QS Best Student Cities ranking: =27th
New Zealand’s largest city places joint 27th 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® 2020.
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 also ranks solidly within the top 50 for the student view indicator, with respondents to our student survey calling it “Friendly and inclusive” and “diverse and multicultural” with “breath-taking scenery”.
Would Auckland get your vote? Have your say.
Internationally ranked universities in Auckland
More about Auckland
Number of universities ranked by QS |
2 |
Highest-ranked institution |
University of Auckland (ranked joint 83rd) |
Population |
1,696,000 |
Average international fees (at ranked unis) |
US$22,400 |
Desirability rank |
15th |
Employer Activity rank |
49th |
Affordability rank |
94th |
Student View rank |
46th |
To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.