Victoria University of Wellington: How International Students Apply
TL;DR: Victoria University of Wellington accepts international applications online through its Pūaha portal, with a decision in about one week for undergraduate and three to four weeks for postgraduate study. Apply by 8 December 2026 for Trimester 1 (teaching starts 22 February 2027) or by 1 May 2027 for Trimester 2. Postgraduate students need IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0, and the university offers NZD 10,000 and NZD 15,000 international scholarships.
Victoria University of Wellington, known in te reo Māori as Te Herenga Waka, is based in Wellington, New Zealand's capital. Its application is straightforward, but students lose time on the same few steps: certified documents, the English score and paying in a way Immigration New Zealand accepts. This guide takes you through each step in order; to compare it with the other seven, see New Zealand universities for international students. First, see where you stand: Check your eligibility with Prosper.
How do international students apply to Victoria University of Wellington?
The university sets out six steps:
- Choose your programme and check its page for any extra requirement, such as a portfolio or statement of purpose.
- Check the academic and English requirements below.
- Prepare certified copies of your transcripts, certificates and passport, with certified English translations where needed.
- Apply online through the Pūaha portal, using a personal email address. You can apply yourself or through an agent.
- Wait for a decision: about one week for undergraduate and three to four weeks for postgraduate applications.
- Accept your Offer of Place, then follow the instructions to enrol and pay your fees.
For the student visa, Immigration New Zealand accepts proof of tuition payment only as a receipt or confirmation from the university. Bank transfer screenshots and agent receipts are not accepted, so wait for the university's receipt before you lodge your visa.
Victoria University of Wellington application deadlines
| Intake | Apply by | Teaching starts |
|---|---|---|
| Trimester 1 | 8 December 2026 | 22 February 2027 (orientation from 15 February) |
| Trimester 2 | 1 May 2027 | 5 July 2027 |
Some programmes close earlier: 1 October for the Master of Conservation Biology and Master of Marine Conservation, and 1 November for teaching, some psychology programmes and the MA in Creative Writing. Late applications are considered case by case. If July suits you better, our guide to the New Zealand July intake sets out a timeline.
Entry requirements and English scores
Undergraduate. All bachelor's degrees share the same academic entry criteria. You need a recognised high school qualification, a recognised foundation programme, at least one year of degree-level study, or an approved pathway. Foundation Studies, delivered by UP Education, runs for 6, 8 to 9 or 12 months with four intakes a year, and passing it guarantees entry to an undergraduate programme.
Postgraduate. You generally need a qualification equivalent to a New Zealand bachelor's degree; some programmes accept relevant work experience with approval. GMAT and GRE are not required. The Master of Artificial Intelligence, for example, asks for a related bachelor's with a B average or higher, a CV and a statement of purpose. Our statement of purpose guide shows what to include.
| Test | Undergraduate | Postgraduate |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0, no band below 5.5 | 6.5, no band below 6.0 |
| PTE Academic | 50, Communication 42 | 58, Communication 50 |
| TOEFL iBT | 80 | 90, Writing 20 |
| Duolingo English Test | 105, no band below 95 | 120, no band below 105 |
Teaching (Early Childhood) and Midwifery ask for IELTS 7.0 with no band below 7.0.
Fees and scholarships for 2027
Victoria University of Wellington sets international fees by subject area. For 2027, per 120-point year including GST:
- Commerce, undergraduate: NZD 39,798
- Commerce, postgraduate: NZD 41,118
- Science, postgraduate: NZD 48,157
- Architecture, postgraduate: NZD 51,294
- Engineering, postgraduate: NZD 52,395.60
Professional master's programmes can have their own fees, so confirm on the programme page. Our guide to New Zealand tuition fees compares fees across the country.
The university replaced the Tongarewa Scholarship from 2026 with two awards. The VUW Undergraduate International Scholarship takes NZD 15,000 off one year of bachelor's tuition, and the VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship takes NZD 10,000 off one year of a master's or postgraduate diploma. Neither needs a separate application beyond your offer, and neither can be deferred. Check each page for your intake year.
Your student visa: funds and fees
Immigration New Zealand asks you to show NZD 20,000 a year for living costs, on top of tuition, plus an outward ticket or the money to buy one. Bank statements must cover the last three months, and fixed deposits must have been held for three months. For applicants outside the Pacific, the visa costs NZD 750: a NZD 485 application fee plus a NZD 265 levy. Our New Zealand student visa requirements guide lists every document.
Applying from Sri Lanka
The NZD 750 visa fee above applies to applications from Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is not on the university's English test exemption lists, so plan to sit IELTS, PTE, TOEFL or the Duolingo English Test. Check how your GCE A/L results are assessed using the country selector on the university's entry requirements page. Immigration New Zealand may also ask for documents to be verified in Colombo; our guide to IOM document verification explains the process.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Victoria University of Wellington deadline for the February intake? Victoria University of Wellington asks international students to apply by 8 December 2026 for Trimester 1, which starts teaching on 22 February 2027. Some programmes close on 1 October or 1 November.
What IELTS score does Victoria University of Wellington need? Victoria University of Wellington asks for IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.5) for undergraduate study and 6.5 (no band below 6.0) for postgraduate study.
Does Victoria University of Wellington accept the Duolingo English Test? Yes. Victoria University of Wellington accepts a Duolingo score of 105 (no band below 95) for undergraduate and 120 (no band below 105) for postgraduate entry.
How long does Victoria University of Wellington take to make an offer? Victoria University of Wellington says undergraduate decisions take about one week and postgraduate decisions three to four weeks after a complete application.
Does Victoria University of Wellington offer scholarships for international students? Yes. It offers NZD 15,000 off one year of bachelor's tuition and NZD 10,000 off one year of a master's or postgraduate diploma, linked to your offer of place.
PS: The 8 December date leaves enough time for a February start only if your documents and English score are ready now. Check your eligibility with Prosper and we will check your programme and paperwork with you.
References
- Campuses, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington, https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/about/campuses-facilities/campuses
- How to apply, Victoria University of Wellington, https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/international/applying/how-to-apply
- Dates and deadlines, Victoria University of Wellington, https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/international/applying/dates-and-deadlines (accessed 27/10/2026)
- Key dates 2027, Victoria University of Wellington, https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/2275666/dates-2027.pdf
- Entry requirements, Victoria University of Wellington, https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/international/applying/entry-requirements
- Standard undergraduate English language requirements, Victoria University of Wellington, https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/international/applying/entry-requirements/english-language/standard-undergraduate
- Standard postgraduate English language requirements, Victoria University of Wellington, https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/international/applying/entry-requirements/english-language/standard-postgraduate
- Foundation Studies, Victoria University of Wellington, https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/international/study-options/foundation-studies
- Master of Artificial Intelligence brochure, Victoria University of Wellington, https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/2267422/master-artificial-intelligence-english.pdf
- International fees, Victoria University of Wellington, https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/students/money/fees/international
- International scholarship update, Victoria University of Wellington, https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/international/scholarships-fees/scholarships/international-scholarship-update
- VUW Undergraduate International Scholarship, Victoria University of Wellington, https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/scholarships/current/vuw-undergraduate-international-scholarship
- VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship, Victoria University of Wellington, https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/scholarships/current/vuw-postgraduate-international-scholarship
- Student fund requirements, Immigration New Zealand, https://www.immigration.govt.nz/process-to-apply/applying-for-a-visa/providing-evidence-and-documents-to-support-your-visa-application/student-fund-requirements/
- Fees Guide INZ 1028 (May 2026), Immigration New Zealand, https://www.immigration.govt.nz/assets/inz/documents/forms-and-guides/Fees-Guide-INZ-1028.pdf
