Victoria University of Wellington

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington is a public university in Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. Established in 1897, it is known for academic teaching, research, international engagement and its location near New Zealand’s government, business, creative industries and cultural institutions.

The university welcomes students from many countries and offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate and research qualifications. Its academic areas include business, government, law, humanities, social sciences, science, engineering, health, education, architecture and design.

University rankings and recognition

The university has strong international rankings and subject-level recognition. Rankings vary by publication and year, so the following figures identify the relevant ranking edition.

• QS World University Rankings 2026: Ranked 240th in the world, placing the university in the top 2% globally.

• QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026: 16 subjects ranked in the global top 1%, with five subjects in the global top 100.

• QS Stars: Holds the Five Stars Plus rating, the highest overall rating in the QS Stars University Ratings system.

• Times Higher Education (THE): Has remained within the top 500 of the THE World University Rankings since 2023, according to the university.

• ShanghaiRanking Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2026: Ranked in the global top 600.

• Sustainability: Recognised in the top 1% globally for sustainability by the university’s cited QS Sustainability and THE Impact ranking results.

• Business-school accreditation: Wellington School of Business and Government holds the Triple Crown of EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA accreditations, an internationally recognised combination of business-school accreditations.

Types of courses and study levels

The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate, research and preparatory study options. Its programme portfolio covers more than 100 undergraduate subjects and more than 80 postgraduate subject areas.

1. Pre-degree and foundation study

Options help students prepare for university-level education. International students who do not meet the required academic or English-language standard may be able to take an approved Foundation Studies or English for Academic Purposes programme before progressing to a degree, subject to the applicable progression conditions.

2. Undergraduate qualifications

These include:

• Bachelor of Arts

• Bachelor of Commerce

• Bachelor of Laws

• Bachelor of Science

• Bachelor of Engineering with Honours

• Bachelor of Design Innovation

• Bachelor of Architectural Studies

• Bachelor of Health

• Bachelor of Communication

• Bachelor of Music

3. Graduate certificates and diplomas

These qualifications support further study or professional development after an earlier qualification. Availability and entry requirements depend on the subject and programme.

4. Honours and postgraduate certificates or diplomas

Students can pursue advanced study after a bachelor’s degree. Postgraduate diplomas and certificates can provide specialist knowledge and, where the regulations allow, may form part of a wider academic pathway.

5. Master’s degrees

The university offers taught and research-oriented Master’s qualifications in areas including business, computer science, engineering, architecture, education, health, law, science, public policy and the humanities.

6. Doctoral and research qualifications

Research options include PhD and other doctoral qualifications. These are suitable for students seeking advanced research careers or academic work. Entry can require a relevant prior qualification, a strong academic record and, for some projects, an appropriate research proposal and supervisor.

Number of programmes offered

The number depends on whether the count refers to programmes, qualifications, subjects or individual courses.

• Undergraduate subjects: More than 100.

• Postgraduate subject areas: More than 80.

• Programmes: The New Zealand government’s Study with New Zealand provider profile has described the university’s offering as approximately 20 undergraduate programmes and 180 postgraduate programmes. This is a broad overview rather than a guaranteed count of currently open programmes.

• Individual courses: The university has a course finder listing courses by subject, trimester, delivery mode and other features.

Highlights for international students

• Capital-city location: Study in Wellington, close to government, business, public policy, arts, media and technology organisations.

• International reputation: Ranked 240th in the QS World University Rankings 2026, with notable subject-level strengths.

• Broad subject selection: Options span business, law, science, engineering, health, education, humanities, architecture and design.

• Research opportunities: The university has research centres and institutes working across fields such as climate change, sustainability, public health, engineering and Indigenous knowledge.

• International student community: The university reports students from around 100 countries. Its published 2025 international student statistics list 284 students from India.

• Business-school recognition: Wellington School of Business and Government holds EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA accreditations.

• Student support: International orientation, student advice, wellbeing services and guidance on visas and enrolment are available.

• Study flexibility: Students can explore different majors, combined degrees and online courses where programme regulations allow.

Latest updates and useful information

1. 2026 global rankings: The university’s latest published ranking page highlights its QS global position of 240th, 16 subjects in the top 1% globally and its Five Stars Plus rating.

2. International scholarship structure: The undergraduate and postgraduate international scholarships introduced in August 2025 are now central options for new eligible full-time international students. Applicants should check the current regulations and whether their intended qualification meets the criteria.

3. International student enrolment data: The university’s published 2025 statistics report 1,501 undergraduate international students, 900 postgraduate students excluding PhD, and 728 PhD students. The figures are headcounts by qualification level, not necessarily unique students across all categories.

4. Application deadlines: The international website lists general application dates of 8 December for Trimester 1 (February), 1 May for Trimester 2 (July), and 1 September for Trimester 3 (November). These are general guidance dates, not a guarantee that every programme accepts applications until that date. Programmes and scholarships can have different deadlines, so applicants should confirm the deadline for their specific intake.

5. Programme and delivery checks: The university’s online course finder lists 2026 course information and delivery features, including courses taught and assessed entirely online. Students should verify programme availability, campus and delivery mode for their intended year of entry.

Scholarship

1. VUW Undergraduate International Scholarship

Who can apply?

Applicants must:

• Be international students paying full international tuition fees.

• Intend to study a bachelor’s degree at the university.

• Hold a conditional or unconditional Offer of Place for the bachelor’s degree.

• Be new to the university, with specific exceptions for students completing or recently completing the university’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP) or Foundation Studies programmes.

Who is not eligible?

The official regulations exclude, among others:

• Returning university students, except for the stated EAP and Foundation Studies exceptions.

• Study Abroad, exchange and twinning students.

• Students receiving credit transfer, advanced standing or recognition of prior learning from a previous qualification.

• Students sponsored by their home government or the New Zealand Government.

• Australian or New Zealand citizens, permanent residents, resident visa holders, and eligible diplomatic-visa holders with domestic fee status.

Application process: No separate scholarship application is required. The university assesses eligibility through the programme application and informs successful or provisionally eligible applicants through their Offer of Place.

How the funding works: The NZ$15,000 award is credited directly towards tuition fees for one year only, for the student’s first enrolment in the programme. It is not a cash allowance for living expenses. The scholarship may be combined with another award if that award’s rules permit it.

2. VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship

Eligible qualifications

• Master’s degree of 120, 180 or 240 points.

• Postgraduate Diploma of 120 points.

Eligibility requirements

Applicants must:

• Be international students paying full international tuition fees.

• Hold a conditional or unconditional Offer of Place for an eligible Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma.

• Be new to the relevant postgraduate programme at the university.

• Study full-time on campus.

Students completing or recently completing the university’s EAP programme or a Victoria University of Wellington bachelor’s degree or bachelor’s degree with honours can be eligible, subject to the scholarship regulations.

Exclusions: Returning students who do not meet an exception, Study Abroad or exchange students, twinning students, students with credit transfer or advanced standing, government-sponsored students, and students with domestic fee status are generally excluded.

Application process: No separate scholarship application is required. Eligibility is assessed through the programme application, and eligible applicants are advised through their Offer of Place.

Payment and conditions: The NZ$10,000 award is credited directly to tuition fees for one year only, for the first enrolment in the programme. It is not a living-cost allowance. Deferral may be requested for another intake in the same calendar year, but not to a later year.

3. International School-Leaver Excellence Scholarship

Who can apply?

Applicants must:

• Be international students paying full international tuition fees.

• Have completed at least two full years—Year 12 and Year 13—at a New Zealand secondary school.

• Be entering the first year of their first undergraduate degree at the university.

• Have achieved NCEA Level 2, or Level 3 if taken in Year 12, endorsed with Excellence, or an equivalent result in another qualification.

• Be enrolling in Trimester 1 of the year following their application.

Academic expectations

The scholarship is competitive and awarded on academic merit. The university gives examples of strong results such as at least 230 points across the best four Cambridge International Education subject units or a predicted International Baccalaureate score of at least 34. Final qualification and university-entry requirements still apply.

Application documents

• Personal statement.

• Reference from the school principal or nominee.

• Academic results and any required supporting documents.

How to apply: Submit the online scholarship application and all required supporting documents by the stated deadline. The listed closing date is 1 September; the application round for 2027 study has closed as of October 2026.

Conditions after award: Students must maintain a GPA of 6 (approximately a B+ average) and study full-time, normally at least 120 points per year. The award is credited towards tuition fees in the second year. Recipients who apply for university accommodation by 1 October are guaranteed an offer of a place in a hall of residence, subject to the scholarship’s terms.

Can it be combined with another scholarship? Yes. Eligible students may also receive the NZ$15,000 VUW Undergraduate International Scholarship for their first year, subject to both scholarships’ conditions.

4. Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships

Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are funded through the New Zealand Aid Programme and administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Victoria University of Wellington is a participating institution.

What may be covered?

The scholarship covers most major study costs, including:

• Tuition fees.

• Travel costs.

• Insurance.

• A fortnightly living allowance.

The exact benefits and conditions are governed by the Manaaki scholarship rules.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be citizens of a country eligible for the programme.

• Meet the relevant age, academic, work-experience and other requirements for their country and scholarship category.

• Select a subject or qualification that aligns with the study options recommended for their country.

• Meet the university’s admission requirements for the chosen programme.

• Follow the official application process and country-specific opening dates.

Important for Indian applicants: Do not assume eligibility based on being an international student or an Asian applicant. Check the current official list of eligible countries first. If India is not included in the applicable country list for the current application round, an Indian citizen cannot apply through that round.

5. Victoria University of Wellington Study Abroad Scholarship

Eligibility requirements

• Be an international student intending to enrol in the university’s Study Abroad and Exchange programme for at least one trimester.

• Have applied to the programme and hold an Offer to study by the scholarship deadline.

• Have a minimum GPA of 2.7 out of 4.

• Begin study in the trimester and year stated in the Offer of Place.

• Hold a valid passport and appropriate New Zealand student visa when required.

Application requirements

Applicants must submit an online application and a motivational statement explaining how studying in New Zealand will benefit them personally, academically and professionally.

The statement may be:

• A written statement of no more than 300 words, submitted as a PDF or Word document; or

• A video of no more than two minutes, submitted through a YouTube link.

6. China Scholarships Council (CSC) / Victoria University Scholarship Scheme

Who is eligible?

This scheme is for eligible Chinese applicants who gain admission to the university’s PhD programme. It is not a general scholarship for all international students.

Funding

• The university provides tuition-fee support for up to 48 months for successful candidates under the scheme.

• The China Scholarship Council may consider funding for living expenses, health insurance, return airfare and visa application fees, in line with its applicable rules.

7. Wellington Doctoral Scholarship

This is one of the most significant funding options for international students planning a full-time PhD.

Who can apply?

• Graduates of universities in New Zealand or overseas.

• Applicants intending to enrol full-time in a PhD at Victoria University of Wellington.

• Eligible candidates who have already started their doctoral study at the university, subject to the rules on remaining scholarship tenure.

• Applicants seeking their first doctoral qualification.

Selection criteria

The scholarship is competitive and based primarily on academic merit. The university may consider:

• A strong academic record.

• Excellent academic references.

• Evidence of potential to conduct high-quality research.

• Relevant publications and research achievements, appropriate to the applicant’s experience.

• The alignment of the proposed research with the school, institute or centre’s research interests.

8. Guaranteed Wellington Doctoral Scholarship

This award is a specific pathway within the university’s doctoral scholarship offering for eligible high-achieving graduates.

Scholarship value: NZ$32,000 per year plus tuition fees, normally for up to three years.

Key eligibility condition: The university’s published criteria specify a GPA of 8.5 or above under its standard doctoral GPA calculation in a qualifying Master’s or Honours degree completed at a New Zealand university within the 12 months before application. Applicants must also meet the applicable doctoral admission requirements.

Who should consider it? Students who completed their qualifying postgraduate or Honours study at a New Zealand university and achieved the required GPA. An international applicant who completed their qualifying degree overseas should not assume they qualify for this guaranteed route; they may instead be considered through the competitive Wellington Doctoral Scholarship process.

Application: The university accepts applications for this guaranteed scholarship throughout the year. Contact the Doctoral Admissions Office for the current process and eligibility assessment.

9. Wellington Master’s by Thesis Scholarship

Who can apply?

• Students from any university, in New Zealand or overseas.

• Applicants eligible to enrol in a full-time Master’s by thesis at Victoria University of Wellington.

• Students undertaking a thesis worth at least 90 points, or an eligible research portfolio of equivalent value under the university’s regulations.

A 60-point dissertation does not meet the published thesis requirement.

Academic requirements

Applicants would normally be expected to have completed an Honours degree or Part 1 of a Master’s degree with results equivalent to at least a GPA of 7.0 at a New Zealand university. The university may apply a higher threshold if there are more qualified applicants than available awards.

Application documents

• Personal statement.

• One-page research proposal.

• CV.

• One academic reference.

• Academic transcript, if previous study was not completed at Victoria University of Wellington.

Funding and international fee implications

The scholarship provides:

• NZ$15,000 tax-free stipend for one year.

• Tuition support at the domestic rate for 120 points, paid directly to the university.

10. Wellington Graduate Award

Who can apply?

Applicants must intend to enrol full-time in their first postgraduate degree programme at Victoria University of Wellington and meet the qualification requirements. Eligible study includes:

• A postgraduate Honours degree.

• A coursework Master’s with at least 90 points at 400 or 500 level, with a thesis or research component of less than 90 points in that year.

• A postgraduate diploma recognised as Part 1 of a two-year Master’s degree, subject to the same conditions.

The award is not intended for Honours students enrolled in certain undergraduate qualifications, such as an LLB (Hons) or BE (Hons).

Academic expectations: Applicants are normally expected to have an A-grade average, equivalent to GPA 8.0, at 300 level or above. Awards are competitive, and the actual minimum may vary.

Funding: Up to NZ$5,000 is credited towards tuition fees. However, international students must pay the difference between the full international fee and the domestic tuition fee covered by the award. This means it is a contribution, not a full international tuition scholarship.

11. Other postgraduate and doctoral awards

The university’s scholarship database includes additional research and subject-specific awards. These are not all open to every international applicant, so students must check the eligibility rules for each award.

Examples worth checking include:

• Master’s Research Scholarship in Management: A subject-specific research award advertised for a Master’s by Thesis in Management. The currently listed opportunity offers a NZ$22,000 tax-free stipend for one year plus domestic thesis tuition fees, with an advertised deadline of 1 March 2027 or until the position is filled. It is focused on research related to insurability, marae-centred communities, climate change adaptation and communal assets.

• Wellington Doctoral Submission Scholarship: For eligible current PhD candidates approaching thesis submission. It offers NZ$2,666.67 per month for up to two months and does not cover tuition fees or levies. This is primarily a completion-stage award, not a general entry scholarship for new PhD students.

• Other Master’s, Honours and PhD awards: Faculty, school, subject-area and donor-funded scholarships may be available in areas such as architecture, design, business, law, science, engineering, humanities, social sciences, music, health and education. Some awards are restricted by citizenship, residency, identity, research topic or other criteria.

12. Previous scholarships that are no longer generally available to new applicants

The university’s international scholarship update confirms that the following awards were replaced or discontinued for new applicants from 2026 onwards.

Tongarewa International Scholarship

Previously offered to eligible international students, including students beginning undergraduate or postgraduate study. It was replaced as part of the new international scholarship structure. New applicants should not rely on older pages or prospectuses advertising this award.

Latin American Academic Achievement Scholarship

Previously supported eligible students from Latin America. It is included among the awards replaced by the new scholarship structure.

International Alumni Fees Waiver

Previously provided fee support under specific alumni-related eligibility conditions. It is not generally offered as the former award to new applicants from 2026 onwards.

New Zealand International School-Leaver Grant

This earlier award is also included in the changes announced by the university.

Applicants who already received one of these scholarships, or who applied or received an Offer of Place under the earlier arrangements, should contact the university to confirm whether transitional conditions apply to their circumstances.

Scholarship comparison by study level

For quick counselling, these are the main options to consider:

• Bachelor’s degree, applying directly from overseas: Start with the VUW Undergraduate International Scholarship, worth NZ$15,000 towards first-year tuition.

• Eligible Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma: Check the VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship, worth NZ$10,000 towards tuition for one year.

• International student who completed Year 12 and Year 13 at a New Zealand secondary school: Check the International School-Leaver Excellence Scholarship, worth NZ$10,000 towards second-year tuition, in addition to possible first-year support.

• Eligible PhD applicant: Explore the Wellington Doctoral Scholarship, with a NZ$32,000 annual stipend plus tuition fees, normally for up to three years.

• Research-focused Master’s applicant: Check the Wellington Master’s by Thesis Scholarship, which offers a stipend plus domestic-rate tuition support; international fee differences may remain payable.

• Eligible coursework Master’s or Honours applicant: Check the Wellington Graduate Award, worth up to NZ$5,000 towards domestic-rate tuition, with the international fee difference payable.

• Short-term exchange or Study Abroad student: Check the Study Abroad Scholarship, worth up to NZ$1,000.

• Eligible Chinese PhD applicant: Investigate the CSC / Victoria University Scholarship Scheme.

• Eligible student from a participating Manaaki partner country: Check the government-funded Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships.