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Study Abroad at Victoria University of Wellington

Name: Study Abroad at Victoria University of Wellington
Brand: Victoria University of Wellington
SKU: 19666
Rating: 4.74 (128 reviews)

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4.74 Rating

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Location

New Zealand
- Wellington

Term

Academic Year, Fall, Spring

Subject Areas

Arts Biology Business Chemistry Communications Computer Science Cultural Studies Design Ecology Economics Environmental Studies Film Finance Gender Studies Geology Global Studies History Humanities Indigenous Cultures International Business International Relations Māori Studies Marine Biology Marketing Music Natural Sciences Pacific Studies Photography Political Science Psychology Public Health Public Policy Sociology Theater Web Design +25

Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships

Health & Safety

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Program Details

Program Type

Direct Enrollment

Degree Level

Bachelors Masters

Housing

Apartment Dormitory

Language

English

Pricing

Starting Price

8300

Price Details

Study Abroad program students pay a single flat fee which covers tuition and fees for a full-time program of study.

Please note that insurance, student levies, accommodation costs and other living expenses are additional to this fee.

Our university offers a Study Abroad Scholarship for up to NZ$1,000.

What's Included

Classes

What's Not Included

Accommodation Activities Airfare Domestic Airfare Airport Transfers Meals SIM cards Transportation Travel Insurance Visa

Last Updated: Feb 27, 2025

Last Reviewed: Aug 20, 2024

Wish List

55 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Located on the southern tip of New Zealand’s North Island, between a beautiful harbor and rolling green hills, the vibrant and cosmopolitan city of Wellington is the political, cultural and creative capital of New Zealand. Study in New Zealand's safest city, coined the 'Coolest Little Capital'!

Wellington’s central location serves as a perfect home base from which to explore the rest of New Zealand. A diverse and welcoming country, New Zealand has an endless list of adventures awaiting any who dare to be bold.

Victoria University of Wellington has a variety of courses available for study abroad students in Science, Architecture and Design, Education, Engineering, Health, and Humanities and Social Sciences, as well as AACSB-approved Business and Economics courses. Take advantage of our support services such as airport pickup and International Orientation week, join the international buddy program, or grow your leadership skills in the Wellington International Leadership Program.

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Video and Photos

Students at Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary

View from Kelburn Campus overlooking Wellington city

Te Toki a Rata Courtyard, Kelburn Campus

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Diversity & Inclusion 💙

BIPOC Support

Victoria University of Wellington's population includes people from a diverse range of communities. We have student support networks like our VIC.Without.Barriers community for Refugee-Background Students, and Māori and Pasifika Hubs for Indigenous students looking to connect with their communities on campus. Student are encouraged to join clubs like the Cultures United club and the Victoria African Students Club, among 100+ other student clubs at the university!

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LGBTQIA+ Support

At Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual/agender (LGBTQIA+), and takatāpui communities are known as the Rainbow community. The University's rainbow and inclusion service supports LGBTQIA+ and takatāpui students and works with our community to make sure our campuses are a safe and inclusive environment for students of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and sex characteristics.

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Accessibility Support

Te Amaru—Disability Services works in partnership with staff, students and the disability community to strengthen Victoria University of Wellington’s culture of inclusion, celebrate disability and ensure students can fully participate and achieve their aspirations. We encourage students with accessibility concerns to register with Te Amaru—Disability Services to receive individualized tailored support and access to key services such as a Disability and Inclusion Advisor, Access Suites, Inclusive Learning Software, Adaptive Technology, and more.

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Impact 🌎

Sustainability

Victoria University of Wellington is championing a sustainable future by fostering the leaders of tomorrow, delivering world-class research, and building a sustainable campus. Our university is committed to becoming a net zero-carbon organization by 2030.

We rank #1 in New Zealand for Climate Action and Affordable Clean Energy (THE Impact Rankings). On campus, reusable cups are the norm, and we even have a recycling wall where you can take empty packaging that can be difficult to recycle at home. When you study with us, there are numerous ways you can contribute to our sustainability initiatives, including participating in the University's annual "Growing our Future" tree planting initiative to help restore native forests around the Wellington region.

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Program Highlights

Our university offers a Study Abroad Scholarship for up to NZ$1,000.
Choose from over 180 different subject areas.
Engage in student life with over 140 clubs and societies.
Centrally located, making Wellington the best place to start your exploration of all of New Zealand.
Top-ranked lecturers and researchers from around the world.

Popular Programs

Wellington International Leadership Program

The Wellington International Leadership Program (WILP) is a free, self-paced program aimed at making participants more globally aware by advancing your ability to engage with global issues. Choose from a wide range of interactive seminars delivered by academics from across the university and visiting experts; experiential learning and volunteering opportunities both on campus and beyond; and speaker events hosted by the University, the diplomatic community, and other international organizations.

Program Reviews

4.74 Rating

based on 128 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Study

5 rating 75.78%
4 rating 23.44%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0.78%
1 rating 0%

Academics 4.05
Support 4.25
Fun 4.45
Housing 4.2
Safety 4.8

Good for Adventure travelers, Solo Travelers, Students

Showing 89 - 96 of 128 reviews

Hello! I am an engineering student who came to Vic to fulfill my humanities credits, and I must say, it was a brilliant choice. The school is beautiful, and I adore all the people here. Everyone is so nice and chill, and it was not challenging to meet people. I took 3 classes, each worth 20 papers, but I didn't find them particularly challenging, or at least not anymore challenging than the classes I would take back home. There are fewer assignments per class, however they are graded much harder, but if you put in the work, you will be pleased with the scores you get. I was very lucky to take an "Animals and Monsters of ancient Greece and Rome" class, and I loved that class so much that my required readings became my pleasure readings. The best part of only taking 3 or 4 classes here (which is the norm) is that there is a lot of time for exploring the incredible city of Wellington (seriously, Welly is like the best city in the world) and all of the beautiful parks and eco reserves around. Beyond that, it is not hard to plan a weekend trip to the south island or to head farther north (perhaps you would like to see some Hobbits in Hobbiton, or search for the elves in Kaitoke where they filmed Rivendell?). Whatever your reasons for considering studying in New Zealand, I really recommend Victoria University. It is the perfect fit if you want manageable and quality classes, while also having time to explore, live your life, become a part of the Kiwi culture, and have brilliant adventures.

On a trail during my 2 week Spring Break/ Study Break

So many seals so close to the city of Wellington

I woke up early almost every morning to catch these amazing sunrises over the city of Wellington from my front porch.

Wellington and the rest of New Zealand is a lovely place to study abroad! Everyone has been so friendly and chill. Wellington is a vibrant city to live in, and New Zealand is an amazing place to explore, especially if you love outdoor adventures. Victoria University of Wellington is an impressive university that offers plenty of opportunities for exchange students. The staff is helpful and provides plenty of support to all students.

I would recommend an exchange to everyone. Victoria University was the perfect choice for me because it is such a well-organised place with much freedom for the students. There are countless options for students regarding courses, sports, events and other social activities. You feel like you're never alone because there is always someone to help you, like the health service, study advisors or your kiwimate.

Although I thought the level of study was a bit lower than I am used to, this was mostly compensated by the fact that there are much more assignments and essays during the course, which makes sure you fully engage with the study material. The teachers are also really helpful and interesting, and easy to approach. Only the accent takes some time to get used to ;) Overall a great experience!

What would you improve about this program?

The exams and exam preparation could be better. As a foreigner it was hard to adapt to the way of examination. I also think it is strange to be able to choose which questions you want to answer, it allows a whole different way of studying and no need to know it all.

Going to Wellington for my semester abroad was the best choice I could make! Victoria University is a great school that has a lot to offer and it cares a lot about its international students. I was impressed by the atmosphere in the Uni especially at Kelburn Campus. Everybody is really friendly and helps you out when there are any problems.
Wellington in gernal is a great city. It offers everything you want: culture, a great nightlife, stunning nature and great people. There are a lot of really nice places to go such as the Te Papa museum, the Botanical gardens or the harbour. We also did a lot of great hikes in the area of Wellington. It is really a place where you stay or get fit.
I lived in one of the Uni Hall houses which was a great experience since I was not used to live with so many people in one house. We had a lot of fun, parties and I made some great friends.
All in all I would recommemd everyone to do this experience at Victoria in Wellington- it was really great!

What would you improve about this program?

Actually I really have nothing in my mind to criticise!

Studying at Victoria in Wellington is one of the best decisions I made! The city is great and its inhabitants are very welcoming. UniHall is a good accomodation provider and organizes more than enough social events, especially in the beginning of trimester. In UniHall, the most friends you make are other internationals and it can be quite difficult to make Kiwi friends in class. However, joining a club will bring you in contact with a lot of locals, id especially recommend the Korfball club, a very friendly bunch of people!

What would you improve about this program?

In middle of the trimester, less social events are being organized, it would have been nice if the trend at the beginning had been followed through.

My stay so far at Vic has been the adventure of a lifetime! I love the inter national program at Vic- being able to socialize and live with people from all over the world allows me to get to know so many different cultures.

In a month or so, my exchange is coming to an end. I have absolutely loved my time spent studying at Vic Uni and living in Wellington, but there are things that I would have liked to have known prior to I embarked on my semester abroad in New Zealand.

Thus, beware that side effects of a semester abroad may include:
1. Getting a piece of your heart stolen by Wellington (and the New Zealand scenery in genereal)
2. Meeting friendly and easy-going kiwis
3. Getting friends from all over the world
4. Improving your English skills
5. Getting out of your comfort zone (whether it be traveling around by yourself, bungy jumping, skydiving, establishing a new life in new surroundings, etc. )
6. Drinking cheap, great tasting coffee and craft beer
7. Seeing cute and adorable lambs everywhere
8. Experiencing the great Wellington night life
9. Being awed on a daily basis by the beautiful Wellington surroundings and the New Zealand nature when going on trips
10. Drinking world renowned wine
11. Working out with an amazing view over Wellington at the Vic Uni Recreation Center
12. Making new friends while getting smarter and strengthening your resume when joining the Victoria International Leadership Programme
13. Enhancing your ability to make an excuse for treating yourself to a night out or a dinner at a restaurant (e.g. remember to celebrate the fact that Wednesday is the middle of the week, or that a restaurant has 2 for 1 meals on Mondays)
14. Being able to make all your friends back home jealous with every picture you post on Facebook or send them via Snapchat
15. Not wanting to leave Wellington because it has become your home away from home

What would you improve about this program?

The Vic Uni accommodation:
When I chose to live in a Hall of Residence, I had the impression that "Priority is given to international students" meant that there would still be a mix of international students and kiwis. There have been in the sense of there being an RA and kiwi mates living in some of the flats, but I thought it was more casual than that.
However, with that said, there have been some students who have been disappointed by the housing due to (what they refer to as) "lack of social life". I find this accusation to be misleading. It is true that there is not an event every day making sure that a student socializes, but you cannot expect to just get a social life in new surroundings without yourself putting some work into getting it. Thus, if you are sitting in your room every day and expecting social life to magically appear on your door step, then, yes, you will be disappointed by the housing.
I have been fortunate enough to get a lot of new friends who live in the same housing as me, but I have also had to put myself out there to get to know them - and I would not have expected it any other way.

Studying at Victoria has been a worthwhile and growing experience. Typical of most large universities, it is easy to be anonymous and fade out of the classroom. However, Victoria's University Hall accommodation makes a strong effort to help you find your niche, regularly facilitating bonding within the international community. Regarding Wellington, it is by far the best place to study in New Zealand. It has such a cool culture, is so walkable, and never boring. Even though study abroad is often oriented toward travel, at least 75% of your time is spent in your city of residence. Wellington has heaps of attractions nearby and great nightlife.

What would you improve about this program?

We do a lot of orientation gatherings at the beginning of the semester to help up get to know each other. It would be cool if we had some sort of checkpoint in the middle of the semester when the international students are feeling a bit homesick.

Questions & Answers

About how much is tuition per semester?

Tuition for study abroad students is $13,500 NZD per semester - typically between $8,000 - $9,000 USD. This does not include student fees, insurance, or living expenses.

By Kelsey Jackson on August 26, 2024

How many courses per semester?

Depending, courses are 15/20 points. The normal thing is to choose 3 or 4 depending on the number of points it has. So around 50/60 points would be the normal thing

By Montse Cervera on June 21, 2016

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What are some fun/lighter load classes?

How was the workload in maor 123? I'm currently taking it, hoping it won't be too difficult. I have a chem lecture that sadly has a final exam... which sucks but hopefully I should be able to do alright.

By Jamie Christensen on July 18, 2018

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How much did you have to budget for studying abroad at Wellington?

The hall is around 4.000 NZ $ and you have to pay it all together at once before coming and obviously the flight is also a bit expensive but once here you won't spend much. Traveling is cheap, food is at european price more or less... But there is always a cheap option. It depends on you. I live in a catered hall so food is included so i don't spend more than 50$ per month.

By Montse Cervera on October 15, 2015

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Staff Interviews

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

Kelsey Jackson

Program

Study Abroad at Victoria University of Wellington

Job Title

Regional Manager, The Americas

After studying abroad in France, Germany, and Italy, Kelsey knew she wanted to help other students have the same life-changing experiences and build a career fostering global citizenship. Kelsey now serves as the Americas Regional Manager at Victoria University of Wellington, where she advises students from the US, Canada, and Latin America who are interested in studying at the university. Kelsey is based on the East Coast of the USA, and spends her time traveling the country to connect with students.

What is your favorite travel memory?

My favorite travel memory was the first time I went to New Zealand - in 3 days I was able to see Mt. Taranaki, Rotorua, Lake Taupo, and the Rangipo Desert. New Zealand is full of amazing landscapes and warm, kind people. Everywhere I went, I felt at home! It is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been!

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

Working at VUW has allowed me to connect with students from all over the Americas, and grown my appreciation for international education. Since I am based so far away from the University, I have learned to be creative in how I connect with my colleagues, work independently, and learn new and fun ways to connect with students. I learn new things every day from the students I work with, and love hearing each of their motivations for taking the leap to study halfway across the world.

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

It is not uncommon to talk with someone who has studied in New Zealand, and immediately fell in love with the country and never wanted to leave. So many students have chosen to build their careers and lives in New Zealand after studying there, which tells me we must be doing something right!

The best story I have heard is from a former student who spent a semester at the University - he was majoring in computer science, but chose to take some animation and visual arts courses during his time at the university. As a result, he published his own illustrated children's book and is now illustrating a comic column for a local newspaper. It was incredible to hear how he was able to learn outside of the box and delve into a whole new area, which he turned out to love!

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

If I could study abroad again, I would 100% go to New Zealand. It's an amazing place, with such a warm, welcoming, and unique culture. When else in your life will you be able to travel that far, and spend 4 months in place, for this cost?

I spent all of my study abroad experiences during my undergraduate and graduate degrees in Europe, which were incredible experiences as well! However, Europe is relatively easy to get to from many parts of the US. As an adult, its a bit harder (and more expensive) to go as far as New Zealand. I wish I would have taken advantage when I could have!

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

The staff and support teams at Victoria University of Wellington are what make us unique - nearly half of the university staff are from outside of New Zealand, and most of us have traveled or lived in other places. We bring a wide array of experience and knowledge, which in turn helps us be the best support system for our students!

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

Having people who love what they do, and can relate with students, makes such a difference! To understand what it's like to live in a new place and learn a new culture helps us to better support students and relate to their experiences. It also creates a really fun and collaborative working environment!

Eliza Raymond

Senior Internationalisation Programmes Manager

About Victoria University of Wellington

Located in the southern tip of New Zealand’s North Island, between a beautiful harbor and rolling green hills, the vibrant and cosmopolitan city of Wellington is the political, cultural and creative capital of New Zealand. Victoria University of Wellington offers a comprehensive range of internationally recognized courses and degrees, consistently...