Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) was founded in 1897 and is located in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. As one of New Zealand’s eight national comprehensive research universities, VUW is among the 23 institutions worldwide to have received a Five Stars Plus rating in the QS University Rating System, reflecting its outstanding academic reputation. It has achieved global standards that exceed excellence in student satisfaction, graduate employment rates, international collaboration, and campus facilities. In the 2026 QS World University Rankings, VUW was ranked 240th globally, placing it within the top 2% of universities worldwide. In the latest New Zealand Research Performance Fund evaluation, VUW ranked first in New Zealand in research intensity, with 66% of its more than 850 faculty and staff engaged in top-tier research. Materials Required for Victoria University of Wellington Degree Replacement
Three Flagship Disciplines Leading the World
Law: VUW’s School of Law has been ranked among the top 50 globally in the QS Subject Rankings for ten consecutive years. It is the only law school in New Zealand recognized by and collaborating with the United Nations International Law Commission. Together with the New Zealand Supreme Court and the International Criminal Court, it established the Joint Laboratory for Applied Law, and the results of its students’ legal research projects on maritime rights have been adopted by the United Nations International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.
Earth Sciences: Ranked in the top 70 globally in the QS World University Subject Rankings, the department houses the New Zealand Centre for Earthquake and Geological Hazards Research. A geological hazard early warning model developed in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction has reduced response times to just 90 minutes.
Media and Creative Industries: Ranked among the top 100 globally in the QS rankings, the department is home to the New Zealand Centre for Digital Media Innovation and conducts research collaborations with Weta Workshop and Radio New Zealand on digital content creation.
Triple-Crown Accredited Business School
The VUW Business School and School of Government are among approximately 100 business schools worldwide that have achieved the “Triple Crown” accreditation—AACSB (dual accreditation in business and accounting), EQUIS, and AMBA—placing them within the top 1% of business education globally. Leveraging the geographical advantage of being located in the nation’s political and financial capital, the school offers a distinctive educational model that integrates business studies with government operations.
QS 2026 Subject Rankings: 29 subjects ranked in the top 2% globally
| Ranking Range | Subjects |
|---|---|
| Top 100 Worldwide | Development Studies, English Language and Literature, Law, Library and Information Management, Linguistics, Theology and Religious Studies |
| Top 150 in the World | Anthropology, Classics and Ancient History, Geography, Hospitality and Leisure Management, Performing Arts, Politics and International Studies, Psychology, Sociology |
| Top 200 in the World | Accounting and Finance, Communication and Media Studies, Earth and Ocean Sciences, Education, Geology, Geophysics, History, Philosophy |
Data Source: QS 2025 Subject Rankings
91% Employed Within Six Months; Capital City Industry Connections Span the Globe
VUW graduates enjoy excellent employment outcomes. According to the 2023–2024 Graduate Destination Survey, 91% of graduates found employment either before graduation or within six months of graduating. Of these, 67% secured full-time positions. Wellington serves as New Zealand’s hub for politics, finance, and the creative industries, and is home to the Ministry of Justice, Radio New Zealand, Weta Workshop, and other leading organizations, offering students unique internship opportunities and career pathways. Furthermore, these employers include key government departments, the Big Four accounting firms, multinational corporations, and international organizations.
