Our position
Our location allows us to play a key role in cultivating intellectual capital and facilitating innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable economic growth.
Contributing to the economy
Victoria University of Wellington is a vital part of the capital city and the wider Wellington region. It is one of the two biggest employers in the Wellington region and contributes in excess of $1 billion to the regional economy each and every year.
The University operates at the fertile interface between town, gown and crown or, put another way, at the interface between business, innovation and regulation.
Our capital city location allows us to play a significant part in cultivating intellectual capital and facilitating innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable economic growth.
We have more 22,000 students and are growing strongly. Currently, 3,700 of those students are international and more than 2,000 are drawn from the Auckland region.
We are involved in the capital city in myriad ways—providing future employees, giving advice and commentary, making creative and cultural contributions and forging partnerships to help drive a high value economy.
Our students add to the vibrancy and diversity of Wellington and significantly increase the pool of talented labour.
Victoria University of Wellington is planning to double in size over the next 20 years to reach the scale of other great public universities and to double the contributions we make to Wellington.
Our story
The University, originally known as Victoria College, was founded in 1897. This was the year of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Our history
The University, originally known as Victoria College, was founded in 1897. Teaching began in April 1899 and in the first year 115 students enrolled.