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

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
Feb 27, 2025
Aug 20, 2024
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.

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion 💙

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!
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.
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.

Impact 🌎

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.

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

Oriental Bay, Wellington Waterfront

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
  • 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
Showing 105 - 112 of 128 reviews
Default avatar
Emily
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great Experience at Victoria University

I was a bit worried coming here to Wellington but everyone is so welcoming here, the international office organises great trips and it is very easy to find and make new friends.
I have classes at both Pipitea Campus and Kelburn Campus so my hall (Katharine Jermyn) is right in between them with a 10/15 minute walking distance. Shops and Restaurants are very close by aswell.
The International Buddy Program is amazing, my buddy showed me around the first few days when I arrived and made me feel very welcomed straight away- I would definitely recommend joining the program.

Honestly I would recommend to everyone to come study here for a semester or two, it will be a once in a lifetime experience.

40 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Guilin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

VUW is a dream place

It was a correct choice that I had given up the other exchange program since I knew I was able to study VUW.
Studying:
I quite love study here because every one here keeps beautiful and sunshiny smile and is very very polite. In addition, professors try their best to help you to make out your questions.
I love the Website 'Blackboard' of VUW that I can know everything I should do in few days and also check the grades in present after I submitted my homework.
Housing:
My friend who study here before recommended me to live in home stay and I chose it. Living in Wellington is a healthy choice by fresh air, safety traffic and sweet milk. I am so impressed about the drivers here who stopped and waited for me kindly when I was reaching to cross road.
Sometimes I also visit my friends house in Uni. They just likes a family, washing dishes, hosting party and potluck all together, which seems like that they have known each other for a long time but not actually.
All in all, Victoria University of Wellington is a warm place to study, likes a library, palace filled with various knowledge, where I thought that is a dream place.

What would you improve about this program?
If it could, I would like to play more sports in Uni.
55 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Roger
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Week 1 at VUW

Victoria International did a great job from the very first week upon arrival. I was provided free transportation from the Airport to my dormitory and I was given an information packet with a free SIM card so I could have an active cell phone# soon after arriving in New Zealand. The first few days of orientation for International students was very helpful and the free tours of Wellington during the first weekend was very helpful in getting to know the area. Also, the mixers for all International students and participants in the International buddy program were very nice and made us all feel welcome and allowed us to meet new people.

What would you improve about this program?
There was a little confusion at the airport because I was not on the list of the people from Victoria International providing transportation. Even though I signed up for pick-up at the airport several weeks in advance, there was no one there to greet me specifically.
59 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Cynthia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Home sweet home.

The more time I spend here the more I fall in love with the people, places, and everything in between. I am not a city person, but Wellington has such a lively, friendly, and unique vibe that makes it hard not to love. It is also really easy to travel outside of the city and explore the wilderness if you want to get away for a bit. People are also really friendly and eager to adventure, so it's not hard to find good company to join you.

The university is also great. I like my class structures and my teachers are all very passionate and seem to actually care whether or not we learn. The international program has also been very helpful. I signed up for an international buddy and I am so happy I did. We initially clicked and are now really close and she has introduced me to lots of her kiwi friends. I am even spending Christmas and New Years with her and her family on the South Island. You never know who you're going to meet when you sign up!

So far coming to New Zealand is the best choice I have ever made. Not just because the people, the city, the university, and the outdoors are amazing, but also because I try to take advantage of any opportunity that I can. This opens so many doors for me and you never know where it will lead you.

What would you improve about this program?
Encourage international students to stay at least 1 year!
51 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Yuting
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

It Is Amazing!!!

Although I arrived in July when it is during the winter of Wellington, I can still feel the warmth that it provides.
Firstly, I would like to talk about my university hall which locates extremely close to Kelburn (the campus). The kiwimate in my flat is really energetic and warmhearted. It really makes me feel at home. Had it not been for my flatmates' selfish help, I wouldn't have got used to the life in New Zealand and got rid of the jet lag.
Then comes my campus life here. What really surprises me most is that every class has a tutor or more. They are all willing to help. During the class, you can not only learn the basically academic knowledge but also deepen it through the discussions and movies displayed in class. Besides, the library is built so considerately that it has been a place I frequent in the weekdays.
Last but not least, the most interesting part is the daily life here. Though there is some downhills, I always consider them as a natural gym. Until now, I've been to bars, ballrooms and so on. What is different from what I supposed them to be is that they are not similar to the forbidden areas in my own country. That is to say, they are good places for us to relax ourselves.
It's really my pleasure to study here and to acquaint myself with a group of interesting friends. Also, if it is possible, I would like to recommend this charming and amazing city to you.

What would you improve about this program?
If it is possible, I suggest that the gym in Kelburen could be expanded.
48 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Sydney
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Wonderful Wellington

Studying in Wellington has proved to be one of the most enlightening, beautiful experiences of my life. VUW is a great school, offering lots of academic help and support for international students. VUW administration are really good about making students feel welcomed and integrated into the campus's community. Off campus, Wellington stands as one of the hippest little cities with a really thriving community that offers something for every individual: Cozy cafés, quaint restaurants, happenin' bars, and awesome live music venues. What's great about being in Wellington is that you have all of the amenities that come with living in a big city, but at the same time you are close enough to many incredible nature spots, hikes, and national parks. You're also fairly close to an airport, making it easy and accessible to rent cars, or fly to anywhere in the nation or the Pacific.

What would you improve about this program?
I think more transparency coming into the program would've been helpful: More information prior to arrival.
52 people found this review helpful.
Response from

Hi Sydney, Thanks for your review!

We're always looking to improve our services to students and would love to hear your feedback on our pre-arrival information. Please feel welcome to email us at victoria-international@vuw.ac.nz.

Default avatar
Katherine
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Studying at Vic

Not only is Wellington the ideal location for a city, but it is also the perfect place to have a university! I am studying for one trimester at Victoria University of Wellington. So far it has been wonderful. The courses are challenging, yet exciting, and all of my professors are extremely supportive. I am taking a paper on the Treaty of Waitangi and my professor has not only answered my endless questions, but also reached out to me on her own to make sure I was understanding the terminologies and concepts because I am foreign. UniHall is also an amazing place to live. The housing team at Vic is efficient and welcoming, I have never felt like I was on my own when it came to housing. Any issue I have is dealt with immediately, but issues are rare anyway! I have really been enjoying my time here at Vic, there is so much to get involved in club wise, as well! I recommend Victoria's canoe club and all of the international programs that are offered!

53 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Kristoffer
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Definitely worth it!

In general I'd say the exchange programme at Victoria is excellent, and the International office really does a lot to help you settle in Wellington. The university has a lot of great offers and facilities, that you can take advantage of either for free or for what I would consider a cheap fee. I feel well taken care of and when I had an accident that resulted in an injury I could even go to the doctor and get physiotherapy at the Kelburn campus. Awesome!

New Zealand itself is a beautiful place and Wellington certainly is as well. It's very different from what I am used to from Europe, which is great. Just be prepared to walk up and down hills all day :)

What would you improve about this program?
The housing is rather poor, especially considering the price, and it's even worse in the winter because of the lack of insulation, which most international students will probably be used to from home. I'd also like to see the university trying to provide more opportunities to mix with the locals, as it often ends up being just a lot of international students getting to know each other. Nothing wrong with that, but it would be fun to get to know more locals as well.
54 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers

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.

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

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.

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.