NZ University Enrolments Surge Past Pandemic Peak Amid Economic Downturn

New Zealand university enrolments have surpassed their pandemic peak, driven by a slowing economy and a bulge in youth demographics.

Data from an April stocktake by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) reveals that university enrolments have climbed 5 per cent this year to exceed the previous high point, in 2021, by 1 per cent.

The growth was monopolised by the universities of Auckland and Canterbury, which attracted 60 per cent of the extra students. Enrolments rose by the equivalent of 5,657 full-time places between April 2025 and April 2026.

The increases were particularly pronounced at postgraduate level, with PhD enrolments 8 per cent above 2021 levels, and master’s enrolments up by 4 per cent, and in health, law, business, commerce, and psychology degrees.