🐑University of Auckland

Auckland, New Zealand

QS World 2026 · #65

New Zealand's largest and highest-ranked university.

About Auckland

University of Auckland is New Zealand's largest university and its only one to regularly place in the QS World top 100, with particularly strong Engineering and Medicine faculties. Its city-centre campus sits in the middle of New Zealand's largest and most international city.

Why students choose it

  • New Zealand's largest and highest globally-ranked university
  • Strong Engineering and Medicine faculties
  • City-centre campus in New Zealand's largest, most international city

🎓 Free application support for Auckland

Submit a free enquiry and Tutopiya's admissions team will guide you through your application to Auckland — personal statement, interview prep and deadlines — at no cost, no obligation. Application fees are typically waived through our university partnerships.

📝 Already decided? Apply now — it's free

Typical entry grades

AAA (A Level)  ·  IB 35

Top tier · indicative for the flagship courses below — always verify per-course requirements directly with the university.

Tuition (international, per year)

NZ$35,000–NZ$45,000/yr

high tier for New Zealand — figures are typical ranges, not this specific university's published fee.

Language of instruction

English

Campus

city campus, Auckland

🏆 Scholarships to look into

Informational only — scholarship amounts, deadlines and even which schemes are running change often (sometimes per intake), so treat this as a starting point, not a guarantee. Always confirm current details directly with the scholarship provider or Auckland's financial aid office.

New Zealand universities commonly offer international excellence scholarships tied to entry grades, alongside a small number of government-funded scholarships mostly aimed at postgraduate or partner-country applicants.

  • University international excellence scholarships: Offered by most of the eight universities (e.g. Auckland, Otago) — merit-based, for strong A-Level/IB/IGCSE-pathway results, usually a fixed award rather than a full-ride.
  • New Zealand Scholarships (government): Mostly postgraduate or restricted to specific partner countries under bilateral agreements — check eligibility carefully before assuming it applies.

Want help figuring out which of these you'd actually qualify for? Talk to a free Tutopiya counsellor.

Popular courses

Medicine

⏱️ Typical duration: 5–6 years where entered straight from school (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong); typically a 4-year postgraduate MD entered after a Bachelor's (US, Canada)

📝 Apply for this course →

Typical entry: Requires Chemistry + Biology · UCAT ANZ · Interview (MMI, most universities)

Engineering

⏱️ Typical duration: Often 4 years rather than the country's standard Bachelor's length, especially where the programme includes an integrated Master's (e.g. UK MEng) or an industry placement year

📝 Apply for this course →

Typical entry: Requires Mathematics + Physics

Business

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years

📝 Apply for this course →

Typical entry: Mathematics helps but usually isn't required recommended

Law

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years for an undergraduate LLB (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia); typically a 3-year postgraduate JD entered after a Bachelor's (US, Canada)

📝 Apply for this course →

Architecture

⏱️ Typical duration: Often longer than a standard Bachelor's — commonly a 3-year Bachelor's plus a further 2-year Master's for full professional accreditation

📝 Apply for this course →

Typical entry: Portfolio

Durations are typical for New Zealand — always confirm the exact length (including any placement or integrated Master's year) on the course's own page before applying.

Not sure which course fits your grades and interests? Run the full shortlist builder →

How to apply

Main intake(s)
February (Semester 1), July (Semester 2)
Typical deadline
Early December for the February intake

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0)

Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test.

See where Auckland ranks on your personal shortlist

Enter your grades and budget in the free New Zealand University Shortlist Builder to see whether Auckland is a reach, target or safety for you — alongside every other New Zealand university that matches.

Build my New Zealand shortlist →

More New Zealand universities

Auckland FAQ

Quick answers about grades, tuition, deadlines and applying to Auckland as an international IGCSE / A Level / IB student.

What grades do I need to get into Auckland?

As a typical benchmark for international entry, Auckland expects around AAA at A Level or 35 points on the IB Diploma. This is indicative for Auckland's flagship courses — competitive subjects like Medicine and Law usually sit above this baseline, and the exact requirement varies by course, so always confirm the specific figure on Auckland's own admissions page before applying.

How much does Auckland cost for international students?

International tuition at Auckland typically falls in the NZ$35,000–NZ$45,000/yr range (high tier for New Zealand). This is a typical range for the university's tuition tier, not Auckland's specific published fee for every course — confirm the exact figure for your intended programme directly with the university.

When is the application deadline for Auckland?

Auckland follows New Zealand's typical intake calendar: February (Semester 1), July (Semester 2), with applications generally due early december for the february intake. Always verify the exact date on Auckland's own admissions page, since deadlines can shift year to year.

What IELTS score do I need for Auckland?

New Zealand universities, including Auckland, typically ask international applicants for 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0). Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test.

What is Auckland known for?

New Zealand's largest and highest-ranked university. University of Auckland is New Zealand's largest university and its only one to regularly place in the QS World top 100, with particularly strong Engineering and Medicine faculties. Its city-centre campus sits in the middle of New Zealand's largest and most international city.

Can I apply to Auckland with IGCSE, A Level or IB qualifications?

Yes — Auckland accepts applicants from IGCSE-to-A-Level, IGCSE-to-IB-Diploma, and directly from the IB Diploma. Tutopiya's free New Zealand University Shortlist Builder matches your predicted or actual grades against Auckland and every other New Zealand university we track, tagging each as reach, target or safety.

Need help applying to Auckland? Get free application support.

Book a Tutor