The University of Waikato

Waikato rises in QS University rankings

The University of Waikato is now placed 274 in the world (an improvement of 127 places in five years) and its strength in the research component of the rankings places it 92nd in the top 100 for research quality and impact. This makes Waikato's research some of the most influential in the world.

Waikato's new Tauranga campus

As the University of Waikato continues to grow, it is expanding its teaching and research activity to the Bay of Plenty region, building a new campus in Tauranga, which will be open to students in February 2019.

Waikato stands out in subject rankings

Latest subject rankings confirm University of Waikato's rise in international standing. The latest QS subject rankings have 13 University of Waikato subject areas ranked in the top 300 in the world.

Waikato Emeritus Professor recognised in 2018 Honours list

One of Waikato’s professors, Emeritus Professor Roger Moltzen has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to education.

Top Writer joins Waikato

Award-winning novelist, Catherine Chidgey has joined the English Programme at the University of Waikato in a full-time academic position in creative writing.

Climbing in Sir Ed’s footsteps

Toby Beisly, a student of the University, has just become the first mountaineer ever to receive the University of Waikato Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship, following in the footsteps of one of the world’s greatest adventurers.

“It feels very special to be the first mountaineering scholar, especially for an award named after such an incredible mountaineer,” Toby says.

Toby’s next mountaineering goal is to conquer Aoraki (Mount Cook), New Zealand’s highest mountain and an advanced climb.

“I’m looking forward to spending this year improving on my studies and mountaineering, and I’m so grateful for the Hillary Scholarship for allowing me to focus on that,” Toby adds.

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Practical experience and accessible academics

At the University of Waikato, students gain a globally recognised education. In 2017, the QS World University Rankings placed the University of Waikato in the world’s top 1.1% of universities. In what was a remarkable achievement, Waikato climbed 100 places in just four years.

The University’s courses are designed and taught so when students complete their degrees, they can transition easily from the classroom to the workplace. In 2017, the University offered more than 2000 industry placement and internship opportunities to students.

Academic staff at Waikato are passionate about their areas of expertise and are committed to helping students build the skills and knowledge they will require to be successful in their careers. Students are encouraged to engage with academics, including asking questions and generating debate during lectures.

The University offers many study options across its comprising faculties and colleges. These are:

• Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences – Offers a wide range of qualifications from undergraduate certificates, diplomas and degrees through to postgraduate research. Subjects taught within the faculty include Social Sciences, Humanities, and Performing Arts.
• Faculty of Computing and Mathematical Sciences – Provides a stimulating and leading-edge environment of quality, relevant teaching programmes and world-class research, producing graduates well-matched for the challenges of the contemporary and future workplace.
• Te Kura Toi Tangata Faculty of Education – Provides programmes in teacher education, counselling, education, educational leadership and education studies.
• Faculty of Health, Sport and Human Performance – Programmes focus on the political, cultural, economic and social forces that influence communities and organisations, as well as people's behaviour in relation to sport and leisure. The faculty fosters collaborative relationships with some of New Zealand’s top sports organisations and facilities to stay at the forefront of this dynamic industry.
• Te Piringa - Faculty of Law – Offers professional law qualifications that provide pathways to legal practice and to a range of careers in non-governmental organisations and public service. The faculty's founding goals of professionalism, biculturalism, and the study of law in context attract an exciting and diverse group of staff and students.
• Te Pua Wānanga ki te Ao - Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies – Offers programmes in Māori language and linguistics, culture, customs, creative and performing arts, media and communication, Treaty of Waitangi, and development studies.
• Faculty of Science and Engineering – Offers a range of innovative programmes- undergraduate degrees of Bachelor of Engineering with Honours, Bachelor of Science, and the Bachelor of Science (Technology).
• Waikato Management School – Holds Triple Crown accreditation, placing it in the top 1% of business schools in the world. Programmes are renowned for their practical focus, relevance, and their foundation in leading-edge business research.
• Waikato Pathways College – Offers university preparation courses, and foundation, bridging and English language programmes. The college also supports international study groups in a range of discipline areas and trains teachers who want to teach English to adults.

There are several ways students can gain admission to degree study at the University of Waikato. The University of Waikato teaches in the English language and requires all students to demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English.

The University has an extensive list of entry requirements based on a large number of qualifications. Applications using qualifications not on this list will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Undergraduate international

Academic entry requirements are dependent on which country your previous study was completed in and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Postgraduate

Students will need to meet the English language and Academic requirements. Generally an undergraduate degree in a similar area of study is required. Requirements are identified on the qualification pages of the University website.

Higher degrees

English language proficiency of an IELTS of 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in writing, or equivalent. Academic entry requirements also apply.

Pathways options

There are pathway options available for students who do not meet entry requirements.

More details…

Waikato’s first-class facilities provide a student-centred learning environment designed to give students the support they need while they study at the University. It holds a five star QS Stars rating for its facilities.

Student centre

This is the University’s central hub for student support, and combines traditional library resources with hi-tech IT facilities. It is equipped with a café, library services, computer facilities and quiet study areas.

Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts

Specifically designed for performing arts, equipped with a world-class concert chamber and a range of teaching and performance spaces.

The University of Waikato Adams Centre for High Performance, Tauranga

A world-class facility that contains all the essential elements required to service elite athletes and prepare them for competition on the world stage.

Cyber security lab

The Cyber Security Lab develops solutions that enable users to know their data provenance, and to preserve the privacy and utility of data.

On-campus accommodation

There are four on-campus accommodation options available. Students can choose between fully-catered and self-catered living options.

Other on campus facilities include:

• Recreation Centre and Gym
• Swimming Pools
• Sports Courts (Tennis, Squash, Basketball)
• Cafes and food shops (offering vegetarian and halal food)
• Post Office
• Pharmacy
• Doctors
• Chapel and prayer rooms (providing services for most religious practices)
• Stationery Shop

International excellence scholarship – Up to 10,000 NZD

The scholarship contributes up to NZD10,000 towards tuition fees for international students enrolling in undergraduate or postgraduate-taught studies. The scholarship is available to students from selected countries only.

University of Waikato foundation studies scholarship

This is for international students who are enrolling for the first time into the Certificate of Attainment in Foundation Studies or the Certificate of University Preparation (CUP) at the University of Waikato in 2018. The value of the scholarship will be up to NZD5,000.

Master’s thesis award

This is for students enrolling full-time in a 120-point master’s degree or in the thesis year of a 240-point master’s degree and who will be doing either a 90-point thesis or a 120-point thesis in B Semester in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS).

Hilary Jolly memorial scholarship

This is for students who will be enrolling in a masters or doctorate at the University of Waikato in the field of freshwater ecology. The scholarship has a value of up to NZD6,000 at Master’s for one year and NZD15,000 per year at doctoral that will not exceed three years.

University of Waikato doctoral scholarship

Students intending to enrol full-time in a PhD, DMA, EdD or SJD at the University of Waikato will be asked to indicate whether they wish to be considered for a UoW Doctoral Scholarship on the Application to Enrol form. Applications will be considered in three rounds a year (1 March, 1 July and 1 November).

More scholarship details…