Destinations with the most universities
North America
Europe
Asia
South America
Africa
Victoria University of Wellington leads the 3 Foundation universities in New Zealand at #240 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. It is followed by University of Canterbury (QS World #261) and Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (#9 in New Zealand). Across the whole list there are 5 courses to choose from.
3 universities · ranked best first
how we rankPublic University · 1 course in Foundation
Public University · 3 courses in Foundation
Public University · 1 course in Foundation
in New Zealand
Related searches
2 of these universities hold a QS World position, from #240 (Victoria University of Wellington) to #261 (University of Canterbury); they are listed first, in that order. The rest are ordered by research impact. University of Canterbury has the largest research record in this group, with 2,626,278 citations and an h-index of 461.
The split is 3 public to 0 private institutions. By location, Wellington (1) and Canterbury (1) account for the most of those we can place. The oldest is University of Canterbury, founded in 1873. Victoria University of Wellington is the largest, with 22,000 students.
The usual length is 8 months and 6-, 8/9- and 12-months (two, three, or four terms). 100% are full-time. Start dates lean to Spring (75% of courses with a stated intake) and Fall (50% of courses with a stated intake). University of Canterbury offers the widest choice, with 3 of these courses.
We hold indicative fees for 2 of these universities. Victoria University of Wellington is the least expensive at USD 23,000 a year and University of Canterbury the most at USD 23,000; the middle of the range is about USD 23,000. Check each university's own fee page before you budget — figures change every year.
Victoria University of Wellington (QS World #240), University of Canterbury (QS World #261) and Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (#9 in New Zealand) lead this list. QS World positions come first; the rest are ranked by research impact.
Of those with published fees, Victoria University of Wellington is the least expensive at about USD 23,000 a year. Fees are indicative — confirm on the university's site.
3 public and 0 private universities are on this list.
Most listed courses run 8 months, with 6-, 8/9- and 12-months (two, three, or four terms) the next most common.
Spring is the main intake — 75% of courses with a stated start date begin then, and Fall is the second.
University of Canterbury, with 3, ahead of Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (1).
New scholarships, application deadlines and admission guides — a couple of emails a month, no spam.