Victoria University of Wellington

Location: Wellington
Student Population: 22,000
Victoria University of Wellington is New Zealand’s capital city university, located in the geographic, political and cultural heart of the country. At Victoria University of Wellington, students join an outstanding academic community with a strong reputation for success.
A world-class education
Victoria University of Wellington is ranked first in New Zealand for research intensity*. We are ranked in the top 2% of the world’s universities, and in the top 1% of those universities in 20 subject areas. We are one of only 14 universities worldwide to hold the maximum Five Stars Plus overall QS Stars rating of excellence and five stars in each of the indicators**.
The Wellington School of Business and Government is one of an elite group of business schools with a ‘Triple Crown’ of international commerce accreditations.
You can choose what to study from more than 30 undergraduate and over 130 postgraduate programmes, across 170 subjects. We also offer a comprehensive graduate research programme.
Everything you need to know
Quality Learning & Teaching Environment
Victoria University of Wellington has nine faculties across three city campuses and offers a world-class learning and teaching environment. We are a leading global research centre and home to more than 40 research institutes. The University has quality facilities, including modern workshops and newly built labs for students of architecture and design, engineering and science. Our Miramar Creative Centre is located next to the Weta Group’s headquarters and offers students of the creative arts and technology access to cutting-edge professional studios in Wellington’s thriving filmmaking hub.
Learn Real-World Skills
The University consistently turns out high-quality graduates who are well equipped for the international workforce. Our teaching methods encourage you to strive for success and to become an independent, critical, and creative thinker. Many programmes offer the opportunity for real-world experience through field trips, research projects, work placements or working alongside internationally regarded experts and researchers. We are committed to research excellence and to work that will have a positive impact.
We have close partnerships with leading business, government and scientific research communities, and in New Zealand’s thriving tech and arts sectors. You will benefit from collaborations with industry and networking opportunities as well as expert guest lecturers
and speakers.
Develop Your Leadership Potential
You can access the Wellington International Leadership Programme (WILP), a unique, award-winning extracurricular programme designed to develop global citizenship skills, and develop your leadership potential via Wellington Plus, a service and leadership development course.
An Ideal Student Location
New Zealand has quality education, breathtaking scenery, a vibrant culture and some of the friendliest people anywhere. And Wellington is at the centre of it all. In our ‘coolest little capital in the world’ (Lonely Planet), you’ll find an exciting, compact, welcoming city and a great quality of life. You can enjoy arts, adventure and events all year round and ready access to a beautiful harbour, beaches, miles of glorious coastline, mountains and native bush. Wellington is New Zealand’s high-tech capital – it has the highest concentration of web-based and digital technology companies – and is home to the country’s most important cultural institutions, including the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the National Opera, Royal New Zealand Ballet, the National Library, Archives New Zealand, the New Zealand Film Archive and New Zealand’s national museum, Te Papa.
Diverse & Welcoming
You’ll join a warm, open community of students from more than 100 countries here. The University has over 22,000 students, including almost 3,200 international students. Engage in campus life and meet other students at International Orientation, via our International Buddy Programme, at campus events, or at one of our 140 student clubs. More than 25% of people who live in Wellington were born outside New Zealand, making it a diverse, welcoming city.
Excellent Student Support Services
We offer you a warm welcome and ongoing support from the moment you arrive. The University has a dedicated team who will help you to settle in, and support you to achieve your study goals. They will provide practical assistance with visa renewal, health insurance, academic guidance and any other support you need to ensure your time at the University is a success.
Why choose Victoria University of Wellington?
- Ranked first in New Zealand for research intensity*
- Ranked in the top 1% of the world’s 18,000-plus universities for 20 individual subjects (20 subjects in the top 150, 11 in the top 100)**
- Offers a quality student experience, strong global outlook and a great quality of life
- Wellington was ranked the world’s most liveable city in 2017 and 2018 by Deutsche Bank’s Quality of Life Survey and in 2021 was named among the world’s top four cities by the Economist Intelligence Unit.