Established in 1878 as the School of Agriculture, Lincoln University (Māori: Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki) is New Zealand’s third-oldest university and the oldest agricultural teaching institution in the Southern Hemisphere. Becoming independent from the University of Canterbury in 1990, it remains the smallest university in New Zealand by enrolment, with approximately 3,123 students from over 80 countries as of 2023. Situated on a 58-hectare campus 15 km outside Christchurch, surrounded by 447 hectares of farmland, Lincoln specializes in land-based disciplines, offering over 30 undergraduate and postgraduate programs across three faculties: Agribusiness and Commerce, Agriculture and Life Sciences, and Environment, Society and Design, plus a University Studies and English Language Division.
Ranked #371 in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and in the top 25% globally, Lincoln excels in agriculture and forestry (top 100 QS Subject Rankings) and holds a QS Five-Star rating for teaching, employability, research, and facilities. Its graduates enjoy a 6% higher employment rate than other New Zealand universities, supported by practical work experience and career services like NZUni Career Hub. Lincoln’s research, conducted through 16 centers, focuses on sustainability, climate change, and food innovation, with facilities like the AgResearch joint facility and a Geographic Information Systems Laboratory. The university fosters inclusivity with policies supporting Māori, Pacific, LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, and disabled students, alongside vibrant student life with sports, clubs, and six halls of residence. Set in the scenic South Island, Lincoln offers a welcoming, village-like atmosphere, making it an ideal choice for students seeking a globally recognized, industry-relevant education.
