Introducing New Zealand’s universities | Universities New Zealand

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 economy, driving research and innovation, efficient and effective, delivering quality teaching and learning, enriching knowledge and understanding, and building Māori and Pacific success.

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

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