Study Abroad
Universities in New Zealand for Nepali students: all 8 universities, which accept NEB +2 directly, foundation and diploma routes, IELTS/PTE scores, intakes and Manaaki scholarships.
Choosing between universities in New Zealand for Nepali students is simpler than it looks. There are only eight universities in the country, and all of them are public. The hard part is entry. Most New Zealand universities do not accept the Nepal NEB +2 certificate on its own for direct entry to a bachelor's degree. Many Nepali students therefore start with a foundation or first-year diploma. This guide lists all eight universities and explains what each one publishes for Nepali applicants. It also covers English scores, intakes, scholarships and the money you need to show for your visa.
Entry rules change every year and can differ by programme. Treat the numbers below as a starting point, and check the university's own page for your course before you apply.
Study with New Zealand, the government's official study site, lists eight universities:
University of Auckland (Auckland)
Auckland University of Technology, AUT (Auckland)
University of Waikato (Hamilton and Tauranga)
Massey University (Auckland, Palmerston North and Wellington)
Victoria University of Wellington, Te Herenga Waka (Wellington)
University of Canterbury (Christchurch)
Lincoln University (near Christchurch)
University of Otago (Dunedin, with health sciences sites in other cities)
All eight are state-funded and award degrees under the same national framework. When you compare them, look at course content, location, entry route, total cost and career support. We do not rank them in this guide, and you should be careful with "number one" claims you see in adverts.
For New Zealand students, the benchmark is University Entrance (UE). NZQA defines UE as NCEA Level 3 with 14 credits in each of three approved subjects, plus literacy and numeracy credits. Universities New Zealand explains that international students qualify in one of a few ways. They can hold a home-country qualification that the university accepts as equal to UE, or they can complete a university foundation programme or another recognised foundation.
Each university decides for itself which overseas qualifications count as equal to UE. That is why the same NEB result can give direct entry at one university and a foundation offer at another.
Here is what each university currently publishes for Nepali school-leavers. Programme rules (for example, maths for engineering) are added on top.
University of Waikato: Waikato's country list accepts Nepal's Higher Secondary Certificate for direct bachelor's entry with a 75% average. It also accepts the older Proficiency Certificate with a GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0. Of the eight universities, Waikato's published Nepal rule is the clearest direct route after +2.
University of Canterbury (UC): UC International College (UCIC), on the UC campus, publishes Nepal entry for two pathways. Its Diploma in University Studies, which UC treats as equal to first year, needs a Higher Secondary Education Certificate with 60% or more. The Foundation programme accepts Year 11 with 50%. Science pathways need maths or calculus. Engineering needs maths or calculus, physics and chemistry. Direct entry to UC is assessed when you apply.
Lincoln University: Lincoln does not list Nepal for direct bachelor's entry. Its First-Year Pathway Diploma accepts NEB Grade XI and XII with a GPA of 2.8 out of 4 (B). Its Pathway Certificate (Foundation) accepts a GPA of 2.0 (C).
Massey University: Massey University College, Massey's pathway college at the Auckland (Albany) campus, accepts a Nepal Year 12 result of 55% (GPA 2.4) for its Diploma (Business). Its Foundation Certificate accepts Grade 11 with 50%. For direct entry, Massey publishes requirements by country on its international entry page, so check the current Nepal entry there.
AUT: For Nepal, AUT asks for one year of successful study towards an undergraduate degree at a recognised institution. A +2 alone is not listed for direct entry. Students usually come in through a recognised foundation or pathway.
University of Otago: Otago's Nepal rule is one year of successful study at a recognised university-level institution, or completion of the Otago Foundation Year or an equivalent. Otago also runs diplomas for students who narrowly miss entry. These can lead into the second year of some bachelor's degrees.
Victoria University of Wellington: For Nepal, Te Herenga Waka asks for completed secondary school plus one year of undergraduate study at a recognised institution (a minimum GPA may apply). The alternative is its Foundation Studies Programme or another recognised foundation. Its Nepal country page also says applications from Nepal are accepted through agents only, for both undergraduate and postgraduate study.
University of Auckland: Auckland's 2026 and 2027 lists of overseas school qualifications do not include a Nepal qualification. Applicants with a +2 should check the "Find a study option" country search for their programme and expect to be assessed individually or offered a foundation route.
What this means for you: If you have a strong +2 and want to start a bachelor's directly, Waikato is the clearest published option. If your result is lower, or you want AUT, Otago, Victoria or Auckland, plan for a foundation programme or a first-year diploma. These add time and cost, so include them in your budget and your visa plan. If you are comparing destinations, our guide to a bachelor's in Australia after +2 (NEB) from Nepal covers the same question for Australia.
Postgraduate entry is more straightforward. Most programmes want a recognised bachelor's degree in the same or a related field, and some also want work experience. Otago notes that postgraduate certificates and diplomas can usually be taken after any bachelor's. For a coursework master's, you need a bachelor's in a related field.
Example of a Nepal-specific rule: UC Business School says a recognised Nepal bachelor's degree with a GPA of 2.7 out of 4.0 (B-) meets the academic entry for its taught business master's. Two programmes ask for 3.0. AUT asks for a completed bachelor's in the same area.
Three-year degrees: New Zealand universities generally assess Nepali three-year and four-year bachelor's degrees programme by programme. If your degree or grades fall short of a master's, a Graduate Diploma or Postgraduate Diploma can be a stepping stone. Ask the university how it will assess your degree before you pay any deposit.
English requirements are similar across the eight universities, but the sub-scores matter.
Undergraduate: The usual standard is IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5. Auckland and Victoria both publish this. Victoria's PTE equivalent for Nepal is 50 overall, with no communicative skill below 42.
Postgraduate: The usual standard is IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0. Victoria's PTE equivalent is 58 with no skill below 50, and UC Business School asks for the same PTE score.
Pathway programmes: Pathway programmes accept lower scores. For example, Massey University College lists IELTS 5.5 for its Foundation and Diploma programmes. Some programmes, such as teaching, nursing and health, ask for more.
If you are deciding which test to take, our IELTS vs PTE guide explains the differences.
Most New Zealand universities run two main intakes: Semester 1, which starts around late February or March, and Semester 2, which starts around July. Victoria uses trimesters, and some programmes have extra or summer start dates.
Apply early: The University of Canterbury advises international students to apply about six months ahead: by 1 December for Semester 1 and by 1 May for Semester 2. For Nepali students, February or March is usually the safer start, because it leaves time for police and medical certificates, funds evidence and visa processing.
Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships: These are funded by the New Zealand Government, and Nepal is one of the eligible Asian countries. For Nepali citizens, the scholarships cover postgraduate study only: a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, master's or PhD. Successful scholars usually start in Semester 1 of the year after they apply. The programme says applications may close early for countries with many applicants, so prepare ahead and choose a subject on the recommended list for Nepal.
University scholarships: Each university runs its own international awards. For example, UC Business School says Nepali applicants with a recognised bachelor's and a GPA of 3.0 or above are eligible for its Dean's Award, valued at NZ$8,000. Amounts, deadlines and eligibility change each year, so check each university's scholarships page for the current round.
Once you have an offer, you apply for a Fee Paying Student Visa. For tertiary study of one year or more, Immigration New Zealand asks you to show NZD 20,000 for each year of study for living costs (or NZD 1,667 a month for shorter study). This is on top of your tuition and outward travel. We have not quoted tuition fees here because they vary widely by university and programme. Use the university's official fee page for your exact course.
For the full visa checklist, read our New Zealand student visa from Nepal guide. Working while you study is covered in our part-time work in New Zealand guide. The rules for staying on after graduation are in our New Zealand post-study work visa guide. If you plan to fund part of your study with a bank loan, our education loan in Nepal guide explains the documents banks ask for.
There are eight: Auckland, AUT, Waikato, Massey, Victoria University of Wellington, Canterbury, Lincoln and Otago. All are public universities.
At some universities, yes. Waikato publishes direct bachelor's entry for Nepal's Higher Secondary Certificate with a 75% average. AUT, Otago and Victoria ask Nepali applicants for one year of university study or a recognised foundation. Canterbury, Lincoln and Massey offer pathway diplomas for +2 students.
Usually IELTS Academic 6.0 (no band below 5.5) for a bachelor's degree and 6.5 (no band below 6.0) for postgraduate study. Victoria's PTE equivalents are 50 and 58. Some programmes ask for more.
Yes, for postgraduate study only (Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, master's or PhD). Undergraduate Manaaki scholarships are not offered to Nepal.
Most universities start in February or March (Semester 1) and in July (Semester 2). Semester 1 usually gives the most course choice and time for visa processing. Apply about six months ahead.
Immigration New Zealand asks for NZD 20,000 for each year of tertiary study for living costs, plus tuition and outward travel. Check the current figure on the INZ website before you apply.
Everest Global Education helps Nepali students compare New Zealand universities against their own +2 or bachelor's results. We check whether you qualify for direct entry or need a foundation or diploma first, and we help you choose an intake that leaves time for your visa. We also prepare your funds and visa documents and offer IELTS and PTE preparation. All advice is checked against each university's current rules and Immigration New Zealand guidance.
Kathmandu: Putalisadak, Opposite of MIT College
Pokhara: Pushpa Ratna Bhawan, Siddharthachowk-4, Pokhara 33700
Beni: New Road, Beni Bazar, Myagdi
Dhangadhi: Boradadi Road, Dhangadhi 10900
Janakpur: Girija Path, Murli Chowk, Janakpur
Perth (Australia): 102 James St, Northbridge WA 6003, Australia
Sydney (Australia): Level 1/483 Princes Highway, Rockdale NSW 2216, Australia
Share your transcripts, English score, preferred course and budget, and we will help you shortlist New Zealand universities that match your results and plan your entry route before you apply.
Submit an enquiry at https://everestglobaledu.com/enquiry and our team will contact you by phone or email.
Everest Global Education
Phone: +61 8 6157 0080
Email: info@everestglobal.com
Website: https://everestglobaledu.com/
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