QS Rankings of Top Colleges & Universities in New Zealand 2026
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New Zealand is one of the selected destinations in the world for higher education. Check out the QS ranking of top universities in New Zealand according to the QS World University Rankings 2026. This ranking will help you to understand the reputation of different universities in NZ.
The QS World University Rankings 2026 have been released, and the ranking of Universities in New Zealand is updated. It is one of the most renowned ranking organisations in the world. According to the ranking of universities in New Zealand in 2026, the University of Auckland got the top position in the list of top universities in New Zealand. The university got 65th position in the world ranking.
Other than this, there are 7 universities in New Zealand that secured a place in the ranking released by QS Top Universities. This ranking is helpful for those students who want to study in new Zealand and have less information about the universities. In this article, we have mentioned the QS ranking of these universities.
- QS Ranking of Universities in New Zealand 2026
- Why Study in New Zealand?
- Top Universities in New Zealand
QS Ranking of Universities in New Zealand 2026
Every year, QS University Rankings publishes a list of top universities in the world for students looking to study anywhere in the world to take inspiration from. The universities on the list are ranked on certain parameters such as Academic Reputation (40%), Employer Reputation (10%), Faculty/Student Ratio (20%), Citations per faculty (20%), and International Faculty Ratio /International Student Ratio (10%) to understand the scale of education being imparted in these institutions.
Check: QS World University Ranking Methodology
Below, we have mentioned the updated QS ranking of universities in New Zealand. These university rankings are based on the aforementioned parameters.
| New Zealand Universities |
QS World University Ranking 2026 |
|---|---|
| #65 |
|
| #197 |
|
| #230 |
|
| #240 |
|
| #261 |
|
| University of Waikato | #281 |
| #407 |
|
| #410 |
Source: QS University Rankings
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Why Study in New Zealand?
There are plenty of benefits for international students. The country is home to state-of-the-art universities complete with modern amenities. The country’s student-friendly post-study work permit and New Zealand study visa regulations only make the country a dream destination for students wanting to study abroad. Here we have mentioned the top 7 reasons to study in NZ.
- Broad Opportunities for Study and Research
- Quality Learning Experience
- Globally Accepted Qualifications
- Easy Entry Requirements
- A Great Place to Live & Study
- Affordable Cost of Living & Studying
- Ample Job Opportunities
Top Universities in New Zealand
Check out the detailed information about the best universities in New Zealand, including the insights.
1) University of Auckland
The University of Auckland was founded in the year 1883. It consistently secures a place in the list of top 100 universities worldwide according to QS rankings. It offers courses related to arts, business, science, engineering, law and more. The University of Auckland is home to renowned institutes like Liggins and Auckland Bioengineering.
2) University of Otago
The University of Otago was founded in the year 1869. It is the second most popular university in NZ and one of the top universities in the world as per QS World University Ranking. It offers graduate-level, PhD, and postgraduate-level programmes in finance, economics, entrepreneurship, and more.More than 20,000 students are studying here, including 2990 international students from across the world.
3) Massey University
Massey University was established in the year 1927. It is a public university in NZ which offers diverse programs for international students. More than 27,500 students are enrolled in different programs of the university, it has a 65% acceptance rate. Notable alumni include Steve Maharey and Gemma McCaw. Graduates earn a median base salary of NZD 85,000 (INR 42.27 LPA).
4) Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington is a popular public research university in New Zealand. It was founded in the year 1897. Currently, there are 1,000 faculty members to provide comprehensive and quality education. The university offers a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Its approximately 40 research institutes and centres that provide excellent resources, ensuring students gain valuable practical knowledge and high-quality learning experiences.
5) University of Canterbury
The University of Canterbury was founded in the year 1873, comprises five distinct colleges. These include Arts, Engineering, Science, Education/Health/Human Development, and Business/Law. The University of Canterbury has got 261st rank in the QS World University Ranking 2026. Each college of this university offers a diverse range of degree UG and PG programs which are related to arts, commerce, technology, music, law, and health sciences.
6) University of Waikato
The University of Waikato was established in the year 1964. This popular university of New Zealand is well famous for its research based teaching and strong industry connections. This has secured 281st in the QS World University Rankings 2026. It offers a wide array of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across, including Arts, Law, Psychology, Social Sciences, Health, Engineering, Computing, and Science.
7) Lincoln University
Lincoln University was founded in the year 1878. It is New Zealand's top university for studies about land and the environment. According to QS ranking 2026, Lincoln University is on 407th globally. Lincoln offers many courses in areas like farming, gardening, wine, food, land design, and managing the environment.
8) Auckland University of Technology
Auckland University of Technology (AUT) was established in 2000. It is one of New Zealand's newest and well-known universities. It is located in Auckland, which focuses on providing practical, industry-related education. AUT offers a wide range of courses related to undergraduate, postgraduate doctoral levels.
Candidates can get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors for more admission-related information for New Zealand university admissions.
Also Read:
International students need to show sufficient funds for getting a New Zealand student visa. Students need to show NZ$ 20,000 for a full year of study or NZ$ 1,250 per month for getting a New Zealand study visa.
Cost of New Zealand Student Visa Application
- New Zealand Visa Cost: Students who are submitting their Student Visa Application online are required to pay a base Visa fee of NZD 375 which is INR 19,200 (approximately).
- Candidates who are applying for their Student Visa online from New Delhi are required to pay NZD 430 which is INR 22,000 (approximately) as the receiving centre fees.
- Those applying for a student visa in New Zealand on paper (offline mode) should note that the immigration costs would be INR 22,600, in addition to this students are required to pay a receiving Centre fee of INR 1,520.
To apply for a New Zealand visa:
Applicants should be aware that applying online is the recommended way to submit their New Zealand visa application.
Gather your documentation, scan it, and prepare all of your primary and supporting papers in PDF format. Ensure you have scanned and attached a photo of yourself. Applicants are advised to check the official website for the embassy's needed picture criteria.
Depending on the applicant's history, the New Zealand High Commission typically requires 63 calendar days to process a visa. Thus, in order to start their courses, students must apply for their visas at least three months in advance. Finish your online application – You must first register online and complete the form.
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Student Curriculum Vitae
With a good educational system, excellent quality of life, and a number of research opportunities, New Zealand offers a lot to international students. Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand has a 39 percent population of overseas citizens, making it a culturally diverse city. Moreover, the post-study work visa in New Zealand can offer up to three years of stay back. As per Stats New Zealand, its unemployment rate is 3.4 percent. Students enrolled in a course of 12 months or more can also work part-time in New Zealand for up to 20 hours a week during the semester and holidays.