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Introducing New Zealand’s universities

Our university sector is unique

  • New Zealand is home to eight universities of the highest quality. All are ranked in the top 3% (600) universities in the world and are also highly ranked by subject.
  • New Zealand graduates enjoy some of the best graduate outcomes in the world – with high completion and employment rates and low rates of under-employment. Read more on graduate outcomes.
  • New Zealand universities have a robust and multi-layered quality assurance system, which ensures programmes, teaching and learning are of a very high standard.
  • The strong reputation of New Zealand universities is the key reason why 93% of our international university students chose to study in New Zealand.
  • Seven of our universities are comprehensive universities, offering a broad range of subjects, including arts, sciences, commerce, engineering and health sciences. Lincoln University is a specialist land-based university.
  • Visit the profile page for each university (see links on this page to each).
  • Read how New Zealand universities are growing the economydriving research and innovationefficient and effectivedelivering quality teaching and learningenriching knowledge and understanding, and building Māori and Pacific success.

University demographics (2019)

  • There are a total of 179,395 university students in New Zealand (ie 138,010 full-time equivalent students)
  • 114,300 are New Zealand students - of whom 15% are Māori (17,395), 12% are Pasifika students (13,845 Pasifika)
  • 19% are international students (34,100)
  • 34% are studying at postgraduate level
  • Over 43,000+ graduates a year, 91% at bachelors level and above

Demographics by university (2019)

FTEs = Full-time equivalents

University           Students  
University of Auckland                 34,200
Auckland University of Technology (AUT)                 20,270
University of  Waikato                 10,610
Massey University                 18,830 
Victoria University of Wellington                 17,790
University of Canterbury                 14,890
Lincoln University                   2,520
University of Otago                 18,900 
Total              138,010