PhD in New Zealand for International Students

A PhD, or Doctor of Philosophy, is the highest academic degree for a person following a course of study and research. If you are pursuing it in New Zealand, you will be eligible to get admission to high-ranked universities. Another benefit that adds to the list of perks is that you don’t have to pay fees more than domestic students, you will get a post-study work visa, and you will have unlimited work hours. For Indian students who want to pursue a PhD in New Zealand, we have gathered reliable information from trusted sources in order to give you knowledge of the best universities that offer this course and other important information.

This article has all the information one needs to know while looking at the PhD courses in New Zealand, from duration of the courses, eligibility criteria to fees. It covers everything that Indian students may want to know when they are finding the best PhD courses in New Zealand. West Highlander is here to help you out with all the queries you might have about studying in New Zealand.

In this article

  • English language requirement for PhD programs in New Zealand
  • Duration of PhD programs in New Zealand
  • PhD courses at the University of Waikato
  • PhD courses at the University of Otago
  • PhD courses at the University of Auckland
  • PhD courses at the Massey University
  • PhD courses at the University of Canterbury
  • PhD courses at the Lincoln University
  • PhD courses at Victoria University of Wellington

Here is a list of universities that offer PhD in New Zealand for International students

The University of Waikato is a renowned university that awards PhDs when they are carried out under the supervision of two staff members, and they can also be presented as a PhD with publication or a PhD with a Creative Practice Component. The degree is 3-years-long in Hamilton and Tauranga. There is no coursework for this degree. The estimated fees for this degree are between NZ$6,615 and NZ$7,024 for international students, but New Zealand-resident international PhD students pay the domestic fee. The subjects in which you can pursue a PhD are Theatre Studies, Tourism Management, Spanish, Statistics, Mathematics, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Geography, Japanese, Education, Electronics, Economics, and many more.

The university asks for proof of proficiency in English. Indian students who want to pursue this degree from a PhD should score between 6.5 and 7.0 overall in IELTS. This is the highest academic degree the university offers and gives you the opportunity to study the area more deeply and passionately. The degree will work to give you advanced skills in research, problem solving, and writing. After the completion of this degree, you will have the opportunity to work not only in academia but also in other fields like community organisations, research institutes, government, and consulting. You will need to complete a thesis under the supervision of two supervisors and complete an oral examination. Your work should be significant and authentic and provide for the community.

The University of Otago awards PhD degree to international students when they submit their thesis as per the requirements of the university. The university offers PhDs to international students who show outstanding performance in their academia. The selection of a student is done with the approval of the Senate. The students who get enrolled in the PhD program will complete their PhD under the supervision of current students. The time period of the degree is equivalent to 3 years. The candidate must be the holder of a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

The University of Auckland offers a full-time PhD of 3 to 4 years and a part-time PhD of 6 to 8 years, but as you are an international student, you must be enrolled in a full-time PhD study. It is a globally recognized postgraduate research program available in over 100 different subjects. The research done by the candidates will be independent and authentic and will be supervised by the research leader and academic experts. The program will help you develop your professional, personal, and academic skills. Our candidates will be able to make networks and connections with a lot of research academics while presenting their work at local and international conferences.

To get enrolled in this degree, you will have to develop a full-time thesis program. As a student pursuing a doctoral degree, you will have access to workshops and resources that are designed to help you achieve success in your research and develop skills for the future.

Massey University offers this prestigious research qualification that will improve your ability to create independent research in your chosen field. The degree is open to international students to pursue on campus. You are perfect for the degree if you want a research career in academia or industry, are passionate about your field, and wish to become an expert in your chosen field. The candidate must have a Master’s degree in the chosen field and must have independent research experience to show the Doctor Research Committee that you have the skills required to complete this course.

The other requirement to get admission in this course is that it asks for an IELTS score of 6.5 (overall) with no band less than 6 or a minimum TOEFL score of 90 overall. These two tests will be valid for two years. A lot of documents will be required to get admission in this particular course, including transcripts of all your qualifications, grading certificates, curriculum vitae, English language test results, any references to the publications you have, etc.

The University of Canterbury is another university that offers PhDs to international students. This university offers a research-only degree carried out under the supervision of experts in the best academic facilities. You can choose from more than 70 study fields, and students from more than 60 nations study here at this university.

A PhD program involves authentic and sustainable research in the chosen subject. The course will help you for a number of careers in academia. The university accepts the IELTS and TOEFL exams as proof of proficiency in the English language. The university offers PhDs in subject areas like Anthropology, Health sciences, Law, Linguistics, Astronomy, Audiology, Japanese, Journalism, Biotechnology, Cinema Studies, Mathematics, Chinese, English, Environmental Studies, Geography, Audiology, Human-Animal Studies, Media and communication, and many more.

Lincoln University is another university that offers a PhD for international students. The course offers opportunities to challenge yourself with new ideas for problem-solving, innovative ideas, and absorbing research. If English is not your first language, the university asks for proof of your English language proficiency. It accepts an IELTS score of 6.5 bands and a TOEFL score of 80, which is also an overall score. It is a 3-year full-time course at the New Zealand campus.

Victoria University of Wellington is another university that offers a PhD program for international students that involves 9 trimesters over three years and will help you make a difference in the world. The university also offers various scholarships, including the Wellington Doctoral Scholarship, the Guaranteed Scholarship, and some other scholarships. The eligibility criteria for getting admission in this field include a postgraduate degree in the required field. To complete a degree like this, you will need self-directed study, self-discipline, dedication, and intellectual effort. The course consists of 360 points, and the estimated fees for 120 points is NZ$8,700.