What are the Best Places to Study Abroad in New Zealand?

Studying abroad in New Zealand is a great idea and here’s why! Ahh, New Zealand. Home to the incredible Maori people, daring adventurers from all over, and even the occasional hobbit. From its superb beaches to awe-inspiring volcanoes, New Zealand has natural wonders that would make any traveler want to hop on a plane right this second!

Best place to study abroad in New Zealand

From gorgeous nature to bustling cities, New Zealand has it all!

It’s home to the “adventure capital of the world,” Queenstown, making it perfect for our adrenaline-loving travelers. Studying abroad in New Zealand puts you in close proximity to opportunities for bungee jumping, river rafting, skydiving, cave spelunking, and so much more!

For the travelers who err more on the side of caution, there are plenty of relaxing activities as well! New Zealand’s beaches are legendary for their beauty. There are also boiling mud pools to rest your aching muscles after a long day of hiking through lush rainforests and up (dormant) volcanoes. No matter your travel style, New Zealand has incredible adventures for you.

What makes these the best?

New Zealand is an amazing country, all around! We’ve hand picked these destinations for their well-rounded qualities. Big cities mean more variety in study abroad programs. Smaller cities are located centrally, so your weekends will be filled with tons of awesome adventures. All destinations have wonderful beaches and natural wonders, along with delicious food and incredible culture. From mountain peaks to traditional Maori dishes like hāngi, all destinations on our list will give you an incredible study abroad experience.

6 best places to study abroad in New Zealand

6. Auckland

Plus, studying here means views like this every day!

Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand, with over 1.6 million people and five major universities. One of the schools, University of Auckland, is the country’s largest university with almost 40,000 students. There are plenty of opportunities to study abroad here! Because the city is such a cultural hub, many programs center around studying the Maori culture, art, and history.

Auckland is also famous for being a filming location for the Lord of the Rings. The gorgeous and diverse scenery and environment makes it a perfect location for studying film. But, because of the sheer size of the city, you can find almost any type of program and topic to specialize in for your study abroad.

Plus, studying abroad in Auckland puts you close to world famous beaches like Takapuna. Spend your afternoon stretched out on the beach, sand between your toes, suntanning. (Just don’t forget sunscreen!) When you’re done at the beach, you can meet up with some friends at one of the many fancy and delicious restaurants and bars nearby. Not a beach person? No problem! Take a late morning stroll through the Waitakere Ranges, with its rolling hills and lush rainforest. There’s no shortage of beautiful outdoor activities for when you need to get out of the big city.

Recommended New Zealand study abroad programs in Auckland:

5. Wellington

Wellington is a gorgeous city where the wildness of New Zealand meets hipster coffee shops and creative arts programs. There are plenty of outdoor attractions, such as the nearby Mount Victoria Lookout or the Zealandia sanctuary in Karori. But Wellington is more famous for its culture! The city is bursting with restaurants and bars; it’s reported to have more restaurants and bars per capita than even New York City.

Come take an awesome ride on a cable car when you study abroad in Wellington.

It is also the self-proclaimed coffee capital of the country. You need only look at a nearby corner for the closest cafe, where you’re guaranteed to get one of the best flat whites you’ve ever had. Looking for more than coffee and restaurants? Wellington is also home to the Te Papa Museum, a world-famous museum that’s filled to the brim with cultural artifacts.

Study abroad opportunities are also filled with culture and creative arts. Wellington’s main university, Massey University, has a wide array of creative arts programs, from writing to film and music. Victoria University, the other major college in Wellington, has a world-renowned performing arts department as well!

Wellington has more than just creative arts programs, though. Victoria University is also known for its research on earthquakes, to which the city is prone. Wellington is the capital of New Zealand, which makes it a political hub. If creative arts don’t interest you, Wellington is a great place to study politics or diplomacy.

Recommended New Zealand study abroad programs in Wellington:

4. Christchurch

If this is how beautiful the post office is, just imagine the rest of the city!

Nicknamed The Garden City, Christchurch’s lush green landscape and abundance of public parks and gardens will welcome you with open arms! Christchurch is known for its English history and definitely has a more western culture feel. The Gothic Revival architecture will transport you back in time with its steep, sloping roofs, and lace and lattice work carvings. Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island, but still maintains a small town feel.

And, of course, the adventure and nature that New Zealand is famous for is never far away. Christchurch offers amazing activities such as a super high ropes course in Adrenalin Forest. Between surfing, rock climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, and kite surfing, you’ll have plenty to keep your adventurous spirit satisfied when you study abroad here.

Studying at the University of Canterbury means you’ll be close by to beautiful cathedrals like this one.

Christchurch’s main industry is agriculture, making it a great place for students interested in plants and farming. It is also a “gateway city” for Antarctic exploration. Its Antarctic support bases make it perfect for students aching to investigate the Antarctic.

The University of Canterbury, New Zealand's second oldest university, is the main university in Christchurch, and many study abroad programs will go through the school. Keeping with the theme of agriculture, the University of Canterbury prides itself on the natural sciences, plant and animal biology, ecology, and geology research programs! The campus is gorgeous, with plenty of green spaces for stretching out with a book or some homework.

Recommended New Zealand study abroad programs in Christchurch:

3. Dunedin

In 2014, Dunedin was designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Literature. The city has a ton of literary heritage. There are a plethora of literary events, businesses, institutions and organizations. There is also a current-day community of playwrights and writers. The literary scene is huge in Dunedin, so if literature is your thing, Dunedin is the place to be!

With tons of cool street art, a variety of museums, and endless libraries, your free time will be filled to the brim. When you get tired of the city life, just head out to the Mole, a long breakwater that stretches out into the harbour. You can take a stroll down the Mole, and feel the seabreeze as waves crash into the sides. You might even catch a glimpse of an albatross!

Gorgeous views like this will be a daily occurrence for you when you study in Dunedin.

If you study abroad in New Zealand in Dunedin, your two choices of university are University of Otago and Otago Polytechnic. Otago Polytechnic represents Dunedin’s other specialty: technology! Attending the University of Otago likely means living in their legendary student flattings, or residential college communities. There are 15 of them, some of which are especially for international students! Plus, a ton of these communities are in awesome historic houses. This university also has six libraries, making them even more attractive for you bibliophiles out there.

Recommended New Zealand study abroad programs in Dunedin:

2. Palmerston North

Palmerston North is often referred to as the Student City because half of its population is under the age of 25. This type of environment makes it perfect for study abroad students! (It’s also often ranked as super affordable, for you budget-savvy travelers.) The city itself is relatively small, but its location on the North Island makes it primo for weekend outings.

You’ll be just two hours away from Wellington if you feel like getting a taste of the bigger city life. If you need a break, Lake Taupo is less than two hours away as well. Want to tour some wineries or spend the day on the beach? Try Hawke’s Bay, just a three hour drive away! Some programs even include outings to Queenstown, the “adventure capital of the world.”

Yes, Lake Taupo really looks this amazing!

You don’t have to go far for adventure, though. Try river rafting down Rangitikei River or see some glow worms at Limestone Creek Reserve Glow Worm Caves (they’re as magical in person as they look in photos, trust us).

Massey University’s original campus, the nation’s largest business college, is located in Palmerston North as well. If you don’t want to study business, Massey University also has great programs in life sciences, agriculture, horticulture, and veterinary studies. Massey University has international and local students alike, so you’ll have the chance to meet and even live with lots of interesting people!

Recommended programs in Palmerston North:

1. Hamilton

Hamilton is the fourth largest city in New Zealand, which means you’ll get the big city feel with less traffic and pollution. Plus, just an hour away, you’ll find wonderful, relaxing, boiling mud pools in Rotorua. And, of course, you can never be far from an amazing beach in New Zealand!

Mount Maunganui’s golden sand beaches are close by as well, for all your beach day needs. Hamilton draws visitors each year with their sporting matches, including rugby, cycling, rowing, and motorsport. The city stadium, Waikato Stadium, seats over 25,000 and is a definite can’t-miss experience in Hamilton.

Mount Maunganui’s gorgeous beaches make for perfect lazy beach days.

Hamilton has three main universities: the University of Waikato, Waikato Institute of Technology, and Te Wananga o Aotearoa. The University of Waikato has the most international student programs. In fact, the university even supports a “buddy system,” assigning each foreigner a guide to help them adjust to life in Hamilton. The University of Waikato also offers scholarships for international students!

This university specializes in marine science. The campus sprawls across over 150 acres of gardens with native plantings, three artificial lakes, and expansive sporting and recreational areas. You’ll love being immersed in the lush landscape and New Zealand culture here. The university, plus the awesome location makes Hamilton one of the best places to study abroad in New Zealand.

Recommended study abroad program in Hamilton:

Study Abroad in New Zealand at the University of Waikato
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You’ll have an amazing time studying abroad in New Zealand!

You’re ready to study abroad in New Zealand!

It’s easy to get caught up in the pros and cons of each destination on our list, but they are all great for different reasons! There is no wrong choice for your study abroad experience. Anywhere in New Zealand will have incredible beaches, amazing culture, and friendly locals!

And if you want to study in New Zealand, chances are you’re an adventurous and spirited traveler. You’ll be great no matter where you go! So take a deep breath, pick your top two cities, and put on your researching cap—we’ve even got you started on a few programs in each location! There are tons of study abroad programs in New Zealand out there, waiting for you. Spin the globe, pick where you want to plant yourself, then go (and grow!).