About the university
Whitireia and WelTec is a public institute of technology in the Wellington region, formed from two long-standing polytechnics: WelTec, whose history goes back to 1904, and Whitireia, named after the Whitireia mountain at Titahi Bay. It teaches over 8,000 learners a year from certificates to master's degrees.
It is a practical, job-focused institution. Information technology, business and management, engineering and construction, and design are taught mainly at the Petone campus in Lower Hutt; nursing and paramedicine are based at the Porirua campus. Classes are smaller than at a university and much of the teaching is project-based.
Indian students mostly look at the Master of Information Technology, the Master of Management and the one-year postgraduate diplomas, which start in March and July. The 18-month master's costs NZ$40,500 in total for 2027, and a one-off NZ$3,000 study grant is available to eligible international students.
The institute is going through a change of status: it currently sits within the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST) and becomes a standalone legal entity on 1 January 2027. Wellington, the capital, is a compact harbour city with a strong public-sector, tech and film industry; Petone and Porirua are a short train ride from the city centre.
- Origins
- WelTec dates to 1904, making it one of New Zealand's oldest tertiary institutions; together the two institutes have over 100 years of vocational teaching
- Type
- Public institute of technology; operating within NZIST until it becomes a single standalone legal entity on 1 January 2027
- Learners
- Over 8,000 a year
- Campuses
- Te Awakairangi Campus (Petone), Whitireia Campus (Porirua) and the Wellington Regional School of Construction
- Intakes
- Late February or March and July for most programmes; February only for engineering, nursing and paramedic degrees
Rankings
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
Master of Information Technology
- Fee / year
- NZ$27,000
- Duration
- 18 months full time (180 credits), Petone campus
- Intakes
- March; July
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0, or equivalent
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- NZ$27,000
- Duration
- 18 months full time (180 credits); specialisations in Marketing, Information Systems, Digital Business, Finance and Hospitality
- Intakes
- March; July
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5, or equivalent
- Postgraduate
Postgraduate Diploma in Information Technology
- Fee / year
- NZ$29,000
- Duration
- 1 year full time (120 credits)
- Intakes
- March; July
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0, or equivalent
- Postgraduate
Postgraduate Diploma in Management
- Fee / year
- NZ$29,000
- Duration
- 1 year full time
- Intakes
- March; July
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5, or equivalent
- Postgraduate
Graduate Diploma in Information Technology
- Fee / year
- NZ$28,500
- Duration
- 1 year full time
- Intakes
- March; July
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.0, or equivalent
- Postgraduate
Master of Professional Practice (Leadership)
- Fee / year
- NZ$27,000
- Duration
- 18 months full time (180 credits)
- Intakes
- March; July
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5, or equivalent
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- NZ$27,000
- Duration
- 18 months full time (180 credits)
- Intakes
- March; July
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.5, or equivalent
- Undergraduate
Bachelor of Information Technology
- Fee / year
- NZ$28,500
- Duration
- 3 years full time (360 credits), Petone campus
- Intakes
- March; July
- English
- IELTS Academic 6.0 with no band below 5.5, or equivalent
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (NZD) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Information Technology | 18 months full time (180 credits), Petone campus | NZ$27,000 | ≈ ₹14.6 lakh |
| Master of Management | 18 months full time (180 credits); specialisations in Marketing, Information Systems, Digital Business, Finance and Hospitality | NZ$27,000 | ≈ ₹14.6 lakh |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Information Technology | 1 year full time (120 credits) | NZ$29,000 | ≈ ₹15.7 lakh |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Management | 1 year full time | NZ$29,000 | ≈ ₹15.7 lakh |
| Graduate Diploma in Information Technology | 1 year full time | NZ$28,500 | ≈ ₹15.4 lakh |
| Master of Professional Practice (Leadership) | 18 months full time (180 credits) | NZ$27,000 | ≈ ₹14.6 lakh |
| Master of Design | 18 months full time (180 credits) | NZ$27,000 | ≈ ₹14.6 lakh |
| Bachelor of Information Technology | 3 years full time (360 credits), Petone campus | NZ$28,500 | ≈ ₹15.4 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 Whitireia and WelTec with similar universities in New Zealand.
Scholarships
- UG and PG
Whitireia and WelTec International Study Grant 2027
Value: One-off NZ$3,000
Eligibility: Eligible international students enrolling in 12 months of full-time study (120 credits); subject to the institute's terms. Ask international@wandw.ac.nz about eligibility.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Bachelor's degrees and diplomas need a completed Class 12. Whitireia and WelTec checks school results against its own country equivalence list and does not state an Indian percentage online, so confirm your marks with the international team.
- Meet the programme's IELTS (or equivalent) requirement; nursing and paramedic degrees ask for 6.5 in every band.
- Some pathway entries are conditional, for example Year 2 entry to the Bachelor of IT depends on obtaining IELTS 6.0.
Postgraduate
- Master of Information Technology: a bachelor's or postgraduate qualification in IT or a related subject with at least a B grade average at Level 7 or 8, or equivalent skills from relevant work experience.
- Postgraduate Diploma in IT: a bachelor's or postgraduate qualification in IT or a related subject with at least a B grade average.
- Apply through a registered recruitment agent or the paper application form.
Documents
- Certified academic documents (Class 10 and 12 mark sheets; degree certificate and transcripts for postgraduate study)
- Evidence of English proficiency, such as an IELTS or PTE score report
- Certified copy of your passport
- Statement of purpose
- Current CV
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 Academic | 5.5 for Level 5 diplomas; 6.0 for bachelor's degrees, Level 6 diplomas and graduate diplomas; 6.5 for postgraduate diplomas and master's; 6.5 in every band for nursing and paramedic programmes. |
| PTE Academic | NZQA equivalents: 50 (no band below 42) for Levels 6–7; 58 (no band below 50) for Levels 8–10. |
| TOEFL iBT | NZQA equivalents: 60 (writing 18) for Levels 6–7; 79 (writing 21) for Levels 8–10. The new TOEFL format from January 2026 is scored differently, so check with the institute. |
| English pathway | The NZ Certificate in English Language (Academic) at Levels 4 and 5 runs for 17 weeks at the Petone campus. |
Accommodation and living costs
Whitireia and WelTec does not list its own halls for international students. Its international support team arranges homestays and can advise on renting in the Wellington region. The figures below are from the 2027 International Info Card.
| Item | In NZD | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| HomestayMinimum four weeks; book at least four weeks before arrival | NZ$340per week | ≈ ₹18,360 |
| Homestay placement feeNon-refundable | NZ$310one-off | ≈ ₹16,740 |
| Medical and travel insurance (compulsory)NZ$448 per trimester | NZ$896per year | ≈ ₹48,384 |
| Admin and student services feesNZ$304 admin plus NZ$424 student services | NZ$728per year | ≈ ₹39,312 |
Campus and location
Teaching is split across the Wellington region: Petone (Lower Hutt) for IT, business, engineering and creative programmes, and Porirua for nursing and health. Both are on the suburban train network into central Wellington.
- Te Awakairangi Campus in Petone hosts IT, business, engineering, construction and creative programmes; IT classes are live-streamed and recorded too.
- Whitireia Campus in Porirua is the base for nursing and paramedicine.
- The Wellington Regional School of Construction teaches trades and building.
- The Master of IT is taught in a blended format at Petone, mixing campus classes with online work.
- The 2027 academic year starts on 15 February, with Trimester 2 from 19 July.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Programmes are vocational and built around job-ready skills, and the IT master's can include a dissertation or thesis. Whitireia and WelTec does not publish graduate employment figures for international students that we could verify. Post-study work rights depend on your programme level and length; see our New Zealand country guide.
| 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
How much does the Master of Information Technology cost at Whitireia and WelTec?
The indicative 2027 international fee is NZ$40,500 for the whole 18-month programme. Insurance (NZ$896 a year) and annual admin and student services fees (NZ$728) are extra.
When are the intakes?
Most IT, business and design programmes start in early March or July 2027. Engineering, nursing and paramedic degrees start in February only.
What IELTS score do I need?
IELTS 6.0 for bachelor's degrees and graduate diplomas, 6.5 for postgraduate diplomas and master's, and 6.5 in every band for nursing and paramedic programmes. PTE and other tests are accepted at NZQA equivalent scores.
Is there a scholarship for Indian students?
Eligible international students can receive a one-off NZ$3,000 study grant for 12 months of full-time study. Check eligibility with the international team before you apply.
Is Whitireia and WelTec a university?
No. It is a public institute of technology (polytechnic). It offers degrees and master's degrees approved by NZQA, with a more practical, job-focused style than a university.
Sources
- Whitireia and WelTec: International Info Card 2027 (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- Whitireia and WelTec: International Prospectus 2026 (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- Whitireia and WelTec: international students (opens in a new tab)
- Whitireia and WelTec: who we are (opens in a new tab)
- Whitireia and WelTec: Master of Information Technology (opens in a new tab)
- Whitireia and WelTec: Bachelor of Information Technology (opens in a new tab)
- Whitireia and WelTec: postgraduate IT pathway (opens in a new tab)
- Whitireia and WelTec: international study programmes (opens in a new tab)
- NZQA: table of internationally recognised English proficiency outcomes (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.whitireiaweltec.ac.nz (opens in a new tab)
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