one has to complete a Master's or Bachelor's Honors with at least second-class Honors. Many universities also require proof of research expertise. Most universities do not require a GRE or GMAT examination for enrolling in PhD courses. International students have to provide proof of English efficiency.
Ques.Can I stay in New Zealand after my PhD?
Ans.Yes, after PhD, one has to apply for the appropriate visa for continued stay in the country. Accordingly, one can apply for a visa for work, further study or stay in New Zealand.
Ques.Is IELTS required for PhD in New Zealand?
Ans. For studying for a PhD in New Zealand, an applicant had to provide proof of English proficiency. An IELTS score of 6.5 is required for PhD studies. Alternatively, other English proficiency exam scores can be submitted like TOEFL ( 90)
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