Auckland University of Technology (AUT)

Auckland University of Technology (AUT) Reviews

Fabian
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best semester by far!

Even though I arrived to late for the orientation week I got supported by the international office's friendly staff! They helped me receive my StudentID but also took care of problems regarding my student fees. The events they organised were fantastic and allowed international students to get to know each other outside of university.

All in all the choice of papers at AUT is huge. Anything from creative papers over engineering to Maori papers is possible. As my choice of papers was limited to the ones resembling my papers back in Germany I can't talk about the Maori classes but only the engineering ones. The lectures were mostly held interesting because of competent and social lecturers.

After finishing my lectures, with just the exams ahead, I am sad to know that I'll not only leave AUT, but also New Zealand, soon. The time at AUT was quite possible the best time I had so far and I doubt anything is going to top that anytime soon! I would recommend anyone who is even thinking about spending a semester abroad at AUT the tiniest bit to do so! Event though the tuition fees for international students are quite high I don't regret a single dollar I spent.

Paula
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

NO DISAPPOINTMENTS

I have been creating good memories since the very first week. Thanks to Sam and Kenneth, international students have become a whānau.
I have managed to meet people from different parts of the world and I have experienced New Zealand to the maximum.
Thanks to the Noho Marae weekend, the International parties and the facebook group we have managed to stick all together.

My funny story is my first van trip around the north island. Because when you come to New Zealand, doing van roadtrips are a MUST. And this was the very beginning of my adventures in New Zealand.
I remember the first night, driving in the dark trying to find a place to park and sleep. We suddenly saw toilets and decided to stop there. We parked the vans, put up the tent and cooked dinner under the light of those toilets. That night we 'slept' by the sea. And I say we 'slept' because it was freezing cold and I couldn't even sleep wearing 3 sweatpants, 4 sweaters, 4 pairs of socks, a hat and gloves. I cried because I thought I was going to die of hypothermia.
Apparently, somehow I fell asleep and when I woke up, I woke up to the most stunning views.
The rest of the trip was awesome and all the places that I have visited so far in New Zealand are amazing. There's no place that has disappointed me.

Mallory
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Love AUT!!!

New Zealand as a whole is great but AUT is wonderful! It's spread out through the city which makes it feel big but most of the classes are relatively small. The international team is fantastic and always has opportunities for you to meet other internationals. And their events never felt like lame school events, they were always so fun and lively! I would 10/10 recommend AUT!!! I wish I could finish my entire degree here!

Marlies
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Cliché but true: experience of a lifetime!

The study abroad and exchange program at AUT gives you the opportunity to meet fellow students from all over the world, they encourage you to travel around the beautiful nature of New Zealand and they offer possibilities to meet natives and get a glimpse of the Maori culture! Just before the semester they created a facebook group with all international students who were about to come over to AUT and because of this I already met a great group of people on my second day overseas. Your family might be on the other side of the world but in no time we created a big new international family for the semester! For me it wasn't only the city itself but mostly the people I met who made my semester this great.
I saw a lot of the country as you generally have plenty of time to travel around, either in the semester break, the weeks before the semester actually started and sometimes a weekend trip in between. New Zealand is such a diverse country in terms of nature!
Overall, I felt really welcome everywhere in the city and in the university: everywhere on campus people we're willing to help you out if you had any problems. Every Thursday the city campus hosted small performances, gatherings of clubs and free lunch, it brought people together and on sunny days it provided really good vibes!

Elfi
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best semester so far!

When I first travelled to New Zealand I was terified that I would end up alone in my apartment, and fail all my classes, because I travelled alone. What happened was something quite different. I was put in an apartment, with the best flatmates a girl could've asked for. With My flatmates i've explored New Zealand and Auckland, and had the time of my life. The dorms are a good place to find friends, and they also arrange lots of activities during the semester.
Only negative thing about living in dorms is the paper thin walls, but you get used to it, and you get to know your flatmates quite well after a few months.

I study electrical engineering back home, and I would rather continue atudying at AUT than going back home if I had the oportunity. I really like the way they teach at AUT, it's more practical than what I'm used to, but I feel like that is a better aproach in my course. Also, the lectures is actually quite good at what they're doing, and seem like they enjoy what they teach, which makes the lectures more interesting for the students.

I would absolutely go back to AUT if I have the chance later in life!

What would you improve about this program?
More information could be given to study abroad students at the start of the semester.
Andreas
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Joining a purebred university coming from a business school

I study Economics and Business Administration at my home university. Coming from a designated business school, where everything you do is focused around revenues, profit, and competing against other businesses, joining a university where all most students have different educational backgrounds was a pleasant surprise. The different perspectives this give to discussions and assignment etc. was wonderful. Truth be told I was a bit disappointed of how easy my papers was in the beginning of the semester. After a slow start the papers became more challenging and comparable to with what I'm used to. The lectures came up with understandable examples from their careers and made sure to bring a perspective of how things are done in reality during every lecture.
Bonus info: the kiwis are extremely friendly and helpful when you arrive alone at AUT for the first time.

10/10 would come back.

Kasper
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Study abroad AUT

AUT is really been a nice place to study and i would recommend it to everyone. From the international staff to the teachers they really help you and want the best for you.

Besides that New Zealand is an amazing country, and i wouldn't have missed this for anything else. I've seen so many things, from the tip to the south, there are so many beautiful places which can only be found here.
I've also met so many new people it is almost unrealistic, I'm sure they are gonna stick around forever.

What would you improve about this program?
There isn't much to change about the program, but if i would have to comment on one thing it would be that the lectures vary in how they teach and how much they offers the students, in regards of extra help.
Niclas
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Kia Ora, a semester abroad.

Well, when going to New Zealand I actually couldn't get further away, I'm from the Denmark, a little country in the north of europe - the capital of Scandinavia.
AUT made me feel very welcome and this place has begun a second home for me. AUT and its staff does a great deal to make you feel welcome and part of something bigger with great socialization possibilities and adventuring events.

I took 4 courses here, one of them was International Noho Marae, which I would highly recommned to thoes who are much social and cultural interested. You will get an ekstra family through that course, that shouts from the cornfields of Denmark all the way to the great mountain of New Zealand, shouting recognition for your ancestors and your family, caring the Maori spirit of well-being to all whanau, for life. Family4life.

Whanau4Life.

What would you improve about this program?
Not really something but still. Don't through the student farewell party at an expensive place - we don't care about the location we want to be together and drink cheap bear.

It was a tremendously cool place though.
Alexander
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Can't wait to do it again…

AUT was the best choice of my life so far !
The papers were great and I got a lot of support from my lecturers since most of them also worked in the film industry.
I always wanted to work creatively and AUT was the right place where I could learn new skills and experiment with 3D software.
In fac,t I am planning to do a master's degree soon.
The campus itself has everything: from a gym to a bar and it is extremely modern. In the beginning, it might be a bit overwhelming when coming from a small town but the staff is always happy to help out.
New Zealand itself is a wonderful place to visit - and in my case to live.
It is hard to describe especially the nature so the best way to get an idea about NZ is to get there. The people are so friendly and welcoming so my family grew a lot during my time there and I really miss them all.
What Auckland has to improve though is the housing situation.
For short term students the student apartments might be ok but for a longer perspective, I really recommend looking for private flatting on facebook.
Nevertheless, I count the days to come back…

What would you improve about this program?
As mentioned before the housing crises is a huge issue but also the international fees are insane.
I would love to come back immediately to do a master's degree because the education at Art and Design faculty is great but I need to look for scholarships before as I can't afford to pay all by myself.
Henriette
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The best year

Coming to New Zealand through AUT has been a really good experience. The university is very new and modern and it's easy to see why so many international (and domestic) students chose AUT. For me, is has been very different from what I am used to, but in a good way. I mean, you don't travel as far away as you can get to experience the exact same things as you will find in your hometown. When I'm writing this I still have another semester to do in AUT, and I couldn't be more happy about it.

In AUT you have lots of papers to choose from and many of them are very interesting. If you want to study international business like I do, AUT is a great choice. Here you will meet students and lecturers from all over the world, each one with their own story to tell.

Auckland is a great city. A bit windy and with the most unpredictable weather, but so so great. There is always something happening. You won't be bored and there will be many stories to tell when you get home. Another great thing about Auckland for those who love to travel: It's only a 3-hour flight away from Australia or Fiji.

What would you improve about this program?
More guidance in choosing the right paper.
Read my full story