Tourism Courses in New Zealand (NZ) for International Students

Are you dreaming of a career in the vibrant and ever-evolving tourism industry? Do you long to explore stunning landscapes and diverse cultures? Then studying tourism courses in New Zealand (NZ) as an international student might just be the perfect adventure for you. New Zealand, with its breathtaking scenery, rich Maori culture, and world-renowned adventure activities, offers an unparalleled backdrop for tourism studies. This blog will delve into all the details regarding the tourism courses in NZ, including the top universities, tuition fees, eligibility criteria, and career scope. Read on to learn more!

Discipline	Tourism
Levels Offered	UG, PG, Diploma, Certification, PhD
Course Duration	3-4 years (Bachelors)1-2 years (Masters)2-3 years (Diploma)1-2 years (Certificate)
Top Universities	Auckland University of Technology, University of Canterbury, University of Otago, The University of Waikato, Victoria University of Wellington
Admission Requirements	– High school diploma (or equivalent) – English language test scores (IELTS, TOEFL)- Personal statement – Letters of recommendation (optional)
English Language Requirements	– IELTS: 6.0 overall, with no sub-score below 5.5 – TOEFL: 90 overall, with no sub-score below 20
Tuition Fees	NZD 25,000 – 40,000 per year (Bachelor’s degrees) NZD 30,000 – 50,000 per year (Master’s degrees) NZD 15,000 – 30,000 per year (Certificates and diplomas)
Scholarships for International Students	Available
Career Scope	Tourism management, Event management, Hospitality Management, Adventure tourism, Sustainable tourism,  Marketing and sales

Why Study Tourism Courses in New Zealand?

Beyond the stunning natural beauty, the country boasts a thriving tourism industry, known for its innovation, sustainability, and commitment to cultural preservation. Tourism also happens to be New Zealand’s biggest export industry, employing 1 in 8 locals. The industry contributed NZD 16.2 billion to New Zealand’s GDP in 2019. This makes NZ a global leader in tourism education, providing students with access to cutting-edge knowledge, industry expertise, and real-world opportunities.

Top Universities Offering Tourism Courses in New Zealand

Here’s a list of all the institutes offering Tourism courses in New Zealand. These institutes are some of the top universities in the world and provide world-class, industry-oriented courses in the discipline:

University	QS World Ranking 2024
Auckland University of Technology	=407
University of Canterbury *	=256
University of Otago	206
The University of Waikato	250
Victoria University of Wellington	241
Eastern Institute of Technology	–
Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT)	–
Lincoln University	=362
Otago Polytechnic *	–
Southern Institute of Technology	–
Auckland Institute of Studies	–
Pacific International Hotel Management School Limited *	–

Let us explore the Tourism courses that these universities offer on various course levels, along with their annual tuition fees. 

Undergraduate Tourism Courses in New Zealand

University	Course	Tuition Fees
Auckland University of Technology	BA in Global Tourism Major	NZD 31,000 per year
University of Canterbury	BCom in Tourism Marketing and Management	NZD 33,950 per year
University of Otago	BA in Tourism, Languages and Cultures	NZD 35,529 per year
	BCom in Tourism	NZD 38,723 per year
The University of Waikato	Bachelor of Business in Tourism and Hospitality Management	NZD 34,695 per year
Lincoln University	BCom in Hotel and Tourism Management	NZD 31,500 per year
	Bachelor of Tourism Management
	Bachelor of Tourism Management (Hons)
Otago Polytechnic	Bachelor of Applied Management (with Majors in Tourism Management)	NZD 25,000 per year
Pacific International Hotel Management School Limited	Bachelor of Applied Hospitality and Tourism Management	NZD 16,960 per year

Postgraduate Tourism Courses in New Zealand

University	Course	Tuition Fees
Auckland University of Technology	Master of International Management Tourism	NZD 36,500 per year
	MPhil in Hospitality, Tourism and Events	NZD 39,900 per year
University of Otago	MCom in Tourism	NZD 37,303 per year
	Master of Tourism (MTour)	NZD 55,956 per year
The University of Waikato	Master of Management Studies (MMS) (Tourism Management)	NZD 36,130 per year
	MPhil in Tourism Management	NZD 36,995 per year
Lincoln University	Master of Applied Science – Parks, Recreation and Tourism	NZD 36,000 per year
	Master of Tourism Management	NZD 32,000 per year

Doctorate Tourism Courses in New Zealand

University	Course	Tuition Fees
Auckland University of Technology	PhD in Hospitality, Tourism and Events	NZD 40,600 per year
The University of Waikato	PhD in Tourism Management	NZD 6,940 per year
Lincoln University	PhD (Tourism, Sport and Society)	NZD 8,076 per year

Tourism Courses in New Zealand: Diploma, PG Diploma, and Certification Courses

University	Course	Tuition Fees
Auckland University of Technology	PG Certificate in International Tourism Management	NZD 18,200 per year
	PG Diploma in International Tourism Management	NZD 36,500 per year
University of Otago	DipGrad in Tourism	NZD 38,723 per year
	PGDipCom in Tourism	NZD 37,303 per year
	Postgraduate Diploma in Travel Medicine (PGDipTravMed)	NZD 47,556 per year
The University of Waikato	Graduate Certificate (GradCert) in Tourism and Hospitality Management	NZD 17,345 per year
	Graduate Diploma (GradDip) in Tourism and Hospitality Management	NZD 34,690 per year
	Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Tourism and Hospitality Management	NZD 18,065 per year
	Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Tourism and Hospitality Management	NZD 36,130 per year
Victoria University of Wellington	GDipCom with Majors in Tourism Management	NZD 33,750 per year
Eastern Institute of Technology	Tourism Opportunities – New Zealand Certificate in Tourism (Levels 3 and 4) / New Zealand Diploma in Tourism and Travel (Level 5)	NZD 25,000 per year
Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT)	New Zealand Certificate in Adventure Tourism and Guiding (Level 4)	NZD 25,000 per year
	New Zealand Diploma in Adventure Tourism and Guiding (Level 5)
Lincoln University	GradCert in Tourism Management	NZD 15,750 per year
	GradDip in Tourism Management	NZD 31,500 per year
	PGCert in Parks, Recreation and Tourism	NZD 16,000 per year
	PG Diploma in Parks, Recreation and Tourism	NZD 32,000 per year
Southern Institute of Technology	New Zealand Certificate in Tourism (Level 3) with Strands in Visitor Experience, Tourism and Travel	NZD 9,800 per year
	New Zealand Certificate in Travel (Level 4)
	New Zealand Diploma in Tourism and Travel (Level 5)	NZD 14,300 per year
	New Zealand Diploma in Tourism and Travel (Level 6)
	New Zealand Diploma in Tourism and Travel (Southern Experience) (Level 5)
		NZD 36,500 per year
Auckland Institute of Studies	New Zealand Diploma in Tourism and Travel (Level 5)	NZD 20,480 per year

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for tourism courses in NZ for international students vary depending on the specific program, level of study, and institution. However, some general requirements are commonly applied:

Basic Requirements

• Age: Be at least 18 years old on the first day of your course.
• Academic Background: 

• Undergraduate Programs – Completed four years of secondary school or equivalent qualification (e.g., NCEA Level 3, High School Diploma).
• Master’s Programs – Completed a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as tourism, hospitality, or business, with a good academic standing (e.g., B grade average or higher).

• English Language Proficiency:

• IELTS: Overall score of 6.0-6.5 with no band lower than 5.5-6.0.
• TOEFL (IBT): Overall score of 90-100 with no section score below 20-25.
• PTE Academic: Overall score of 58-65 with no communicative skill score below 50-58.
• NZQA Equivalent: Pass an approved English language test recognized by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

Other Requirements:

• Passport
• Financial Statements
• Visa

Additional Requirements:

Some institutions or programs may have additional requirements, such as:

• Portfolio
• Letters of Recommendation
• Interview

Note: It’s essential to check the specific admission requirements for the tourism program you’re interested in, as some programs may have additional requirements or different English language proficiency standards.

Scholarships Available

Many scholarships are available for international students to pursue Tourism courses in New Zealand. They are mostly sponsored by the NZ Government, universities that offer the courses, and the tourism industry itself. Some of them are as follows:

1. New Zealand Excellence Awards: Up to NZD 10,000 per year
2. NZ Aid Scholarships: Provides funding for students from developing countries to study in New Zealand.
3. University of Auckland International Student Scholarships: Up to NZD 10,000 per year
4. Victoria University of Wellington International Scholarships: Up to NZD 15,000 per year
5. Lincoln University International Merit Scholarships: Up to NZD 10,000 per year. These scholarships are given to high-achieving international students based on academic merit.
6. Tourism Industry Association of New Zealand (TIA) Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded to students who are passionate about the tourism industry and who demonstrate academic excellence.
7. Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded to students from Pacific Island countries who are pursuing studies in tourism. 
8. UNWTO TedQual Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded to students who are studying tourism at a UNWTO TedQual-accredited institution. 

Note: In addition to these scholarships, many universities and institutions offer their own internal scholarships and bursaries for international students. It is important to check with the individual institution you are interested in to see what scholarships they offer.

FAQs

We hope that this blog gave you a complete overview of the Tourism courses in New Zealand. To discover more courses to study abroad, subscribe to Leverage Edu now. You can also contact us at 1800572000 for a free 30-minute counselling session to make your dream of overseas education a reality. Thank you for reading!