Lincoln University New Zealand: The World’s Leading Agriculture & Environment University

• 407th: QS World University Rankings 2026
• 501–600: Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026
• Top 150 globally: Agriculture and Forestry (QS Subject Rankings)
• 53rd globally: International Students (QS 2026)
• 55th globally: International Faculty (QS 2026)
• 101–200 globally: THE University Impact Rankings 2025
• 1st in New Zealand: Graduate employment rate (82% of graduates employed)
• QS Five-Star Rating: Teaching, Research, Facilities, Employability, Global Engagement

Academic Requirements

Undergraduate: High school qualification equivalent to NZ NCEA Level 3. For Indian students: minimum 75% in Class 12 with English as a subject.

Postgraduate: Relevant bachelor’s degree with a B average or better in final-year courses.

PhD: Master’s degree or equivalent; research proposal; confirmed supervisor. International PhD students based in NZ pay domestic fees, one of the best PhD deals in the English-speaking world.

Language Requirements

Undergraduate:

• IELTS:0 (no band below 5.5)
• TOEFL iBT: 80
• PTE Academic: 50

Postgraduate:

• IELTS:5 (no band below 6.0)
• TOEFL iBT: 79
• PTE Academic: 58

Foundation / EAP:

• IELTS:5 (no band below 5.0)
• TOEFL iBT: –
• PTE Academic: –

NOTE: If you do not meet the English requirement, Lincoln’s own English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programme can get you there. Complete at least 12 weeks of EAP, and you may receive a tuition fee rebate when you enrol in your academic programme, essentially saving money on your language preparation.

Documents Required

• Certified academic transcripts and certificates
• Valid passport copy
• English language test results (IELTS / TOEFL / PTE)
• Personal statement or motivation letter
• CV / Resume (postgraduate applicants)
• Research proposal and supervisor confirmation (PhD only)

Intakes & Deadlines

AUT has two main intakes per year:

• Intake: Semester 1
  Semester start: Late February
  Apply By: Late November (prior year)
• Intake: Semester 2
  Semester start: Late July
  Apply By: Late May
• Intake: Summer School
  Semester start: November
  Apply By: October

NOTE: Lincoln’s application fee is only NZD 20 (₹1,100 approx.), one of the lowest in New Zealand. Apply early. Lincoln recommends submitting your application as soon as possible after confirming your programme choice.

How to Apply

1. Create an account at mylinc.nz,  Lincoln’s student application portal
2. Choose your programme and confirm entry requirements
3. Prepare your documents and submit your online application with a NZD 20 fee
4. Receive your conditional or unconditional offer
5. Accept your offer and arrange tuition fee payment
6. Apply for your New Zealand Student Visa using your Offer of Place
7. Arrange accommodation through mylinc.nz as early as possible

Tuition Fees:

• Undergraduate (most programmes): NZD 31,000 – 35,000 (₹17L – ₹19.3L)
• Postgraduate taught master’s: NZD 34,500 – 45,000 (₹19L – ₹24.8L)
• Postgraduate research master’s: Domestic rate approx. NZD 7,500–9,000/year (₹4.1L – ₹5L/year)

NOTE: Lincoln’s tuition fees are notably lower, making it one of the most affordable specialist universities in New Zealand for international students. PhD students living in New Zealand pay domestic-level fees, making Lincoln an exceptional research destination.

Living Costs in Auckland:

Lincoln’s campus is in the quiet township of Lincoln, 20 km from Christchurch, one of the most affordable cities in New Zealand for students. Total Estimated Living Cost is NZD 15,000 – 22,000 (₹8.25L – ₹12.1L)

NOTE: Immigration New Zealand requires student visa applicants to show proof of NZD 20,000 per year (₹11L approx.) for living expenses separate from tuition fees. Lincoln’s smaller campus town lifestyle means your actual day-to-day costs are typically lower than in Auckland or Wellington.

Scholarships for International Students:

International School Leavers Scholarship

• NZD 10,000
• High-achieving school leavers entering a bachelor’s degree

Undergraduate Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship

• NZD 5,000
• New international students starting a bachelor’s programme

International Undergraduate Scholarship

• NZD 3,000
• New international undergraduates meeting academic/English criteria

International Pathway Merit Scholarship

• NZD 2,500
• Students entering the Pathway Certificate or First Year Pathway Diploma

International Postgraduate Taught Master’s Scholarship

• NZD 7,000 – 10,000
• Students enrolling in a 180-credit taught master’s programme

EAP Fee Rebate

• Up to 12 weeks’ EAP tuition
• Students who complete 12+ weeks of English for Academic Purposes and proceed to a degree

Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship (NZ Govt)

• Full funding (tuition + living)
• Students from eligible developing countries awarded by the NZ Government

NOTE for Indian Students: The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship is open to eligible developing-country nationals, including Indian students and covers full tuition plus a living allowance. This is a government-funded scholarship administered by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). If you have a strong academic profile, this is worth researching before you apply. Deadlines and eligibility are available at mfat.govt.nz.

To study at Lincoln University, you need a Fee-Paying Student Visa from Immigration New Zealand (INZ), valid for the full duration of your studies.

Documents Required

• Official Offer of Place from Lincoln University
• Valid passport
• Proof of financial funds NZD 20,000/year for living expenses, plus tuition fees
• English language test results
• Academic transcripts
• Return airfare or proof of funds to purchase one
• Medical certificate (INZ-approved physician)
• Police clearance certificate (for most applicants over 17)
• Health insurance (mandatory for the duration of your stay)

Key Costs & Requirements

• Required Minimum Living Expenses: NZD 20,000 per year (₹11L approx.) as per the official requirements of Immigration New Zealand
• Cost of Applying for a Visa: Approximately NZD 375-430 (₹20,600-23,650 approx.) for online visa application forms
• Health Insurance: Compulsory throughout the period of your stay and usually NZD 600-1,200 per year
• Processing Timeframe: Usually 10-30 days; apply three months before the date you plan to commence your studies
• Part-Time Employment: Allowed up to 25 hours per week

How to Apply for Your Visa?

1. Receive your Offer of Place / Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from Lincoln
2. Arrange mandatory health insurance
3. Gather all required documents, including medical and police certificates
4. Apply online via the Immigration Online (ADEPT) portal at immigration.govt.nz
5. Pay the visa application fee
6. Submit biometrics at a VFS centre if required
7. Receive your eVisa decision – then book your travel

NOTE for Indian Students: Immigration NZ operates a Funds Transfer Scheme (FTS) via ANZ Bank for Indian students to transfer and hold living-cost funds in New Zealand. This is the preferred and most accepted financial proof method for Indian applicants. Ask Lincoln’s international office for guidance when applying.

Post-Study Work Visa

After graduation, you may be eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa (up to 3 years), giving you time to work full-time in New Zealand and explore residency pathways.

Lincoln’s 58 hectares of land in Canterbury are among the most unique in New Zealand, as it is set in an environment surrounded by countryside, mountains, and wide-open spaces, and is located within a 20-minute drive of Christchurch. It is small and compact, and its welcoming atmosphere comes across in everything the university offers.

In terms of accommodation on the university grounds, six hall facilities accommodate about 600 students, with a choice of accommodation from all the way to full catering to a self-catering variety. There are also 24-hour computer labs, a sports and recreational centre, tennis courts, a golf driving range, and the George Forbes Memorial Library. The Lincoln University Students’ Association (LUSA), which was founded in 1919, offers various clubs and social events. Within reach of the campus, Christchurch, New Zealand’s second largest city, and a growing centre for research and sustainable development, offers a variety of amenities and is in very close proximity to the Southern Alps and the beach.

Graduates from Lincoln University are employed in some of the best sectors not only in New Zealand but also globally. Some of these sectors include agriculture, agribusiness, environmental sciences, food science, landscape architecture, and tourism, among others. New Zealand’s economy is heavily driven by agriculture and primary industries, making it one of the most significant sources of employment in the country.

Lincoln is ranked 1st in New Zealand for Graduate Employment. 82% Graduates employed after completing their studies. Lincoln University maintains excellent industry links through organisations such as Lincoln Agritech, the Bio-Protection Research Centre, and a large number of agricultural businesses, ensuring that graduates have experience with research projects, placement programs, and networking opportunities before graduation. International graduates may apply for the Post Study Work visa for up to three years.

Applying to a university in a new country, navigating entry requirements, English tests, scholarship deadlines, and visa paperwork is a lot to manage on your own.

My Study offers a global education platform that supports students at every stage of their journey, from choosing the right programme to securing scholarships, completing applications, and successfully obtaining a New Zealand student visa.

1. What is Lincoln University best known for?

Lincoln is New Zealand’s specialist land-based university, the oldest agricultural teaching institution in the Southern Hemisphere. It is globally recognised for agriculture, environmental science, agribusiness, food science, viticulture, landscape architecture, and tourism. If these fields align with your goals, Lincoln is one of the best universities in the world for them.

2. How much are tuition fees at Lincoln for international students?

Undergraduate fees are approximately NZD 31,000–35,000 per year (₹17L–19.3L). Postgraduate taught master’s fees range from NZD 34,500–45,000 (₹19L–24.8L). PhD students based in New Zealand pay domestic-level fees of approximately NZD 7,500–9,000 per year (₹4.1L–5L), one of the most affordable PhD options in the English-speaking world.

3. What English test score does Lincoln University require?

For undergraduate programmes: IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5. For postgraduate programmes: IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0. TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic are also accepted. If you fall short, Lincoln’s own English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programme is a direct pathway into your degree.

4. Are there scholarships for Indian students at Lincoln University?

Yes. The International School Leavers Scholarship (NZD 10,000), Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship (NZD 5,000), and International Undergraduate Scholarship (NZD 3,000) are all available to new international students, including Indians. For postgraduate students, the Taught Master’s Scholarship offers NZD 7,000–10,000. The New Zealand Government’s Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship also provides full funding for eligible developing-country nationals.

5. What living costs should I expect in Lincoln, New Zealand?

Living in Lincoln is more affordable than in Auckland or Wellington. Expect to spend approximately NZD 15,000–22,000 per year (₹8.25L–12.1L) covering accommodation, food, transport, insurance, and personal expenses. Note that Immigration NZ requires you to show proof of NZD 20,000 per year in living funds when applying for your student visa.