University of Waikato Admissions 2025: Application Deadline, Requirements & Costs

The University of Waikato has been considered one of the most reputable universities in New Zealand. As per the QS World University Rankings 2021, it bagged the 350th spot on the list of 1000 best universities across the globe. It has also been placed at the 38th position when it comes to the best universities for tourism and hospitality management in the world. Moreover, it also features in the top 300 universities across the world for subjects like Education, Life Sciences, Business and Economics, and Social Sciences.

A survey was carried out in 2019 to test the satisfaction of international students around the globe. Over 90% of the international students were satisfied with their experience at the University of Waikato. Therefore, it seems to be a great place to study for international students as well. The accreditation institutions like AMBA, EQUIS, and AACSB have rated it highly for being one of the best business schools. Only up to one percent of the business schools across the globe have been recognized by all these three institutions. It is also a respected member among the business school group and has earned the ‘Triple Crown’ for providing excellent education when it comes to business studies. Therefore, it is a great place for those who dream of becoming entrepreneurs beyond excellence.

Courses Offered

What all courses are available to international students?

International students can choose to enroll in any one of the 22 UG or 36 PG programmes in 139 subject areas at the University of Waikato.

 

 

International students can also apply for Foundation Studies programmes that will prepare them to take on rigorous university curriculum. If students do not meet the English requirements for direct entry, then they can join one of the English language courses taught at the university. These courses will help the students prepare for the degree-level programmes.

Eligibility & Documents Required

What are the eligibility requirements?

Waikato has course-specific academic and English language requirement for international students at all levels of study.

 

Undergraduate Admissions

UG programmes have country-specific requirements, and according to that, Indian students with any one of the following criteria can apply for admission:

ISC/AISSC/CBSE Boards	Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal State Boards	Other State Boards
Best 4 average: 75% English core: 60%	Best 4 average: 75% English core: 60%	Best 4 average: 80% English core: 65%

Additionally, international students whose first language is not English need to submit English language proficiency scores. Any of these test scores are excepted, however, do note that these are only minimum requirements, and some courses like LLB, BNurs, BSW and Initial Teacher Education (ITE) have higher score requirements:

English Test	Minimum Score
IELTS	6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each category)
TOEFL iBT	80 (with 21 in writing)
CAE (C1 Advanced)	169 (with at least 162 in each category)
CPE (C2 Proficiency)	169 (with at least 162 in each category)
PTE-A	50 (with at least 42 in each skill)

 

Graduate Admissions

For direct entry into master’s programmes, applicants should hold a recognised bachelor’s degree with a B or B+ average, and a B or B+ average in a relevant subject if required. Some faculties/schools may require an honours degree (to demonstrate research capacity). If these requirements are not met, further study in a lower level programme may be required first (pathway programme).

Any one of these English test scores are accepted to prove English language proficiency:

English Test	Minimum Score
IELTS	6.5 (with at least 6.0 in each category)
TOEFL iBT	90 (with 21 in writing)
CAE (C1 Advanced)	176 (with at least 169 in each band)
CPE (C2 Proficiency)	176 (with at least 162 in each band)
PTE-A	58 (with at least 50 in each skill)

 

Research Degree Admissions

For higher or research degrees, the following international qualifications are required as per subject/course:

Research Programme/Subject	Qualification Required
Master of Philosophy	A bachelors with honours or master’s degree with at least Second Class Honours (First Division) or Distinction
Doctor of Musical Arts	A qualification considered equivalent to a master’s degree in Music with at least Second Class Honours (First Division). Candidates must also audition successfully on an applied instrument or voice.
Doctor of Education	A qualification considered equivalent to a New Zealand bachelor’s degree with honours or master’s degree with at least second class honours (First Division) or distinction. Entrance is at the discretion of the Postgraduate Studies Committee
Doctor of Philosophy	A bachelors with honours or master’s degree with a research component of at least 30 points and achieved at least Second Class Honours (First Division) or Distinction

Any of these English proficiency test scores will be accepted:

English Test	Minimum Score
IELTS	6.5 (no band less than 6.0)
TOEFL iBT	90 (21 in writing)
PTE-A	Overall 58 (no communicative skill below 50)

What all documents are needed for application?

International students need to submit verified copies of original documents. A verified copy is a photocopied document signed by someone of suitable standing such a Justice of the Peace, solicitor, barrister, court registrar, or school principal. This person will need to see the original document and check that the photocopy is a genuine, unaltered copy. They will then sign, date and stamp the photocopy with an official stamp, or will write “certified original sighted and this is a true copy of that original”. The university accepts scanned copies of verified documents for assessment purposes but you will need to provide hard copies prior to enrolment. Do note that the university advises against sending any original documents and it will not return them later. General, students need to submit the following documents along with their application forms:

• Academic transcripts
• English proficiency test score report
• Statement of Purpose (SOP) or Letter of Motivation (LoM)
• Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
• Resume
• Research proposal or thesis
• Written statement, video, or audio recordings, as per course
• A copy of passport
• Financial documents

Application & Tuition Fees

Is there any application fees?

The university does not charge any application except for some courses, such as DLit, LLD and DSc applications. The application fee for these courses are a non-refundable amount of NZD 500.

What is the fee structure of courses offered by the university?

Final tuition fee will depend on the choice of papers by a student. For the 2021-22 academic year, the university gives the following annual tuition fee estimates:

 

 

Note: The tuition fees get revised with progressive years. We encourage you to check the university website for the exact fee structure for the current academic year.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Is there any scholarship or financial aid available for international students?

Waikato offers various scholarships and bursaries to international students at all study levels. Some require an application while others are applied automatically. Scholarships are generally awarded on merit basis and the award amount provides waivers or discounts on tuition fees. Some of these scholarships and bursaries are:

Scholarships	Bursaries
University of Waikato International Excellence Scholarship	Tauranga Bursary
University of Waikato International Excellence – NZ School Leavers Scholarship	Master of Applied Finance International Bursary
University of Waikato Doctoral Scholarship	Master of Engineering Practice Bursary
University of Waikato Research Masters Scholarship	International Bursary for Vietnamese Students
-	High Achievement Bursary
-	University of Waikato College International High Achiever Progression Bursary

 

University Update

As the New Zealand borders are temporarily closed due to Covid-19, the new-international student bursaries and scholarships listed below will not be offered:

• Master of Engineering Practice
• Master of Applied Finance
• International Bursary for Vietnamese Students
• University of Waikato College International High Achiever Progression Bursary
• University of Waikato International Excellence Scholarship

However, new international students are eligible for the 20% online bursary (offshore students), 20% onshore bursary or Tauranga Campus Bursary. For more information this, visit the international students scholarships webpage of the university.

Admission Process

When do the admissions start?

Waikato has three intakes known as ‘trimesters’, and the deadline for international students are as follows:

Trimester	Semester	Recommended Deadline
A	March-June	Mid-January
B	July-November	Late-May
C	November-February	Early-October

The recommended deadline are suggested by the university so that international applicants have sufficient time to secure flights, accommodation, and a visa after submitting the applications. If students submit their applications later than these deadlines, the university will still process it as quickly as possible. Also, do take a note that some programmes have application deadlines that differ from the standard deadlines. Thus, we encourage you to check the respective course pages for exact closing dates for the current academic year.

How to apply to UG or PG courses?

International students can either opt for the direct application through the university portal or apply through an agent. Students who currently reside in from Africa or Pakistan need to apply through an authorised agent only. This is due to the large number of applications the university receives from this region.

You do not need to apply through an agent if:

• You are applying for a Higher Research Degree
• You currently live in Mauritius or South Africa
• You are a citizen of an African country or Pakistan but live elsewhere. In such cases, you will need to upload a proof of residency document such as a valid visa or ID card.

Portal link: my.waikato.ac.nz/sitsvision/wrd/siw_ipp_lgn.login?process=siw_ipp_app_crs

Both UG and PG applicants can follow these steps to apply to Waikato online.

Step 1: As a new user, you will need to create and account first.

 

 

Step 2: After creating an account, log in with the saved username and password.

 

 

Step 3: Select the type of qualification, location (campus or online medium), year, and keyword. Click on the search button to find your programme and course.

 

 

Step 4: Based on the keyword, you will get a list of courses. Choose the one you want to apply to and start filling the form.

 

 

Step 5: After selecting all the details, click on apply button.

 

 

Fill in all the sections before reviewing and submitting your application.

When will I hear from the university after I submit my application?

The university usually takes a month to review and process your applications. However, sometimes the decisions may be delayed due to high volume of applications or a competitive applicant pool.

Student Diversity & Preferred Profile

What are the chances to get into this university?

The University of Waikato has an acceptance rate of 60-70%, which makes it somewhat selective. Applicants are considered on a case-by-case basis bearing in mind the patterns of admission which have been applied in previous years and the standing of the qualification in New Zealand. Students with work experience in a specific field can be preferred over others, especially when their academic and English test scores are identical. 

How many Indian/international students are studying at the university?

In 2019, the university enrolled 8,264 domestic and 2,339 international students across all programmes. It saw significant increase in international enrolments as compared to previous year. The universities witnessed about 46% increased enrolments from India as compared to 2018, 13% increase from Malaysia, 57% increase from Hong Kong, and over 100% increase from Vietnam.

Part Time Work While Studying

Can I work while studying here?

For finding part-time jobs while studying or during summer vacations, the students can use the ‘Student Job Search’ portal. For checking the internships and full-time work opportunities offered by several employers, graduate students can use the ‘MyCareer’ portal. The students who have applied to full-time programmes can work up to 20 hours per week during the tenure of their respective courses. Working up to 40 hours per week is permitted during vacations. A minimum wage of NZD 18.90 per hour is applicable to international students who work while studying in New Zealand.

Campuses & Accommodation

How many colleges and campuses does the university have?

The University of Waikato has three campuses: two in New Zealand (Hamilton and Tauranga) and one in China called Zhejiang University City College (ZUCC). It comprises of five major academic have and two schools/colleges: University of Waikato College – Te Kura Huanui and Te Mata Kairangi School of Graduate Research.

 

 

Is on-campus housing available?

The University of Waikato provides on-campus housing for the students studying in the Hamilton and Tauranga Campus. A student can either go for the self-catered or for the full-catered accommodation facilities, and the accommodation costs will vary accordingly. Students can choose to live in flats, homestays, cottages, studio apartments, apartments, or modern living space called Bleakley Place Units with or without ensuite-styled rooms.

 

Hamilton Accommodation

It has three halls of residence, apartments, cottages, studios and units. Students can choose between catered or self-catered residences.

Residence Type	Rent/Week (in NZD)
Bryant Hall	200-322
College Hall	205-380
Student Village	205-322
Silverdale Road Apartment	265
Orchard Park	200-245
Bleakley Place Units	220-235

Source: University of Waikato

 

Tauranga Accommodation

Located on the doorstep of the Tauranga CBD campus in Durham Street, Durham Mews is the current student accommodation for students studying on this campus. The complex consists of six apartments, with three bedrooms, and shared facilities. Durham Mews is self-catered and available to all students. The weekly cost starts from NZD 225 per person and includes water, internet, electricity, and weekly cleaning of communal areas.

 

Note: The rent rate mentioned does not include other costs like deposit, administrative, activity, and other fees. These rates fluctuate yearly, thus, it is recommended to refer to the official website for exact pricing details.

University Contact Information

Whom should I contact in case of any doubts?

If international students have any admission query then they can contact the university at:

Address: Hillcrest, Hamilton 3216, New Zealand

Website: www.waikato.ac.nz/

Telephone: 0800 WAIKATO (0800-924-528) or 07-838-4176

E-mail: info@waikato.ac.nz