A stone building with palm trees in Dunedin, New Zealand.

New Zealand Semester intakes in February and July; scholarship assessed with enrolment

Unitec International Excellence Scholarship

Unitec is Auckland's largest institute of technology, teaching applied degrees and diplomas in construction and the built environment, engineering technology, computing, business, nursing and social practice, healthcare and automotive and trades. International tuition of roughly NZD 24,000-28,000 a year sits below New Zealand university rates, and the excellence scholarship takes NZD 3,000-5,000 off that for new international enrolments. The honest framing matters here: Unitec awards applied qualifications, not research degrees, and it suits students whose goal is a practical, employable skill set in Auckland's construction, engineering and healthcare sectors rather than an academic pathway. Auckland is also New Zealand's most expensive city, so the tuition saving needs to be weighed against higher living costs than Christchurch or Hamilton.

Unitec Institute of Technology, Auckland

University-funded

emoji_events Award Overview

savings

Award

NZD 3,000-5,000 (~LKR 570,000-950,000)

school

Tuition

~NZD 24,000-28,000/yr

construction

Strengths

Construction, Engineering Tech, Computing, Health

fact_check Eligibility Criteria

public

New International Student

Open to new international enrolments in eligible programmes. Sri Lankan passport holders qualify; continuing students are generally not eligible.

school

Academic Merit

Sri Lankan A-Levels or an equivalent recognised qualification for degree-level entry. Applicants with relevant Sri Lankan diplomas or trade certificates should request a credit assessment, which can shorten the programme.

verified

Confirm Post-Study Work Eligibility

New Zealand's Post Study Work Visa rules depend on qualification level and, for sub-degree qualifications, on whether the field appears on the relevant occupation lists. Verify eligibility for your exact programme in writing before enrolling — do not assume a diploma qualifies.

translate

English Proficiency

IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5) for degree entry, lower for some diplomas. English-medium Sri Lankan A-Level study may support a waiver — confirm with Unitec admissions.

account_tree Application Process

Match the programme to your intended outcome

Decide first whether you intend to work in New Zealand after study, then check the NZQA level of the programme and its post-study work eligibility before committing.

Submit the enrolment application

Certified A-Level or equivalent results and transcripts
Passport copy
English proficiency evidence or Medium of Instruction letter
CV and any trade or diploma certificates for credit assessment

Scholarship assessment

The excellence scholarship is assessed with enrolment and stated in the offer of place. Confirm the exact award value in writing before paying tuition.

Student visa

Apply to Immigration New Zealand with the offer of place, tuition receipt, proof of NZD 20,000 in living funds for the year, and medical and police clearances. Allow six to ten weeks from Sri Lanka.

Budget for Auckland

Auckland accommodation and transport are the highest in New Zealand. Model living costs at NZD 22,000-26,000 a year rather than the NZD 20,000 visa minimum, and factor the 20-hours-a-week work rights that student visas permit.

Why Unitec?

Unitec Institute of Technology teaches around 17,000 students across its Mount Albert and Waitākere campuses in Auckland and is part of New Zealand's public vocational education network. Its programmes are built around applied practice and industry placement, with particularly established provision in construction, engineering technology and healthcare.