World rankings
Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings
Ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide
In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021, AUT is ranked in the 251-300 band. We are the third highest ranked university in New Zealand.
In the Asia-Pacific University Ranking 2019, AUT is ranked as number 51.
Number 1 for global research impact in New Zealand
Our citation score puts AUT at 19th in the world. This impressive achievement puts AUT ahead of all other New Zealand universities.
Top university for international outlook in New Zealand
AUT is ranked first in New Zealand for International Outlook (ranked number 29 in the world) in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021.
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.
Top millennial university in Australasia and top 40 young university in the world
Times Higher Education has ranked AUT as one of the best young universities, ranked 40th in the world based on the quality of our teaching, research, citations, international outlook and industry income.
AUT is also one of the worlds' top millennial universities (those founded in the 21st century) - ranked first in Australasia and 15th in the world.
Committed to social and economic impact
AUT is ranked 76th in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings 2021, 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:
- 6th in the world – SDG 8 Decent work and economic growth
- 11th in the world – SDG 5 Gender equality
- 50th in the world – SDG 11 Sustainable cities and communities
Times Higher Education website
QS World University Rankings
In the QS World University Rankings 2021, AUT is ranked as one of the top 500 universities in the world (ranked 437).
AUT’s international outlook was highlighted, with AUT achieving the maximum 100 points for international faculty (#55 in the world) and international students (#23 in the world).
One of the world's top young universities
In the 2021 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
- Facilities
- Innovation
- Inclusiveness
- Sports (specialist subject)
The QS stars system uses a range of indicators to evaluate and benchmark the broader student experience and contribution of universities.
One of the best student cities
Auckland was ranked 27th in the QS Best Student Cities rankings, due to a high score for quality of living, a large and diverse student community, and a high rating from graduate recruiters as a source of new talent.
QS website
World-ranked subjects
QS World University Subject Rankings 2021
- Accounting & Finance – top 150
- Art & Design – top 150
- Business & Management Studies – top 250
- Communication & Media Studies top 150
- Computer Science & Information Systems – top 450
- Economics & Econometrics – top 350
- Engineering- Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing – top 500
- Engineering- Electrical & Electronic – top 450
- Hospitality & Leisure Management – top 100
- Medicine – top 400
- Nursing – top 150
- Sports-related Subjects – top 27
A key component of the rankings methodology is a worldwide reputation survey completed by academic peers (85,000) and employers (42,000). Research citations are also assessed for most subjects.
Times Higher Education Subject Rankings 2021
Ranked first in New Zealand for health subjects
The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by subject placed AUT in the top 101-125 in the world and first in New Zealand for its clinical, pre-clinical and health subjects. Our high scores for research impact and international outlook were significant factors in this ranking.
Other globally ranked subjects
AUT also received subject rankings in:
- Arts & Humanities - top 201-250 worldwide
- Business & Economics - top 401-500 worldwide
- Computer Science - top 501–600 worldwide
- Education - top 301-400 worldwide
- Engineering - top 601–800 worldwide
- Life Sciences - top 251-300 worldwide
- Psychology - top 401-500 worldwide
- Social Sciences - top 176-200 worldwide
To determine its rankings, THE judges world-class universities across all of their core missions – teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook, using 13 performance indicators.
Times Higher Education website
US News Global Universities Rankings 2021
The US News Global Universities Rankings 2021 place AUT as #389 in the world, scoring particularly well on measures of research citation impact and international research collaboration.
Ranked first in New Zealand, and 17th in the world, for research impact
We are ranked #17 in the world, and first in New Zealand, for the number of citations per paper. The percentage of publications with international collaboration puts us at #191 in the world and second in New Zealand.
Globally ranked subjects
- Clinical Medicine - #210 worldwide*
- Social Sciences & Public Health - #362 worldwide**
*Our Clinical Medicine ranking includes being placed:
- #34 globally for citation impact
- #16 globally for international collaboration
- #57 globally for the percentage of highly cited papers
**Our Social Sciences & Public Health ranking includes being placed:
- #75 globally for international collaboration
Academic Ranking of World Universities
Top in New Zealand for clinical medicine and finance
In 2020, AUT was ranked in the top 150 universities in the world for clinical medicine and the top 200 worldwide for finance; first equal in New Zealand for both subjects. AUT’s research impact in the field of clinical health was recognised, receiving the maximum 100 points for citation impact.
New Zealand's top university for sport science
AUT’s School of Sport and Recreation was ranked as the top-ranked sport science school in New Zealand in 2020, and ranked 39th in the world. The ranking consultancy identified international collaboration and research output as particular areas of strength in sport science at AUT.
Other globally ranked subjects
In 2020 AUT also received subject rankings in:
- Business Administration – top 301-400 worldwide
- Economics – top 401-500 worldwide
- Hospitality & Leisure Management – top 76-100 worldwide
- Nursing – top 151-200 worldwide
- Public Health – top 101-150 worldwide
