Victoria University of Wellington — Wellington, New Zealand

Location / “The Scene”

Quick Profile
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Population: 450,000
Student Enrollment: 16,400
International Students: 2,500
Semester Load: 3-4 courses
Required GPA: 2.7/4.0
Academic Dates: Feb - June : July - Nov Program Calendar

Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) is located in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city. VUW comprises four campuses with classroom buildings that blend into the rhythm and landscape of the city. All four campuses are open to study-abroad students; three are within easy walking distance of another. The Kelburn campus overlooks the stunning harbor. The Pipitea campus is located along Lambton Quay, Wellington’s shopping district. The Te Aro campus houses the Faculty of Architecture and Design and is situated in the city’s artistic center. The Karori campus is home to the Faculty of Education.

Campus Activities

VUW offers over 120 student organizations on campus, including academic, athletic, cultural, religious, political and artistic clubs. Victoria has access to playing fields and facilities that offer the chance to be involved in rugby, soccer, cricket, tennis, squash, netball and climbing. At the Recreation Center, open up to 16 hours a day, students can participate in a wide variety of health and fitness activities, outdoor pursuits, dance classes and arts and crafts. Interested in skiing? If so, the Team Vic Ski and Board Club owns a ski lodge with rooms offered at a discount to club members and where ski equipment can be rented.

The Kiwi Connections program assists international students in settling into their new surroundings. The program pairs incoming international students with current New Zealand and international students who offer advice and answer questions about life on campus.

Housing

Participants have a variety of housing options, including private and university-managed residential colleges and off-campus apartments. On-campus accommodation is no more than a 5-minute walk away while of-campus accommodation is within walking distance or close to one of the many public transport routes. Students can apply for residence halls with the option of a meal plan or self-catering as well as apartments and private flats with Kiwi students.

Academics

VUW students can take classes in Architecture, Design, Science, Humanities & Social Sciences, Commerce and Administration, Law and Education.
VUW has a strong teaching and research reputation in: Law, Music, Politics, Management Studies, Commerce, MBA, Government Studies, Architecture & Design, Earth Sciences, Materials Science, Psychology, Film & Theatre, Linguistics, IT & Computer Science and Bioscience
Victoria is one of New Zealand’s leading teaching and research institutions in HRIR, a multidisciplinary area that investigates all dimensions of employment relations in the public and private sectors.
For a listing of all subject areas offered, visit What You Can Study.

Specialty Programs

Victoria University International Leadership Program - Victoria University has an International Leadership Program open to study abroad students. To participate, students must fulfill three components (attend two seminars, one of which must be New Zealand focused; attend two speaker events; participate in one New Zealand experiential activity), and submit reflective essays on each of the seminars and speaker events they attent. Upon completion of the program, students will receive Certificate of Participation. To take part, students must register for the International Leadership Program on-line. The registration deadline to participate in the program for Trimester 1 is February 1, and for Trimester 2 the registration deadline is June 1.
VUW’s Rugby Study Abroad program is open to men and women of all skill levels for a modest additional cost. Participants are given membership to the Old Boys Rugby club, train with the team and receive tickets to professional rugby matches, gym membership and club gear.

University Facts

Among New Zealand’s Science faculties, Victoria’s is closest to the sea, and as such offers a strong curriculum in marine conservation, marine studies and marine resources. Wellington offers quick access to marine reserves, coastal marine ecology, oceanography and aquaculture.
The Victoria Law School is housed in one of the most historic structures in New Zealand – the Government Buildings on Lambton Quay. Constructed in 1876 almost entirely of kauri and totara wood, this dignified landmark is the largest wooden building in the Southern Hemisphere.
The home of the Faculty of Architecture & Design has won numerous awards for architectural quality and features generous exhibition space, lecture theaters, workshops, computer equipment and design studios that are among the best in Australasia.

Pre-Semester Trips & Excursions

Our semester participants have enjoyed exclusive organized trips as an optional way to enhance their study abroad experience. Over 50% of our participants joined Study Australia on a pre-semester trip last semester. Past trip destinations and options include:

South Island, New Zealand
Learn to Surf
Great Barrier Reef/Whitsunday Islands
Auckland
Wellington
Manawatu Region
Christchurch
Queenstown
Glacier Country
Dunedin

For more information visit Trips & Excursions.