University of Auckland started Semester One on Monday, March 2 with 47,033 students enrolled.

That was up 3,622 students, or 8.3 percent, on the same point in 2025.

Total EFTS rose from 30,601 to 33,395, up 9.1 percent.

Undergraduate enrolments saw the biggest jump, with EFTS up 11.4 percent and headcount up 10.4 percent.

First-year EFTS rose 15.7 percent, with domestic first-year EFTS up 17.5 percent and international first-year EFTS up 10 percent.

Professor Sarah Young said growth in international students may reflect new trans-national agreements, changes to student settings in other countries, and favourable settings in New Zealand.

She said domestic growth may reflect a tighter job market, a larger school-leaver population, and more immigrants with university-aged children entering the wider Auckland region.

Professor Sarah Young, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education. Photo: Richard Ng

Enrolments also rose across postgraduate study and UoA Online.

Pacific undergraduate enrolments were up 14 percent and postgraduate up 9 percent.

Māori undergraduate enrolments were up around 14 percent and postgraduate up 3 percent.

The University said it may bring on more staff in some areas where required, and expects overall enrolment numbers to grow further by the end of the year.

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