About the university
Te Kupenga – Catholic Theological College teaches theology in the Catholic tradition, with its campus in Ponsonby, Auckland, and offices in Wellington and Dunedin. Good Shepherd College's old website says the college merged with The Catholic Institute of Aotearoa New Zealand and now uses the Te Kupenga website. Its Bachelor of Divinity follows the University of Notre Dame Australia curriculum, run with the Catholic Institute of Sydney, and graduates receive a UNDA degree plus an NZQA-recognised qualification.
This is a specialist option, not a general study-abroad route. International students are accepted only if a diocese or religious institution sponsors them, they must study in New Zealand, and they may enrol only in the Bachelor of Divinity or the Graduate Diploma in Theology. The 2027 international fee is NZ$966.75 per full paper.
- Type
- Private Catholic theological college
- Auckland campus
- 40 Vermont Street, Ponsonby, Auckland
- Other offices
- Wellington (Mercy Centre) and Dunedin (NCRS)
- Programmes for international students
- Bachelor of Divinity and Graduate Diploma in Theology only
- International entry
- Must be sponsored by a diocese or religious institution
- International tuition 2027
- NZ$966.75 per full paper; NZ$482.75 per half paper
Rankings
Popular courses with Indian students
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- NZ$7,734
- Duration
- At least 360 credits; full-time students take 120 credits a year
- Intakes
- Two semesters a year; ask the college about start dates
- English
- IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each band
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- NZ$7,734
- Duration
- 1 year full-time (120 credits)
- Intakes
- Two semesters a year; ask the college about start dates
- English
- IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each band
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (NZD) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Divinity | At least 360 credits; full-time students take 120 credits a year | NZ$7,734 | ≈ ₹4.2 lakh |
| Graduate Diploma in Theology | 1 year full-time (120 credits) | NZ$7,734 | ≈ ₹4.2 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Te Kupenga – Catholic Theological College with similar universities in New Zealand.
Scholarships
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- International students must be sponsored by a diocese or religious institution.
- Bachelor of Divinity: University Entrance, or a recognised equivalent (ask the college how it treats an Indian Class 12 certificate).
- Study must take place in New Zealand, not from overseas, on a valid student or work visa.
Postgraduate
- Graduate Diploma in Theology: a degree-level qualification.
- International students must be sponsored by a diocese or religious institution.
Documents
- Passport (or birth certificate plus two passport-sized photos)
- Letter of sponsorship from a diocese or religious institution
- Certified copies of Class 12 or degree certificates and transcripts
- IELTS result
- Valid student or work visa; medical and travel insurance if on a student visa
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each band |
| Other tests | Not listed on the pages reviewed; ask the college |
| Class 12 English waiver | Not offered on the pages reviewed |
Accommodation and living costs
Te Kupenga does not list student accommodation on the pages reviewed. Ask your sponsoring diocese or religious institution, or the college's international student support person, about housing before you apply.
| Item | In NZD | Approx. in rupees |
|---|
Campus and location
The Auckland campus is in Vermont Street, Ponsonby. The college also has offices in Wellington and Dunedin and also offers distance study, though international students must study in New Zealand.
- Classes run in two semesters a year.
- Full-time students take 60 credits (four 15-credit papers) per semester.
- Some papers are worth 7.5 credits and run for half a semester.
- An international student support person advises applicants before they enrol.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Programmes prepare students for ministry, religious education and church roles, usually within the sponsoring diocese or order. The college publishes no graduate outcome figures on the pages reviewed. See our New Zealand guide for visa and work rules.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|
Studying in New Zealand
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in New Zealand. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
Can any Indian student apply?
No. International students must be sponsored by a diocese or religious institution, and can study only the Bachelor of Divinity or Graduate Diploma in Theology.
How much does it cost?
For 2027 the international fee is NZ$966.75 per full paper and NZ$482.75 per half paper. A full-time year of eight papers comes to about NZ$7,734.
What IELTS score do I need?
IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each band.
Sources
- Te Kupenga: home page (opens in a new tab)
- Te Kupenga: fees 2027 (opens in a new tab)
- Te Kupenga: religious sponsored international students (opens in a new tab)
- Te Kupenga: entry requirements (opens in a new tab)
- Te Kupenga: Bachelor of Divinity (opens in a new tab)
- Te Kupenga: Graduate Diploma in Theology (opens in a new tab)
- Te Kupenga: contact us (opens in a new tab)
- Good Shepherd College (former website) (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.tekupenga.ac.nz (opens in a new tab)
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