Universal College of Learning as a modern Institute of Technology and Polytechnic, UCOL’s specialties include Applied Engineering and Trades, Health and Sciences, and Humanities and Business. Our environments have been designed to enhance student learning, supported by a relationships-based teaching approach. By studying with us, students learn valuable life skills and can make a difference.

We have campuses in Manawatū, Whanganui, Wairarapa and Horowhenua.

As of 1 April 2020, UCOL Limited is a subsidiary of New Zealand’s national vocational skills and training Institute, which has the working title of New Zealand Institute of Skills & Technology (NZIST). Acting as a parent organisation to our nation’s 16 vocational institutes and Industry Training Organisations, NZIST will create a strong, unified system that makes collaboration easier. While we foster relationships with other institutes, our mission remains the same - we exist to inspire students, businesses and communities to succeed.


Why do International Students choose UCOL?

1. Over 100 years of excellence in education
Established in 1902 to meet the skills required by New Zealand businesses, UCOL has strong community connections.

Many international students choose UCOL to gain an internationally recognised qualification and work experience while they study. Recent international graduates rated UCOL highly for its small class sizes and teaching approach, and scored our accommodation and living costs favourably. (2017 International Student Barometer survey, Education New Zealand).

2. Easy access & located in central New Zealand
UCOL has campuses in the central New Zealand locations of Manawatū, Whanganui, Wairarapa and Horowhenua. International students choose to study at our Palmerston North and Whanganui campuses where we offer a full range of rewarding degree, postgraduate and English language study options.

3. Wide range of study options
UCOL is a modern institute of technology and polytechnic with specialty in Applied Engineering and Trades, Health and Sciences, and Humanities and Business. UCOL’s programmes are employer-centred and ever evolving to meet the economic and social needs of our communities.

4. Strong industry connections
We partner with local businesses to provide work experience for many of our students studying diplomas, degrees and postgraduate programmes to help an organisation meet their staffing needs, solve a problem or advance a project.

5. Award-winning staff
UCOL’s staff are passionate and dedicated to helping students succeed so they can make a difference wherever they work in the world.

6. Putting students first
UCOL's environments have been designed to enhance student learning, supported by a relationships-based teaching approach that provides successful classroom experiences and imparts valuable life skills.

7. All round student experience
The UCOL student experience goes far beyond the classrooms at UCOL. Our International Student Support Staff will help make your journey at UCOL unforgettable.

8. A safe, welcoming & cost effective place to live
New Zealand is the second most peaceful nation on earth in the 2018 Global Peace Index. In Palmerston North international students are warmly welcomed.

Free buses for UCOL students in Manawatū and Whanganui and affordable accommodation at all our campuses, make UCOL a cost effective place to study. To find out how the cost of living in New Zealand compares with your country, see New Zealand Now.

9. High-tech facilities
Students are immersed in a practical learning environment, with innovative technology and a range of specialised equipment that often surpass industry standards, including the Regional Trades and Technology Centre.

10. Successful alumni across the globe
UCOL’s growing network of alumni fosters collaboration and exchange with UCOL graduates around the world.

11. Study in NZ for a world-class education
New Zealand leads the world in education according to two recently released global reports. We're ranked first out of 35 economies for instilling future skills in The Worldwide Educating for the Future Index Report, and seventh out of 130 countries for preparing people for the future of work in the World Economic Forum's Global Human Capital Report 2017.