Victoria University of Wellington

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.

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:

• Development Studies
• Earth and Marine Sciences
• English Language and Literature
• Geography
• Geology
• History
• Hospitality and Leisure Management
• Law
• Library and Information Management
• Linguistics
• Performing Arts
• Politics and International Studies
• Psychology
• Sociology

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

• Library and Information Management
• Politics and International Studies

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