Victoria University of Wellington, Kelburn campus campus
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Victoria University of Wellington, Kelburn campus

Wellington, New Zealand

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Established in 1897, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington is a leading public research university located in New Zealand's capital. It is consistently ranked among the top 2% of universities globally and is particularly renowned for its research intensity, holding the highest quality ranking in New Zealand's most recent national assessment. 

Key Rankings & Reputation

The university maintains a strong global standing, with high marks for research, teaching, and employability. 

  • QS World Rankings: Ranked #240 in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
  • QS Stars: Achieved a prestigious 5 Stars Plus rating for excellence across all categories, including teaching, facilities, and inclusiveness.
  • Subject Strengths: Ranked in the top 1% globally for 14 subjects, including Law, Politics and International Studies, and Earth and Marine Sciences.
  • Triple Crown: Its business school (Wellington School of Business and Government) is one of an elite group worldwide with triple accreditation from EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA. 

Campus Locations

The university operates across three main city campuses and specialized research sites: 

  • Kelburn Campus: The central hub overlooking the city, housing Humanities, Social Sciences, Science, Engineering, Education, and Health faculties.
  • Pipitea Campus: Located in the heart of Wellington's legal and government district; home to the Law and Business schools.
  • Te Aro Campus: The dedicated center for Architecture and Design Innovation.
  • Specialized Sites: Includes the Miramar Creative Centre (film and game design) and the Coastal Ecology Laboratory. 

Academic Programs & Research

  • Diverse Study Options: Offers nearly 200 programs across eight faculties, covering 170+ subjects at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels.
  • Research Leadership: Hosts more than 40 research centers, including the Antarctic Research Centre and the Centre for Data Science and AI.
  • Māori Identity: The university recently adopted the name Te Herenga Waka, which reflects its commitment to biculturalism and its marae (Māori meeting house).