Cost of living
Information about estimated expenses to help students plan their finances effectively for a successful stay in New Zealand.
Halls of Residence
The example on this page are based on staying in College Hall (fully-catered).
Find out more about the other accommodation options and costs at Waikato.
Basic weekly expenses: Hamilton
| Halls of Residence accommodation in Hamilton |
Fully catered: $446 - $510 Self-catered: $276 - $332 |
|
Food This will vary if you choose the self-catered option or the fully-catered option. |
Included in fully-catered |
|
Telephone/Internet Free access in bedrooms. |
Included |
|
Mobile Phone This will vary if you're using prepay or contract and the amount you use your phone. |
$10+ |
|
Transport Varies depending on choice of transport |
Public Transport/Bus: $15+ Private Vehicle: $50+ |
|
Entertainment This will vary on what you decide to do for entertainment |
$50+ |
| Total estimated weekly cost | $351-$635 |
Basic weekly expenses: Tauranga
| Halls of Residence accommodation in Tauranga is self-catered only |
Selwyn Street Studios: $323-$343 Durham Mews: $276-$296 |
|
Food This will vary depending on dietary preferences |
$80+ |
|
Telephone/Internet Free access in bedrooms. |
Included |
|
Mobile Phone This will vary if you're using prepay or contract and the amount you use your phone. |
$10+ |
|
Transport Varies depending on choice of transport |
Public Transport/Bus: $15+ Private Vehicle: $50+ |
|
Entertainment This will vary on what you decide to do for entertainment |
$50+ |
| Total estimated weekly cost | $431-$533 |
Annual of One-Off Costs
|
Private Accommodation Rental Fees Bond (security deposit): 3- or 4-weeks’ worth of rent, refundable at the end of your tenancy |
$450 - $680 |
|
University and Student Services Fees Check Fees and Costs for a full estimate of your final cost. |
|
|
Textbooks, Course Readings, and Printing Varies based on your programme of study and how much printing you do |
$500+ |
|
University Internet Free 2GB per month with the ability to purchase additional data from Lightwire |
Free |
|
Parking Varies depending on how often you need parking |
Public Transport/Bus: $15+ Private Vehicle: $50+ |
|
Clothes and Toiletries Varies depending on the type and amount of clothing and toiletries you purchase |
$500+ |
| Total estimated cost | $1465 - $1730 + University and Student Services Fees |
Additional costs for international students
|
Airline tickets This will vary on what country you are departing from. |
Varies |
|
Medical and travel insurance Based on 12 months of cover from our recommended service provider, StudentSafe University. |
Varies, starting annual rates from $855. Please visit this link to determine which fee applies to your situation |
|
Visa This will vary on your country of citizenship and visa type. |
$700 - $850 |
| Estimated additional costs for international students | $1555- $1705 + flights |
Disclaimer
Tuition fees are not included in these estimated costs. You will need to factor these into your budget to give you a true measure of your total costs of study per year.
No insurances have been included in these estimated costs except for medical and travel insurance for international students. If you need insurance, please include this in your estimated costs.
All costs are stated in New Zealand Dollars.
Apply to study
Flatting and private rental
Basic weekly expenses
|
Rent – based on sharing a house with flatmates |
Single room/studio/flat: $200 - $350+ Two-bedroom flat/house: $240 - $325+, per person Three-bedroom flat/house: $195 - $265+, per person Four-bedroom flat/house: $150 - $225+, per person Five-bedroom flat/house: $125 - $180+, per person |
|
$75+ per person |
|
|
Telephone/Internet This varies depending on your requirements. |
$20+ |
|
Electricity/Gas This varies depending on your requirements. |
$30+ |
|
Mobile phone This will vary if you're using pre-pay or contract and the amount you use your phone. |
$10+ |
|
Transport This will vary on your transport choice. |
Public Transport/Bus: $15+ Private Vehicle: $50+ |
|
Entertainment This will vary on what you decide to do for entertainment. |
$50+ |
| Estimated weekly cost | $200 - 235 + applicable rental cost |
Annual or one-off costs
|
Rental extra charges – based on sharing a house with flatmates Bond (security deposit) usually 3 or 4 weeks rent) – refundable at the end of tenancy |
$450 - $680 |
|
University and Student Services Fees Check Fees and Costs for a full estimate of your final cost. |
|
|
Textbooks, course readings and printing This will vary on your programme of study and how much printing you do. |
$500+ |
|
University internet Free 2GB per month with the ability to purchase additional data from Lightwire. |
Included |
|
Parking Based on two trimesters. |
$180 |
|
Clothes and toiletries This will vary on the type of clothing and toiletries you purchase. |
$500 |
|
Estimated total cost |
$1630 - $1860 + University and Student Services Fees |
Additional costs for international students
|
Airline tickets This will vary on what country you are departing from. |
Varies |
|
Medical and travel insurance Based on 12 months of cover from our recommended service provider, StudentSafe University. |
Varies, starting annual rates from $855. Please visit this link to determine which fee applies to your situation |
|
Visa This will vary on your country of citizenship and visa type. |
$700-850 |
| Total additional cost to international students | $1705 + flights |
Tuition fees are not included in these estimated costs. You will need to be factor these into your budget to give you a true measure of your total costs of study per year.
No insurances have been included in these estimated costs except for medical and travel insurance for international students. If you need insurance, please include this in your budget.
You may also need to plan for connection fees from your electricity/gas and telephone/internet providers and car servicing repairs, warrant of fitness and registration, as well as other costs that may need to be budgeted for during the year.
All costs are stated in New Zealand Dollars.
Homestay
Basic weekly expenses
|
Homestay accommodation Weekly board cost. |
$357 |
|
Food This includes breakfast, dinner and snacks. |
Included |
|
Telephone/Internet Only included if your host family has these services. |
Included |
|
Mobile phone This will vary if you're using pre-pay or contract and the amount you use your phone. |
$10 |
|
Transport This will vary on your transport choice. This is based upon using public transport. |
$15+ |
|
Entertainment This will vary on what you decide to do for entertainment. |
$50+ |
|
Estimated total weekly cost |
$432 |
Annual or one-off costs
|
Homestay Placement Fee Non-refundable. |
$470 |
|
Under 18 designated caregiver assessment Only applicable if you are under 18 and is non-refundable. |
$200 |
|
Four Weeks Advance Fee You will need to pay for your first 4 weeks before you can be placed with your homestay family
|
$1428 |
|
University and Student Services Fees Check Fees and Costs for a full estimate of your final cost. |
|
|
Textbooks, course readings and printing This will vary on your programme of study and how much printing you do. |
$500+ |
|
University internet Free 2GB per month with the ability to purchase additional data from Lightwire. |
Included |
|
Clothes and toiletries This will vary on the type of clothing and toiletries you purchase. |
$500+ |
|
Total Estimated annual fees cost |
$3098 + University and Student Services fees |
Additional costs
|
Airline tickets This will vary on what country you are departing from. |
Varies |
|
Medical and travel insurance Based on 12 months of cover from our recommended service provider, StudentSafe University. |
Varies, starting annual rates from $855. Please visit this link to determine which fee applies to your situation |
|
Visa This will vary on your country of citizenship and visa type. |
$700-850 |
| Total estimated additional costs for international students | $1,555 - 1,705 + flights |
Tuition fees are not included in these estimated costs. You will need to be factor these into your budget to give you a true measure of your total costs of study per year.
Budgeting help
The Waikato Students’ Union offers free budgeting advice. We also encourage you to make use of online budget calculators to help estimate yearly expenses.
- Sorted – guide to studying
- Studylink – On Course Budget Calculator
- Sorted Budgeting tool
- Immigration NZ family budget
Further information for international students
- All prices are quoted in New Zealand dollars (NZD). Use the currency converter to check the latest exchange rates.
- We encourage you to visit New Zealand Immigration’s website for information on the cost of living in New Zealand.