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

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+

Food prices

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.

Further information for international students

Related info