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About this university

The University of Auckland, located in one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world, is the only university in New Zealand to rank within the world’s top 100 institutions (QS World University Rankings 2022). Home to 44,000 students across five main campuses, the university has gained a reputation as a world-leading education institute.

Every year approximately 9,000 international students from over 120 different countries are welcomed onshore and online to the university each year.

Over one third of international students who study here remain in New Zealand for five years after graduation, reflecting the high quality of life, employment opportunities and the three-year post-study work rights for graduates.

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s top university for graduate employability and ranks 68^th in the world for career prospects (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). In 2021 the University was ranked 9^th globally in the Times Higher Education University Impact Ranking, acknowledging progress made towards Sustainable Development Goals.

With 10 subjects placed in the top 50 of the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021, the university offers students an indisputably high-quality learning experience. Some of these subjects include anthropology, geography, English language, education, engineering and nursing. Students and graduates are highly employable both nationally and globally, and are connected to experienced professors who are global leaders in their field.

With over 60 research centres and institutes, the university prides itself on educating students to a high level and empowering them to contribute to and create the global, social, economic and cultural future. Students can also immerse themselves in the university community by joining any of the nearly 300 diverse clubs and societies.

Why Auckland?

Stunning natural beauty in all directions combined with the energy of a bustling cosmopolitan city makes Auckland a sought-after place to live, work and study in. Auckland boasts a subtropical climate, with mild winters and warm humid summers, and is one of the sunniest main centres in New Zealand.

As New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland contains approximately one third of New Zealand’s population. Around 400,000 live in the city itself and 1.5 million live in the greater Auckland area. With over 40 per cent of Auckland’s residents born outside of New Zealand, the city is joining the ranks of the world’s superdiverse cities.

Picturesque islands and a harbour-side location enhance the scenic beauty of the city, which is also dubbed the ‘City of Sails’ owing to the large number of yachts sailing in the harbour and the nearby Hauraki Gulf. The Waitākere Ranges rainforest to the west is a natural gateway to the spectacular surf beaches of the west coast and numerous bush walks.

Auckland offers a wonderful range of entertainment, sport and recreation possibilities for students to explore. While the many theatres and art galleries cater to the artistically inclined, the vast scope for activities such as swimming, kayaking and hiking means those who prefer the outdoors will not be disappointed. Sports lovers can also catch live action from rugby, soccer and cricket matches at the international stadiums.

Auckland is developing an international reputation as a business hub and is home to the greatest concentration of New Zealand’s entrepreneurs and innovators. Many international graduates choose to make the city their home to take advantage of employment opportunities, both during and after their studies.

Study options

The University of Auckland offers a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes for international students. At undergraduate level, many of the programmes give students the opportunity to expand their learning by choosing from courses outside of their main focus in areas such as the arts, sciences, medicine, engineering, education, law, and much more.

Students can choose a specialisation, a single or double major, a major and a minor, or a conjoint degree. This determines the subjects and courses to focus on for most of the degree as students pursue their chosen area to the most advanced undergraduate stage.

Master’s programmes are generally offered as either research or taught programmes. Taught masters aim to provide students with advanced specialist training in their chosen field, and are usually completed by coursework only, although they may in some cases involve a dissertation. Many of these qualifications can be completed in 18 months or less.

Doctoral programmes, leading to the award of a PhD, are generally undertaken over a minimum of three years full-time. They require students to prepare a substantial thesis of original research that contributes significantly to knowledge and understanding in that discipline, followed by an oral examination.

The PhD is offered in 100 different subjects and offers a wealth of research opportunities, including the chance to work in cross-disciplinary projects.

New international PhD students pay the same annual tuition fee as New Zealand PhD students. Financial aid, in the form of various scholarships, is available at all levels of study for international students.

Research

The University of Auckland is committed to cutting-edge research and identifies research-led teaching as a primary responsibility of its academic staff, in addition to publishing and disseminating research of the highest international quality.

The university has the most research activity in the New Zealand tertiary sector with 25 per cent of all research-active staff and 35 per cent of the top A-rated academic researchers in New Zealand coming from the University of Auckland.

Research centres include:

• Auckland Bioengineering Institute
• Liggins Institute
• James Henare Māori Research Centre
• Public Policy Institute
• Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures

Research topics cover a diverse spectrum and include subjects under domains such as creative arts, education, business, engineering, law, and science. Postgraduate students contribute meaningfully to the university's research while studying for their degrees. There are also summer research scholarships available for students who have completed at least two years of their undergraduate degree.

What’s new

Auckland Advantage™

The University has launched a package of support services to help international students studying online outside of New Zealand. Auckland Advantage™ reflects the university’s commitment to supporting the international student community to continue their studies as they wait for the opportunity to travel to Auckland. The package includes significant benefits, including study, career and accommodation support.

Some of the Auckland Advantage™ services include:

• Virtual micro internships
• Vietnam Study Hub
• China Learning Centres
• Summer Start International
• One free undergraduate course

LINC Online Learning Support

Undergraduate international students studying online in India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand can take advantage of the university’s online learning support. Each student will have a dedicated learning advisor who will respond quickly to assist them when they need it. Support is delivered in the student’s local time zone, seven days a week.

Foundation programmes for international students

Students can take advantage of the university’s onshore and offshore foundation programmes, getting the best preparation for bachelor’s degree study. The programmes are designed for students whose first language is not English and usually take up to one year to complete.

International Open Week

The inaugural University of Auckland International Open Week took place on 15^th and 16^th September, 2021. Students got the chance to meet the university’s academics, students and international managers online to learn more about the programmes, career support and other university services.