Victoria University of Wellington emblem

Victoria University of Wellington

Wellington, New Zealand Founded 1897 World Rank #1097

Overview

English Name: Victoria University of Wellington
Local Name: Te Herenga Waka
Founded: 1897
Control Type: Public
Entity Type: Non-profit
World Rank: #1097
Rank in New Zealand: #4
Motto: Sapientia magis auro desideranda
Students at Victoria University of Wellington
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Founded in 1897, the Victoria University of Wellington is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Wellington (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants).

Officially recognized by the Ministry of Education of New Zealand, Victoria University of Wellington is a large-sized coeducational New Zealand higher education institution. Victoria University of Wellington offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees in several areas of study.

This 127-year-old New Zealand higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.

Victoria University of Wellington also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

Victoria University of Wellington's contact information and physical address — the basics you'll want before applying or visiting. Bookmark this page as a single reference point during the application cycle.

Address: P.O. Box 600
Postal Code: 6140
Phone: +64 (4) 472 1000
Fax: +64 (4) 499 4601

Academic Details

Below are the institutional metrics for Victoria University of Wellington: scale, staffing balance, and accreditation context. These shape the academic experience more than headline rankings often suggest.

Academic Year: (March-June; July-October; November-February
Accrediting Agency: New Zealand Qualifications Authority
Admission Requirements: Acceptable credits in the National Certificate of Educational Achievement or approved alternative
Total Students: 21,833
Student Enrollment: 15
Academic Staff Range: 900-999
Full-Time Academic Staff: 850
Campus Setting: Urban
Memberships & Networks
Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)

Degrees

Also Double Major and Conjoint Degree Programmes; Executive MBA; Higher Doctorates

Bachelor's 95 programs

Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.

  • Accountancy
  • Actuarial Science
  • Anthropology
  • Architecture
  • Art History
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Asian Studies
  • Astronomy and Space Science
  • Austronesian and Oceanic Languages
  • Biology
  • Biomedicine
  • Biotechnology
  • Building Technologies
  • Business and Commerce
  • Cell Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Chinese
  • Classical Languages
  • Communication Studies
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer Graphics
  • Computer Science
  • Criminology
  • Data Processing
  • Design
  • Development Studies
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Educational Psychology
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Electronic Engineering
  • Energy Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English
  • Environmental Management
  • Environmental Studies
  • Film
  • Finance
  • Foreign Languages Education
  • French
  • Geography
  • Geography (Human)
  • Geology
  • Geophysics
  • German
  • Government
  • Greek (Classical)
  • Health Sciences
  • History
  • Human Resources
  • Indigenous Studies
  • Information Technology
  • International Business
  • International Relations and Diplomacy
  • International Studies
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Jazz and Popular Music
  • Labour and Industrial Relations
  • Latin
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Literature
  • Management
  • Marine Biology
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Media Studies
  • Microbiology
  • Midwifery
  • Modern Languages
  • Molecular Biology
  • Music
  • Music Theory and Composition
  • Musical Instruments
  • Musicology
  • Natural Sciences
  • Pacific Area Studies
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Political Sciences
  • Preschool Education
  • Psychology
  • Religious Practice
  • Religious Studies
  • Sociology
  • Software Engineering
  • Spanish
  • Statistics
  • Sustainable Development
  • Teacher Training
  • Theatre
  • Tourism
Master's 121 programs

Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.

  • Accountancy
  • Actuarial Science
  • Anthropology
  • Applied Linguistics
  • Architectural and Environmental Design
  • Architecture
  • Art History
  • Art Therapy
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Asian Studies
  • Austronesian and Oceanic Languages
  • Behavioural Sciences
  • Biology
  • Biomedicine
  • Biotechnology
  • Business Administration
  • Business and Commerce
  • Cell Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Chinese
  • Classical Languages
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Cognitive Sciences
  • Communication Studies
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer Graphics
  • Computer Science
  • Criminology
  • Cultural Studies
  • Data Processing
  • Demography and Population
  • Design
  • Development Studies
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Educational Administration
  • Educational Psychology
  • Electronic Engineering
  • Energy Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English
  • Environmental Management
  • Environmental Studies
  • Film
  • Finance
  • Fine Arts
  • Foreign Languages Education
  • French
  • Geography
  • Geography (Human)
  • Geology
  • Geophysics
  • German
  • Government
  • Health Administration
  • Health Sciences
  • Heritage Preservation
  • History
  • Human Resources
  • Immunology
  • Indigenous Studies
  • Information Sciences
  • Information Technology
  • Interior Design
  • International Business
  • International Relations and Diplomacy
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Labour and Industrial Relations
  • Landscape Architecture
  • Law
  • Leadership
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Marine Biology
  • Marine Science and Oceanography
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Media Studies
  • Meteorology
  • Microbiology
  • Midwifery
  • Molecular Biology
  • Museum Studies
  • Music
  • Music Theory and Composition
  • Musical Instruments
  • Musicology
  • Natural Sciences
  • Neurosciences
  • Nursing
  • Occupational Health
  • Pacific Area Studies
  • Performing Arts
  • Pharmacology
  • Philosophy
  • Physical Education
  • Physics
  • Political Sciences
  • Primary Education
  • Psychology
  • Public Administration
  • Regional Planning
  • Religious Studies
  • Secondary Education
  • Social Policy
  • Social Sciences
  • Sociology
  • Software Engineering
  • Spanish
  • Statistics
  • Surveying and Mapping
  • Sustainable Development
  • Teacher Training
  • Theatre
  • Tourism
  • Town Planning
  • Translation and Interpretation
  • Writing
Doctoral 16 programs

Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.

  • Architecture
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Business Administration
  • Design
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Government
  • Health Sciences
  • Law
  • Midwifery
  • Music
  • Music Theory and Composition
  • Musical Instruments
  • Natural Sciences
  • Nursing
  • Social Sciences

Faculties & Divisions

All faculties operate under Ministry of Education of New Zealand.

Auckland Premises (Campus) 4 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Architecture
  • Business Administration
  • Design
  • Education
Kelburn (Campus) Faculty details available

Specialisations & Subjects

No specified subjects listed.

Pipitea (Campus) 3 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Business Administration
  • Government
  • Law
Te Aro (Campus) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Architecture
  • Design
Science, Health, Engineering, Architecture and Design Innovation (Department/Division) 11 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Architecture
  • Computer Science
  • Design
  • Engineering
  • Environmental Studies
  • Health Sciences
  • Mathematics
  • Natural Sciences
  • Nursing
  • Psychology
  • Statistics

Common Career Paths

  • Engineer
  • Project Manager
  • Technical Consultant

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Architecture and Design Innovation (Faculty) 5 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Architecture
  • Building Technologies
  • Design
  • Interior Design
  • Landscape Architecture

Common Career Paths

  • Architect
  • Urban Planner
  • Interior Designer

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Business and Government (Faculty) 8 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Administration
  • Business and Commerce
  • Communication Studies
  • Economics
  • Finance
  • Government
  • Information Management
  • Public Administration

Common Career Paths

  • Business Analyst
  • Operations Manager
  • Strategy Consultant

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Education (Faculty) 2 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Education
  • Teacher Training

Common Career Paths

  • Teacher
  • Educational Administrator
  • Curriculum Specialist

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Graduate Research (Faculty) 13 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Architecture and Planning
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Business Administration
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Government
  • Health Sciences
  • Law
  • Midwifery
  • Music
  • Natural Sciences
  • Nursing
  • Social Sciences
Humanities and Social Sciences (Faculty) 23 subjects offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Anthropology
  • Art History
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Asian Studies
  • Classical Languages
  • Criminology
  • Education
  • English
  • History
  • International Relations and Diplomacy
  • Leisure Studies
  • Linguistics
  • Midwifery
  • Music
  • Nursing
  • Pacific Area Studies
  • Philosophy
  • Political Sciences
  • Religious Studies
  • Social Policy
  • Sociology
  • Theatre
  • Women's Studies

Common Career Paths

  • Researcher
  • Policy Analyst
  • Social Worker

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Law (Faculty) 1 subject offered

Specialisations & Subjects

  • Law

Common Career Paths

  • Lawyer
  • Legal Consultant
  • Compliance Officer

Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.

Programs Offered

All active programmes at Victoria University of Wellington are listed by degree level. Cross-reference against the divisions section to identify which faculty owns each programme — that determines admissions handling.

Bachelor's Degree

17 programmes

Victoria University of Wellington runs 17 programmes at bachelor's level — undergraduate programmes that usually span three to four years and serve as the standard entry route into a profession or further study.

Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Biomedical Science
Bachelor of Building Science
Bachelor of Commerce
Bachelor of Communication
Bachelor of Construction
Bachelor of Design Innovation
Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Early Childhood
Bachelor of Environment and Society
Bachelor of Global Studies
Bachelor of Health
Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Politics
Bachelor of Popular Music
Bachelor of Psychology
Bachelor of Science

Master's Degree

82 programmes

There are 82 programmes to choose from at Victoria University of Wellington for graduates, aimed at advanced expertise, a career change, or a stepping stone toward doctoral research.

Executive Master of Business Administration
Master of Actuarial Science
Master of Applied Linguistics
Master of Applied Statistics
Master of Architecture (by research)
Master of Architecture (Professional)
Master of Architectural Science
Master of Artificial Intelligence
Master of Arts (120 points)
Master of Arts (Coursework)
Master of Arts in Education (by research)
Master of Biomedical Science (by coursework and thesis)
Master of Biomedical Science (by thesis)
Master of Building Science
Master of Climate Change Science and Policy
Master of Clinical Immunology
Master of Clinical Research (by research)
Master of Commerce
Master of Communication
Master of Computer Science
Master of Conservation Biology
Master of Construction
Master of Construction and Building Science (Research)
Master of Construction Law
Master of Criminology
Master of Data Science
Master of Design (by research)
Master of Design Innovation
Master of Design Technology
Master of Development Studies
Master of Drug Discovery and Development
Master of Education
Master of Educational Psychology
Master of Engineering (by thesis)
Master of Engineering (by thesis and coursework)
Master of Engineering Practice
Master of Environmental Science
Master of Environmental Studies
Master of Fine Arts (Creative Practice)
Master of Global Business
Master of Health
Master of Health Psychology
Master of Health Research
Master of Indigenous Studies
Master of Information Studies
Master of Interior Architecture
Master of Intercultural Communication and Applied Translation
Master of International Relations
Master of International Trade
Master of Landscape Architecture
Master of Laws
Master of Linguistics
Master of Marine Conservation
Master of Meteorology
Master of Migration Studies
Master of Museum and Heritage Studies
Master of Music
Master of Music Therapy
Master of Musical Arts
Master of Natural Hazard Science and Policy
Master of Nursing Practice
Master of Nursing Science
Master of Philosophy, Politics and Economics
Master of Physical Activity and Hauora
Master of Political Science
Master of Professional Accounting
Master of Professional Business Analysis
Master of Public Management
Master of Public Policy
Master of Renewable Energy
Master of Science (by coursework and thesis)
Master of Science (by thesis)
Master of Science in Society
Master of Secondary School Leadership
Master of Software Development
Master of Space Science and Practice
Master of Strategic Studies
Master of Teaching and Learning (Primary)
Master of Teaching and Learning (Secondary)
Master of TESOL
Master of Urban and Regional Planning
Master of User Experience Design

Doctorate

6 programmes

Victoria University of Wellington delivers 6 programmes at doctoral level for graduates committed to advancing the frontier of their discipline through original inquiry.

Doctor of Education
Doctor of Health
Doctor of Midwifery
Doctor of Musical Arts
Doctor of Nursing
Doctor of Philosophy

Associate, Certificate & Other Qualifications

49 programmes

Victoria University of Wellington offers 49 programmes as shorter-cycle and preparatory qualifications, a flexible tier for skills-focused learners or those bridging into undergraduate study.

Bachelor of Engineering with Honours
Bachelor of Laws with Honours
Bachelor of Arts with Honours
Bachelor of Commerce with Honours
Bachelor of Music with Honours
Bachelor of Science with Honours
Bachelor of Tourism Management with Honours
Graduate Certificate in Commerce
Graduate Certificate in Designed Environments
Graduate Certificate in Health
Graduate Certificate in Law
Graduate Certificate in Science
Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Graduate Diploma in Arts
Graduate Diploma in Commerce
Graduate Diploma in Design Innovation
Graduate Diploma in Designed Environments
Graduate Diploma in Health
Graduate Diploma in Law
Graduate Diploma in Music
Graduate Diploma in Science
Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood Education)
Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary)
Postgraduate Certificate in Commerce
Postgraduate Certificate in Construction and Building Science
Postgraduate Certificate in Designed Environments
Postgraduate Certificate in Education
Postgraduate Certificate in Health
Postgraduate Certificate in Law
Postgraduate Certificate in Physical Activity and Hauora
Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Studies
Postgraduate Certificate in Science
Postgraduate Diploma in Architectural Science
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts
Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology
Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Research
Postgraduate Diploma in Commerce
Postgraduate Diploma in Construction and Building Science
Postgraduate Diploma in Designed Environments
Postgraduate Diploma in Education
Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Psychology Practice
Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering Practice
Postgraduate Diploma in Health
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Psychology Practice
Postgraduate Diploma in Music
Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Science
Postgraduate Diploma in Physical Activity and Hauora
Postgraduate Diploma in Science
Postgraduate Diploma in TESOL

How to apply to Victoria University of Wellington

Application guidance for Victoria University of Wellington, structured as five practical steps with attention to documents and admissions communication.

  1. 1
    Browse the programme catalogue

    Use the programme finder to browse Victoria University of Wellington's 154 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.

  2. 2
    Check eligibility for your chosen programme

    Programme-level requirements at Victoria University of Wellington typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.

  3. 3
    Get your documents ready

    Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.

  4. 4
    Apply through the official channel

    Victoria University of Wellington processes applications through www.wgtn.ac.nz. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.

  5. 5
    Reach out and track your application

    Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. You can reach the institution by email at [email protected] or by phone at +64 (4) 472 1000. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.

Frequently Asked Questions about Victoria University of Wellington

Quick reference for Victoria University of Wellington: founding, control type, student body, rankings, and recognition status in one place.

How old is Victoria University of Wellington?

The institution opened in 1897 (approximately 129 years ago).

Where is Victoria University of Wellington located?

Victoria University of Wellington is located in Wellington, New Zealand.

Is Victoria University of Wellington public or private?

Victoria University of Wellington operates as a public institution.

What is the student enrolment at Victoria University of Wellington?

Student enrolment at Victoria University of Wellington is around 15,000-19,999.

How is Victoria University of Wellington ranked?

It ranks #1097 globally and #4 in New Zealand.

What qualification levels does Victoria University of Wellington offer?

Victoria University of Wellington delivers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes across its academic units.

Is Victoria University of Wellington officially recognised?

Victoria University of Wellington is accredited by New Zealand Qualifications Authority.

Where can I learn more about Victoria University of Wellington?

Victoria University of Wellington's official website is www.wgtn.ac.nz.

Members of Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)

Fellow Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) members alongside Victoria University of Wellington are gathered below — useful if institutional networks matter to your decision. Networks shape exchange opportunities, joint degrees, and credential recognition across borders.

Faculties at Nearby Universities

Universities near Victoria University of Wellington often have cross-enrolment or visiting-student arrangements that let students take modules at the partner institution. Worth checking if subject coverage at Victoria University of Wellington is narrow in your area.

Universities Often Compared with Victoria University of Wellington

Students considering Victoria University of Wellington frequently compare it against the universities listed below. The comparison set reflects revealed-preference data from how applicants actually build shortlists.

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