Finding the right university in New Zealand can change your whole life. The country has eight main universities with top institutions ranking in the world’s best. These schools are really good at teaching and have students from around 100 different countries.
Every university in New Zealand has teachers from around the world. This means you’ll learn with people from many places and hear different ideas. Students love studying here because everyone is friendly and helpful.
After you finish studying, New Zealand lets you stay and work for up to three years. This guide will help you learn about each university so you can pick the best one for you.
π Top 8 Universities in New Zealand for International Students
| University Name | World Rank | Best For | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Auckland | #65 | Business, Engineering, Education | Auckland |
| University of Otago | #197 | Health, Medicine, Dentistry | Dunedin |
| Massey University | #230 | Aviation, Veterinary, Online Study | Palmerston North |
| Victoria University of Wellington | #240 | Law, Government, Arts | Wellington |
| University of Canterbury | Top 300 | Engineering, Science, Business | Christchurch |
| University of Waikato | Top 300 | Business, Computer Science, MΔori Studies | Hamilton |
| Lincoln University | Top 500 | Farming, Wine, Environment | Lincoln |
| Auckland University of Technology | Top 500 | Sports, Nursing, Technology | Auckland |
Top 500
3 Years
40,000+
Top 100
π What This Guide Covers
- University of Auckland: Best Overall University
- University of Otago: Great for Health Studies
- Victoria University: In the Capital City
- University of Canterbury: Top Engineering School
- Massey University: Online Learning Leader
- University of Waikato: Great Work Programs
- Lincoln University: Best for Farming Studies
- Auckland University of Technology: Modern and Job-Ready
- FAQs: Your Questions Answered
University of Auckland: Best Overall University
The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s number one university. It ranks 65th in the world. About 27,800 students study here, with many coming from around 100 different countries. You can study almost anything here across eight different schools.
Auckland is really good at teaching many subjects. It’s in the top schools for building things (engineering), teaching, business, and sports. The business school has special awards that only the best business schools in the world have.
Why Research Matters Here
Auckland has the most research in New Zealand. One-third of the country’s best researchers work here. The university has over 60 places where people do research, including the famous Liggins Institute that studies how babies grow.
The university helps people turn their ideas into real businesses. It has special centers where students can learn to start companies. Many students create their own businesses while studying here.
What Makes Auckland Special
- You can study 120 different subjects
- The teaching school is 37th best in the world
- The law school is 62nd best in the world
- Top 10 in the world for helping the environment
- Business school has three special awards
- Many scholarships for international students
- Students from around 100 countries
Life as an International Student
Auckland takes good care of students from other countries. They pick you up from the airport for free when you arrive. They have people to help you feel better if you’re sad or stressed. They also help you learn English better.
The main campus is in the middle of Auckland city. There’s a new sports center that opened in 2024. Students can join over 250 clubs, play sports, and even play video games in the Esports Arena. There are seven campuses total with safe places to live.
π‘ Good to Know: Auckland students are in the top 100 for getting jobs. The university helps you find work for up to three years after you finish studying.
University of Otago: Great for Health Studies
The University of Otago is New Zealand’s oldest university. It started in 1869. It ranks 197th in the world and has a 5 Stars Plus rating. About 20,000 students study here, and almost 3,000 come from other countries.
Otago is really good at 25 different subjects. It has the only dentistry school in New Zealand, and it’s in the world’s top 50. The school has new buildings with the latest tools for learning about teeth and health.
Great Teaching and Learning Spaces
Otago is the best university in New Zealand for teaching. It has won big teaching awards many times. You can study over 200 different programs in four main areas: Health, Science, Arts, and Business.
The university has amazing labs for studying food and chemistry. The Business School has 12 special computers that help students learn about money and stocks.
Research News: In 2023, Otago got the most money for health research in New Zealand. This means they do really important work to help sick people.
Beautiful Campus Life
People say Otago has one of the prettiest campuses in the world. Old buildings sit next to new ones, with green grass and a river running through. Almost all students (97%) say they love the campus.
Most new students live in one of 15 special houses on or near campus. This helps them make friends quickly. There’s a big gym, a swimming pool, and lots of clubs to join.
Getting a Job After Study
Almost all Otago students (96%) get jobs or keep studying after they finish. The Career Center helps students plan their future, write job applications, and find work. They keep helping you even after you graduate.
Help for International Students
The International Office helps with visa papers, insurance, and health care. Otago is the best university in New Zealand for teaching international students. You can also study in other countries for a while through exchange programs.
Victoria University: In the Capital City
Victoria University of Wellington ranks 240th in the world and has five stars overall. It’s in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city. This means you’re close to government buildings, museums, and important companies.
Victoria is number one in New Zealand for doing research. It’s really good at library studies (42nd in the world) and learning about helping poor countries (43rd in the world).
Top Business School
The Victoria Business School has three special awards that only 1% of business schools in the world have. This means it’s one of the best places to learn about business.
You can study many things here like building design, teaching, engineering, health, law, science, and computers. The university does lots of research to find new ideas.
Why Wellington is Special
- You can visit government buildings easily
- Work with computer companies in the city
- Visit nature parks like Zealandia nearby
- 900+ companies offer student jobs
- The national museum Te Papa is close by
- Over 70 short courses for working people
Students From All Over the World
Victoria has students from 114 countries. About 40% of the teachers come from other countries too. The university works with 196 other universities around the world.
Victoria International helps new students when they arrive. They have a buddy program where older students help new ones. Some Master’s programs give you $10,000 off your fees. Many scholarships are available for international students.
π‘ Job Help: Many programs let you work at real companies while studying. The Career team knows over 900 companies that hire students.
University of Canterbury: Top Engineering School
The University of Canterbury is in the top 2% of all universities worldwide. It started in 1873. Students say the teaching is really good – 91% love their teachers, which is one of the best scores.
Canterbury’s engineering programs are in the world’s top 100. They started New Zealand’s first engineering school in 1887. The university moved up to 78th in the world for helping the environment.
Great Business School
The UC Business School has three special awards that only 1% of business schools have. It’s in the top 200 for business and 31st in the world for hotel and tourism studies.
The university is good at many things. Arts is top 100 for language studies. Almost all teaching students (96%) get jobs. Science is the only place in New Zealand where you can study stars from start to PhD. UC has research stations all over New Zealand and even in Antarctica.
Cool Fact: UC is number one in New Zealand for public health research. They have special labs for studying molecules, Antarctica, and computer technology.
Fun Campus Life
The student group runs over 160 clubs – more than any other New Zealand university. The campus is huge (76 hectares) with libraries, labs, and places to live. There are sports fields and the pretty Ilam Gardens.
Christchurch is in the top 100 best cities for students in the world. It’s cheaper than other big cities and close to mountains and beaches. The city is becoming a technology center with lots of new jobs.
Help for All Students
Te PΔtaka Student Services helps international students. The Academic Skills Centre helps with homework. Sports facilities are free for all students. There are over 2,700 rooms on campus with staff to help you.
Finding Jobs
UC Careers helps students plan their future. Former students can use online job services forever. GradForce helps final-year students find jobs. LaunchPad helps if you want to start your own business.
Massey University: Online Learning Leader
Massey University ranks 230th in the world. It has stayed in the top 250 for three years. The university got a 5+ star rating for being good at finding jobs, helping the environment, and teaching online.
Massey has been teaching online for almost 60 years – longer than anyone else in New Zealand. It’s the only place you can study flying planes, solving arguments (dispute resolution), animal medicine, and tiny science (nanoscience).
Many Places to Study
Massey has campuses in Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington, and Singapore. Each campus has great buildings and study spaces. Over 4,000 students from 100 countries study here.
The university works with big companies to give students real jobs while studying. Massey helps students learn to think clearly, talk well, and work in teams.
Help for International Students
- Help with visa papers and insurance
- English classes to improve your language
- Talk online with current students
- Rules to keep students safe and happy
- Money help and scholarships
- Different types of places to live
Good Research Teams
Students say Massey has great research labs and teachers who inspire them. Teachers who study art and design are known around the world. They use the best tools to help students learn new things.
Massey’s motto is “We’ve got your back.” This means they really care about helping students do well. They have student groups, childcare, workshops, and money help for students who need it.
π‘ Job Help: The Career Centre helps students for up to three years after they graduate. They help with job lists, writing resumes, and practicing for interviews.
University of Waikato: Great Work Programs
The University of Waikato is in the world’s top universities. It’s number one in New Zealand for Business and Economics according to one important ranking. The university helps students get real work while they study.
You can study Arts, Law, Psychology, Social Sciences, Health, Engineering, Computers, and Science. Fifteen subjects rank in the top 300 in the world, including Business, Education, Geography, Law, and Sports.
Top Business School
The Waikato Management School has three special awards that only 1% of business schools have. This shows it’s one of the best places to study business in the world.
The university has eight research centers studying things like robots, business, population, education, environment, MΔori culture, and crime. Companies work closely with the university to give students jobs and research projects.
Special Feature: Waikato has more MΔori students than any other university. They have special programs and support to help MΔori students succeed.
Nice Campus Life
The main campus in Hamilton has 65 hectares of park-like grounds. Everything you need is there – health services, food shops, pharmacy, and bookstore. The new Tauranga campus has modern classrooms and labs.
There are over 40 clubs for students. Sports facilities include a gym, 50-meter pool, and sports courts. The Student Centre has books, computers, and help services all in one place.
Learning by Doing
Every Waikato student must do work that connects to their studies. This means you learn in class and then use what you learned at a real job. This helps students get good jobs after they finish.
Help for International Students
The International Services Office plans fun trips to see New Zealand’s nature and culture. Classes are smaller so teachers know you better. Living in Hamilton costs less than bigger cities.
Lincoln University: Best for Farming Studies
Lincoln University is one of the world’s top universities. It’s New Zealand’s only university just for land-based studies. Started in 1878, Lincoln is the best in New Zealand for farming and forestry (top 101-150 in the world).
More than half of Lincoln’s students are doing advanced degrees. The university has the best student-to-teacher ratio in New Zealand – only 13 students per teacher. This means teachers can help you more. 83% of students pass their courses.
Special Focus on Land
Lincoln teaches about the connections between land, food, and nature. You can study farming, gardening, wine making, food science, land design, and taking care of the environment. More than half of the programs include real work outside.
The university makes lots of money from research for its size. Lincoln works with farmers and companies to turn lab discoveries into real solutions for farms.
What Makes Lincoln Special
- 15th best small university in the world
- Top 100 for helping the environment
- Part of two big world university groups
- Special pathway to live in New Zealand forever
- 84% of graduates get jobs
- Students from over 80 countries
Small, Friendly Campus
The Te Waihora campus is 58 hectares in the town of Lincoln. It has old buildings and new ones. There are modern classrooms, a big library, computer labs open all day, cafes, and great sports facilities.
Because the campus is smaller, students know each other better. You can live on campus or with a local family. Support includes health services, counseling, and money help if you need it.
π‘ Big Advantage: Lincoln has a special program that helps international students become permanent residents of New Zealand. This is great if you want to stay after studying.
Auckland University of Technology: Modern and Job-Ready
Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is in the top 1% of all universities worldwide. AUT is number one in New Zealand for having students and teachers from many countries. It got perfect scores for being international.
AUT wants to “create great graduates.” They have helped 150,000 students get good jobs around the world. The university has over 250 programs that connect you with real companies while you study.
Top Programs
AUT is New Zealand’s best for sports science (50th in the world) and nursing (top 76-100 in the world). The business school has strong programs. Engineering programs are approved by New Zealand’s engineering group.
The university is also good at hotels and tourism (40th in the world), medicine, business, public health, and education. AUT has over 60 research centers studying robots, nature, and health.
Research Success: AUT is 46th in the world and first in New Zealand for how much other researchers use their work. This means they do really important research.
Three Great Campuses
AUT is in Auckland, the 24th best student city in the world. It has three campuses for over 30,000 students. The City Campus has cafes, health services, libraries, and fun centers right in the city.
South Campus was the first university campus in that area. It has sports courts. North Campus has the main gym, health clinics, and connects to a special sports institute.
Working with Big Companies
AUT works with NASA, Air New Zealand, and other big companies. Students get to work with these companies and learn from them. The university has a special way of teaching that makes sure students learn what they need for good jobs.
Getting Jobs Fast
96% of AUT graduates get jobs within nine months. The Career team runs job fairs and workshops. Programs like “Shadow a Leader” let business students follow real bosses for a day to learn what they do.
Common Questions About Universities in New Zealand
The University of Auckland is the best overall – it’s ranked 65th in the world. Many international students study there. They give lots of scholarships each year. But pick based on what you want to study. Otago is best for doctors and dentists. Canterbury is best for engineers. Lincoln is best for farming.
You need to finish high school in your country. You need to speak English well – usually IELTS score of 6.0 or higher. You need your school report cards and passport. Some programs need extra things like art portfolios. You apply online through each university’s website.
University costs between $20,000 and $45,000 New Zealand dollars each year. Medicine costs the most. You also need $20,000 for living costs like food and housing. But many universities give scholarships. Auckland offers many scholarships. Victoria gives $10,000 off some programs. Many financial aid options are available.
If you finish a Bachelor’s degree or higher, you can stay and work for up to three years. This is one of the best deals in the world. You can work for any company. Many students use this time to get permanent residence and stay in New Zealand forever.
Yes! International students can work while studying. During holidays, you can work full-time. Many universities also include work as part of your studies. This helps you earn money and get job experience at the same time.
There are two main start times – January and July. For January, apply by August or September the year before. For July, apply by February or March. Start getting ready six months early. This gives you time to get your visa and find a place to live.
Yes! The New Zealand government has scholarships that pay for everything – school, living, and travel. Each university also has its own scholarships. Auckland offers many scholarships. Victoria gives $10,000 off some programs. Many financial support options are available for international students.
Business is very popular – four universities have special business awards. Engineering at Canterbury is in the top 100. Health studies at Otago are famous. Farming at Lincoln is great. New subjects like computer science, protecting data, and helping the environment are growing fast.
First, get accepted by a university. Then apply online for a visa. You need your passport, the acceptance letter, proof you have $20,000 for living costs, proof you paid for school, health insurance, and sometimes a doctor’s note. It usually takes 4-6 weeks. Universities help you through each step.
Top universities rank very well globally. Auckland is best at 65th place. Otago is 197th. Massey is 230th. Victoria is 240th. Canterbury, Waikato, Lincoln and AUT are all in the world’s top universities. Some programs rank even higher – like Canterbury engineering in the top 100.
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