Refugee-background students

Find information, support, and advice tailored specifically to students with a refugee background at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

Nau mai haere mai—welcome

Congratulations on all your hard work and achievements so far. There are more than 100 students from diverse refugee-backgrounds across the University, and even more who have successfully completed their studies. It’s great to have you with us.

The University offers you many exciting opportunities to learn and develop your skills, and there is a network of students and staff who can help you achieve your goals.

Ask questions, have fun, work hard, and make contact with those around you. Learning is more enjoyable when you do it with others, and their support will add to your success.

Where we are studying

There are 214 enrolled refugee background students this year. Please find the split below by qualification faculty and course faculty. Please note that the manual totals of the tables will be more than 214 due to students being associated with multiple faculties.

In 2021, there are 214 students with a refugee background enrolled at the University. About a third each are studying for a qualification in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Wellington School of Business and Government (Commerce). A further 15 percent are enrolled in a Science qualification, 8 percent each in Law and the Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation, and 4 per cent in Engineering. Seven students (3 percent) are enrolled in each of Education and Health. One student with a refugee background is undertaking doctoral-level study in the Faculty of Graduate Research.

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