New Zealand is among the world’s most peaceful countries. Its natural landscapes and coastlines also add to the country’s appeal. Its location in the Asia-Pacific region can make it an attractive academic destination for international students.
Several New Zealand universities have internationally ranked Arts and Humanities subjects. Undergraduate programs can also provide a foundation for postgraduate study while developing transferable skills for a range of careers.
As tuition fees in New Zealand can be costly for international students, eligible citizens from specified countries and regions may apply for Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships for tertiary study, subject to the program’s eligibility criteria and application cycle.
In this guide, we talk about some of the best humanities universities in New Zealand.
Top Schools Offering Humanities Programs in New Zealand
1. University of Auckland
The University of Auckland opened as Auckland University College in 1883. It is New Zealand’s highest-ranked university in the QS World University Rankings 2026, at 65th globally. The university also describes itself as New Zealand’s largest and most comprehensive university. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, Archaeology and English Language & Literature are among its subjects ranked in the global top 50.
The Bachelor of Arts is a three-year, 360-point program made up of 24 courses. Students select two BA subjects as majors. Students can also combine a BA with another undergraduate degree through a conjoint program. For example, the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science conjoint is a four-year, 540-point program that combines arts and science study.
Postgraduate options include research and taught Master of Arts degrees, with one-year or 18-month options depending on the applicant’s entry qualification, and the Doctor of Philosophy. The PhD is a research degree available in more than 100 subjects.
2. University of Canterbury
Canterbury College opened in 1873 and became the University of Canterbury (UC) in 1957. UC now offers more than 120 qualifications in more than 150 subject areas. Its programs span five colleges: Arts; Business and Law; Education, Health and Human Development; Engineering; and Science.
UC’s School of Humanities currently covers eight areas: Art History and Theory, Cinema Studies, Classics, Cultural Studies, Digital Humanities, English, History, and Philosophy. Fine Arts and Music are offered through UC’s School of Creative and Digital Arts.
Arts students can complete an internship in Christchurch or spend a semester abroad. These opportunities allow students to apply their learning and build experience beyond the classroom.
3. Auckland University of Technology
Auckland Technical School, the predecessor of the Auckland University of Technology (AUT), opened in 1895. AUT earned university status in 2000. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, AUT is placed in the 501–600 band overall and the 401–500 band for Arts and Humanities.
Students can explore AUT study options including Language and Culture, Social Sciences and Public Policy, and Art and Design. AUT offers undergraduate and postgraduate pathways, as well as PhD study.
AUT tuition fees vary depending on the program and the courses selected. Domestic and international fee information is published separately, and students should confirm current tuition fee information against AUT’s official fees pages. AUT also offers a searchable range of scholarships and awards, including opportunities for international students. Applicants should review current scholarship information and confirm eligibility and deadlines through AUT’s official scholarships database.
4. Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington was founded in 1897 as Victoria College during Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee year. It ranks 240th in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and 102nd globally for Arts and Humanities in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. The university has around 16,000 students, including international students from around 120 countries.
The university’s three-year, 360-point Bachelor of Arts program encourages students to explore up to three majors in their first year before choosing where to focus their studies. Students can plan their degree around majors and minors and can also explore conjoint and double-degree options.
After graduation, students may proceed to the 120-point Master of Arts, which typically takes three to four trimesters of full-time study and supports advanced study in a selected subject. The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences also offers PhD study.
5. Massey University
Massey University became a fully fledged university in 1964. Its roots are in agricultural education, and its agricultural college officially opened in 1928. Massey states that it is consistently ranked in the top 3% of universities worldwide in the QS rankings.
Massey University’s Bachelor of Arts is a flexible three-year, 360-credit program. Students complete core courses and at least one major, with their remaining course choices shaped by the qualification requirements and their selected study plan.
Students can complete a Master of Arts in 1.5 years of full-time study. The 180-credit degree supports advanced study in a selected humanities or social sciences subject through a research report or thesis.
If you are looking to begin your education journey and build a career in the humanities, New Zealand offers several study options. Explore the universities above in detail, choose the one that best suits your needs, and review its current application requirements before applying.
Hopefully, this guide to universities where you can study humanities in New Zealand was informative and helpful. To learn more, check out the Available Programs for International Students and the NZ Study Guide!
