The University of Auckland

The University of Auckland has recently been awarded a grant of NZD 10 million for data science research from the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Strategic Science Investment Fund. This will enable the university to lead one of four successful bids under the initiative, which is aimed at harnessing the benefits of advanced data science and ensuring strong collaborations locally and internationally.

The focus of the project is to develop new methods that gather and integrate useful data that needs minimal human intervention. This initiative is a collaboration between the Universities of Auckland, Otago, Canterbury and Massey and will entail computer scientists and statisticians working with scientists in fields such as computational biology and ecology.

The project aims to enhance the application of data science in complex research settings, make processing more efficient and create computationally-reproducible workflows that are published, open and easily reused. A major part of the budget is expected to be directed towards training and equipping doctoral and post-doctoral researchers to successfully apply data science methods to unique New Zealand datasets that will consequently improve knowledge and understanding in specific fields. The project has the potential to help New Zealand position itself at the forefront of emerging data science technologies.

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Thriving retail and commercial activity, and a cosmopolitan mix of people, that includes those of European, Pacific, Maori and Asian descent, are only two of Auckland’s many appealing characteristics. As New Zealand’s largest city, it houses about a third of New Zealand’s population, of which around 400,000 live within the city while a vastly greater number, around 1.5 million, live in the greater Auckland area. With over 40 per cent of Auckland’s residents born outside of New Zealand, the city is joining the ranks of the world’s most diverse cities.

Numerous picturesque islands and a harbour-side location enhance the scenic beauty of the city, which is also dubbed the ‘City of Sails’ owing to the large number of yachts sailing in the harbour and the nearby Hauraki Gulf. The Waitakere Ranges rainforest to the west is a natural gateway to the spectacular surf beaches of the west coast and numerous bush walks.

Auckland offers a wonderful range of entertainment, sport and recreation possibilities for students to explore. While the many theatres and art galleries cater to the artistically inclined, the vast scope for activities such as swimming, kayaking, hiking means those who prefer the outdoors will not be disappointed. Sports lovers can also catch live action from rugby, soccer and cricket matches at the international stadiums.

Auckland is developing an international reputation as a business hub and is home to the greatest concentration of New Zealand’s entrepreneurs and innovators. Accordingly, many international graduates choose to make the city their home in order to take advantage of employment opportunities.

The University of Auckland has a number of campuses and other institutes dotted around the city of Auckland. Major campuses are:

City Campus

Right in the centre of Auckland, the City Campus is within walking distance of cultural, entertainment and commercial hubs. It also has a full range of amenities including cafes, libraries and a recreation centre.

South Auckland Campus

Located in the heart of South Auckland, the South Auckland Campus is a brand-new campus that opened in February 2020. It offers the Bachelor of Education (Teaching), preparatory programs, and will offer more in the future. The campus is based in central Manukau, and is in close proximity to the Manukau train station and bus stop, retail outlets, and the public library.

Newmarket Campus

This is a new five-hectare campus close to the major business area in Newmarket. Earmarked as the site for expansion, it currently houses the faculties of Engineering and Science.

Epsom Campus

The Epsom Campus is less than ten minutes' drive from the CBD and City Campus and offers a whole range of amenities. It is also the main campus for the Faculty of Education and Social Work and offers programmes in teacher education, sport health and physical education, social work and counselling.

Grafton Campus

Originally the School of Medicine, the Grafton Campus is home to the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, plus the Department of Optometry and Vision Science.

The University of Auckland offers a wide range of programmes for international students at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Many of the study programmes on offer require students to select from a wide range of courses, from all known domains of knowledge such as the arts, sciences, medicine, engineering, education, and much more.

Students can choose a specialisation, a single or double major, or a major and a minor. This will determine the subjects and courses to focus on for a large part of the degree programme as students pursue their chosen area to the most advanced undergraduate stage.

Master’s programmes at the University of Auckland are generally offered as either research or taught programmes. Taught masters aim to provide students with advanced specialist training in their chosen field, and are usually completed by coursework only, although they may in some cases involve a dissertation. Many of these qualifications can be completed in 18 months or less.

Doctoral programmes, leading to the award of a PhD, are generally undertaken over a minimum of three years full-time. They require students to prepare a substantial thesis of original research that contributes significantly to knowledge and understanding in that particular discipline, followed by an oral examination. The PhD is offered in 100 different subjects and offers a wealth of research opportunities, including the chance to work in cross-disciplinary projects.

New international PhD students pay the same annual tuition fee as New Zealand PhD students. Financial aid, in the form of various scholarships, is available at all levels of study for international students.

University of Auckland is committed to cutting-edge research and identifies research-led teaching as a primary responsibility of its academic staff, in addition to publishing and disseminating research of the highest international quality. The university's missions, goals and strategies statement places strong emphasis on the need for quality research and providing enhanced support for research activity.

25 per cent of all research-active staff in the country and 35 per cent of the top A-rated academic researchers in New Zealand are from the University of Auckland, which amounts to having the greatest depth and breadth of research activity in the New Zealand tertiary sector.

The university offers excellent master’s and doctoral degrees in the conventional disciplines, as well as a wide range of cross-disciplinary subject domains. These are supported by highly trained academic staff, extensive library resources and research facilities, and state-of-the-art information technology resources.

The research topics under investigation form a diverse spectrum and include subjects under domains such as creative arts, education, business, engineering, law, science and much more. Postgraduate students have the opportunity to make impactful contributions to the university's research alongside studying their degrees. There are also summer research scholarships on offer for those students who have completed at least two years of their undergraduate degree.