AUT rankings
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 in the top 100 (98th equal) in the world based on the quality of our teaching, research, citations, international outlook and industry income.
Top 1% of universities worldwide
AUT is ranked in the 401-500 band in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025, placing second in New Zealand for its global research impact.
Number 1 in New Zealand for international outlook
AUT is ranked first in New Zealand for its international outlook, placing in the top 125 in the world in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025.
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 in the top 101-200 in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings 2025, 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:
- 26th equal in the world – SDG 5 Gender equality
- 33rd equal in the world – SDG 8 Decent work and economic growth
- 82nd equal in the world – SDG 12 Responsible consumption and production
- 94th equal in the world – SDG 17 Partnership for the goals
- 101-200th in the world – SDG 10 Reduced inequalities, SDG 11 Sustainable cities and communities
- 301-400th in the world – SDG 16 Peace, justice, and strong institutions
Times Higher Education website
QS World University Rankings
In the QS World University Rankings 2026, AUT is ranked as number 410 among the top universities in the world.
AUT’s international outlook was highlighted, with AUT ranked in the top 100 globally in International Student Diversity (first in New Zealand and 27th globally), International Students Ratio (39th) and International Faculty Ratio (76th), which were all awarded a perfect score of 100.
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 2025 AUT is ranked 262 equally worldwide, and ranked #32 globally for equality and #125 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).
One of the best student cities
Auckland was ranked 24th 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 2025
- Accounting & Finance – top 300
- Business & Management Studies – top 400
- Computer Science & Information Systems – top 450
- Economics & Econometrics – top 500
- Education – top 400
- Engineering - Electrical & Electronic – top 500
- Engineering - Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing – top 450
- Hospitality & Leisure Management – top 100
- Nursing – top 150
- Sports-related Subjects – top 38
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 2025
- Arts & Humanities - top 301-400 worldwide
- Business & Economics - top 401-500 worldwide
- Computer Science - top 601–800 worldwide
- Education Studies - top 301-400 worldwide
- Engineering - top 601–800 worldwide
- Life Sciences - top 401-500 worldwide
- Medical and Health - top 251-300 worldwide
- Psychology - top 401-500 worldwide
- Social Sciences - top 301-400 worldwide
To determine its rankings, THE judges world-class universities across all of their core missions – teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook, using 18 performance indicators.
Times Higher Education website
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) 2024
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 50th in the world. The ranking consultancy identified international collaboration and research quality as particular areas of strength in sport science at AUT.
Ranked first in New Zealand for nursing
AUT’s nursing programmes are ranked first in New Zealand and the top 76-100 globally.
Other globally ranked subjects
AUT also received subject rankings in:
- Hospitality & Tourism Management – 40th worldwide
- Clinical Medicine - top 201-300 worldwide
- Business Administration – top 201-300 worldwide
- Public Health – top 301-400 worldwide
- Education - top 401-500 worldwide
