Universities
All of New Zealand’s eight universities are in the top 500 in the whole world. They all provide world-class education and internationally-recognised qualifications. Certain universities are in the top 50 or top 100 worldwide for specific subjects, while other universities offer outstanding education in distinct fields of study. With over 100,000 international students studying in New Zealand every year, all universities in New Zealand cater for international students.
If you’re unsure as to which degree to apply for or which university is the leader in that field of study, we can help you with our knowledge and expertise.
If you need to gain university entrance requirements for university in New Zealand, you can attend a foundation course beforehand that will grant you guaranteed entry into university. Or if you need to improve your English, you can do so at one of the great English language courses.
The University of Auckland
The University of Auckland, New Zealand's largest university, is ranked in the top 100 universities in the world by QS World University Rankings and is among the top 50 universities worldwide for 16 of the subjects they offer. Founded in 1883, the university has six campuses across Auckland with approximately 30,000 students.
The University of Auckland is well-known for its extensive Bachelor of Arts degree, encompassing a vast array of majors and minors ranging from Psychology to Art History to Theology to Music to Korean, and many more.
The university’s Elam School of Fine Arts is also highly-recognised for producing exceptional and accomplished artists.
Other fields of study the university is acclaimed for is business, law and engineering.
Auckland University of Technology (AUT)
Auckland University of Technology, commonly known as AUT, has a famous reputation for its real-world experience and practical learning. Because of this, many employers highly favour AUT graduates knowing that these graduates have both practical skills and theoretical knowledge in their chosen field.
AUT offers 250 bachelor’s degrees, graduate diplomas, master’s degrees, MBAs and PhDs in a wide variety of areas ranging from science to tourism.
The university is also well-known for its Bachelor of Communication Studies and Bachelor of Design, where students produce their own films, artwork and portfolios through hands-on learning.
Massey University
With campuses in Auckland, Wellington and Palmerston North, Massey University is notable for its research-based education as well as its strong humanities and social sciences department. Established in 1927, Massey University has approximately 30,000 students - around 3,000 of whom are international students from over 100 different countries.
It is the only university in New Zealand that offers degrees in aviation, nanoscience, veterinary medicine and dispute resolution. The Bachelor of Aviation offered by the university is an internationally recognised and accredited qualification.
Massey University’s agriculture programme is the highest-ranked in New Zealand and is ranked 22nd in the world in the QS World University Rankings.
University of Otago
Otago University, established in 1869, is New Zealand’s oldest university. With its main campus located in Dunedin on New Zealand’s South Island, Otago University offers more than 195 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across four faculties: Sciences, Health Sciences, Humanities and Business.
In particular, it is highly distinguished for its medical school where students will graduate with the professional, clinical, psychosocial and biomedical foundations to practise as doctors and to undertake further training in any field of medicine.
The university also ranks in the top 100 worldwide in 12 subject areas in the QS World University Rankings.
Victoria university of wellington
Victoria University of Wellington, established in 1897, has approximately 18,000 students across its nine faculties: Architecture and Design, Education, Engineering, Graduate Research, Health, Humanities and Social Sciences, Law, Science and Business. Victoria University is highly regarded for its Humanities and Social Sciences faculty in particular.
Being located in New Zealand’s capital city of Wellington, the university has strong links with government departments and agencies, regional and local government, environmental organisations, industries and international agencies.
In the QS World University Rankings, Victoria University is ranked 38 in the world in Law and in the top 100 universities in 11 other subjects; Archaeology, History, Linguistics, Psychology, English, Geography, Performing Arts, Earth Sciences, Development Studies, Hospitality & Leisure Management, and Library Management.
University of canterbury
Founded in 1873, University of Canterbury is New Zealand’s second oldest university. It is located in Christchurch, New Zealand’s largest city in the South Island.
With around 12,000 students, the university is structured around its five faculties: Business and Economics, Arts, Engineering and Science, Education and Law.
University of waikato
One of New Zealand’s younger universities, University of Waikato has around 10,000 students across its faculties: Arts and Social Sciences, Computing and Mathematical Sciences, Education, Law, Māori and Indigenous Studies, Science and Engineering, Management, and Health, Sport and Human Performance.
At the main campus in Hamilton, students have access to on-and off-campus accommodation options, cafes, health services, student centre, gym, swimming pool and the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, all on 65 hectares of park-like grounds with access to regular public transport.
Lincoln University
Lincoln University, situated just outside of Christchurch, only has approximately 2,700 students. This means that students at this university have smaller class sizes and practical applied learning. Lecturers have an open-door policy - always on hand to discuss projects and essays and clarify lectures.
The university’s four faculties comprise of: Agriculture and Life Sciences, Agribusiness and Commerce, and Environment, Society and Design. In particular, Lincoln University specialises in Agriculture, Viticulture and Sciences. There is a strong focus on hands on learning, producing graduates who move easily into employment.
