Victoria University of Wellington

Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand

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Overview
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Department and Faculty
Campus and facilities

Overview

About Victoria University of Wellington

Victoria University of Wellington, full name Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, sits in the heart of New Zealand’s capital, a political, creative and innovation hub. The university’s central location gives students access to diverse national organisations in the areas of business, government, politics, culture and heritage, the arts and filmmaking industry, and science and technology communities.

Wellington is a compact city where students can easily explore nature trails, beaches, galleries, museums, and events. It is multicultural, with 28% of the population born overseas, safe, friendly, and has a reputation for great food and coffee—it regularly ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities.

Quality education

Victoria University of Wellington is consistently placed among the best universities in the world across major global rankings. It’s one of just 23 institutions to achieve a full ‘5 Stars Plus’ according to the QS Stars rating of excellence – built on a 5-star rating across all eight categories, from employment to global engagement, teaching, facilities, arts and more.

Victoria University of Wellington conducts teaching and research in the following subject areas: Architecture and Design Innovation, Business and Government, Education, Engineering, Health, Humanities and Social Sciences, Law, and Science. The university is home to more than 40 research centres and institutes, including the Antarctic Research Centre and Centre for Data Science and AI.

Welcoming community

The university and the city of Wellington have a diverse community that welcomes international students from more than 120 countries and offers students complete support through a range of wellbeing and learning services.

There are more than 130 clubs, societies, and sports to explore, while extracurricular programmes like the free Kitea Impact Programme (leadership programme) support students in developing their personal global citizenship skills.

University Ranking

Academic Ranking of World Universities

2025 401

2024 401

2023 401

QS World University Rankings

2026 240 4

2025 244 3

2024 241

Times Higher Education World University Rankings

2026 401

2025 401

2024 401

Graduate outcomes

Victoria University of Wellington’s careers and employment team helps students achieve their career goals. The team offers professional advice on career planning, job exploration, and career development. The team can also help international students apply for jobs and internships, write CVs and cover letters, as well as learn interview tips.

Students can find useful resources online about internships, work experience, and job opportunities. Career expos and graduation recruitment events are held throughout the year and give students the opportunity to meet potential employers and find out about jobs and internships. The Alumni as Mentors programme matches final-year students with successful graduates who can offer valuable tips and advice for transitioning from study to a work environment.

Graduate profile

Victoria University of Wellington prepares its graduates to:

specialise in their chosen field of study
demonstrate problem-solving, creative thinking, and teamwork skills
communicate complex ideas accurately and effectively in many contexts
demonstrate independent thinking and openness to new ideas
develop strong global citizenship skills.

Of the graduates from Victoria University of Wellington who completed the 2023–2024 Graduate Destinations Survey:

92 percent of graduates are currently employed or furthering their study
67 percent are in full-time employment
91 percent were employed prior to or within six months of completing their degree (of graduates currently working full time)
16 percent are in full-time study
9 percent are in part-time employment and/or part-time study

What’s new

Taster lectures

Prospective students can get a taste of university through Victoria University of Wellington’s short lectures. These five-minute sessions offer a quick and engaging way to explore the university’s range of undergraduate degrees. From a Bachelor of Science to a Bachelor of Popular Music, students can discover what studying at Victoria University is really like.

Watch taster lectures

Kitea Impact Programme

The Kitea Impact Programme is a new leadership programme which will be available from 2026. The programme allows Victoria University of Wellington students the opportunity to make a positive impact in their community and worldwide—and gain new leadership skills and connections. The programme is free, flexible, fun, and designed to be completed at student’s own pace alongside their academic study.

Learn more

Rankings

Victoria University of Wellington holds a strong performance in the QS World University Rankings for 2026. The university is ranked 240^th overall.

The university ranks in the top one percent of institutions surveyed around the world for 14 subjects and within the top two percent for 29 subjects.

Top 1% in the world in the following subjects:

Within New Zealand, the university ranks first in the following subjects:

Library and Information Management
Politics and International Studies

Visit Victoria University of Wellington for the latest news.

Finances

How much will it cost?

Average tuition fees per year

19,81,446 Undergraduate Fees are for indicative purposes, check with institution for details

20,56,799 Postgraduate Fees are for indicative purposes, check with institution for details

Scholarships & funding

Victoria University of Wellington has a range of scholarships available to international students, including:

VUW Undergraduate International Scholarship—For all new international students entering their first year of a Bachelor’s degree programme and studying full-time on campus. This scholarship is valued at NZ$15,000 and will automatically go towards tuition fees for one year of study.
VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship—For all new international students entering a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma and studying full-time on campus. This scholarship is valued at NZ$10,000 and will automatically go towards tuition.
Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships programme—Open to students from eligible countries, this programme provides fully funded study opportunities at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Wellington Doctoral Scholarship— Designed to encourage and support doctoral (PhD) study at Victoria University of Wellington, this scholarship provides a stipend of NZ$32,000 per annum plus domestic tuition fees for up to three years.
Victoria University of Wellington Study Abroad Scholarship— Open to international students who plan to experience New Zealand culture through the Study Abroad and Exchange programme at Victoria University of Wellington, with a value of up to NZ$1,000.

International students can search the university’s full scholarships database.

Discover scholarships

Victoria University of Wellington provides scholarship for students enrolling for the courses offered by them
View all scholarships available

Eligibility

Entry requirements

To study at Victoria University of Wellington, international students need to demonstrate good command over the English language and have a good record of academic achievement.

Entry requirements are provided under each programme. The university considers each student’s academic and English-language background when assessing applications.

If a student doesn’t meet the English-language requirements for the course of their choice, they can enrol in the university’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programme. This 12-week course aims to develop a student’s English language and equip them with academic skills for university study. The course includes 10 weeks of teaching, orientation, and testing. Students may need to take two or more consecutive courses to meet the university’s eligibility criteria.

If a student doesn’t meet the academic requirements for their undergraduate courses, they can enrol in the Foundation Studies Programme. This flexible programme is taught by the university’s partner UP Education and offers successful students guaranteed entry to Victoria University of Wellington’s undergraduate degrees.

Department and Faculty

Teaching quality

Best and brightest

At Victoria University of Wellington, students will learn from academics who are among the best and brightest in their fields. More than 850 academics at the university are actively involved in research, and 66 percent of those are operating at the highest levels.

The university has more A-rated researchers than any other New Zealand university in eight subject areas, including earth sciences, English language and literature, international relations, public policy, and political science.

Inclusive teaching

In the 2025 QS Stars audit, the university scored full marks on inclusiveness across performance areas of low-income outreach, student cohort diversity, access to scholarships and bursaries, and access for students with disabilities.

Innovative teaching

A number of the university’s staff have won National Tertiary Teaching Excellence Awards for innovative teaching. The most recent award winners were Associate Professor Christian Schott of the School of Management, Wellington School of Business and Government and David Cox from the School of Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Engineering, both within the category Innovation in Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum.

Top in research

Victoria University of Wellington is New Zealand’s top university for research intensity, according to the latest Performance-Based Research Fund evaluation. Most staff at the university have undertaken research at the highest levels, and all are encouraged to integrate their research into their teaching. Students interested in postgraduate study have access to world-class facilities and expertise.

Supportive environment

In addition to lectures, most courses include tutoring in small groups where students can discuss their ideas, ask questions, and get individual help. Students also have access to a range of academic resources and student learning services that will help them succeed at the university.

Campus and facilities

Campuses

Kelburn Campus

Te Aro Campus

Student support

Victoria University of Wellington’s dedicated international team is the first point of contact for international students. The team provides support and advice to students from the time of application to graduation.

Support services on offer include:

help with international applications and admissions
dedicated international student orientation and events
free airport arrival meeting service
the International Buddy Programme
personal, cultural, and academic support and referral
Studentsafe insurance support
student visa support.

Accommodation

The university’s halls of residence offer a variety of accommodation styles, including single rooms, studio rooms, shared rooms, and shared apartments or houses. Some halls provide meals and others have kitchens for students to cater for themselves. All halls provide support for students and facilities for recreation and study. Living in a hall provides international students with the opportunity to make new friends and live alongside students from Wellington and all over the world.

Learning support

Success at university requires independence and new skills. The university’s Student Learning team can help with:

transition to university
workshops on academic writing, study skills, and mathematics and statistics
peer-assisted study support (PASS) groups
specialist support for international students and students with disabilities.

Health and wellbeing

Mauri Ora—Student Health and Wellbeing offers a full range of affordable general practice medical services on campus. Highly trained counsellors are also available to confidentially discuss personal and academic issues that affect a student’s general wellbeing or their learning.

Safety

Wellington is a friendly city and consistently makes the list as one of the safest cities in the world. In 2024, it was ranked the 11th safest city in the world by World Population Review (Safest Cities in the World 2024).

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Discover the voices of students just like you as they help guide you on your study journey

Ambassadors

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Find students who match your ambition and aspirations.

Student

Jessie

China

BComSc in Statistics and Economics

Hey there, this is your Vic friend Jessie! I’m in my final year studying statistics and economics. I love practicing Taekwondo, yoga, baking, as well as exploring nature. Welly’s unique blend of vibrant culture and its deep ties to nature perfectly align with my interests✨Looking back on my three-year uni journey from Harbin to Welly, I wouldn’t be who I am today without all the love and support I’ve received along the way. Now it’s my turn to pass it on! Why don’t we start a talk?☘️

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Student

Loleseti

New Zealand

MHLP in Master of Public Health Promotion

Talofa lava 🌺 I am Loleseti Poasa, of Samoan descent from Kenepuru, Wellington. Just finished my Bachelor's in Health Promotion and Pacific studies, now gearing up for Master's study in Health Promotion. Beyond academia, I juggle roles as a Research Assistant at Otago University, support worker at Taeaomanino Trust, tutor at Te Herenga Waka VUW, and currently interning at Ministry of Health :))o

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Student

Zia

New Zealand

BA in Theatre, English Lit, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Creative Writing

Kia ora! My name's Zia and my pronouns are he/they. I'm in my third year of study at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, and I'm studying a Bachelor of Arts; majoring in Theatre and English Literature and minoring in Gender and Sexuality Studies and Creative Writing. I'm really passionate about supporting queer students on campus, and am involved in UniQ Victoria too. I'm originally from the Manawatu and was in a hall of residence during my first year!

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Student

Hana

Philippines

BMedSci in Biomedical Sciences

Hi! 👋 I'm Hana, your friendly neighbourhood student ambassador 🕸️ I'm a Filipino international student majoring in Human Genetics 🧬 here at Victoria University of Wellington. You can usually catch me at a study room in Kelburn or at a hall 📚🙇‍♀️ if not, I'm on a walk around the city looking for sunlight ☀️🌻 But you can always catch me here for a chat! My inboxes are always open, so please, I'd love to hear from you 🤗✨

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Student

Echo

China

MBus in Global Business

Heya, I'm Echo, originally from China, and currently pursuing a Master’s degree at Victoria University of Wellington, majoring in Marketing and minoring in Public Policy. As an active and sociable individual, I love exploring the outdoors through hiking and cycling. Visiting museums with friends also helps me immerse myself in the rich cultural offerings here. Please feel free to reach out! I’m excited to reveal and share both the intricate charm and broad appeal of the city and university.

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Student

Thanusha

Sri Lanka

B Com in Accounting

Kia ora! My name is Thanusha. I’m a third-year Accounting and Management student at Victoria University of Wellington, based in the Pipitea campus. Wellington has been my home for three years, so I know the region and country well. The best places to go out, eat, hike, you name it! Sports interests me, especially martial arts. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. I’m very responsive!

View my posts

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Courses at Victoria University of Wellington

Popular subjects

Language Requirements

Min. IELTS score

Undergraduate

6.0

Postgraduate

6.5

Min. TOEFL score

Undergraduate

Postgraduate

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Student Stories

Victoria University of Wellington

Overview

About Victoria University of Wellington

Quality education

Welcoming community

University Ranking

Graduate outcomes

Graduate profile

What’s new

Taster lectures

Kitea Impact Programme

Rankings

Finances

Discover scholarships

Eligibility

Entry requirements

Department and Faculty

Teaching quality

Best and brightest

Inclusive teaching

Innovative teaching

Top in research

Supportive environment

Campus and facilities

Campuses

Student support

Accommodation

Learning support

Health and wellbeing

Safety

Discover student insight

Jessie

BComSc in Statistics and Economics

Loleseti

MHLP in Master of Public Health Promotion

Zia

BA in Theatre, English Lit, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Creative Writing

Hana

BMedSci in Biomedical Sciences

Echo

MBus in Global Business

Thanusha

B Com in Accounting

Courses at Victoria University of Wellington

Popular subjects

Business

Science

Health & Medicine

Social studies

Computer science

Education

Creative arts

Humanities

Find your people. Join the IDP Student Community today!

Find your people. Join the IDP Student Community today!

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Language Requirements

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