Hosted by Auckland University of Technology (AUT)

Study Abroad at AUT University in New Zealand

Name: Study Abroad at AUT University in New Zealand
Brand: Auckland University of Technology (AUT)
SKU: 51001
Rating: 4.77 (231 reviews)

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4.77 Rating

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Location

New Zealand
- Auckland

Term

Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer

Subject Areas

Accounting Architecture Arts Business Communications Computer Science Creative Writing Culinary Arts Cultural Studies Design Education Engineering Finance Global Studies Health Sciences Hospitality International Business Law Life Sciences Linguistics Māori Studies Marketing Mathematics Media Relations Nursing Performing Arts Philosophy Physical Therapy Psychology Social Sciences Sports Science Tourism Visual Arts +23

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Program Details

Program Type

Direct Enrollment

Degree Level

Bachelors

Housing

Apartment

Language

English

Last Updated: Dec 23, 2019

Last Reviewed: Oct 03, 2019

Wish List

71 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

AUT University is the second largest University in New Zealand and is among the fastest growing. 4,000 international students from 85+ countries flock to campus each year and there are three unique campuses all within Auckland. AUT is accredited by the New Zealand government and offers personal and interactive classroom settings. AUT also boasts the highest graduate employment rate out of all the universities in New Zealand. Come check it out for yourself!

AUT accepts international students twice per year: in February and July. You may apply as a College Freshman, but at the time of application, you must have a high school diploma and a 1500 SAT score. Alternatively, Sophomores and above are welcome to apply for an exchange.

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Program Reviews

4.77 Rating

based on 231 reviews

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Rating Spread Study

5 rating 78.79%
4 rating 19.91%
3 rating 1.3%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Academics 3.8
Support 4.5
Fun 4.1
Housing 4.5
Safety 4.85

Good for Adventure travelers, Solo Travelers, Photographers

Showing 161 - 168 of 231 reviews

I have really enjoyed my stay in Auckland, New Zealand. AUT is a big school with a lot of possibilities. There is always help available and there is focus on the social life - especially in the beginning of the semester. I would definitely recommend all international students to attend the Noho Marae Weekend - it is especially here get the possibility to bond with other students and make friends for the rest of the semester.

The level in my courses has been very different than what I've been used to at my home university. The assignments do not require nearly as much work , and the teachers are always ready to help you. The good thing is that there is a lot of time for traveling in the weekends then!

For me AUT was probably the best university I could have chosen for my semester abroad. Everyone at AUT is very friendly and helpful.

Auckland is a perfect place to live and discover the whole beautiful country. I can only recommend doing a semester abroad at AUT to get to know as much as possible from this little paradise!

Maxing lectures! Sometimes the studying wasn't challenging enough. Life outside uni can be boring if you don't know that many people. It would be lovely to have trips together, could uni organise that?

What would you improve about this program?

More social events papers should've planned more carefully and the content of the paper delivered to the student already in the beginning. Sometimes teachers made up new deadlines which makes it hard to plan in advance

Response from Auckland University of Technology (AUT)

Hi Anette, thanks so much for your comments! Regarding the new deadlines, please feel free to email studyabroad@aut.ac.nz with more details and we'll definitely look into that for you.

By AUT University on May 20, 2015

My time in New Zealand has been an amazing experience. The people here are super helpful and friendly, and the country is just as beautiful as you imagine.

The AUT city campus is very nice, with overall good lecturers and good student interaction in class.

It's good with an opportunity to live close to the city campus. The rules felt very childish in the beginning, but I guess some people here need it.

What would you improve about this program?

1. The paper details was not very helpful and could be improved with more details.
2. More activities during the semester and also activities with both kiwi and international students e.g. organized trips

Response from Auckland University of Technology (AUT)

Hi Lina, thanks so much for your comments. We'll definitely look at ways of improving access to the paper descriptors and arranging more events. All the best for the future!

By AUT University on May 20, 2015

I´m really happy that I decided to do my exchange semester in New Zealand, this is such a beautiful country! I travelled a lot enjoying especially the lovely nature.

I´m also quite pleased with studying at the AUT. The campus is modern and well located in the centre. The level of teaching varied within papers but on average it was good (business papers).

Living at WSA was a good decision although the poor and expensive apartment itself was not worth the money. Still, I would recommend it, because it is close to university and it was the best way to get to know other exchange students!

What would you improve about this program?

I think the one day orientation was quite poor. Just to compare, some universities organize a whole week program (for example a combination of informal lectures at university, different activities and evening events) for exchange students! There could also be more events and for example weekend trips organized during the semester.

Response from Auckland University of Technology (AUT)

Hi Henni, thanks so much for your feedback. We'll definitely look into offering more trips and events in the future. Take care and all the best!

By AUT University on May 20, 2015

I'm a brazilian student a AUT and so far I'm loving it. The North Shore Campus is awesome. The library is really good and the computers there are super fast so I always end up doing my homework there. The facilities are really good. There a lot of different places where you can eat in campus like kebab, indian food, sushi, subway. The AUT gym is really good and has great deals for students. Everyone, students and staff, are polite. The teachers are really organized, the lectures are great and the online blackboard makes it really easy to watch lectures online or get in touch with the teachers.

What would you improve about this program?

It's hard to think of something.

Very kind, insightful and laid back professors. Students are friendly. Loved my flatmates. I always felt safe in Auckland and especially in the Wellesley Student Apartments. But the RAs and security guards are a little too strict. Small get-togethers were often treated as "parties."

The main challenge was figuring out the online grading/assignments system.

I really appreciated the flexibility in scheduling my classes because it allowed me to travel almost every weekend! Professors seem to understand international students' desire to explore New Zealand and are generally OK with a few missed classes here and there. I would suggest keeping on top of assignments because classes are deceptively chill. Exams hit fast!

What would you improve about this program?

I would suggest AUT condenses the information it puts out to students regarding assignments, grades and course announcements. There are too many websites and computer software programs to keep track of (Unicentral, AUT Online, Arion, CyberDuck, FileZilla, personal email accounts and a university exam timetable).

AUT is a great place to study abroad. Auckland is an awesome city and you should definitely consider travelling all around New Zealand because there is so much to see! While you are at it you should explore Australia, Fiji, Thailand and any other countries in this part of the world! I have had so many amazing opportunities while I have been abroad at AUT and I have had absolutely no problems at all. The staff is super helpful and will help you sort out any problems you may have with your classes. The class setup and assignments make it very easy for you to travel during your semester and still stay on top of your schoolwork.

What would you improve about this program?

A tutorial on all the different technologies AUT uses to communicate with their students. Between AUT online, blackboard, cyberduck and more, it tends to get confusing for international students who don't know the system.

Questions & Answers

How is the weather in the fall term?

Hi there, our February to June semester is during the end of summer to end of Fall. This is the best time to experience New Zealand's warm weather and beaches. Our July to November semester is from the start of Winter until the end of Spring, so starts a little colder and warms up nicely. Auckland experiences very mild weather so never gets too cold or too hot.

By AUT University on June 21, 2019

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I chose to go to New Zealand on exchange with my home college because I have heard amazing feedback from students who went before me. New Zealand is also an interesting case study when it comes to environmental management. The country has a lot of beautiful, conserved land, but composting is not very present; just being in another country for a few months enables me to see what actions are being taken elsewhere.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

Since my program was through an exchange between Champlain College and AUT, the initial process was fairly simple for me. I still had to apply for the exchange to both schools, but Champlain dealt with the tuition payment and classes to take. This will make transferring my credits back home much easier as well.

Outside of these aspects, I was largely on my own for my visa, transportation, phone plan, housing, and various travel. This was not very difficult for me, as I have traveled quite a bit in the past, but it is a lot to think about; that being said, if you are reading this and feeling nervous about any of these, reach out to someone who can help guide you!

View Entire Interview

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I wish that I had known that the whole ordeal would not be as scary as I was anticipating. This may differ for other people, but, with good planning, the process was not as anxiety-provoking as I thought it would be.

I also wish that, before I left the US for my semester abroad, I had researched more about where I wanted to go in New Zealand while I was here. I love going into travel with open options so I can discover as I go, but I was left wishing I went to the 90-mile beach when it was still warm out. Create a little bucket list before you leave!

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Because my visa doesn't allow me to work here, my schedule is very open compared to back in the US. I only have four courses for the semester, and any other events I participate in have been voluntary. I have found that this free time has been valuable for me to pursue personal projects and goals outside of my college education. I started going to the gym, reading more books, and working on creative projects.

As for the weekends, a lot of my friends and I often have three-day weekends, so we have been able to take little weekend trips around the North Island.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was that I would feel out of place or uncomfortable in the big city of Auckland, New Zealand. I grew up in a town of less than 1,000 people and go to college in a city of around 60,000; Auckland has a population of 1.5 MILLION people, and that made me wary. However, the city is beautiful and very welcoming. The key is being open for a change and looking for a place that, even if it pushes you outside of your 'normal,' can accommodate what you seek.

Were there any experiences that pushed you out of your comfort zone?

No matter whether you go overseas or not, there will always be instances of something pushing you out of your comfort zone, but living abroad for a few months really brings new experiences I couldn't have imagined. Personally, I am a pretty bad swimmer, but I swam in the ocean with wild dolphins and fur seals.

For some people, this doesn't sound daunting, but I was incredibly nervous. After doing these activities, I can confidently say that pushing myself was well worth it. I learned so much during it, both about myself and about the places and animals I was around. If I hadn't studied in New Zealand for the semester, I don't think I would have progressed like I did.

Nina Eydenkaldt

Michelle Garvey

Jan-Willem Aarents

Alyssa Jeffer

2014 Alum

Jessica Cohen

Shannon Yska

Merel Jansen

2015 Alum

Henriette Andrea Hansen

Alexander Boehmer

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Sam previously worked at AUT and is now completing his Masters in Norway. The international education adventure has not stopped for him!

What is your favorite travel memory?

Seeing an old friend in London after a rough day of travel!

I had started the day with a 3:30 am flight from Bergen getting into Manchester later in the morning for an event starting at 12. It ran until the late afternoon, at which point we had to quickly pack up and catch a taxi to the train station. We were crammed into a packed train to London. With my over-sized luggage in tow, I then had to navigate the Tube to find my hotel. My phone was dead by this time, I was relying on passers-by for directions. I eventually got there to find an old friend waiting for me. I was exhausted at this point, but there was no greater feeling than sharing a beer with a mate after a long, long day!

View Entire Interview

Which destination is most underrated? Conversely, which is most overrated?

Estonia in my opinion is a country that more people should visit! Just a ferry ride from Helsinki, Tallinn is a beautiful city, with a lot to see and do. The cost of living is quite low, so a beer and meal won't set you back much. If you get out of Tallinn, you really should visit some of the islands, like Saaremaa. A magical place, filled with natural beauty and history.

On the other hand, Amsterdam was not that amazing in my opinion. Far too many tourists for my liking!

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

For me, it's how we engage with our stakeholders. In my role, the most important are the students and partner universities. Students have lots of questions before they arrive, and then need a welcoming introduction once they get here. If we can give them a good experience, they will tell their friends and family back home. Word of mouth is a great way to encourage more students to choose AUT when they study abroad.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

When I started at AUT, I really had no idea about the scope of International Education. I've learned how vast this industry is, and how exciting it is to work in. Before starting in this role, I would never have seen myself working in this industry. But I can now see a career path for myself, in an area which I'm passionate about. The most rewarding aspect for me is seeing international students coming to study in New Zealand, and the positive experiences and impressions they leave with.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

We had a German design student who planned to come for one semester last year, who ended up staying for the whole year because he loved AUT and Auckland so much. He is now planning to finish his studies in Germany and return to AUT for postgraduate study, with hopes of landing a job at Weta Workshop in Wellington.

Shivani Rajan

International Programmes Coordinator

Monique van Veen

International Relationships Manager

Kenneth Holt

International Programs Manager

Location

Location:

Auckland

Currency:

New Zealand Dollar

Weather:

Jan-Mar

75 F / 46 F

Apr-Jun

68 F / 30 F

Jul-Sep

61 F / 28 F

Oct-Dec

72 F / 41 F

Airports:

Auckland International

( AKL )

Christchurch International

( CHC )

Wellington International

( WLG )

Auckland, the City of Sails, has it all — from oceans to volcanoes to city life. Though Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city, the city center packs a lot into a small space. Whether you crave outdoor adventures or want to go for some fantastic food and shopping downtown, Auckland is both urban and packed with nature.

Featuring influences of the native Maori culture, Auckland is also the most multicultural city in the country, offering a variety of traditions and cuisine. With three national universities located in the city — University of Auckland, Massey University, and AUT University — Auckland is also a student-friendly city and a popular study abroad destination.

About Auckland University of Technology (AUT)

AUT is the second largest university in New Zealand. We have been a university since 2000, but a place of learning for 120 years and operate in accordance with the Education Act (1989). In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021, AUT is ranked in the 251-300 band. We are the third highest ranked university in New Zealand. AUT is...

Program Details

Response from Auckland University of Technology (AUT)

Response from Auckland University of Technology (AUT)

Response from Auckland University of Technology (AUT)

Alumni Interviews

Holly Francis

Why did you choose this program?

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

Were there any experiences that pushed you out of your comfort zone?

Staff Interviews

Samuel Davis

What is your favorite travel memory?

Which destination is most underrated? Conversely, which is most overrated?

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?