AUT provides a world-class university environment. Its mission is to create great graduates, and each member of the staff contributes to this. It offers exceptional learning experiences that prepare students to be successful wherever in the world their career may take them.

AUT is proud to be one of the world’s best modern universities. Times Higher Education has ranked it in the top 40 universities under 50 years of age, and among the top 1% (201-250) of universities in the world and equal second in New Zealand. It has an overall five-star rating from university rankings organization QS, in addition to five-star ratings for Teaching, Employability, Research, Internationalization, Facilities, Innovation and Inclusiveness.

AUT is the second largest university in New Zealand and the fastest growing postgraduate study destination, with over 250 programmes, 2,200 academic staff and more than 100,000 alumni all over the world. It is one of the world's best modern universities – THE has ranked it as the top millennial university in Australasia and number 15 in the world.