Ranking of New Zealand's Undergraduate Universities and Their Intake Periods for 2024

University Rankings

1. University of Auckland, New Zealand
   Established in 1883, the University of Auckland boasts a rich history and advanced technology coupled with innovative teaching methods. Over a century of development has transformed it into an international hub for learning and research. In the 2024 QS World University Rankings, the university has steadily climbed from 83rd to 81st place.

2. University of Canterbury, New Zealand
   Founded in 1873, the University of Canterbury, with a student population of 20,000, is renowned for its engineering programs. Located in the provincial capital of Canterbury, New Zealand, it moved to the Ilam area in 1974 and currently ranks 270th in the QS World University Rankings.

3. University of Waikato, New Zealand
   Globally renowned, the University of Waikato excels in law, management, computer science, natural sciences, and education, earning it the title of "Harvard of the Southern Hemisphere." It currently holds the 375th position in the QS Rankings.

4. Massey University, New Zealand
   Established in 1927, Massey University is a significant educational and research institution in New Zealand, truly embodying a national university. Hosting five faculties - Business, Science, Art, Education, and Humanities & Social Sciences - it currently ranks 272nd in the QS World University Rankings.

5. Auckland University of Technology (AUT), New Zealand
   Formerly known as the Auckland Institute of Technology, founded in 1895, AUT officially became one of the eight national universities in 2000, making it the youngest university in New Zealand. It currently ranks 437th in the QS Rankings.

6. Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
   Victoria University of Wellington boasts top-notch facilities and resources, including a library system that encompasses the largest comprehensive central library in the South Island of New Zealand and four specialized libraries, housing over one million volumes. The central library and computer labs offer ample computers for student use. It currently ranks 223rd in the QS Rankings.

7. University of Otago, New Zealand
   Located in Dunedin, the capital of New Zealand's South Island, the University of Otago, founded in 1869, is New Zealand's first university and a world-class institution. It offers comprehensive programs in consumer and applied sciences, dentistry, human nutrition, pharmacy, sports, physiotherapy, and surveying, among others. It currently ranks 184th in the QS Rankings.

Application Requirements

To enroll directly into the first year of an undergraduate program at a New Zealand university, domestic students must have completed the first year of a bachelor's degree at a recognized university in China or the second year of a three-year diploma program.

High school graduates or students in their second year of senior high school must first complete a foundation program (lasting 7-18 months) before progressing to undergraduate studies.

Graduates of Chinese diploma programs may apply for credit exemptions if their majors align with those offered at New Zealand universities, thereby shortening the duration of their undergraduate studies.

IELTS requirement: 6.0 for programs such as business, arts, engineering, architecture, and natural sciences. Some programs have higher IELTS requirements, e.g., nursing (IELTS 6.5), education (IELTS 7.0). If the IELTS requirement is not met, students can enroll in language courses offered by university-affiliated language centers and progress to undergraduate studies upon fulfillment of the necessary criteria.

Intake Periods

1. University of Auckland: The academic year is divided into two semesters, with the first semester starting in February (applications must be submitted by 8th December of the previous year) and the second semester starting in July (applications must be submitted by 31st May of the same year).

2. Auckland University of Technology (AUT): AUT's academic year is also divided into two semesters, from March to June for the first semester and July to November for the second semester. Intake occurs in March and July each year.

3. University of Otago: The academic year comprises two semesters, February to June and July to November. International students can enroll in either semester. Additionally, the university offers summer schools from early January to mid-February.

4. Victoria University of Wellington: There are three semesters every year, starting at the end of February, mid-July, and mid-November, respectively. In addition, the English courses, preparatory courses, and degree courses of Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand are tightly connected in terms of enrollment time. Students can directly proceed to the next stage of study after completing the required courses.

5. The University of Waikato: The learning period for the first summer semester is from January to mid-February, and the second summer semester is from November to mid-December. During the summer semester, you can catch up on your thesis, complete other tasks, reduce the workload of other semesters, or complete your degree courses more quickly.

6. University of Canterbury, New Zealand: Undergraduate Programs: Most majors start in March each year, and some majors also start in July. Graduate Programs: Taught postgraduate courses: February or July; Research postgraduate courses: Enrollment can be done at any time depending on the selected research topics.