International PhD students

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is an advanced degree that requires students to prepare a substantial thesis of 100,000 words representing original research into an approved topic, to be assessed by examiners appointed by the University Senate. The doctorate is directed by an appointed supervisor and an academic committee and usually takes four to five years of full-time research.

At NICAI, the PhD is offered in all disciplines:
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – Architecture
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – Planning
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – Urban Design
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – Dance Studies
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – Fine Arts
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) – Music

We also offer three named doctorates, which require an exhibition of artistic/creative/performance excellence, supported by a related written discourse:
Doctor of Fine Arts (DocFA)
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)
Doctor of Music (DMus)

In addition, you can now incorporate creative practice into your PhD, such as fine art, design, performance or film. A creative practice PhD differs from a standard PhD in that it allows new cultural and artistic knowledge to be embodied or expressed through media other than text, along with a rigorous scholarly analysis of the significance of this knowledge in a 60,000 word thesis.

The University of Auckland offers an extremely affordable tuition fee for its international PhD students. Since 2006, new international PhD students pay the same annual tuition fee as a New Zealand PhD student due to the New Zealand Government scheme. The 2011 fee is NZ$5560 per annum or US$4333* per annum.
*Exchange rate as at June 2011: $1.00 NZD = 0.827250 USD
Check current exchange rates

To be eligible, you must live in New Zealand for the duration of your doctoral studies. However, you may undertake research activities overseas during this time, for a cumulative total of no more than 12 months.


• Dependent children of international PhD students will be classified as domestic students in New Zealand primary and secondary schools – no tuition fees are required, except for a small yearly donation.
• On completion of the PhD, students can apply for a twelve-month open work permit through New Zealand Immigration. If they are able to find a suitable job in their chosen field, they can then apply for a two-year work permit. During that two-year work permit time, they are then eligible to apply for Permanent Residency under the Skilled Migrant category, provided that they meet the points requirement set out by Immigration.
• The spouse/partner of an international PhD student is eligible for an open work permit valid for the duration of the spouse's/partner's course of study.
• International PhD students are eligible to work part time for 20 hours per week for the duration of the course of study.

For updates see Immigration New Zealand

Acceptance into a PhD is based on academic merit, but you must also demonstrate a proven ability to carry out research independently, and possess a high level of critical research skill and theoretical understanding.

Normally, admission to doctoral study requires a first class honours or second class honours first division bachelors degree; or a masters degree with first class honours or second class honours first division standard; or comparable qualifications. Acceptance is also subject to the availability of staff for supervision, and appropriate facilities.

If English is not your first language, you will need to supply evidence of your proficiency in the English language.
More detail on English language requirements

Below are some useful links that will provide information on protocols and processes for international students at The University of Auckland, doctoral study at NICAI, how to apply for a doctorate at NICAI, and how to apply for a scholarship.

General information for international students
How to apply for a doctorate
How to apply for a University of Auckland scholarship
How to apply for a New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarship (NZIDRS)