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About New Zealand
Geographically isolated from the rest of the world, New Zealand has a rich culture influenced by Maori, European, and Pacifica influences and pride in its clean, green environment. New Zealand also provides educational opportunities for students interested in the arts. Here are the top art schools in New Zealand.
Why study in New Zealand?
Here’s why you must study arts in New Zealand
Exceptional education
The QS World Rankings include every university in New Zealand. Universities in New Zealand are also internationally diverse, with over 30,000 international students studying across the country in 2018. Indeed, 20% of Victoria University of Wellington students are international students.
Then there’s the global student support network. Given the financial value that international students bring to New Zealand’s universities, they’ve built a strong and caring student welfare system to make the student experience as seamless and hassle-free as possible.
Affordable fees and scholarships
Then there’s the global student support network. Given the financial value that international students bring to New Zealand’s universities, they’ve built a strong and caring student welfare system to make the student experience as seamless and hassle-free as possible.
Natural beauty

Regarding natural beauty, New Zealand is one of the world’s most celebrated countries. Because of the dramatic open spaces and rugged countryside, it was used as a filming location for the Lord of the Rings movie series. It’s a great place to live a healthy, active lifestyle.
Culture
New Zealand has a rich cultural heritage, a crossroads of British-influenced Western ways and indigenous Mori culture, with its language and mythology. Mori culture is frequently represented in arts, crafts, and other forms in New Zealand today.
Best fine arts schools in New Zealand
Take a look at the best fine arts schools in New Zealand
The University of Auckland
The University of Auckland is a public university founded in 1883. It’s a sizeable research-driven university with a focus on innovation and diversity. The degrees that students earn are recognizable around the world. The graduates are highly employable. The college offers scholarships and awards for international students who need financial assistance.
Courses
- Bachelor of Visual Arts
- Graduate Certificate in Arts
- Graduate Diploma in Arts
- Master of Philosophy in Art and Design
- Master of Visual Arts
- Doctor of Philosophy in Art and Design
- Postgraduate Certificate in Arts
- Postgraduate Diploma in Arts
University of Otago
The University of Otago, established in 1869, is New Zealand’s first university. The university has an outstanding international reputation for research and teaching.
Students can choose from over 200 undergraduate and postgraduate study options in health science, business, science, and humanities.
There are 21,000 students, including international students from over 100 countries. Otago University is one of the top research universities in the Asia-Pacific region, with world-class teaching and a team of expert and widely experienced faculty members.
Courses
- Bachelor of Arts (Art History and Visual Culture)
- Foundation Year (Arts)
- Master of Arts (Art History and Visual Culture)
- Master of Fine Arts
- Doctor of Philosophy in Arts
- Postgraduate Diploma in Arts
University of Wellington

Victoria University of Wellington has emerged as one of New Zealand’s best colleges due to its commitment to research and innovation. You can find it in New Zealand’s capital city, with state-of-the-art facilities. For art enthusiasts, the college offers a variety of courses.
Because of the university’s central location, students have access to various national organizations, including those in politics, government, culture and heritage, the arts and filmmaking industries, and the business and scientific communities.
Courses
- Animation and Visual Arts
- Art History
- Design for Social Innovation
- Design Technology
- Fashion Design and Technology
- Industrial Design
- Interactive Design
- Media Design
- User Experience Design
- Architecture
University of Canterbury
The University of Canterbury is a public university founded in 1873. It ranks among the top 1% of universities in the world. It has more than 13,450 students, including 2,168 international students from over 100 countries. Canterbury University has a long academic excellence, research, and innovation tradition. The college provides diverse courses in a variety of specializations. However, only a few are associated with art and design.
Courses
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Painting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Sculpture)
- Master of Fine Arts (Painting)
- Master of Fine Arts (Sculpture)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Art Curatorship
- Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Arts
Massey University
Massey University is a public university founded in 1972. It is one of the country’s premier institutes and is ranked the fifth-best global university in New Zealand. It has a 91% graduation rate. Every year, around 5,000 international students from all over the world attend Massey University. It is very proud of its long history and academic standing.
Massey University provides a variety of student support services. Each campus assists international students. The Academic Advice team at Massey University helps students select the best programs for their careers and make informed decisions.
Courses
- Animation
- Art and Photography
- Visual Communication Design
- Web
- Game and Interactive Design
- Fashion and Textile Design
- Sand partial and Industrial Design
Key takeaways
- New Zealand’s natural beauty and rich culture are why students prefer to study in this country.
- All universities in New Zealand take top ranks in QS World Rankings.
- The country welcomes over 30,000 international students from all over the globe.
- Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master’s of Fine Arts, Visual Arts, and Fashion Design and Technology are among the courses offered by the best fine arts schools in New Zealand.
Did you find this blog helpful? Do share your thoughts and perspectives in the comments section below. For more information on the top art schools in New Zealand, please contact us by clicking here. We would be happy to assist you with your queries.
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FAQs
Q1. Is it cheaper to study in New Zealand or Australia?
Answer- You can determine the cost of living by the length of the course and the university to which you apply. However, if you’re wondering whether Australia or New Zealand is a better place to study in terms of cost, New Zealand is a better option.
Q2. How much do artists make in NZ?
Answer- In New Zealand, the average artist’s salary is $51,773 per year or $26.55 per hour. Entry-level salaries begin at $40,950 per year, with the most experienced workers earning up to $85,800 per year.
Q3. Is New Zealand worth studying?
Answer- International students can find the course of their choice and explore different areas of research based on their interests at these universities. New Zealand also provides students with a safe and secure environment. Aside from that, the government here looks after international students and their well-being.