
Massey University is a public research university in New Zealand, with campuses in Auckland, Palmerston North, and Wellington. The university offers 160 qualifications and over 2,800 courses to its students, who come from diverse backgrounds, with a high proportion of female students and a large number of international students from over 130 countries. The Palmerston North campus, also known as the Manawatū campus, is home to around 4,933 students and offers a range of programmes, including humanities, social sciences, sciences, health, and business. The university as a whole had approximately 26,505 students enrolled in 2024, making it the second-largest university in the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of students enrolled | 26,505 (as of 2024) |
| Percentage of students at Palmerston North campus | 19.2% (as of 2023) |
| Number of students enrolled at Palmerston North campus | 4,933 (as of 2023) |
| Number of international students | Over 5,000 (from more than 100 countries) |
| Number of female students | More than 60% |
| Number of students studying through distance learning | 45.4% |
| Number of students studying through distance learning (online) | 65% (as of 2023) |
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What You'll Learn
- Massey University's Palmerston North campus enrols around 4,933 students annually
- The university has the highest proportion of mature students in New Zealand
- In 2023, almost two-thirds of students (65%) studied online
- Massey University is ranked in the top 250 universities worldwide
- The university has a well-established reputation for academic leadership

Massey University's Palmerston North campus enrols around 4,933 students annually
Massey University is a public research university in New Zealand that offers internal and distance education. The university has campuses in Auckland, Palmerston North, and Wellington.
The Palmerston North campus, also known as the Manawatū campus, was established in 1960 as the Palmerston North University College (PNUC). It initially focused on teaching humanities and social studies and providing distance education. In 1963, PNUC merged with Massey College to become the Massey University College of Manawatu. The following year, it gained full autonomy and university status, adopting the name Massey University of Manawatu. The university's present name, Massey University, was established in 1966.
The Palmerston North campus is located at the Turitea site, which serves as the administrative hub of Massey University. This campus houses several academic units, including the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the College of Sciences, the College of Health, and the Massey Business School. The campus enrols around 4,933 students annually and contributes to the overall diverse student population at Massey University.
Massey University, including its Palmerston North campus, welcomes a significant number of mature students, many of whom study part-time or through distance (online) learning. The university also has a high proportion of female students, particularly from Māori and Pacific communities. In 2023, more than 6 out of every 10 students at Massey identified as female. The university's flexible learning options attract students, with almost two-thirds (65%) studying partly or fully online in 2023, the highest proportion among New Zealand universities.
Additionally, the Palmerston North campus contributes to Massey University's international appeal. Each year, the university welcomes over 5,000 international students from more than 100 countries. The university's reputation for academic leadership, research excellence, and innovative teaching has earned it a top 250 ranking in the QS World University Rankings.
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The university has the highest proportion of mature students in New Zealand
Massey University in Palmerston North, New Zealand, has approximately 4,933 students enrolled at its Turitea campus. The university has campuses in three New Zealand regions: Auckland, Wellington, and Manawatū (Palmerston North). In 2024, the university had approximately 26,505 students enrolled, making it the country's second-largest university.
Massey University has the highest proportion of mature students of all New Zealand universities. Many of these students study part-time or via distance (online) learning, balancing work or caring responsibilities. The university supports a significant number of female students, particularly from Māori and Pacific communities. In 2023, more than 6 out of every 10 Massey students self-identified as female, with a conversion rate for female applicants 8.5% higher than for male applicants.
The university's flexible learning options make it a popular choice for mature students seeking to balance their studies with other commitments. Distance learning is a key feature of Massey University's offering, with almost two-thirds of students (65%) studying partly or fully online in 2023, the highest proportion among New Zealand universities. This includes students based on campuses who choose to take individual courses by distance learning, contributing to the high overall proportion of distance learners.
The university's annual report for 2023 highlights the diversity of its student body, with individuals from over 130 countries and a range of ethnic backgrounds. In addition to having the highest proportion of mature students, Massey University had the highest number of Māori students and the third-highest number of Pacific students among New Zealand universities in 2023. The university's flexible approach to learning, including part-time and distance options, likely contributes to its ability to attract and support a diverse student population.
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In 2023, almost two-thirds of students (65%) studied online
Massey University in Palmerston North, New Zealand, is a public research university that offers internal and distance education. In 2023, the university had approximately 26,505 students enrolled across its campuses, making it the country's second-largest university. Of these students, almost two-thirds (65%) studied online, either fully or partially. This proportion of online learners is the highest among all universities in New Zealand.
The university's annual report for 2023 revealed that 19.2% of its students were based at the Palmerston North campus, known as the Manawatū campus. This campus was established in 1960 as the Palmerston North University College (PNUC), initially offering humanities, social studies, and distance education. Today, the Manawatū campus hosts around 4,933 students annually and houses the main administrative units, along with several colleges, including the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Sciences.
Distance learning, or online study, has been a significant part of Massey University's offerings since its early days. In recent years, the university has seen a growing number of students opting for online education. The flexibility of online learning appeals to a diverse range of students, including mature students who may be balancing work, family, or other commitments alongside their studies. The university's ability to cater to the needs of these students has contributed to its high proportion of female students and those from Māori and Pacific communities.
Massey University's online programs are designed to provide a dynamic and flexible learning experience. The university leverages its expertise in online course delivery to offer a wide range of qualifications, from short courses to postgraduate degrees. This approach ensures that students can access a quality education that fits around their lives, whether they are first-time students, returning learners, or those seeking to change their academic or professional direction.
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Massey University is ranked in the top 250 universities worldwide
Massey University in New Zealand has been ranked in the top 300 universities in the world for the fourth consecutive year, placing 292nd in the overall Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Ranking and Academic Reputation Ranking. The university has also achieved a QS World University ranking of 34 in the Agriculture and Forestry discipline and QS World University subject rankings placed the Toi Rauwhārangi College of Creative Arts in the top 100 for art and design for the fifth year in a row.
Massey University was first established at the Turitea campus in Palmerston North, which is home to around 4,933 students annually. The Turitea site houses the main administrative units of Massey University, as well as the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the College of Sciences, the College of Health, and Massey Business School. The university has since expanded to include campuses in Auckland and Wellington, with approximately 26,505 students enrolled across all three campuses in 2024, making it the country's second-largest university.
The university offers a flexible mode of learning, with almost two-thirds of students (65%) studying partly or fully online in 2023, the highest proportion of all New Zealand universities. The student body has a high percentage of international students, with people from over 100 countries studying at the university. Massey University is also unique in that it delivers research-led teaching and research training across all three campuses. Each campus hosts a thriving student association with many varying activities, including a radio station, a student magazine, and student-organised political and cultural events.
Massey University has the highest proportion of mature students of all New Zealand universities, with a high proportion of female students, particularly from Māori and Pacific communities. The university is also home to the only Veterinary School in New Zealand and is the only university in the country to offer courses on aviation, dispute resolution, veterinary medicine, and nanoscience.
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The university has a well-established reputation for academic leadership
Massey University in Palmerston North, New Zealand, is a public research university that provides internal and
Massey University offers flexible ways to study, including face-to-face, distance learning, or a hybrid of both. The university has a strong commitment to supporting the achievement of its Māori students. It also provides a range of support services and a Pacific Directorate to enhance the participation and success of Pacific students. The university has a diverse student body, with people from over 130 countries, and the highest proportion of mature students of all New Zealand universities.
The Palmerston North campus, also known as the Manawatū campus, is the main campus of Massey University. It was the site of the university's establishment in 1960 as the Palmerston North University College (PNUC), a branch of the Victoria University of Wellington (VUW). The campus hosts around 4,933 students annually and houses the main administrative units of the university, along with several colleges, including the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the College of Sciences, and the College of Health.
The Turitea campus, which is part of the Palmerston North campuses, is home to the only Veterinary School in New Zealand. It also offers a wide range of academic programmes and research opportunities across various disciplines, including nursing, journalism, marketing, agriculture, environment, geology, cultural studies, and psychological assessment.
With its well-established reputation for academic leadership, Massey University, Palmerston North, provides a dynamic and flexible learning environment, fostering success for its diverse student body.
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Frequently asked questions
Massey University's Palmerston North campus, also known as the Manawatū campus, hosts around 4,933 students annually. In 2023, around 19.2% of Massey University's total student population of 26,505 was based at the Palmerston North campus.
Massey University welcomes over 5,000 international students from more than 100 countries each year across all its campuses. In 2023, students from 130 countries were enrolled at the university, bringing a diverse range of knowledge and experiences.
While specific data for the Palmerston North campus is unavailable, Massey University has the highest proportion of female students among all New Zealand universities. In 2023, more than 6 out of every 10 students across all campuses identified as female, with a conversion rate for female applicants 8.5% higher than for male applicants.
While exact data for the Palmerston North campus is unavailable, Massey University has the highest proportion of students studying online among all New Zealand universities. In 2023, almost two-thirds (65%) of students across all campuses studied partly or fully online.











































