Victoria University of Wellington

Victoria prides itself as a university with a significant international focus and a strong domestic base. Victoria has extensive collaborative and student exchange links with renowned universities throughout the Pacific, Asia, North and South America and Europe. See Study Abroad and Exchange for details.

The University enrols over 21,000 students each year including around 3,000 international students from over 75 countries - see Victoria International for more information. Over 20% of the Victoria student populationis studying at postgraduate level.

Location & Sites

Wellington is known for its city buzz, proliferation of good cafes and lively night life. It is a vibrant, compact city situated at the southern tip of New Zealand's north island, between a beautiful harbour and green hills. Wellington offers a healthy lifestyle in a mild to temperate climate while also acting as a gateway to the rest of New Zealand through one of the busiest airports in the country.

As the nation's cultural capital, Wellington offers access to the country's national museum's libraries and national institutions. Wellington also hosts regular sporting events, cultural festivals, including the New Zealand International Arts Festival - one of the top six arts festivals in the world - and the Wellington International Film Festival. For more information refer to Wotzon.Com.

Victoria University has four campuses, three of which are within 15 minutes walk of each other in the city centre. The main Kelburn campus enjoys an idyllic setting with its elevated position commanding stunning views over the harbour. The Law School occupies the historic government buildings opposite Parliament and the High Court, and it is adjacent to the Faculty of Commerce and Administration, on the Pipitea campus. The Schools of Architecture and Design occupy a large, purpose-built awards-winning building: the Te Aro campus. It is located in the midst of cafes, galleries and old bookstores in the heart of the central city. The Faculty of Education is located in Karori, a 10-minute drive from the heart of the city.

Academic Courses

Victoria offers a range of study options: pre-degree English language study and Foundation Studies programme; Undergraduate degrees and diplomas including Study Abroad and Student Exchange opportunities; postgraduate study including honours, diplomas, masters degrees and PhD.

Study opportunities are offered through seven faculties.

Faculties

Architecture & Design's facilities are among the best in Australasia - all in a radically remodelled former cargo building, which is an award-winning landmark. Major items of equipment include 3-D Digital Printer, Digital Laser Cutter, a wind tunnel and other environmental simulation equipment.

Commerce and Administration is superbly positioned to make the most of the many advantages of being close to the centre of a thriving capital city. Many businesses have their head offices in the city and excellent links are in place with many of the corporate leaders, financial institutions, and government agencies in the city to develop mutually beneficial partnerships. The faculty incorporates the Schools of Accounting & Commercial Law, Economics & Finance, Government, Information Management, Marketing & International Business and the Victoria Management School.

Humanities and Social Sciences are ranked in the Top 100 in the world by the THES world rankings. As Victoria's largest faculty, this offers a wide range of study areas, including Classics, Asian & European Languages, English, Film, Theatre & Media, Political Science & International Relations, Linguistics, Nursing & Midwifery.

Education teaches a range of undergraduate programmes related to teacher training in early childhood, primary and secondary areas. It also delivers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate study for the professional development of teachers.

Engineering is currently offered at undergraduate and PhD levels. Strong focuses within the Faculty include Computer System Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Network Engineering and Software Engineering.

Law offers study at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It has acknowledged strengths in International Law, Public Law and Commercial Law and includes two research centres - NZ Centre for Public Law, NZ Centre for Dispute Resolution and Research and the New Zealand Centre for International Economic Law.

Science offers study through its Schools of Biological Sciences; Chemical and Physical Sciences; Geography, Environment & Earth Sciences; Mathematics, Statistics & Computer Sciences; and Psychology.

The New Zealand School of Music (NZSM) has been established by combining Victoria University of Wellington and Massey University's strengths to offer students opportunities for comprehensive study unique in New Zealand. The NZSM takes a holistic approach to music, placing equal value on composition, musicology and performance.

Research

Victoria has a large number of significant Research Centres and Institutes. The University hosts the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology in partnership with Canterbury University, as well as the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research - New Zealand's leading independent biomedical research centre. Victoria researchers have won major grants in a highly competitive environment and publish in leading international journals and with top academic publishers.

Foundation Year

This three-trimester programme prepares students for undergraduate study in any area of the University. For more information, go to the Foundations Studies Programme.

Academic and English Language Study

English Proficiency Programme (EPP)
The EPP is a well known and highly regarded programme preparing students for high level study including postgraduate study. This programme has been in existence for around 40 years and over 10,000 students have been through it. The programme runs on a 12 week cycle.

For more information, see English Proficiency Programme.

Victoria is an accredited IELTS testing centre.

Academic and English Language Requirements

Academic Requirements Calculator:

• This calculator generates a personalised printable-summary of both Academic and English Language requirements.
  Visit the calculator.

English Language Requirements:

• Foundation
  IELTS - 5.5 (no sub-score below 5)
  TOEFL - 525 Paper-based / 195 Computer-based / 70 Internet-based
• Undergraduate
  IELTS - 6 (so sub-score below 5.5)
  TOEFL - 550 Paper-based / 213 Computer-based / 80 Internet-based
• Postgraduate
  IELTS - 6.5 (no sub-score below 6)
  TOEFL - 575 Paper-based / 237 Computer-based / 90 Internet-based

Academic Year

Victoria runs on a trimester system. The first trimester commences late February, the second trimester commences mid July and the third trimester commences early November.

Trimester 1 (late February - early June)
Trimester 2 (early July - early October)
Trimester 3 (late November - mid February)

Application Closing Dates

We strongly advise submitting applications before the following dates:
For study commencing Trimester 1 -1st December
For study commencing Trimester 2 - 1st May
For study commencing Trimester 3 -1st September
* Applications received after this date will be considered.

Download an application form and apply through Victoria International.

Scholarships

The University offers a range of scholarship options for international students. For further information see International Scholarships.

Services and Facilities

The international office at Victoria - Victoria International - includes a dedicated, award winning Student Services Team. The Services Team oversees arrival and orientation, insurance and visas and has Student Advisors available to assist with any issues students confront. Victoria International is backed by a comprehensive range of services provided by the University for all students, including Student Learning Support, Language Learning Centre, Student Health Service, Counselling Service, Careers Service, Students' Association and more.

For more information see Student Services.

Accommodation

There are a number of university housing options available for students which include fully-catered Halls of Residence (with a meal plan), self-catered apartments/studios (without a meal plan), or private flats (sharing a house with others). The Accommodation Service at Victoria is responsible for placing students in university accommodation. The Service can also place students in temporary accommodation.

For more information see Accommodation Service.

Tuition and Living Costs

The compact nature of central Wellington and ease of getting around the city make it an affordable option for students. For information about fees and living costs see the Online Cost Calculator.