Auckland University of Technology
Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau
Auckland's career-focused university, where 89% of bachelor's graduates did workplace experience during their degree.
- Tuition
- NZ$36,700
- From · 2027 (international); 2026 (domestic)
- Founded
- 2000
- QS World Ranking
- #431
- 2027 edition
- Campus
- Urban
About AUT
Auckland University of Technology (AUT), Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau, became a university on 1 January 2000, but its roots go back to 1895, when the Auckland Technical School opened in a former cabinet-making factory with 137 students taking night classes. That practical, vocational origin still shapes it: AUT says 89% of its bachelor's degree graduates complete workplace experience, internships or industry projects as part of their degree.
AUT has five faculties and 15 schools: Business, Economics and Law; Culture and Society; Design and Creative Technologies; Health and Environmental Sciences; and Te Ara Poutama, the Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Development. It offers more than 250 programmes across three campuses: City Campus on Wellesley Street in central Auckland, North Campus in Northcote and South Campus in Manukau. Its strongest ranked areas are sport science, hospitality and tourism, and nursing, with the ShanghaiRanking subject tables placing its sport science school first in New Zealand.
Students come from more than 140 countries, and AUT scores the maximum in QS for the share of international students and staff. It suits students who want an applied, industry-linked degree in New Zealand's largest city, particularly in health, sport, business, design, communications, engineering and computing.
Knowledge that works
University motto
Why students choose AUT
89% of bachelor's degree graduates complete workplace experience, internships or industry projects as part of their studies.
AUT's School of Sport, Exercise and Health is ranked first in New Zealand for sport science, and QS places AUT in the global top 23 for sports-related subjects.
Ranked first in New Zealand for international outlook by THE, with students from more than 140 countries.
The City Campus is in central Auckland, New Zealand's largest city and economic hub, a short walk from the waterfront and CBD.
Admissions
Semester 1 2027 (classes start 22 February 2027); Semester 2 2027 (classes start 12 July 2027)
Selectivity
AUT does not publish an acceptance rate. University Entrance or an equivalent is the minimum for bachelor's degrees, but because of competition for places some programmes require more; for example, Engineering (Honours) guarantees a place to NCEA applicants with a rank score of 250 or higher plus Calculus and Physics.
Typical entry requirements
| NCEA (New Zealand University Entrance) | University Entrance is the minimum; some programmes add subject requirements, e.g. Engineering (Honours) needs 14 Level 3 credits in each of Calculus and Physics, with guaranteed entry at a rank score of 250 |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | At least 24 points |
| Australian Year 12 | ATAR of 69.6 or equivalent |
| GCE A-levels | Three A-levels including at least one C grade or better (General Studies excluded) |
| China | Senior High School graduation and a Gaokao result of 65% of the total possible score, or one year of university study |
| India (CBSE / ISC and some state boards) | 12 years of schooling with an average of 75% in four academic subjects and at least 60% in English (80% and 65% for other state boards) |
| United States | High School Diploma with a minimum GPA of 2.5 |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 80 Bachelor's degrees: IELTS Academic 6.0 with all bands 5.5 or higher; TOEFL iBT 80 (reading 15, listening 15, speaking 18, writing 20); PTE Academic 50 with no score below 42; Duolingo 105; C1 Advanced 169. IELTS Online and PTE Academic Online are not accepted. Some degrees require more. |
Deadlines
- Semester 1 2027 starts Non-binding Next deadline · In ~5 months22 February 2027
First day of classes; orientation week starts 15 February 2027.
- Recommended application date for Semester 1 2027 Non-bindingEarly December 2026
AUT recommends applying for Semester 1 in early December of the previous year; international applicants should apply at least three months before the start. Some programmes set their own deadlines.
- Recommended application date for Semester 2 2027 Non-bindingEarly May 2027
Semester 2 classes start 12 July 2027.
AUT does not set a single application closing date for most bachelor's programmes; programme pages list any specific deadlines. Dates are from AUT's Applying and Semester dates pages, checked 29 September 2026.
How to apply
Apply online to AUT (domestic and international applicants apply directly, or international students through an AUT agent). Check your programme page for extra requirements such as specific subjects, portfolios or interviews. International applicants receive an Offer of Place and must pay fees by the deadline in the offer so there is time to arrange a student visa.
What admissions looks for
- University Entrance or an equivalent overseas qualification at AUT's published level for your country.
- Programme-specific subjects, such as Calculus and Physics for Engineering (Honours).
- For some programmes, portfolios or interviews, as listed on the programme page.
- English proficiency for applicants whose first language is not English, Māori or New Zealand Sign Language.
Tips for applying to AUT
- 1 Check your programme page, not just the general entry requirements: competition for places means some programmes need more than the minimum.
- 2 NCEA students aiming for Engineering can calculate their rank score; 250 or more with Calculus and Physics guarantees an offer.
- 3 International students should apply at least three months before the semester starts so the visa can be processed.
- 4 Look at the AUT International Student Accommodation Scholarship for Semester 1 2027, which guarantees a place at Te Āhuru Mayoral Drive next to City Campus.
Costs & financial aid
2027 (international); 2026 (domestic) · figures in NZD
AUT offers international scholarships for Semester 1 2027 for high-achieving students from South Asia, Southeast Asia, North Asia and Europe, and an International Student Accommodation Scholarship guaranteeing a place in Te Āhuru Mayoral Drive student accommodation. Students from developing countries can apply for Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships, and several foreign governments fund study at AUT. Domestic students may use StudyLink student loans and allowances.
- For high achievers from South Asia, Southeast Asia, North Asia and Europe
- AUT International Scholarships (Semester 1 2027)
- Guaranteed place at Te Āhuru Mayoral Drive for Semester 1 2027 starters
- International Student Accommodation Scholarship
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters (February and July) plus summer school
Bachelor of Sport, Exercise and Health
Taught by the School of Sport, Exercise and Health, ranked first in New Zealand for sport science and 51-100 in the world (ShanghaiRanking 2025).
Bachelor of International Hospitality Management
AUT is top 50 in the world for Hospitality and Leisure Management (QS 2026) and 43rd for Hospitality and Tourism Management (ShanghaiRanking).
Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing)
AUT's nursing is ranked first in New Zealand and 76-100 globally by ShanghaiRanking.
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
A four-year degree with guaranteed entry at an NCEA rank score of 250 plus Calculus and Physics.
Bachelor of Communication Studies
From the School of Communication Studies; AUT is ranked 275th in the world for Communication and Media Studies (QS 2026).
Research
- The School of Sport, Exercise and Health is ranked 51-100 in the world for sport science by ShanghaiRanking, with international collaboration and research quality cited as strengths.
- AUT is ranked in the 101-200 band in the THE Impact Rankings 2026, and 31st equal in the world for SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth).
- THE World University Rankings 2026 place AUT third in New Zealand for research quality.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Business, Economics and Law
- Faculty of Culture and Society
- Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies
- Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences
- Te Ara Poutama - Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Development
89% of AUT bachelor's degree graduates complete workplace experience, internships or industry projects as part of their studies.
Student life
AUT is a commuter-heavy, three-campus university. City Campus, on Wellesley Street East, is in central Auckland, minutes from cafes, bars, shopping and the harbour ferries. North Campus is in Northcote on the North Shore, and South Campus is in Manukau. The student association AUTSA runs clubs and events, and there are dedicated support networks for Māori and Pacific students. Purpose-built student accommodation near City Campus is managed with UniLodge and runs a Residential Life events programme.
- Students from more than 140 countries.
- Three campuses: City (central Auckland), North (Northcote) and South (Manukau).
- AUTSA, the AUT Student Association, runs student events and advocacy.
- AUT has a partnership with Auckland FC, the city's professional football club.
Housing. AUT student accommodation for 2027 costs NZ$363-496 a week on 40-week academic-year agreements, with a full-year 52-week option at NZ$468 a week.
Location
Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, with about 1.6 million people, built around a harbour with more than 80 beaches and 1,500 km of coastline. One in three Aucklanders was born overseas, and the climate is mild: AUT cites average temperatures of about 25°C in summer and 11°C in winter. City Campus is in the CBD, close to ferries across the Waitemata Harbour.
Nearest airport: Auckland Airport (AKL)
Notable alumni
- BM Bruce McLarenRacing driver and founder of the McLaren team; attended Seddon Memorial Technical College, as AUT's forerunner was then named
- ST Stephen TindallFounder of The Warehouse
- AC Angela CullenPhysiotherapist and performance coach
- JA Jim AndertonPolitician and former Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand; attended Seddon Memorial Technical College, as AUT's forerunner was then named
- AP Annette PresleyFounder and CEO of Slingshot
- AW Ali WilliamsRugby player
- DF David FarrierWriter, journalist and filmmaker
Frequently asked questions
What are AUT's entry requirements for international students?
University Entrance or an equivalent: for example an IB Diploma with 24 points, an Australian ATAR of 69.6, three A-levels with at least one C, a US High School Diploma with a 2.5 GPA or 65% in the Gaokao. Some programmes need more because of competition for places.
How much are AUT's fees for international students?
Estimated international tuition for a full-time year of a bachelor's degree ranges from NZ$36,700 (Education) and NZ$38,700 (Business) to NZ$50,100 (Engineering Honours), plus a NZ$1,259.67 student services levy.
What IELTS score do I need for AUT?
Most bachelor's degrees require IELTS Academic 6.0 with all bands 5.5 or higher, or TOEFL iBT 80 or PTE Academic 50. IELTS Online and PTE Online are not accepted.
When should I apply to AUT for 2027?
AUT recommends applying for Semester 1 in early December 2026 and for Semester 2 in early May 2027; international students should apply at least three months before the start. Semester 1 classes begin on 22 February 2027.
What is AUT known for?
Applied, industry-linked degrees: sport science, hospitality and tourism, and nursing are its highest-ranked areas, and 89% of bachelor's degree graduates complete workplace experience.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
Explore nearby in the world top 100
Universities ranked close to AUT in the QS World University Rankings 2027.