AUT rankings
Is AUT a good university? Here's what the world rankings say about Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand. QS rates us 5 stars. We're first in New Zealand for nursing, 23rd in the world for sport and top 50 for hospitality.
Where does AUT rank in the world?
Two of the most widely used rankings both place AUT among the world’s top universities. We're 431st in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2027. In the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2027, we're in the 551–600 band. That means THE places us somewhere between 551st and 600th.
Our global connections stand out most. QS gave AUT perfect scores of 100 for international students and international academic staff. THE ranks us first in Auckland and the North Island, and second in New Zealand, for international outlook. THE also places us fourth in New Zealand for research quality.
Rated 5 stars by QS
QS Stars looks beyond research to the wider student experience. AUT is rated 5 out of 5 stars for 2025–2030, with 5 stars in:
- Teaching
- Employability
- Facilities
- Research
- Global engagement
- Good governance
- Diversity, equity and inclusion
- Environmental impact
- Sports-related subjects
What is AUT ranked best for?
Three subjects keep turning up near the top of the global lists: sport, hospitality and nursing. They're our standouts, but far from our only strengths. QS alone ranks AUT in 18 subjects, from architecture to computer science.
Sport
Sport is our strongest result. QS ranks us 23rd in the world for sports-related subjects (2026), and Shanghai Ranking names our sport science school the best in New Zealand and 51–100 in the world (2025).
Hospitality
Hospitality is a global industry, and our programmes hold their own globally. QS ranks AUT equal first in New Zealand and top 50 in the world, and Shanghai Ranking places us 50th in the world (both 2026).
Nursing
We’ve been teaching nurses for decades, and the rankings back that up. Shanghai Ranking places AUT first in New Zealand for nursing and 76–100 in the world (2026). QS ranks us in the world’s top 225 (2026).
How does AUT rank by subject?
AUT is ranked worldwide in subjects from accounting to public health. Here's every subject ranking, grouped by who ranked it.
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026
- Accounting & Finance: top 250
- Anatomy & Physiology: top 200
- Architecture & Built Environment: top 260
- Art & Design: top 300
- Arts & Humanities: top 373
- Business & Management: top 300
- Communications & Media Studies: top 275
- Computer Science & Information Systems: top 450
- Economics & Econometrics: top 450
- Education: top 400
- Electrical & Electronic Engineering: top 500
- Engineering & Technology: top 500
- Hospitality & Leisure Management: top 50
- Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering: top 500
- Medicine: top 700
- Nursing: top 225
- Social Sciences & Management: top 292
- Sports-related Subjects: 23rd
QS leans on reputation. It asks academics and employers worldwide which universities they rate, then adds how often research is cited and how widely it’s shared internationally. The mix changes by subject.
Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2026
- Arts & Humanities: 401–500
- Business & Economics: 301–400
- Computer Science: 601–800
- Education Studies: 301–400
- Engineering: 601–800
- Life Sciences: 401–500
- Medical & Health: 301–400
- Psychology: 501–600
- Social Sciences: 401–500
Times Higher Education (THE) takes the widest view. It scores universities on teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook and industry, using 17 indicators weighted by subject.
Times Higher Education website
Shanghai Ranking
Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments 2025
- Sport Science: 51–100
Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2026
- Business Administration: 201–300
- Clinical Medicine: 201–300
- Economics: 401–500
- Finance: 151–200
- Hospitality & Tourism Management: 50th
- Nursing: 76–100
- Public Health: 301–400
Shanghai Ranking is all about research. It looks at papers in leading journals, how often they’re cited, how much work is shared with researchers overseas, and which academics win major awards or lead their field.
How does AUT rank for sustainability and social impact?
AUT is 277th equal in the world in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2026. We're 35th in the world for equality and 123rd for governance.
In the Times Higher Education Impact Ratings 2026, AUT is 101–200 in the world. These rankings measure how universities contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our results by goal:
- SDG 8 Decent work and economic growth: 31st
- SDG 5 Gender equality: 56th equal
- SDG 17 Partnerships for the goals: 89th equal
- SDG 10 Reduced inequalities: 101–200
- SDG 11 Sustainable cities and communities: 101–200
- SDG 12 Responsible consumption and production: 101–200
- SDG 16 Peace, justice and strong institutions: 201–300
Is Auckland a good city for students?
Auckland is 26th in the world in the QS Best Student Cities 2027 rankings, and in the top 3 in Oceania. It scores well for quality of life and its large, diverse student community. Graduate employers also rate it highly as a place to find new talent. That matters when you’re looking for workplace experience, and later your first job.
What don't rankings measure?
Rankings focus mainly on research and reputation. Both take decades to build, and we’ve been a university since 2000. What rankings can’t measure is what it’s like to study somewhere, or how ready you are for work when you finish. Here’s where to find that side of AUT.
Workplace experience
Employers rarely ask how your uni ranks. They ask what you’ve done. For 89% of AUT bachelor’s grads, that's workplace experience in their degree.
Why study at AUT?
Degrees built around real experience. Classes small enough that staff know your name. See why AUT is a solid choice, whatever you want to study.
Teaching and learning
QS rates our teaching a full 5 stars. See what sits behind that rating, from how we design our programmes to how we assess what you’ve learnt.