Overview

Victoria University of Wellington is located in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city. Victoria offers unique opportunities to live and study in New Zealand’s cultural, political, and intellectual capital.

Victoria has a strong research focus and was established in 1899 making it among the oldest universities in New Zealand. Victoria prides itself as a university with a significant international focus and a strong domestic base.

The University is home to over 20,000 students, including around 2,700 international students.

Location

Wellington is a compact, dynamic, and fun city with all the trappings of a thriving metropolis, but all the comforts of a close community. It boasts world-class facilities, inspired arts and culture, plentiful jobs, and an expanding economy.  Wellington is also the perfect staging point for students wanting to travel and enjoy the whole of New Zealand.

Wellington is known for its city buzz as well as the number of good cafes and lively night life. It is a vibrant, compact city situated at the southern tip of New Zealand’s North Island, between a beautiful harbor and rolling green hills. The region offers a healthy lifestyle in a mild to temperate climate.

Extracurricular Activities

With a student body of over 20,000, students are part of a community the size of a small town. Facilities include a main library, cafes, bank, book center, computer shop, newspapers, recreation and cultural facilities, and health service.

The Students Association helps students in many ways and funds almost 100 social, sporting, cultural, and ethnic clubs, which help to make students feel at home in their new learning environment.

At the newly renovated Recreation Centre, open up to 16 hours a day, students can get involved in a wide variety of health and fitness activities, outdoor pursuits, dance classes, as well as arts and crafts.

Wellington has one of the best sports stadiums in New Zealand. Students have the opportunity to see the best rugby in the world and also attend other sporting games, such as rugby league and cricket. With the stadium only minutes from the entertainment district, the chance to enjoy a home team win and continue the night’s festivities is never far away.

As the capital city, international and local performing artists also frequently visit Wellington.

Academic Highlights

Located in Wellington are Crown Research Institutes, the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa, and national cultural assets such as the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Victoria has strong links with these institutions in both teaching and research, as well as with the city’s many other museums, archives, libraries, scientific institutes, cultural bodies, financial, legal and business institutions, and political and government agencies.

Victoria University prides itself on being world class in the areas of Earthquake and Antarctic Research and Music, where Victoria is home to the acclaimed New Zealand String Quartet. The University’s strengths also run to Film and Media Studies, Political Science and International Relations, Architecture and Design, and Earth Sciences.

In 2007, Humanities and Social Sciences at Victoria were ranked in the Top 100 in the world by the UK Times Higher Education Supplement (THES). Study abroad students have the opportunity to take a wide range of courses at different levels depending on the individual student’s background in the subject area.

Victoria University of Wellington's four campuses each host specific academic faculties:

• Kelburn Campus: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Engineering
  
• Pipitea Campus: Faculty of Commerce and Administration, Faculty of Law
  
• Te Aro Campus: Faculty of Architecture and Design
  
• Karori Campus: Faculty of Education

View Available Subjects

Classes are offered in a wide range of subjects. To see if the classes you need are available at this university, review the course catalog.
View courses/subjects available at this university.
Be sure to use the "help pages" for assistance on finding the courses that you need.

University Services

Study abroad students have access to a full range of student services. Victoria International (VI) is the first point of contact for international students. Students are met at the airport, delivered to pre-arranged accommodation, and must attend International Orientation.

Ongoing support is coordinated by VI with separate services including health services, counseling, disability support, mediation services, an accommodation service, student finance advisors, and learning support. Each Faculty also has an Academic Advisor for international students.

Housing

Accommodation is within walking distance to the University or close to one of the many public transport routes. Most study abroad students are sophomores or juniors, so the preferred option is often apartment style accommodation.

The Accommodation Service has a policy of placing students with a mixture of Kiwi students and other international students. This is seen as the best way for students to adjust to life in Wellington and to make new friends. It is important to apply for accommodation in advance of the appropriate deadline to have the best chance of securing your favored option.

Orientation

The orientation program takes place one or two weeks prior to the first week of lectures. The program includes an official welcome, a traditional Maori welcome, performances, tours of the city and campus, an introduction to the VI staff, student services, and academic and course advice. After an enrollment briefing students finish the rest of the week by formally enrolling in courses.

Special Programs/Excursions

Victoria University of Wellington also offers AustraLearn students the opportunity to expand their knowledge and develop their skills in the sports of golf or rugby. For an additional fee of $840 USD, semester/year abroad students can participate in either the Golf or Rugby Study Abroad Program as an add-on to their standard semester experience.

VUW's Rugby Study Abroad Program

Victoria University of Wellington offers a study abroad experience that combines New Zealand’s strengths of its rugby culture and quality university education. For an additional fee of $840 USD, semester/year abroad students can participate in the Rugby Study Abroad Program.

Men and women rugby players at all levels have the opportunity to enroll at VUW for one or two semesters and join the local club competition. You can indulge your passion in rugby while studying full-time at VUW. This program is only available during the February-June semester. Students should bring gear (playing gear and boots), but can purchase items in Wellington if necessary.

Features:

• Membership to the Old Boys University Rugby Club
• Free tickets to five Super 14 International games played in Wellington, the finest rugby in the world
  
• Free gym membership - train with the professionals
  
• Playing uniform from your team

VUW's Golf Study Abroad Program

Victoria University of Wellington offers AustraLearn students the opportunity to indulge their passion for golf as part of a unique and exciting study abroad experience. As a study abroad student at Victoria University of Wellington, you will have the opportunity to incorporate your passion for golf into your semester abroad and experience a different side of the New Zealand culture. This program is exclusively offered to students studying abroad with AustraLearn.

Features:

• A full-time course load and credit to your home degree
  
• Full membership package at Shandon Golf Club, including five lessons with a PGA professional, comprehensive golf improvement plan, and free range balls
  
• Full membership at Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club, including one playing round with a PGA professional
  
• Branded starter pack including tees, balls, cap and pitch repairer
  
• Limited travel vouchers for local train & bus travel to the value of $100 NZD
  

Cost: Approximately $840 USD in addition to your AustraLearn tuition and fees. Golf clubs, clothes, and shoes may be rented upon arrival for an additional cost.

View Subjects

Classes are offered in a wide range of subjects. To see if the classes you need are available at this university, review the course catalog.
View courses/subjects available at this university.
Be sure to use the "help pages" for assistance on finding the courses that you need.

Fees

Program Fees	$9,300.00
Housing
With Meals	Approximately $3,165 - $4,740
Without Meals	Approximately $2,640 - $3,585
Housing Deposit
With Meals	Refundable housing deposits range from approximately $200 - $1,200 and are billed in addition to the housing fees.
Without Meals	Refundable housing deposits range from approximately $200 - $1,200 and are billed in addition to the housing fees.

Fee Includes

Program fees are in U.S. dollars. Program Fees include tuition for 3 to 4 subjects, university administrative fees, membership in the student union (where applicable), overseas health coverage, ISIC Premium (International Student Identity Card), 25% Lonely Planet Book discount, also included is our renowned 4-day Program Introduction in Rotorua, New Zealand. Fees include all pre-trip services such as: orientation materials, visa-processing service (excluding the visa fee), housing placements, personal advising, subject selections, liaise with your home university, credit transfer assistance, and financial aid services. As a study abroad student, you will be required to enroll as a full time student. Your semester is equivalent to 12-16 U.S. credits. Additional tuition and/or fees may apply in some subject areas not limited to the following: science, engineering, fine arts, and journalism. Students who undertake subjects where the university requires additional fees will be billed by the host university. Several universities have included the Sports and Rec. membership. Activities are usually extra. The Housing Fee is in addition to the Program Fees and may be an average for universities with multiple housing options. Students who select “apartment living arranged upon arrival” will only be charged the Program Fees, and housing costs will be paid on arrival by the student.

Fee Semester

The above fees are for the July 2009 term. Fees are subject to change for future terms.

Facts

Location: Wellington, North Island
Overseas Students: 3000
Staff: 1900
Total Enrolment: 20000

Entry Requirements

Applicants must have the required GPA and have completed at least the equivalent of one year of full-time study at the university/college level.

Required GPA: 2.70

University Specific Scholarships

Victoria University of Wellington contributes scholarships to the value of $3,000 USD per year allocating the awards in two separate scholarships – one for $1500 to be given to a student with high merit and financial need, and the other to a student with high merit who will be studying in the sciences areas at the University (recipient must take two science classes while enrolled at VUW). The awards can be given in either term.