Waikato Institute of Technology: Courses, Admission, Cost

Waikato Institute of Technology, popularly called Wintec, was established as Hamilton Technical College in the Waikato region in 1924. As the institute grew, it began offering a range of vocational training programmes and was renamed as Waikato Technical Institute in 1968. As its scope of academic activities continued to widen, the institute's name was changed to The Waikato Polytechnic in 1987. It offered its first bachelor's degree in 1992 and was given its current name in 2001. At present, this government-run institution offers high-quality tertiary education and is consistently rising to meet the growing academic demands of today's students.

Wintec has three world-class main campuses in the city of Hamilton in New Zealand as well as smaller campuses across Waikato. Situated in the centre of the CBD, the Hamilton City Campus is one of the institute's main campuses. It is dotted with great food outlets and houses excellent on-campus accommodation facilities. Located in the north part of Hamilton, the Rotokauri Campus is home to exceptional facilities, like a huge library, hi-tech computer labs, and amazing cafeterias. This campus offers programmes in the fields of sports science, engineering, trades, animal care, cookery and hospitality. The institute's third main campus is situated in the Hamilton Gardens. This campus offers programmes in horticulture, arboriculture and landscape construction/design. Wintec also owns Otorohanga Trade Training Centre and additional academic facilities in the town of Thames.

Wintec offers high-quality technical, professional and vocational education across numerous bachelor's, master's, diploma and certificate programmes in a variety of fields including administration, agribusiness, architectural technology, design, business, communication, counselling, education, engineering, hospitality, hairdressing, IT, construction, midwifery, arts, nursing, science and sports. The institute offers education to over 15,000 students from across 50 countries and has an excellent team of highly qualified teachers. It provides students with hands-on practical education through its purpose-built facilities such as a practising nursing ward, specialist kitchens, a sports science performance hub, a training restaurant, music and art studios and beauty and hair salons. Also, Wintec has a number of exchange partners in countries like China, France, the Netherlands, Canada and Chile for facilitating exceptional student exchange programmes.

Over the years, Wintec has produced many notable and successful graduates. Dave Baxter is a musician who won the APRA Silver Scroll award. Louise Raine works as a lighting designer for Coombes & Gabbie. Harkanwal Singh is a data editor at New Zealand Herald. Jenna Lynch is a journalist and reporter who works for Prime News and 3 News. Julia Crickett and Rene Aveyard are the co-owners of a successful clothing store Rumour. Donna-Lee Biddle is a journalist at Waikato Times. Simon Wade is the creative director and owner of 6twenty Design. Robyn Mickleson is an interior designer at The Design depot. Angela Keoghan is an award-winning illustrator. Carly Flynn is an accomplished journalist, broadcaster and presenter featured on Sunrise, Nightline, Newstalk ZB and Target. Many other distinguished people have graduated from the institute