There are eight universities in New Zealand,
all of which feature in the QS World University Rankings 2014/15 – not at all bad
considering the country's population is only around 4 million. In addition, New
Zealand's higher education system also includes 20 institutes of technology and
polytechnics, which offer vocational courses of varying lengths and levels.
Read more about the
top five universities in New Zealand:
University of
Auckland
The University of Aucklandis New Zealand’s largest and highest
ranked university. Currently it ranks at 92nd in the
world, according to the QS World University Rankings 2014/15. Established back
in 1883, it was a constituent college of the University of New Zealand before
it dissolved in 1961. The university is made up of eight faculties and six
campuses, and currently has more than 40,000 students. It’s situated in New
Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, which makes it an even more attractive choice
for numerous students from around the globe.
University of Otago
New Zealand’s oldest higher education institution, the University of Otago, was established in 1869. It is New
Zealand’s second entry in the QS World University Rankings 2014/15, ranked 159th in the world. The university, whose memorable
motto is “Dare to be wise”, currently teaches more than 20,000 students in its
four divisions (faculties), which cover humanities, sciences, health sciences
and business. It is situated in Dunedin, which is the second largest city on
the South Island.
University of
Canterbury
Also located on the South Island, but in its largest city of
Christchurch, the University of Canterbury is New Zealand’s third
highest ranked university at 242nd in the
world. It was founded in 1873, which makes it the second-oldest higher
education institution in the country. About 15,000 students are enrolled here,
with courses offered in subjects including arts, commerce, engineering, fine
arts, forestry, health sciences, law, music, social work, speech and language
pathology, science, sports coaching and teaching.
Victoria University
of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellingtonis New Zealand’s fourth
entrant in the QS World University Rankings, at 275th as
of the 2014/15 edition. It was established in 1897 as a constituent college of
the University of New Zealand, and became an independent institution in 1961.
The university is home to more than 20,000 students in its nine faculties. It
is well known for its programs in law, the humanities and some scientific
disciplines, but it offers a wide range of other courses as well.
Massey University
Established in 1927, Massey University is one of the younger universities
in New Zealand, but has rapidly grown to become one of the country’s largest.
It has approximately 35,000 students enrolled, of which just under half are
studying via distance learning. Those studying on-campus are spread
across the North Island at the university’s three main campuses, in Albany
(just outside Auckland), Wellington and Palmerston North. Massey University is
ranked 346th in the QS World University Rankings 2014/15.
The other three universities in New Zealand, the University of Waikato, Lincoln University and Auckland University of Technology , are all ranked
among the world’s top 550 institutions, in the QS World University Rankings
2014/15.
