University of Auckland Top in NZ

University of Auckland Top in NZ

The University of Auckland has once more been ranked as the top university in New Zealand following the publication of the 2010 QS World University Rankings this week.

This is in line with its place in the Shanghai Jiao Tong (2010) rankings where the University was ranked top among New Zealand universities.

In the latest QS World University Rankings the University’s position is 68th; last year it was placed 61st in the rankings QS devised with the Times Higher, and 65th in 2008.

“We are pleased to have retained our position in the top 100 but we will struggle to maintain parity with our international peers if the underinvestment in New Zealand universities continues,” said Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stuart McCutcheon.

“New Zealand’s direct public investment in tertiary institutions is 58 percent out of the total expenditure on tertiary education; this compares with an OECD average of 81 percent, and just under 70 percent in Australia for tertiary institutions. As other countries increase their per student expenditure, the gap is only going to widen.”

In the subject rankings of Life Sciences & Medicine and Social Sciences & Management, the University was placed in the top 50 in the world - 41st and 38th respectively. It was placed 51st in Arts & Humanities; 55th in Engineering & Technology and 68th in Natural Sciences. In the important ranking of “employer reputation”, the University was placed 39th.

Two other New Zealand universities - Otago (135) and Canterbury (189) - were placed in the top 200 in the 2010 QS World University Rankings.

ENDS