University of Waikato Featured Image
University of Waikato Logo

University of Waikato

Hamilton NZ, New Zealand

  • Cost of LivingNZ$ 21,288.36
  • Tuition Fee FromNZ$ 26,564
  • Country Rank#5
  • Batch Strength12,642
  • Global Diversity-
  • Gender Ratio60:40

Overview

About

The University of Waikato, established in 1964, is a public institution of higher learning and research in New Zealand. The Hamilton Teachers' College was founded in 1956 through a petition, and it was granted university status in 1964. The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning (ASAIHL), the EFMD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS), and the Association of MBAs (AMBA) are all affiliated with the institution. 

 

The university is divided into seven faculties, one school, and one college, offering a wide range of programmes in the arts, social sciences, mathematics, education, health, business, language and mass communication, engineering, and management. It offers 135 different courses, including anthropology, psychology, applied linguistics, aquaculture, biotechnology, communication design, and data analytics.

 

The university has academic collaborations with numerous academic institutions and organisations around the world, which allows for exchange programmes to provide students with international exposure and enhanced learning. Approximately 12,642 students are currently enrolled in various undergraduate, doctoral, and post-graduate degree programmes at the institution. It is home to over 2000 international students from over 80 different countries.

 

The Hamilton campus has four residence halls with self-catering and fully catered options. The university, on the other hand, manages two Tauranga accommodations: Mayfair Court Apartments and Durham Mews Apartments. Televisions, free Internet access, leisure centres, games rooms, computer rooms, and laundry services are among the amenities provided at these accommodations. Students and employees can take advantage of the university's shuttle service.

 

The University of Waikato Alumni Association provides an excellent opportunity for all students to meet, socialise, and interact with graduates from all over the world. The university graduates are considered members of the Alumni & Friends community and are entitled to the benefits which include Alumni & Friends E-Newsletters, Access to library services, World-class postgraduate study, Alumni Representatives around the world, and Careers and employment advice

 

The University Of Waikato Acceptance Rate

The University of Waikato acceptance rate is 70% which indicates that the admission process at the university is selective. For every 100 applicants, 70 applications are accepted by the university. The acceptance rate is the quality of the prospective candidates. Students with high grades, test scores, and other certifications have a better chance of getting into universities. As a result, depending on the strength of the applicants, the acceptance rate varies from year to year.

Ranking

QS World University Ranking 2024:

University of Waikato has shown excellence by securing 401–500 spot on the global scale.


The University of Waikato is one of New Zealand's top universities, ranking in the top 2% of all universities in the country. In terms of the University of Waikato rankings globally, the university is ranked #375 by QS for the year 2021, up 108 points from the 2020 rankings. THE ranks the university in the 501-600 range for the year 2021; this range was also the same for the year 2020. US News & World Report ranks universities based on admission statistics as well. A few notable rankings of the university are listed below-

 

  • THE (Times Higher Education) - University Ranking 2023 - #401-500
  • THE (Times Higher Education) - University Ranking 2022 - #401-500
  • ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) - Universities Rankings 2022 - #701-800
  • Global World Rankings 2022 - #373
  • World University Rankings THE 2022 - #401-500

 

Course-wise Rankings

 

The university offers over 200 courses in 9 academic schools and faculties, including Arts & Sciences, Management, Law, Education, Engineering, Science, Computing, and Mathematical Sciences. THE ranks PG Business & Economics courses between 126-150, with a drop in rank range from 201-250 in 2020. THE also ranks PG Engineering & Technology courses in the 501-600 range for 2021, up from the 401-500 range in 2020. Listed below are a few notable rankings based on the University of Waikato courses.

 

Ranking for Business Courses-

 

  • THE (Times Higher Education) - PG Business and Economics 2023 - #126-150
  • QS - Accounting & Finance 2022 - #251-300

 

Ranking for Engineering Courses-

 

  • THE (Times Higher Education) - Engineering 2023 - #601-800

 

Ranking for Computers Courses-

 

  • THE (Times Higher Education) - PG Computer Science 2023 - #501-600

 

Ranking for Science Courses-

 

  • THE (Times Higher Education) - Life Sciences Rankings 2023 - #251-300
  • THE (Times Higher Education) - Psychology Rankings 2023 - #301-400

 

Ranking for Humanities Courses-

 

  • THE (Times Higher Education) - Arts & Humanities Rankings 2023 - #251-300

 

Ranking for Law Courses-

 

  • QS - Law Rankings 2022 - #251-300

Year

QS Ranks

US News Ranks

2023

#331

#739

2022

#373

#739

Facilities

The university's main campus, which is in Hamilton, is situated on 158 acres of land. The campus provides residences, classrooms, labs, libraries, offices, and recreational facilities. The university's library complex consists of three libraries spread out among its campuses. There are more than a million print books and about 275,000 e-resources available to aid in teaching, research, and learning. There are also gyms, medical centres, athletic fields, student centres, dairies, and swimming pools on each campus. The University of Waikato facilities also include the following-

 

Student Services: Students can take advantage of a variety of support services, such as study and learning support, career development services, and health and wellbeing services.

 

Library Services: Within the general and focused collections, a wide range of formats are collected and shelved. You can find specific items in the university’s libraries using the catalogue location information. In addition to the general collections, the library also houses the collections of Archives and Manuscripts, DVD and CD Collections, Law Collections and Tauranga

 

ICT Services: Staff, students, and visitors can connect to the University network via wired or wireless connections.

 

Medical Services: If you register with our on-campus Student Health Service as a Waikato student in Hamilton, you will have access to low-cost consultations and prescriptions. 

 

Sports Facilities: There are numerous ways to get involved in sports at Waikato, with excellent facilities such as New Zealand's largest university sports fields, and a vast network of sports clubs and events.

Notable Alumni

Jacinda Ardern
Jacinda Ardern
40th Prime Minister of New Zealand.
Warren Gatland
Warren Gatland
OBE, Head Coach, Chiefs, British and Irish Lions and Former Head Coach of Wales National Rugby Union Team
Craig Coxhead
Craig Coxhead
Māori Land Court Judge and Chief Justice of Niue.

Courses

Admission

The University Of Waikato Entry Requirements

Students can apply to the higher education institution by creating a My Waikato account and submitting all required documents such as academic transcripts, LOR, SOP, visa, and IELTS scores respectively, for UG and PG. Indian students must have an average high school grade point average of 80% and a minimum English score of 65%. Admission to the university occurs three times a year. The details of the University of Waikato entry requirements for enrolling students are listed below.

 

  • Original academic transcripts
  • Official programme completion certificate/Degree/Diploma
  • Passport issued by official authorities
  • Birth certificate
  • Valid student Visa to study in New Zealand
  • Signed a confidential statement of finances
  • Statement of purpose
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Research Proposal or thesis
  • Resume
  • Written statement, video, or audio recordings, as per course
  • English proficiency test score report
  • The students should achieve an overall average of 75% in the Indian School Certificate (ISC) or the All-India Senior School Certificate (AISSC), with a minimum of 70% in English

 

The University Of Waikato English Proficiency Requirements

 

If English is not the native language, international students must submit English Language Test results to demonstrate their proficiency in the language. The following tests are accepted by the university for graduate and undergraduate students:

 

Tests

Undergraduate

Graduate

IELTS

6.0

6.5

TOEFL iBT

80

90

 

The University of Waikato fees

 

Listed below are the University of Waikato fees for international students based on top courses-

 

  • M.S Computer Science - NZ$ 38,915 /Yr
  • M.S Information Technology - NZ$ 39,000 /Yr
  • M.Fin - NZ$ 25,565 /Yr
  • M.A Applied Psychology - NZ$ 38,915 /Yr
  • M.Eng Mechanical Engineering - NZ$ 42,310 /Yr
  • M.B.A - NZ$ 30,635 /Yr

 

The University Of Waikato Placements

Work placements or projects with enterprises and community organisations are available as part of University of Waikato degrees. It serves as a valuable experience that leads to job opportunities in New Zealand after graduation. The university provides extensive assistance in the form of career counselling and advice, preparing students for careers in the industry.

 

The University of Waikato placements and career development services offer free advice and support to current students and recent graduates looking for work in New Zealand. It aids in career planning, job application writing, and interview preparation. CDS also assists in the development of connections with employers via career fairs, employer campus visits, and the promotion of graduate opportunities.

 

MyCareer is a University of Waikato online system that assists students in analysing their career development. For students enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate programme, the university provides over 2000 industry placements and internships.

 

Scholarship

Regardless of the program you are studying, there are several scholarship opportunities provided by the university as well as other organizations. With so many scholarships available now, overseas students can greatly lower the financial burden of studying in a new country. You can apply for scholarships to study at the University of Waikato through UniScholarz. You can find the following types of scholarships based on your academic performance and financial situation:


  • Merit-based scholarships

  • Need-based scholarships

  • Country-specific scholarships

  • College-specific scholarships

  • Student-specific scholarships

Finances

Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the University of Waikato. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!

Accommodation

There are several student housing options available for students planning to attend the University of Waikato. You may select from a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, en-suites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.


UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from a wide range of available student accommodations near the university, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are more inexpensive and student-friendly.

Cost of Living

Hamilton is one of the best cities for international students, providing a welcoming and relaxed environment. Hamilton is home to the renowned Waikato University, which is ranked in the top 1% of institutions worldwide offering a diverse range of outstanding study options. The city provides excellent study opportunities as well as the feel of a big city while maintaining the safety and friendliness of a small one. The overall living costs for international students are much more affordable in the city. The breakdown of living costs is provided below to assist you in planning your budget-

 

Item

Cost (Per Month)

Off-Campus Accommodation

NZ$ 540

On-Campus Accommodation

NZ$ 1,408 

Transportation

NZ$ 104

Food 

NZ$ 440

Utilities

NZ$ 171

Entertainment

NZ$ 73

Groceries

NZ$ 70

Clothes

NZ$ 547

Total Cost of Living with Off-Campus Accommodation (Per Month)

NZ$ 1,945

Total Cost of Living with On-Campus Accommodation (Per Month)

NZ$ 2,813

Annual Cost of Living

NZ$ 23,335

FAQs