Is It Hard To Get Into University of Auckland?

The University of Auckland is one of the most prestigious and sought-after universities in New Zealand, attracting students from all over the world. However, with its high academic standards and rigorous admission requirements, many prospective students wonder if it’s hard to get into the University of Auckland.

Auckland skyline. Credit: canva

About the University of Auckland

The University of Auckland is a public university based in New Zealand with an esteemed reputation. It’s the largest, most comprehensive, and highest-ranked college in New Zealand. It is consistently placed among the Top 100 Universities in the world by QS World Rankings.

The University of Auckland is known for its large campus and diverse student population. It hosts about 40,000 students on five different campuses across the city, including one central location called City Campus.

The City Campus is the main campus with many facilities, such as a law school with eight faculties, making it New Zealand’s largest university by enrolment.

Auckland, The Capital City of New Zealand

Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand and also its capital. It’s home to around 1.5 million people, with many immigrants from other countries such as Australia, England, and India.

Auckland has been ranked on several occasions by international magazines as one of the world’s most liveable cities due to its cleanliness, rich culture, and excellent public transport system.

With about 300 sunny days each year, it’s easy for locals and visitors alike to enjoy the beach if they want some relaxation time or spend an extra day exploring this beautiful country at their leisure!

university of auckland world ranking 2021
The University of Auckland Clock Tower. Credit: canva

Is It Hard To Get Into the University of Auckland?

Yes, it is. The University of Auckland’s acceptance rate is put at 45%, which is highly competitive. About 4 out of 10 people who apply for admission get into the university.

To boost your chances of admission into the University of Auckland, we advise you to apply with good grades and complete the required documents.

Initially, it was challenging to get accepted because they required high grades and extracurriculars. But now, many consultancies will help you get into this prestigious university easily.

To be admitted, you need to demonstrate academic merit of a minimum cumulative GPA of 5.0*, a B average. 

The University of Auckland World Ranking

  • #1 in New Zealand (QS World University Ranking / QS WUR 2022)
  • #85 in the world (QS World University Ranking / QS WUR 2022)
  • #1 in New Zealand (Times Higher Education / THE 2022)
  • #137 in the world (Times Higher Education / THE 2022)
  • #1 in New Zealand (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022)
  • #68 in the world (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022)
  • Top 100 for 30 subjects and top 50 for 10 subjects (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022)

Is the University of Auckland Expensive?

You might be wondering how much money you need for university. The University of Auckland recommends that students budget NZ$20,000-$25,0000, which is about US$13.500-16.900, to cover their expenses while at school and living costs in New Zealand.

Capital city Wellington and the country’s largest city, Auckland, are likely to be the most expensive cities for living costs in New Zealand, with the University of Auckland estimating the following weekly costs:

  • NZ$23 (~US$15.50) for utilities
  • NZ$8 (~US$5) for internet
  • NZ$10 (~US$6.75) for a mobile phone plan
  • NZ$8 (~US$5) for insurance
  • NZ$120 (~US$80) for food
  • NZ$35 (~US$24) for transport
  • NZ$55 (~US$37) for entertainment

You can use the Numbeo website to compare living expenses in different cities.

A tool like this is a good way of finding out what your dollar will buy you overseas and whether that would be more or less expensive than where you live now.

How many universities have been included in the World University Ranking 2022?

This year’s QS World University Rankings revealed the top 1,000 universities in 80 different locations worldwide.

What is the Number 1 University in New Zealand?

Auckland University Ranking in New Zealand

Here are the rankings of universities in New Zealand, based on QS World University Rankings 2022

  1. University of Auckland (#85 in the world)
  2. University of Otago (#194 in the world)
  3. Victoria University of Wellington (#236 in the world)
  4. University of Canterbury (#258 in the world)
  5. Massey University (#284 in the world)
  6. Lincoln University (#372 in the world)
  7. University of Waikato (#373 in the world)
  8. Auckland University of Technology (#451 in the world)

10 Subjects placed in the world’s top 50

Here are the 10 best subjects that are placed in the world’s top 50, based on QS World University Rankings by Subjects 2022

  • Pharmacy & Pharmacology (#31 in the world)
  • Education & Training (#37 in the world)
  • Nursing (#42 in the world)
  • Archaeology (#43 in the world)
  • English Language & Literature (#42 in the world)
  • Sports-related Subjects (#32 in the world)
  • Geography (#30 in the world)
  • Anthropology (#37 in the world)
  • Engineering – Civil & Structural (#40 in the world)
  • Linguistics (#36 in the world)

Source: QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022

Courses at the University of Auckland for International Students?

Faculties

The University of Auckland conducts teaching and learning within eight faculties, two large-scale research institutes, and other institutes and centers.

  • Arts
  • The Faculty of Arts is the home of the humanities, social sciences, languages, and Indigenous studies at the University of Auckland.
  • Auckland Bioengineering Institute
  • The application of mathematical and engineering sciences to biology and human physiology.
  • Business School
  • The Business School has an unconditional commitment to quality teaching and research in forward-focused topics relevant to the commercial world.
  • Creative Arts and Industries
  • A respected center for creativity, research, teaching, and practice, offering undergraduate and postgraduate study of various creative disciplines.
  • Education and Social Work
  • We are committed to improving education and social services quality and understanding through high-quality teaching, research, and development.
  • Engineering
  • We are committed to creating an environment where people thrive and contribute to improving the quality of life in national and global communities
  • Law
  • Offering the most extensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in New Zealand, the Auckland Law School is ranked among the best law schools in the world.
  • Liggins Institute
  • To improve life-long health through excellent research into the long-term consequences.
  • Medical and Health Sciences
  • We are the largest and most diverse faculty, with more than 4,000 students studying across our six schools, led by world-leading researchers and lecturers.
  • Science
  • We are the largest and most highly-ranked science faculty in New Zealand. More than 7,000 students study in our 10 schools and departments.
  • Research institutes and centers
  • A variety of institutes and centers across the University enable cross-disciplinary research.

Levels of Study

The University of Auckland offers several levels of study:

  • Undergraduate Study
  • Postgraduate Study
  • Doctoral Study
  • Pathway Study
  • Foundation pathways (preparation for bachelor’s degree study to international students)
  • English language courses
  • High school pathways

Courses

The University offers more than 140 innovative programs, with more than 25 at the undergraduate level.

  • For Undergraduate study, you can check the study options here: Undergraduate prospectuses
  • For Postgraduate study, you can check the study options here: Postgraduate prospectuses

Scholarship for International Students

Undergraduate scholarships

  • University of Auckland International Student Excellence Scholarship
  • For new international students undertaking a postgraduate diploma, taught master’s or undergraduate degree (gaining University admission with overseas secondary or post-secondary qualifications). University of Auckland Vietnam Excellence Scholarship
  • A scholarship for new international undergraduate and postgraduate students from Vietnam, offering up to $10,000 towards compulsory tuition fees. 
  • University of Auckland International School Leaver Scholarship
  • For international students finishing secondary school in New Zealand enrolling in an undergraduate degree.
  • University of Auckland Foundation Pathway High Achiever Award
  • For high achievers from our Foundation Pathway partners (UP Education and Taylors College) who wish to enroll in undergraduate study at the University of Auckland.
  • The University of Auckland Pathway Partner High Achiever Award
  • From 2022, high achieving graduates from our overseas Pathway Partner programs enrolling in the first year of undergraduate study at the University of Auckland can earn up to $10,000 towards tuition fees.
  • Beatrice Ratcliffe Entry-Level Scholarship in Music
  • For students commencing undergraduate study in the School of Music.
  • Colombo Plan Scholarship in Engineering
  • For citizens of Colombo Plan member countries.
  • Dean’s Asia Scholarships in the Faculty of Business and Economics
  • For citizens of Asian countries to complete a BCom or BProp degree.
  • ESET Chillisoft Scholarship in Cyber security $5,000 Scholarship for international and domestic, undergraduate or postgraduate, full-time or part-time enrolment in the Faculty of Science in study relating to Cyber Security.
  • Friends of the University of Auckland US/NZ Exchange Award
  • An award to support US citizens and permanent residents to study at the University of Auckland.
  • Summer Research Scholarships
  • Available to undergraduate students after their second year of study.

Postgraduate scholarships

  • University of Auckland International Student Excellence Scholarship
  • For new international students undertaking a postgraduate diploma, taught master or undergraduate degree (gaining University admission with overseas secondary or post-secondary qualifications).
  • University of Auckland Vietnam Excellence Scholarship
  • A scholarship for new international undergraduate and postgraduate students from Vietnam, offering up to $10,000 towards compulsory tuition fees.
  • Beatrice Ratcliffe Postgraduate Scholarship in Music
  • For students undertaking postgraduate study in the School of Music.
  • Colombo Plan Scholarship in Engineering
  • For citizens of Colombo Plan member countries.
  • ESET Chillisoft Scholarship in Cyber Security
  • A $5,000 Scholarship for international and domestic, undergraduate or postgraduate, full-time or part-time enrolment in the Faculty of Science in a study relating to Cyber Security.
  • Faculty of Arts International Masters Degree Scholarships
  • For international students enrolled in a master’s degree in the Faculty of Arts.
  • Faculty of Creative Arts and Industries International Student Masters Award
  • For international students of high caliber to enroll in master’s level study of one year or more in the Faculty of Creative Arts and Industries to support teaching, research, and collaborative partnerships with other universities.
  • Faculty of Education and Social Work Postgraduate International Student Scholarship
  • The Scholarship supports international students enrolling in specified postgraduate programs at the Faculty of Education and Social Work and successfully establishing themselves in Auckland.
  • Friends of the University of Auckland US/NZ Exchange Award
  • An award to support US citizens and permanent residents to study at the University of Auckland.
  • Qi Anlong Scholarship in Computer Science
  • A scholarship to support undergraduate and honors-level computer science study for full-time domestic and international students, up to $8,000.
  • School of Medical Sciences International Masters Scholarship
  • Up to $20,000 to be used on tuition for new international students of high caliber to enroll in master’s level study for one or two years at the School of Medical Sciences.
  • University of Auckland Fulbright Scholarships
  • For Fulbright award winners to enable them to complete degrees at the University of Auckland.
  • University of Auckland International Business Masters Scholarships
  • International students interested in the Master of Management, Master of International Business, Master of Marketing, or Master of Professional Accounting degree at the University of Auckland Business School, can gain the skills and knowledge required to launch a business career.
  • University of Auckland Law School Postgraduate Awards
  • The Auckland Law School Postgraduate Awards support and encourage academically outstanding students to study for a master’s degree at the Auckland Law School.

For details, please check: the University of Auckland Scholarships

How to Apply for International Students

Choose your programme

Before applying, you have to check the study options as well as entry requirements for chosen courses.

Apply for admission

Is this your first time applying with us?

  1. Click Apply now.
  2. Complete you application
  3. Submit your application

Submit your supporting documents

Track your application progress

If you apply for the next semester’s intake, an admission decision will be made within four weeks of receiving your required documents. Delays may occur if this is a future semester and during peak admissions periods (September-January or May-July). Some documents might take longer to process than others, so it’s best not to wait until then.

View your application decision

When you accept an offer of a place, you are admitted to your program. You will receive your acceptance by email with information on how to enroll.

If you have a conditional offer of a place, you will need to meet all the conditions before enrolling.

Enrol in your courses

You can now enroll in courses for your program.

Paying your tuition fees

The fees you pay are based on the courses you enroll in, for information about fees and how to pay, visit Tuition fees.

University of Auckland Official Website

Comprehensive information regarding the University of Auckland, New Zealand, can be found here: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/

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