NZ universities rank highly in new global lists

Auckland University's city campus. File photo / Greg Bowker

The University of Auckland is one of six "world class" New Zealand universities to have made the top 200 in the newest world university rankings, released today.

QS World University Rankings show how the top 600 universities, from 27 countries around the globe, stack up against one another in the largest survey of its kind.

Victoria University, the University of Otago, Massey University, the University of Canterbury, the University of Waikato and the University of Auckland all ranked in the top 200 in at least one discipline, with Auckland the most prominently featured, ranking in the top 200 for every subject except one: physics and astronomy.

Professor of psychology at the University of Auckland Douglas Elliffe said standards were on the rise.

"We have excellent people here, a lot of world-leading staff. Many of them have been here for a long time and we're getting better every year.

"I think that we do extra well, partly given that we have fewer resources than is the case internationally."

Mr Elliffe said the rankings, only in their second year, had been great for the international reputation of New Zealand education.

"We've already been seeing more interest since our very high ranking last year so this will help maintain that.

"We are very pleased to have been highly ranked again."

Staff at QS say the rankings are good evidence that New Zealand education is making its mark on the world stage.

Ben Sowter, head of research at QS said global competition was "shaking up the established order".

"The financial crisis has eroded the ability of leading universities in the US and UK to monopolise."

QS spokeswoman Simona Bizzozero said academics around the world viewed New Zealand institutions as "truly world class".

"New Zealand is one of the world's top study destinations and these rankings indirectly contribute to promoting awareness about the excellent institutions of the country," she said.

New Zealand universities in the top 50

Rank - Subject - Institution
23 - Law - Victoria University of Wellington
32 - Psychology -The University of Auckland
34 - Law - The University of Auckland
37 - Education - The University of Auckland
39 - Accounting & Finance - The University of Auckland
39 - Psychology - University of Otago
40 - Pharmacy and Pharmacology - The University of Auckland
48= - Geography - The University of Auckland
50= - Education - Massey University