The Victoria University of Wellington was established in 1897 by an Act of Parliament and was named after Queen Victoria on the 60th anniversary of her coronation. Until 1961 it was known as Victoria University College and had been a part of the University of New Zealand before becoming its University. It has more than 22,000 students, including over 2,000 international students from around the world and is partnered with 170 universities in 39 countries. It is ranked in the top 250 universities in the QS World University Rankings and in the top 1% in 18 subject areas. It's also the leading University in New Zealand for research intensity, according to the Latest Performance-Based Research Fund Quality Evaluation.
There are six Halls of Residence on campus, each with its unique character and community. These halls offer fully furnished single rooms, communal living areas, and dining halls, and while they are self-catered, meal plans are available. Some halls cater to specific faculties or interests, while others are more general. The University also offers a range of apartment options for students. These include studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments, all located within walking distance of the campus. The apartments are fully furnished and self-catered, with kitchen facilities included. Homestay options are popular with students, where students live with a local family in their home to experience New Zealand culture and improve their English language skills.
A gymnasium, sports fields, and sports centre are available for students to use. Thanks to the first-rate facilities, basketball, volleyball, badminton, and other sports are all played on campus.
The University has four libraries on campus, which provide access to books, journals, databases, and other resources to support research and study. Victoria University of Wellington has invested in new facilities at its main Kelburn campus, which already has an impressive Central Library.
Support networks are available for the Victoria University of Wellington communities. The range of student clubs is as vast as the student population, so many interests are represented in the many societies. The Wellington School of Business and Government is one of an elite group of commerce faculties worldwide that hold the Triple Crown of international accreditations of EQUIS, AACSB (Business), and AMBA, so students searching for a hub of business excellence can find it here.