Auckland

QS Best Student Cities ranking: 23^rd

New Zealand’s largest city places 23^rd in the QS Best Student Cities ranking this year, with a particularly strong score for student mix, thanks to its large and diverse student community, combined with an inclusive and tolerant culture.

Other high scores for Auckland come in the desirability and employer activity indicators, showing that it’s both an in-demand and comfortable place to live, and a favored recruiting ground for graduate employers. Its weak spot is affordability, due to comparatively high tuition fees and living costs. But don’t let the costs dissuade you – the city has plenty to offer in return, including two universities featured in the QS World University Rankings® 2018.

Auckland is particularly well-known for its multicultural diversity, and (like most of New Zealand), for the wide range of adrenaline-fueled activities on offer in and around the local area – climbing, jet-skiing, diving, snowboarding, sailing, canyoning, surfing – pretty much anything you can think of. This is definitely a good choice for students who like to unwind by getting active! There’s also plenty of culture on offer, from classical music to the huge annual Pasifika Festival.

Auckland climbed 22 places to rank within the top 50 for student view this year, with respondents to our student survey calling it “Friendly and inclusive” and “Really international, so different minds can meet and innovate”.

Would Auckland get your vote? Have your say.

Internationally ranked universities in Auckland

More about Auckland

 To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.