Auckland University of Technology

Auckland University of Technology (AUT) is New Zealand’s second largest university, with 29,000 students and three campuses in Auckland.  AUT offers a contemporary university education and prepares its students to be successful and to contribute in the changing world.  A beautiful and safe place to live and study, Auckland was ranked third in the world in Mercer’s 2018 Quality of Living index, and among the top 25 cities in the world in the QS Best Student Cities 2018 ranking.   

Thanks to its innovative teaching, excellent reputation and focus on real-world experience and work-integrated learning, AUT graduates are highly favoured by employers, with 96% of available graduates in paid employment within six months of graduation.

According to a 2017 survey, 89% of students would recommend the university to others, 87% were satisfied with their campuses, and 84% were satisfied with the quality of teaching.

AUT is consistently ranked #1 in New Zealand for International Outlook, with over 5,400 international students from 150 countries (QS 2018, Times Higher Education 2018).

The university’s three campuses boast world-class facilities, including the award-winning Sir Paul Reeves building, Mana Hauora building (opened in 2017) and Nga Wai Hono building (opened in 2018). Built using sustainable principles, they feature eye-catching, modern and functional learning areas, auditoriums and research areas.

Auckland University of Technology offers 250 bachelor’s degrees, graduate diplomas, master’s degrees, MBAs and PhDs across the following areas:

• Art and design
• Business
• Colab: creative technologies
• Communication studies
• Education
• Engineering, computer and mathematical sciences
• Health sciences
• Hospitality, tourism and events
• Language and culture
• Law
• Science
• Social sciences and public policy
• Sport and recreation
• Te Ara Poutama - Māori development

Creating world-ready graduates

AUT’s mission is to create great graduates, and each member of their staff contributes to this. They offer exceptional learning experiences that prepare students to be successful wherever in the world their career may take them.

They encourage innovation and entrepreneurship, and the ability to explore new technologies, challenge routine thinking and solve problems in new ways. They embrace new technologies to lead the learning of tomorrow and prepare their students for the rapidly changing world. As a contemporary university they also place an emphasis on working across disciplines in their research, and teaching and learning.

Thanks to their innovative teaching, excellent reputation and combination of theoretical and practical learning, AUT graduates are highly favoured by employers, with 95% of available graduates in paid employment within nine months of graduation.

World-class teaching and learning

They’re proud to be one of the world’s best modern universities – Times Higher Education has ranked them as the top millennial university in Australasia and number 14 in the world. They have been a university since 2000, and are now the second largest in the country and ranked among the top 1% (251-300) of universities in the world.

A global outlook

They know that to create truly great graduates, they must do more than get them ready for their career; they must get them ready for the world.

They are consistently ranked first in New Zealand for international outlook by world rankings organisations QS and Times Higher Education. They have more than 5,000 industry partners around the world, and have collaborated on research projects with 140 different countries. Their students are from 140 different countries, and half of their academic staff were born overseas, and they often share their international experience and connections with their students.

An innovative teaching and learning space

AUT’s three modern campuses have several award-winning buildings which were created using sustainable principles and feature inviting, collaborative and functional learning areas, auditoriums and research spaces. This includes the state-of-the-art Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences building, which has unique design features that mean it can be used as a teaching tool and ‘living lab’ where students can get hands-on experience.

They also have a number of world-class facilities including one of only two motion capture studios in the country; New Zealand’s top sports science facility, AUT Millennium; and the country’s only two major radio telescopes, which are involved in projects with international research partners including NASA.

AUT’s success in creating transformational educational spaces has been recognised with a five-star ranking for teaching and facilities, awarded by the university rankings organisation QS.

World-leading staff

Their academic staff are research-active and at the forefront of their disciplines. Many of them are internationally known as experts in their fields, and organisations around the world draw on their expertise for key projects.

For example, Associate Professor Felicity Lamm was appointed as the Government’s chief advisor for health and safety, and Professor Gail Pacheco’s research is being used by the Government to address the gender pay gap.

Professor Steve Henry was the first person in Australasia to secure a spot in the world-leading Johnson & Johnson Innovation JLABS in Houston to further his work on surface-modification technology Kode Technology, which has the potential to fight cancer.

Associate Professor Barbara Bollard’s innovative use of drones to monitor remote and unique ecosystems from Antarctica to Africa has caught the attention of scientists from NASA and the SETI Institute who recognise this approach could also help them find evidence of life on Mars.

Innovative and relevant research

AUT is ranked first in New Zealand for global research impact (the number of times their research is cited by academics globally) by Times Higher Education and the US News Global Universities Rankings.

They have more than 60 research centres and institutes delivering leading research – from space research to artificial intelligence and robotics, and ecology to physical activity and nutrition.

AUT research addresses issues facing the environment and society, and their discoveries are widely used. Their research also feeds back into the classroom, and students can contribute to and learn from these research discoveries.

International scholarships

There are many scholarships for international students who want to study at AUT, and for New Zealand students who want to study overseas.

International students who want to study at AUT

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade New Zealand - NZAID

Scholarships are available to assist international students to study at AUT in New Zealand through the NZAID programme.

New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships

Funded by the New Zealand Government and administered by Education New Zealand, the New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships offer a significant educational opportunity. The scholarships provide financial support for students from designated countries undertaking doctoral degrees by research in New Zealand universities. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit. Applications close on 15th July each year.

New Zealand students who want to study overseas

Universities New Zealand Scholarships

Universities New Zealand - Te Pōkai Tara - lists scholarships, many of which fund postgraduate study overseas. These scholarships are funded from contributions from charitable trusts, individuals, governments and industry.