Overview
Auckland University of Technology (AUT) (Māori: Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau) is a university in New Zealand, formed on 1 January 2000 when a former technical college — originally established in 1895 — was granted university status. It has five faculties across three campuses in Auckland: City, North, and South campuses, and three specialist locations: AUT Millennium, Warkworth Radio Astronomical Observatory, and AUT Centre for Refugee Education.
AUT made history as New Zealand's first polytechnic to become a university. The institution traces its roots to the Auckland Technical School (1895), which evolved through Auckland Technical College, Auckland Institute of Technology (AIT), and finally became AUT University in 2000. During its final years as AIT, the institute celebrated record student numbers with 26,000 students enrolled, and became the first polytechnic in New Zealand to offer a Bachelor of Engineering degree and a Doctor of Philosophy.
AUT has grown to become the third-largest university in the country, with around 29,100 students enrolled across its three Auckland campuses. The university is organised into five faculties and operates three specialised centres.
AUT students come from over 100 countries. In 2025, over 3,400 international students chose AUT, allowing graduates to build a global perspective and connections that reach far beyond New Zealand. AUT is rated five stars for research by QS and is home to more than 1,000 doctoral students and over 60 research institutes, centres, and networks.
AUT's campuses feature modern buildings that have won architecture awards and offer students an excellent environment to gain practical experience, collaborate with classmates, and develop skills sought by employers. Facilities include one of only a handful of motion capture studios in New Zealand, the top sports science facility AUT Millennium, full student medical centres, libraries on each campus, and gyms on all three campuses.
Auckland was ranked third in the world in Mercer's 2023 Quality of Living index, and 24th in the world in the QS Best Student Cities 2025 ranking — making AUT's Auckland location one of the most liveable urban environments for international students worldwide. AUT is consistently ranked #1 in New Zealand for International Outlook.
| ~70–75% Acceptance Rate | 29,100 Total Students | 100+ Countries Represented | Founded 1895 (University status: 2000) |
Ranking
Auckland University of Technology is placed #410 globally according to the QS World University Rankings 2026, an improvement from its #412 position in 2025.
AUT holds a prestigious QS Five Stars rating across teaching, employability, research, and facilities — one of the most comprehensive five-star ratings of any New Zealand university. The QS rating of 5 out of 5 for employability is particularly significant for internationally competitive graduates.
Thanks to the university's innovative teaching, excellent reputation, and combination of theoretical and practical learning, AUT graduates are highly favoured by employers, with 94% of available graduates in paid employment within nine months of graduation.
| Ranking Body | Rank |
|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings 2026 | #410 Globally / #5 in New Zealand |
| Times Higher Education (THE) 2026 | Top 500 / #3–5 in New Zealand |
| US News Best Global Universities 2025–26 | #572 Globally / #5 in New Zealand |
| QS Stars Rating | ★★★★★ (Five Stars) — Teaching, Employability, Research, Facilities |
| QS — International Outlook | #1 in New Zealand |
| Graduate Employment | 94% employed within 9 months of graduation |
Intakes
AUT primarily offers two main intakes per year. Some programs also offer an additional November intake (Summer School), though this is less common.
- February Intake (Semester 1) — Primary intake; all faculties and most programs
- July Intake (Semester 2) — Mid-year; most programs across all faculties
- November (Summer School) — Select programs only
Application Deadlines:
| Intake | Application Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| February (Semester 1) | October – December (prior year) | Primary intake; all programs |
| July (Semester 2) | April – May | Mid-year; most programs |
| November (Summer School) | September | Select programs only |
Note: Apply via the AUT online application portal at aut.ac.nz/study/apply. International students need a New Zealand Student Visa. Application fee: NZD 150. Apply early for visa processing time.
Top Courses
AUT offers 135 undergraduate programs in 15 disciplines and 184 postgraduate programs, plus 16 certificates and diplomas, and 17 short courses.
The university is organised into five faculties:
Faculty of Business, Economics and Law (Business School — Sir Paul Reeves Building):
- BBus in Business, Accounting, Finance, Economics, Marketing, International Business, HR Management, Tourism
- LLB in Law (3 years)
- MBA (Master of Business Administration)
- MSc in Business Administration, Data Science for Business, Digital Business, International Business
- MSc in Accounting and Finance, MSc in Tourism Management
- Master of Professional Accounting (MPA)
Faculty of Design and Creative Technologies:
- BDes in Design (Communication, Fashion, Industrial, Spatial)
- BBSc in Computer and Information Sciences
- MSc in Cybersecurity, MSc in Computer and Information Sciences
- MSc in Artificial Intelligence
- Master of Digital Design
- Master of Creative Technologies
- BSc in Software Engineering / Computer Science
Faculty of Culture and Society:
- BA in Communication Studies, Social Sciences, Languages, Te Ara Poutama (Māori Development)
- MSc in Communication Studies
- MSc in International Communication
- MSc in Journalism
- Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
- MSc in Health Sciences (Public Health, Health Promotion)
Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences:
- BHSc in Health Sciences, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Paramedicine, Sports and Recreation
- MSc in Health Sciences — various specialisations
- MSc in Environmental Sciences
- MSc in Sport and Exercise Science
- Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLSc)
- PhD programs across all health disciplines
Te Ara Poutama — Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Development:
- Bachelor of Māori Development
- Master of Māori and Pacific Development
- PhD in Māori and Indigenous Studies
Cost of Studying at Auckland University of Technology (AUT)
Undergraduate tuition fees at AUT in 2025 are approximately NZD 32,000–37,000 per year depending on program. Postgraduate tuition is approximately NZD 35,000–45,000 per year.
Each AUT Doctoral Scholarship includes an annual stipend of NZD 33,726, plus tuition fees and compulsory student services fees for up to three years. Most international PhD students qualify for domestic fee rates of approximately NZD 8,000–9,000 per year.
| Type of Expense | Annual Cost (NZD) | Annual Cost (INR Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees — BSc / BA / BBus (International) | NZD 32,000 – 45,600 | ₹16,64,000 – ₹23,71,000 |
| Tuition Fees — MSc / MBA (International) | NZD 35,000 – 62,400 | ₹18,20,000 – ₹32,45,000 |
| PhD Tuition (Domestic rate — most international students) | NZD 6,000 – 9,000 | ₹3,12,000 – ₹4,68,000 |
| Application Fee | NZD 150 | ₹7,800 |
| On-Campus Accommodation (City / North campus) | NZD 13,000 – 20,800/year (NZD 250–400/week) | ₹6,76,000 – ₹10,82,000 |
| Food & Personal Expenses | NZD 6,000 – 10,000/year | ₹3,12,000 – ₹5,20,000 |
| Transport (Auckland — AT HOP card) | NZD 1,000 – 2,000/year | ₹52,000 – ₹1,04,000 |
| Health Insurance (required) | NZD 400 – 700/year | ₹20,800 – ₹36,400 |
| Total Estimated Annual Cost | NZD 35,000 – 60,000 | ₹18,20,000 – ₹31,20,000 |
Note: Auckland is New Zealand's most expensive city. All fees are in NZD and include GST. Verify exact fees at aut.ac.nz/study/fees-and-scholarships before applying.
Scholarships
AUT awards NZD 5,000–NZD 7,000 to full-time international students from South Asia (including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal), Southeast Asia, and North Asia who achieve strong academic results in their first year. Each AUT Doctoral Scholarship includes an annual stipend of NZD 33,726, plus tuition fees and compulsory student services fees for up to three years, and is open to all eligible applicants including international students.
Key scholarships for international students:
| Scholarship | Type | Value |
|---|---|---|
| AUT International Excellence Scholarship | Merit-based (new international students) | Partial tuition reduction — high academic record required |
| AUT South/Southeast/North Asia First-Year Award | Regional merit-based | NZD 5,000 – NZD 7,000 (for students from India and other Asian countries) |
| AUT Doctoral Scholarship | Research-based | NZD 33,726/year stipend + full tuition for up to 3 years (all nationalities eligible) |
| Faculty-Specific Scholarships | Faculty awards | Varies by faculty — business, health, design programs have dedicated awards |
| New Zealand Government Scholarships (NZS) | Government-funded | Full tuition + living allowance (select countries — check NZMS website) |
| Accommodation Scholarships | Merit/need-based | Support toward on-campus accommodation costs |
Admissions
For Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor's):
Indian students willing to take admission in Auckland University of Technology are required to submit a scorecard with 75% in four best subjects with a minimum of 60% in English in the Higher Secondary School Exam or All-India Senior School Certificate.
- Completion of Class 12 (CBSE/ISC or equivalent)
- IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5) / TOEFL iBT 80 / PTE 50 for most undergraduate programs
- Portfolio required for Design, Fashion, and Art programs
- Application fee: NZD 150
For Postgraduate Programs (Master's):
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (minimum 60% or equivalent)
- IELTS 6.5–7.0 overall (no band below 6.0) / TOEFL iBT 90 / PTE 58
- CV / Academic transcripts
- Statement of Purpose / Motivational Letter
- Letters of Recommendation (for research programs)
For PhD Programs:
- Master's degree with strong research record
- Research proposal and supervisor agreement
- IELTS 6.5–7.0 / TOEFL iBT 90+
- Most international PhD students qualify for domestic fee rates
Placements
AUT graduates are highly favoured by employers, with 94% of available graduates in paid employment within nine months of graduation — one of the highest graduate employment rates of any New Zealand university.
The annual salary offered to graduates after completing their degrees is up to NZD 87,000. AUT has received 5 out of 5 employability stars from QS World University Rankings. The university periodically offers its students résumé writing classes, workshops for placements, group discussions, and mock interviews to secure job opportunities in New Zealand.
Auckland — New Zealand's largest city and commercial capital — gives AUT graduates exceptional access to the country's financial, media, technology, health, tourism, and creative industries. AUT's location and strong industry partnerships support direct pathways into employment.
Key career sectors for AUT graduates:
- Business & Finance — ANZ, ASB Bank, BNZ, Westpac, Deloitte, PwC, KPMG, EY, Air New Zealand
- Technology & Digital — Datacom, Xero, Spark NZ, 2degrees, MYOB, Orion Health
- Health Sciences — Auckland District Health Board (Te Whatu Ora), Middlemore Hospital, St John, Counties Manukau Health
- Media & Communication — TVNZ, Mediaworks, RNZ, Stuff.co.nz, major NZ advertising agencies
- Design & Creative — New Zealand design studios, global creative agencies, fashion industry
- Tourism & Hospitality — Tourism New Zealand, SkyCity, InterContinental, Hilton Auckland
Jobs After Graduating from Auckland University of Technology (AUT)
| Job Profile | Average Annual Salary (NZD) | INR Approx./Year |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer / IT Developer | NZD 75,000 – 105,000 | ₹39,00,000 – ₹54,60,000 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | NZD 80,000 – 110,000 | ₹41,60,000 – ₹57,20,000 |
| Nurse / Healthcare Professional | NZD 65,000 – 90,000 | ₹33,80,000 – ₹46,80,000 |
| Accountant / Financial Analyst | NZD 65,000 – 90,000 | ₹33,80,000 – ₹46,80,000 |
| Marketing / Communication Manager | NZD 65,000 – 87,000 | ₹33,80,000 – ₹45,24,000 |
| Lawyer / Legal Counsel | NZD 70,000 – 110,000 | ₹36,40,000 – ₹57,20,000 |
| Graphic / Industrial Designer | NZD 55,000 – 80,000 | ₹28,60,000 – ₹41,60,000 |
| Sport Scientist / Exercise Physiologist | NZD 60,000 – 85,000 | ₹31,20,000 – ₹44,20,000 |
| Tourism / Hospitality Manager | NZD 55,000 – 80,000 | ₹28,60,000 – ₹41,60,000 |
| MBA Graduate / Business Manager | NZD 80,000 – 120,000 | ₹41,60,000 – ₹62,40,000 |
Note: Salary figures are indicative annual gross values in NZD. Post-study work visa allows graduates to remain and work in New Zealand for 1–3 years after graduation.
For personalised guidance on AUT admissions, scholarships, and the New Zealand student visa process, connect with the experts at Polygon Campus today.