Fees for international students
Find out all you need to know about fees if you are an international student.
Important fee information
Tuition fees are calculated on a per point basis. Each course has a number of points associated with it, so the amount charged will vary depending on your choice of courses.
Paying your fees
If you are facing difficulties paying your tuition fees on time, contact the Student Fees Advisors via student-finance@vuw.ac.nz. However, to be eligible for the Fee Paying Student Visa, Immigration New Zealand requires:
- proof that you have paid your tuition fees, or proof that you have a scholarship or loan that is paying on your behalf
- proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself while you are studying in New Zealand
- proof of how you will return home when your studies are complete (such as copies of airline tickets or proof of funds to buy them).
Student who are approved a payment plan with Student Finance have the option to pay their tuition fees in full for one trimester. The visa granted will be for this duration and will require you to renew your visa.
It is not possible to apply for a student visa if you have not paid in full for at least your next trimester of study and without evidence you have sufficient funds to support yourself and proof of how you will return home when your studies are complete.
If you are concerned about meeting the requirements for your visa, contact our International Student Advisor—Visa at Wellington University International, student-visa@vuw.ac.nz as soon as possible to discuss your options.
Find more information on renewing your visa as an enrolled student.
Additional costs
Some courses have additional costs for items such as study materials, equipment, or field trips. Some administrative costs are also applicable. A full list of these administrative costs can be viewed in the Fees Policy.
Renew or extend your insurance
You must have approved medical and travel insurance for the length of your student visa. If you’re studying in New Zealand for more than a year, you need to renew your insurance.
International tuition fees for 2022 (incl gst)
International tuition fee bands for subject categories
| Undergraduate | Per point ($) | Average full time (120 points) ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Humanities and Social Sciences | 244.79 | 29,374.80 |
| Education | 244.79 | 29,374.80 |
| Music | 293.09 | 35,170.80 |
| Health and Midwifery | 258.68 | 31,041.60 |
| Commerce | 259.90 | 31,188.00 |
| Law | 294.47 | 35,336.40 |
| Science | 280.12 | 33,614.40 |
| Design | 295.60 | 35,472.00 |
| Architecture | 307.85 | 36,942.00 |
| Engineering | 318.49 | 38,218.80 |
| Postgraduate taught* | Per point ($) | Average full time (120 points) ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Humanities and Social Sciences | 267.70 | 32,124.00 |
| Education | 267.70 | 32,124.00 |
| Music | 315.87 | 37,904.40 |
| Commerce | 273.76 | 32,851.20 |
| Law | 311.26 | 37,351.20 |
| Science | 323.76 | 38,851.20 |
| Design | 331.28 | 39,753.60 |
| Architecture | 344.85 | 41,382.00 |
| Engineering | 342.25 | 41,070.00 |
| Health, Nursing and Midwifery | 262.05 | 31,446.00 |
Postgraduate taught courses listed above includes Honours and Postgraduate Thesis.
International tuition fees for 2021 (incl gst)
International tuition fee bands for subject categories
| Undergraduate | Per point ($) | Average full time (120 points) ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Humanities and Social Sciences | 230.93 | 27,711.60 |
| Education | 217.91 | 26,149.20 |
| Music | 276.50 | 33,180.00 |
| Health and Midwifery | 244.04 | 29,284.80 |
| Commerce | 245.19 | 29,422.80 |
| Law | 283.14 | 33,976.80 |
| Science | 264.26 | 31,711.20 |
| Design | 278.87 | 33,464.40 |
| Architecture | 290.42 | 34,850.40 |
| Engineering | 294.90 | 35,388.00 |
| Postgraduate taught* | Per point ($) | Average full time (120 points) ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Humanities and Social Sciences | 252.54 | 30,304.80 |
| Education | 247.60 | 29,712.00 |
| Music | 297.99 | 35,758.80 |
| Commerce | 258.26 | 30,991.20 |
| Law | 293.64 | 35,236.80 |
| Science | 305.44 | 36,652.80 |
| Design | 312.53 | 37,503.60 |
| Architecture | 325.33 | 39,039.60 |
| Engineering | 316.90 | 38,028.00 |
| Health, Nursing and Midwifery | 247.22 | 29,666.40 |
Postgraduate taught courses listed above includes Honours and Postgraduate Thesis.
Calculate your fees
You can get an idea of what your fees for the year will be by using the Fees estimator.
The Fees estimator is indicative only. Your final fees account will be calculated and invoiced by the University upon acceptance of your enrolment application.
Other compulsory fees
Along with course fees, all students enrolled at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington are required to pay a Student Services Levy and Student Assistance Levy.
Student Services Levy
The levy is a contribution towards student support services delivered by and through the University to support and facilitate the best academic outcomes for all students. Refer to Appendix A in the Student Services Levy Policy for a full list of services. You may need to pay extra to access some goods, services, or amenities.
Levy for 2022
From 2022, the Student Services Levy will be calculated on a per-point basis capped at 150 points. How much you need to pay will depend on how many points you are enrolled in and where you are based for your study.
If you will be primarily studying from within the Wellington region, and if you are able to attend most of your required lectures and tutorials in person, your Student Services Levy will be calculated at $8.48 per point.
If you will be studying from elsewhere within New Zealand or from overseas, and if you are unable to attend most of your lectures and tutorials in person, your Student Services Levy will be calculated at $4.24 per point.
To facilitate the move to this new structure, some students enrolled in 2021 will be eligible for a rebate in 2022. These will be outlined in the 2022 Student Service Levy Policy.
Levy for 2021
If you are enrolled at the University in 2021, your Student Services Levy will continue to be charged as follows:
- students enrolled in 25 points or more, on-campus or off-campus within the Wellington region: $843.00
- students enrolled in 25 points or more, off-campus outside the Wellington region or off-campus outside New Zealand: $421.50
- students enrolled in less than 25 points, on-campus and off-campus within the Wellington region: $421.50
- students enrolled in less than 25 points, off-campus outside the Wellington region or off-campus outside New Zealand: $210.75.
Reduced rates
For details about who may qualify for reduced Student Services Levy rates, refer to the Student Service Levy Policy.
More information
For more information about the levy and a full list of services available to levy-paying students, see the Student Services Levy page.
Student Assistance Levy
This levy is used to assist students suffering exceptional financial hardship. In 2021 and 2022, the Student Assistance Levy is $28 (GST included) for all students.