AUT was founded as Auckland Technical School in 1895, offering evening classes only. Daytime classes began in 1906 and its name was changed to Auckland Technical College. In 1913 it was renamed Seddon Memorial Technical College. In the early 1960s educational reforms resulted in the separation of secondary and tertiary teaching; two educational establishments were formed; the tertiary (polytechnic) adopting the name Auckland Technical Institute (ATI) in 1963 and the secondary school continuing with the same name.
For three years they co-existed on the same site, but by 1964 the secondary school had moved to a new site in Western Springs and eventually became Western Springs College. In 1989 ATI became Auckland Institute of Technology (AIT), and the current name was adopted when university status was granted in 2000.
Why study at AUT?
AUT is one of the world’s best modern universities. We’re one of the largest universities in Aotearoa New Zealand and the fastest growing postgraduate study destination, with 250 programmes and more than 150,000 alumni all over the world. AUT is where talent meets opportunity, and we’re proud of the success of our students, in Aotearoa and around the world.
New Zealand’s leading modern university
Study with us and you’ll join New Zealand’s most diverse and vibrant university, and develop the skills for rewarding careers in a wide range of industries and professions. Our classes are often smaller than other universities and our courses encourage innovation, entrepreneurship, and the ability to explore new technologies, challenge routine thinking and make a positive difference.
Preparing you for a bright future
With an AUT degree you’ll graduate with a qualification that is widely regarded, and with valuable experiences and industry connections for your future. Times Higher Education has ranked us in the top 1% of universities in the world, the top 50 universities under 50 years of age, the top 5% of universities for social impact, and first in New Zealand for international outlook.
We're connected to an extraordinary range of organisations, and as part of your studies you could work with one of our industry partners. You learn from academic staff who are still actively involved in their professional fields, and we often invite industry experts to come in and share their knowledge with you. Many programmes also include workplace experience where you get real-life experience and important industry contacts before you even graduate.
Our students are at the heart of everything we do
At AUT you’re not just a number; we value every student that comes through our doors, be it physically or virtually. We work alongside our students to enable them to build meaningful friendships and connections, develop life skills, achieve academically and have amazing experiences inside and outside the classroom.
Research shaping tomorrow
Our research is focused on real-world impact, and we're proud of our reputation as a leading research university. As an AUT student you could learn from globally renowned researchers who are experts in their fields and whose research often feeds back into the classroom.
We have more than 60 research centres and institutes delivering innovative research – from artificial intelligence and robotics to ecology and public health. Our research addresses issues facing the environment, society and the world, and our discoveries are widely used, both in Aotearoa and around the world.
Top facilities and equipment
To make sure your learning is relevant to your future career, you have access to top facilities and industry-standard equipment, including one of only a handful of motion capture studios in the country and New Zealand’s top sports science facility, AUT Millennium.
We’re proud of our five-star ranking for teaching and facilities, awarded by QS. Our three campuses feature modern buildings that win architecture awards and offer an excellent environment to gain practical experience, collaborate with classmates and develop skills to stand out to employers.
Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings
A leading young university
Times Higher Education has ranked AUT as one of the best young universities, ranked 49th in the world based on the quality of our teaching, research, citations, international outlook and industry income.
Number 1 in New Zealand for international outlook
AUT is ranked first in New Zealand for its international outlook, placing in the top 100 in the world in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024.
Times Higher Education ranks universities for international outlook according to their ability to attract international students and staff, as well as how well they engage and collaborate with overseas universities.
Committed to social and economic impact
AUT is ranked 64th equal in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings 2023, which highlight the social impact of universities and their commitment to the UN Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs).
For individual Sustainability Development Goals we’re ranked:
- 12th equal in the world – SDG 8 Decent work and economic growth
- 24th equal in the world – SDG 5 Gender equality
- 66th equal in the world – SDG 12 Responsible consumption and production
QS World University Rankings
In the QS World University Rankings 2024, AUT is ranked as number 407 among the top universities in the world.
AUT’s international outlook was highlighted, with AUT ranked 48th globally and first in New Zealand for its international student ratio, and achieving the maximum 100 points for international faculty (ranked 59th in the world).
One of the world's top young universities
In the QS ranking of the top 50 world universities under 50 years old, AUT is ranked in the #51-60 band.
A 5-star university
AUT has been rated as a 5-star university by world university rankings organisation QS.
5 out of 5 stars for:
Teaching, Employability, Research, Internationalisation, Environmental Impact. Facilities & Sports (specialist subject).
The QS stars system uses a range of indicators to evaluate and benchmark the broader student experience and contribution of universities.
Committed to sustainability
In the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2024 AUT is ranked #201 worldwide and ranked #62 globally for equality and #75 for governance. This ranking assesses universities for environmental impact (sustainable institutions, sustainable education and sustainable research) and social impact (equality, knowledge exchange, impact of education, employability and opportunities, and quality of life).
US News Global Universities Rankings 2023
The US News Global Universities Rankings 2023 place AUT as #372 in the world and #3 in New Zealand, scoring particularly well on measures of citation impact.
Ranked first in New Zealand for research impact
We are ranked #46 in the world, and first in New Zealand, for the number of citations per paper.
Globally ranked subjects
- Clinical Medicine - #290 worldwide
- Social Sciences & Public Health - #367 worldwide
- Computer Science - #585
- Engineering - #656 worldwide
Shanghai Ranking (Academic Ranking of World Universities) 2023
New Zealand's top university for sport science
AUT’s School of Sport and Recreation was ranked as the top sport science school in New Zealand and ranked 49th in the world. The ranking consultancy identified international collaboration and research quality as particular areas of strength in sport science at AUT.
Other globally ranked subjects
AUT also received subject rankings in:
- Hospitality & Tourism Management – 32nd worldwide
- Clinical Medicine - top 151-200 worldwide
- Business Administration – top 201-300 worldwide
- Nursing – top 201-300 worldwide
- Public Health – top 201-300 worldwide
- Economics – top 401-500 worldwide
- Management – top 401-500 worldwide
