Cost of Living
Halls of Residence (Fully-Catered)
The example below is based on staying in College Hall (fully-catered). Find out the accommodation costs for all our Halls of Residence.
Basic weekly expenses
Halls of Residence accommodation | $430 |
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. |
$7.50 |
Transport This will vary on your transport choice. This cost is based upon owning a private vehicle. |
$40 |
Entertainment This will vary on what you decide to do for entertainment |
$50 |
Total weekly cost | $527.50 |
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. |
$750 |
Visa This will vary on your country of citizenship and visa type. |
$430 |
Total additional costs for international students | $1,180 + 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 in New Zealand Dollars.
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Flatting and private rental
Basic weekly expenses
Rent – based on sharing a house with flatmates 1 room house with other flatmates 1 bedroom unit/apartment 2 bedroom house 3 bedroom house |
$100.00 $90 -$150+ $160 – $300+ $250 – $450+ $370 – $650+ |
Single student Family |
$75+ $75+ per person |
Telephone/Internet This varies depending on your requirements. |
$10 |
Electricity/Gas This varies depending on your requirements. |
$25 |
Mobile phone This will vary if you're using pre-pay or contract and the amount you use your phone. |
$7.50 |
Transport This will vary on your transport choice. This is based upon owning a private vehicle. |
$40 |
Entertainment This will vary on what you decide to do for entertainment. |
$50 |
Total weekly cost | $307.50 |
Annual or one-off costs
Rental extra charges – based on sharing a house with flatmates Bond (usually 3 or 4 weeks rent) – refundable at the end of tenancy |
$415 $300 |
Student Services Levy This is based on a levy for full time study. |
$844.80 |
Textbooks, course readings and printing This will vary on your programme of study and how much printing you do. |
$1,000 |
University internet Free 2GB per month with the ability to purchase additional data from Lightwire. |
Included |
Parking Based on a one year semester concession. |
$350 |
Clothes and toiletries This will vary on the type of clothing and toiletries you purchase. |
$800 |
Total weekly cost |
$3,824.80 |
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. |
$750 |
Visa This will vary on your country of citizenship and visa type. |
$430 |
Total additional cost to international students | $1,180+ 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.
Homestay
Basic weekly expenses
Homestay accommodation Weekly board cost. |
$280 |
Food This includes breakfast, lunch, 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. |
$7.50 |
Transport This will vary on your transport choice. This is based upon using public transport. |
$25 |
Entertainment This will vary on what you decide to do for entertainment. |
$50 |
Total Weekly cost |
$355.50 |
Annual or one-off costs
Homestay Placement Fee Non-refundable. |
$350 |
Under 18 designated caregiver assessment Only applicable if you are under 18 and is non-refundable. |
$200 |
Student Services Levy This is based on a levy for full time study. |
$844.80 |
Textbooks, course readings and printing This will vary on your programme of study and how much printing you do. |
$1,000 |
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. |
$800 |
Total annual cost |
$3,164.80 |
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. |
$750 |
Visa This will vary on your country of citizenship and visa type. |
$430 |
Total additional costs for international students | $1,180+ 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.