Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland
Waipapa Taumata Rau
New Zealand's top-ranked university, in central Auckland, with guaranteed-entry rank scores for NCEA, IB and Cambridge.
- Students
- 49,901
- International
- 24%
- of students
- Tuition
- NZ$48,133
- From · 2026
- Founded
- 1883
About UoA
Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland was founded in 1883 and is New Zealand's largest research organisation, with 49,901 students (headcount) in 2025. It placed 67th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, the highest of any New Zealand university. The City Campus sits beside Albert Park in central Auckland, with further campuses at Grafton and Newmarket.
Teaching is organised into six faculties: Arts and Education; Business and Economics; Engineering and Design, which combined engineering, architecture, planning and design from 2025; Law; Medical and Health Sciences; and Science. Two large-scale research institutes, the Auckland Bioengineering Institute and the Liggins Institute, sit alongside them. Degrees follow a flexible New Zealand model with majors, and many students take conjoint (double) degrees such as Commerce with Science or Engineering with Music.
Entry is transparent: most programmes publish a guaranteed rank score for NCEA, Cambridge and IB. Medicine, pharmacy and optometry are entered after a first year of health science or biomedical science, and law after a first year in another bachelor's degree. Auckland suits independent students who want a big-city university with global reach and a strong Pacific and Māori identity.
Ingenio et labore
“By natural ability and hard work” — university motto
Why students choose UoA
Guaranteed entry: meet University Entrance and the published rank score (for example NCEA 200 for Commerce or 250 for Engineering (Honours)) and you are in.
Auckland is ranked 1st in New Zealand in QS 2027 (67th), THE 2026 (=156th) and ARWU 2026 (201-300), and lists Education, Psychology and Archaeology among its best-ranked subjects.
Conjoint degrees let you combine two bachelor's programmes, for example Commerce with Science, or Engineering (Honours) with Music.
Research institutes such as the Auckland Bioengineering Institute and the Liggins Institute offer undergraduate research opportunities, including Summer Research Scholarships.
Admissions
Semester One 2027 (starts 1 March 2027)
Selectivity
Auckland does not publish an acceptance rate. School leavers who achieve University Entrance and the programme's rank score are guaranteed entry. 2027 NCEA rank scores (out of 320): Arts 150; Science 165; Commerce and Biomedical Science 200; Engineering (Honours) 250. Applicants just below the score may still be admitted if places remain.
Typical entry requirements
| NCEA with University Entrance (2027 rank scores, max 320) | Arts 150; Science 165; Commerce, Biomedical Science and Health Sciences 200; Engineering (Honours) 250 (plus 17 external Level 3 Calculus and 16 Physics credits) |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma (2027, NZ school leavers) | Arts 26; Commerce 27; Biomedical Science 28; Engineering (Honours) 32 with HL Mathematics and Physics |
| IB Diploma (applicants from outside NZ, 2026 guide) | Commerce 27; Engineering (Honours) 33 with HL Mathematics and Physics |
| GCE A-levels (applicants from outside NZ, 2026 guide) | Commerce BCC; Engineering (Honours) BBB including Mathematics and Physics (best three academic subjects) |
| English language | IELTS 6 Commerce: IELTS Academic 6.0 with no band below 5.5. Engineering (Honours): IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0. Other tests are accepted; see the undergraduate English language requirements. |
Deadlines
- Bachelor of Nursing (international applicants), Semester One 2027 Non-binding Next deadline · In 26 days1 November 2026
Domestic Nursing applicants close 8 December 2026.
- Semester One 2027 (most undergraduate programmes) Non-binding In ~2 months8 December 2026
Applies to the BA, BSc, BCom, BE(Hons), BHSc, Biomedical Science, Architectural Studies, Design, Law Part I and most other bachelor's programmes. Late applications are considered on academic merit if places remain.
- Bachelor of Sport, Health and Physical Education, Semester One 2027 Non-binding In ~4 months31 January 2027
- Semester Two 2027 (international applicants) Non-binding In ~8 months8 June 2027
Only some undergraduate programmes accept Semester Two entry; domestic applicants close 4 July 2027.
Published Semester One 2027 closing dates: 8 December 2026 for most programmes; 1 December 2026 for the Graduate Diplomas in Teaching, Law Part II and LLB(Hons), and for anyone seeking special admission. Medicine (MBChB), Pharmacy, Optometry and Medical Imaging (Honours), which are entered after a first year of study, closed on 1 July 2026 for 2027 and close on 1 July 2027 for 2028 entry. Semester One 2027 runs from 1 March to 28 June 2027.
How to apply
Apply online directly to the University of Auckland (there is no central admissions centre in New Zealand). International students can apply themselves or through an agent, and should apply early to allow time for a visa.
What admissions looks for
- University Entrance (NCEA Level 3 with three approved subjects at 14 credits each, plus literacy and numeracy) or an equivalent overseas qualification.
- A rank score at or above the programme's guaranteed score, calculated from your best 80 Level 3 credits across up to five approved subjects (Excellence 4, Merit 3, Achieved 2 points).
- Programme-specific subjects, such as Level 3 Calculus and Physics credits for Engineering (Honours), and any portfolio, audition or interview.
Tips for applying to UoA
- 1 Use Auckland's rank score calculator: only your best 80 Level 3 credits (max 24 per subject) count, so plan subject choices carefully.
- 2 Aiming for medicine? Apply for the BHSc or BSc (Biomedical Science) first; MBChB entry comes after Year 1.
- 3 For a conjoint, you need the higher of the two programmes' rank scores, so also apply for both single programmes.
- 4 International students who attended a New Zealand secondary school can receive the International School Leaver Scholarship (up to NZ$20,000).
Costs & financial aid
2026 · figures in NZD
International undergraduates can apply for awards such as the University of Auckland International School Leaver Scholarship (up to NZ$20,000 toward tuition for international students who attended a New Zealand secondary school) and pathway high-achiever awards (up to NZ$20,000 for Foundation Pathway partners). Domestic students may be eligible for Fees Free and StudyLink loans.
- Up to NZ$20,000
- International School Leaver Scholarship
- Up to NZ$20,000
- Foundation Pathway High Achiever Award
- Up to NZ$10,000
- Pathway Partner (NCUK) High Achiever Award
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (plus a Summer School from January)
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
A common Part I introducing all 10 specialisations offered from Part II; the highest standard school-leaver rank score (NCEA 250, IB 32).
Bachelor of Commerce
A three-year single or double major degree with many conjoint options (NCEA 200, IB 27).
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB)
Entered after Year 1 of the Bachelor of Health Sciences or the BSc in Biomedical Science (or another approved degree).
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
Part I is taken alongside another bachelor's degree, with conjoint admission possible at Part II.
Education and Psychology
Named by the university among its subjects ranked with the world's best; Education was 34th in the QS subject rankings reported in the 2025 Annual Report.
Research
- Auckland describes itself as New Zealand's largest research organisation, with 5,622 research publications in 2025, 70.4% in top-20% journals.
- The Auckland Bioengineering Institute and the Liggins Institute are the university's large-scale research institutes.
- Auckland was ranked 10th in the world for Climate Action (SDG 13) in the THE Impact Rankings 2026.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Arts and Education
- Faculty of Business and Economics
- Faculty of Engineering and Design
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences
- Faculty of Science
- Auckland Bioengineering Institute
- Liggins Institute
The university's QS 2027 release identified graduate employability as a key strength.
Student life
The City Campus is woven into central Auckland, next to Albert Park, so student life mixes with city life. First-year students can choose catered or self-catered halls of residence, and the university supports a large network of student clubs and cultural groups, reflecting a student body drawn from around 100 countries and a strong Māori and Pacific presence. The university's Pacific Strategy (Ala o le Moana) and Māori partnerships shape much of campus culture.
- Catered and self-catered halls of residence for new students.
- Students from around 100 countries.
- Ala o le Moana, the university's first Pacific Strategy (2025-2030).
- Summer Research Scholarships for undergraduates.
Housing. The university offers catered and self-catered halls of residence, and apartments near the City Campus.
Location
Auckland is New Zealand's largest city. The City Campus is in the CBD next to Albert Park, so public transport, part-time work and internships are close by, and the Grafton and Newmarket campuses are nearby. The university's students come from around 100 countries, reflecting the city's international, Pacific and Māori communities.
Nearest airport: Auckland Airport (AKL)
Notable alumni
- HC Helen ClarkFormer Prime Minister of New Zealand and UNDP Administrator
- DL David LangeFormer Prime Minister of New Zealand
- SE Sian EliasChief Justice of New Zealand (1999-2019)
- VJ Vaughan JonesFields Medal-winning mathematician
- RI Ross IhakaStatistician
- PB Philippa BoyensAcademy Award-winning screenwriter
- LL Lucy LawlessActress
- RC Russell CouttsYachtsman
Frequently asked questions
What NCEA rank score do I need for the University of Auckland?
For 2027: Arts 150, Science 165, Commerce 200, Biomedical Science 200 and Engineering (Honours) 250, plus University Entrance and any subject requirements.
What IB score does Auckland require?
For 2027 school leavers: Arts 26, Commerce 27, Biomedical Science 28 and Engineering (Honours) 32 with HL Mathematics and Physics. The rank score equals your IB points.
How much does the University of Auckland cost for international students?
2026 annual fees were NZ$48,133 for Commerce and NZ$58,009 for Engineering (Honours), including GST but excluding the Student Services Fee.
Can I study medicine at Auckland straight from school?
Not directly. You first complete Year 1 of the Bachelor of Health Sciences or the BSc in Biomedical Science (or another approved degree), then apply for the MBChB.
When is the University of Auckland application deadline?
For Semester One 2027 most undergraduate programmes close on 8 December 2026 (1 November 2026 for international Nursing applicants). Semester One starts on 1 March 2027, and late applications are considered if places remain.
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.
- University of Auckland: New Zealand's world-ranked university (rankings)
- University of Auckland news: remains among world's top universities (QS 2027)
- University of Auckland Annual Report 2025
- ShanghaiRanking ARWU 2026
- NCEA entry requirements and 2027 rank scores
- IB entry requirements and 2027 rank scores
Explore nearby in the world top 100
Universities ranked close to UoA in the QS World University Rankings 2027.