TOP 1 %
of the world’s universities in 15 subject areas (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023)
TOP
World-leading academics
TOP 100
universities in the world for 10 subjects including law, performing arts and psychology - 2022 QS World University Rankings by Subject
+ 22,000
2,000 of our 22,000 students are international. We partner with 140 universities in 35 countries worldwide
# 1
first or first equal in 6 subjects—Earth and Marine Sciences, History, Linguistics, Library and Information Management, Politics and International Studies, and Sociology
Study Abroad and Exchange
The Study Abroad and Exchange programme allows you to spend a trimester or a year studying at Victoria University of Wellington, while earning credits towards your home university qualification. In Wellington you’ll be in the political, scientific and cultural heart of New Zealand, surrounded by arts, culture, mountains, ocean, and lots of great food. You’ll be living in a compact, vibrant, safe, and fun city that Lonely Planet called the coolest little capital in the world. Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington has relationships with over 140 partner universities in 35 countries. The Exchange programme is only open to students of these partner universities, while the Study Abroad programme is available to all students—whether they're studying at one of these universities or not.
Master of Artificial Intelligence
Gain skills and conceptual understanding that prepare you for a professional or academic future in Artificial Intelligence, with a Master’s degree from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. You’ll be able to demonstrate advanced knowledge of concepts and techniques behind Artificial Intelligence. And you’ll acquire skills to build AI tools with a wide range of applications and the potential to solve real-world problems across sectors like education, logistics, business, and the web. Our Master of Artificial Intelligence is the first of its kind to be offered in New Zealand. Study with our AI research group of over 50 researchers and students, whose pioneering work is at the cutting edge of AI knowledge and development.
Master of International Relations
Enhance your ability to analyse complex geopolitical issues. Study a one-year specialist International Relations programme and take your career global. Fast-track your career with a 12-month Master of International Relations. This gives you Master’s-level expertise without needing an Honours degree. You can also do the shorter, coursework-only Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations. As well as giving graduates a path into a career with a global scope, the programme gives professionals from around the world an opportunity to enhance their analytical skills and knowledge of international relations. This programme is ranked in the top 100 worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2023.
Master of Linguistics
Pursue your passion for linguistics with a Master’s programme that will equip you for a range of language-related careers. The world is becoming ever-more connected and multilingual. As it does, there’s increasing demand for researchers with a deep understanding of how languages work. With our Master of Linguistics, you can build on the knowledge you acquired at undergraduate level and delve deeper into the world of linguistics. While learning a variety of quantitative and qualitative research methods, you’ll hone your analytical and critical skills in this field. You’ll explore areas such as linguistic diversity, intercultural communication, and language processing.
Master of Marine Conservation
As a world-leader in marine conservation, New Zealand is a great place to develop your expertise in the field. Its unique and lengthy coastline is home to an abundance of marine organisms—from the tiny phytoplankton to the endangered New Zealand sea lion. Study with our School of Biological Sciences, a leader in marine biology research, and learn how to make a positive impact on these valuable ecosystems around the world. Examine marine conservation issues and practice in New Zealand, Australia, the South Pacific, and the wider Indo-Pacific region. What you learn from these examples can be applied worldwide.
VUW Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships Programme 2026
Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are funded through the New Zealand Aid Programme and administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to help build prosperity, security, and sustainable growth in partner countries.
VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship 2026
This scholarship -Value: $10,000- helps international students who are intending to study for a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma to join Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington’s international student community.
VUW Study Abroad Scholarship 2026
The scholarship - Value: Up to NZ$1,000 - is open to international students who plan to experience New Zealand culture through the Study Abroad and Exchange programme at Victoria University of Wellington.
VUW Undergraduate International Scholarship 2026
This scholarship - Value: $15,000 - helps international students who are intending to study for a Bachelor’s degree to join Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington’s international student community.
Kelburn
21 Kelburn Parade, Kelburn, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
Pipitea
33 Bunny Street, Pipitea, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Te Aro
139 Vivian Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Jesse Wood
Master of Artificial Intelligence
I enjoy the enthusiasm, curiosity, and dedication of my supervisors. They're very encouraging and open to my ‘crazy’ ideas, but know how to reign in my curiosity with their expertise when necessary.
Isaac Stead
Master of Linguistics
The knowledge and skills that I acquired were presented to me as a way to ask and attempt to answer my own questions about the nature of language. As I got further through my BA and MA, I realised that my wide interests in history, literature, and the arts and sciences could both inform and be informed by my Linguistics study. I also learned a surprising variety of practical skills. I gained confidence in working independently on a difficult linguistic problem. And I was also able to further explore my interests in anthropology, genetics, and the history of the Pacific.
I’m working at the cutting edge of research in formal, historical, and computational linguistics. I’m part of an interdisciplinary team that includes linguists, biologists, anthropologists, psychologists, and computer scientists.
Without the training, knowledge, and connections I received at the University, I wouldn’t have found my vocation.
Yana Geary
Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resource Management and Employment Relations and Management and current Master of Commerce student
I thoroughly enjoyed studying towards a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Management and Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations in a collegial, enriching, and stimulating learning environment. This led me to undertake postgraduate study to pursue my area of interest from an undergraduate course. My journey at this University has been truly inspiring, rewarding, and fulfilling.
Oliver Jarvis
Graduate, Bachelor of Science majoring in Biotechnology, now Economics Programme Manager, Vaccine Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand
At the end of my degree, I took part in the summer research scholarship programme. I worked directly with the economic intelligence unit in the Ministry for Primary Industries, which gave me fantastic on-the-job experience. At the end of the project, I was offered a full-time role in the team.
Kamla Waila
Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Science in Society
My courses really help me understand the way science is communicated, or miscommunicated, to the public. I’m really looking forward to using my skills to make a positive contribution to society.