Best Universities in New Zealand for International Students

Looking for the best universities for your higher education? Then you should definitely consider universities in New Zealand! 

With all of the country's universities ranked in the top 3% in the world, New Zealand is one of the safest and friendliest places to study. A blend of modern cities and breathtaking natural beauty, makes the country consistently rank first globally for its quality of life.

Here is a list of the best universities in New Zealand for international students that you should look into.

 Auckland University of Technology (AUT)

Ranked among the top 1 percent of universities worldwide, Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is regarded as one of the world's best modern universities. The University has been consistently ranked first in New Zealand for international outlook by world rankings organisations QS and Times Higher Education.

Home to international students from more than 140 countries, the university has five-star ratings for Teaching, Employability, Research, Internationalisation, Facilities, Innovation and Inclusiveness.

It also encourages innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as provide the freedom to experiment with new technology and question conventional thinking. With 94% of available graduates in paid jobs within nine months of graduation, AUT graduates are highly regarded by recruiters.

 The University of Auckland

Founded in 1883, The University of Auckland is the largest and top university in New Zealand with more than 40,000 students. Well regarded for its innovation in the education system the university holds the top ten spots in the global University Impact Rankings.

Some of the popular courses offered by the university are Pharmacy & Pharmacology, Education, Nursing, Archaeology, English Language & Literature. As New Zealand's leading university for Graduate Employability, the university promises its students a strong commitment to sustainability and making a global impact through its partnerships, research, teaching, operations, community involvement and knowledge exchange.

 University of Canterbury

The University of Canterbury aims to provide an excellent educational foundation that leads students to successful careers. Academics at UC provide students with one-on-one attention that nurtures students' ideas and motivates them to succeed.

The University of Canterbury is home to some innovative and exciting courses such as adventure Sport and Environment, Bioprocess engineering, Cultural Heritage, Forest Engineering and many more. They have been awarded a 5-Star QS ranking for internationally renowned research and teaching.

University of Otago

Renowned for having one of the world's best campuses, the University of Otago is ranked in the top 1% of universities in the world. The University of Otago is New Zealand's regarded university for educational performance.

As one of the best residential universities for studying in New Zealand, Otago provides a plethora of on-campus support services, ranging from a modern student health centre (with subsidised medical and counselling services) to an excellent disability support service, highly specialised IT support, and a careers service to prepare students for the graduate job market.

Professors at the university have won the Prime Minister's Supreme Award for Teaching Excellence for six of the last nine years.

University of Waikato

Centred in New Zealand's heartland, Hamilton and Tauranga, the university is a pioneer in the fields of engineering, environmental science, computer science and applications of artificial intelligence, marine and freshwater science, and law.

The university is ranked highly in disciplines such as education, social sciences, indigenous studies, and management in the 2021 QS World University Subject Rankings. To help meet the study and study-related expenses, the university also offers hundreds of scholarships every year to students. 

Massey University 

Massey called the 'University of New Zealand' is the only multi-campus university in New Zealand. The university's expertise lies in the fields of business, creative art, health, science and humanities and social science.

Consistently ranked in the top 3% of universities worldwide (QS World University Rankings), the university offers an eight million dollar scholarship fund. Massey has one of the largest business schools in the country.

Graduating from Massey is about more than just theory. The university produces work-ready graduates with a career advantage through a variety of internship and practicum opportunities.

Victoria University of Wellington

Ranked in the top 1% of the world's universities in 19 subject areas, the Victoria University of Wellington houses more than 3,500 students.

More than 30 undergraduate and 140 postgraduate degrees are available at the university including Architecture and Design, Business, Education, Engineering, Health, Humanities and Social Sciences, Law, and Science.

In addition, the university also provides a comprehensive graduate research programme for PhD and Doctoral studies. The Victoria University of Wellington ensures that its students gain the knowledge, real-world skills, and confidence to turn their studies into successful careers.

Wondering which university will be the best fit for you? Connect with us now! Our expert counsellors will guide you through the best universities in New Zealand and help you get there!