Sep 04, 2024
New Zealand is home to 8 Universities offering top-notch education and all these universities rank among the world's top 500. They hold their position due to their research prowess, excellence in education, and the industry connects.
Imagine yourself immersed in tackling real-world projects alongside passionate professors and graduating with a degree recognized worldwide. Sounds appealing right? Then keep reading because New Zealand’s University of Waikato might just be the perfect place to launch your academic adventure.
Let us explore everything that makes this university rank among the Top 3 to study in New Zealand!
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The University of Waikato is one of the top public research universities in New Zealand. It started with a little more than 100 students in 1964 and now has more than 13,000 domestic & international students.
It has a strong commitment to research and offers facilities and international partnerships that help in advancing knowledge. Waikato Graduates around the world have created significant impact in their field proving that a degree from the university is a stepping stone for success.
Now that we know something about the university, let’s have a glance at its rankings and reputation.
The University of Waikato is renowned for having high rankings in various areas placing it among the top universities in New Zealand. Some of the notable ones are:
These rankings are proof of the university’s quality of education and commitment to academic excellence. But what can students study here? Let’s look at some of the popular courses students prefer in the upcoming section.
The University of Waikato offers more than 100 Postgraduate courses and 90+ Undergraduate courses for students to choose from. The best part is that majority of the courses are English taught.
Enlisted below are some of the popular courses that you can explore at Postgraduate and Undergraduate levels:
| Post Graduate Courses | Undergraduate Courses |
| Master of Engineering | Bachelor of Science |
| Master of Cyber Security | Bachelor of Computer Science |
| Master of Business Administration | Bachelor of Environmental Planning |
| Master of Applied Finance | Bachelor of Banking, Finance and Technology |
| Master of Health Science | Bachelor of Business |
| Master of Law | Bachelor of Law |
| Master of Applied Psychology | Bachelor of Health |
| Master of Counselling | Bachelor of Communication |
| Master of Education | Bachelor of Teaching |
| Bachelor of Design |
If you have shortlisted which course, you would like to opt for then it’s time to know the intakes and the eligibility for the courses.
The University offers 2 major intakes in February/March and July. These intakes offer different courses based on availability. You can learn more about the courses available in each intake from the university’s official website. Now let’s see the eligibility criteria to study at the University of Waikato based on the level of study you would like to opt for.
International Students applying for a postgraduate course must have a B-/B/B+ average in their undergraduate degree and relevant subjects.
Students also must provide proof of English Language Proficiency. The university accepts scores of popular tests like IELTS, TOEFL iBT, and PTE. The required score for each test is as specified:
| Name of the Test | Overall Score | Minimum Section Score |
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | 6.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 90 | 21 |
| PTE (Academic) | 56 | 46 |
The University of Waikato has different eligibility criteria for students from different nationalities.
Like if you are an Indian student, you need:
An average score of 75% in the best of 4 academic subjects in the Indian School Certificate or the All-India Senior School Certificate (AISSC). For selected state boards like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and West Bengal a minimum of 60% is required in English.
Similarly, for all other state boards, an average of 80% of the best 4 subjects and a minimum of 65% is required in English.
For English language proficiency, you can choose any of the popular tests like IELTS, TOEFL iBT and PTE. The scores required in the test are:
| Name of the Test | Overall Score | Minimum Section Score |
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.0 | 5.5 |
| TOEFL iBT | 80 | 21 |
| PTE (Academic) | 46 | 36 |
Students from other nationalities can check the relevant eligibility for them from the university website.
After finding out about the entry requirements, it’s time to know the financial aspects of studying at the university.
The cost of studying at the university varies based on the level of study and the program you opt for.
Apart from this major study expense, the estimated cost of living in New Zealand is NZ$ 20,000 per year. So, you can gauge your cost to study based on your options.
It is important to note that the University makes higher education more accessible for students who excel academically by offering scholarships. Read on to know more about this if you fit the bill.
The university offers a broad range of scholarships for international students. They are largely based on the academic performance of a student. Some of these scholarships are:
The scholarship is offered by the University to support talented students from India who are enrolling for the first time in an Undergraduate or Postgraduate program at the University.
To be eligible for this scholarship students must fulfil the following criteria:
The selection of the students will be based on their academic merit and their potential to become a Global Ambassador for the University.
The scholarship is for international students who are new to the university and will be studying on campus in 2024 & 2025.
Fulfilling the following conditions is essential to be eligible for this scholarship:
The selection will be based on academic merit and the student’s potential to become a global ambassador for the University.
The University of Waikato International Progression Bursary was started in 2022 to help international students’ progress from undergraduate to postgraduate level of study for the first time at the university. There is no specific application process for this.
The criteria students need to meet to get this scholarship are as follows:
To maintain eligibility and receive the scholarship students must meet certain other requirements as well which can be checked on the University’s official website.
To be eligible for this scholarship the applicant must match the following criteria:
The selection will be made based on academics and the ability to clearly express aspirations and interests in broader education and a future-focused society.
Involvement in community and extra-curricular activities will also be considered and preference will be given to candidates who are already enrolled in an undergraduate program.
The University of Waikato not only provides academic support but also a lot of facilities and provisions beyond. Here’s how.
The University of Waikato has a lot to offer when it comes to life at the campus where students can learn, relax and have fun to enrich their study experience. Some of these services include:
With so many facilities and so much knowledge to gain at the campus, the students would surely be career ready. But they would surely need support to be employable. Let’s see how the university can help in the process.
Here are some of the career support services offered by the University:
In short, for international students looking for high-quality education in a breathtaking location, the University of Waikato stands out as a beacon of academic excellence and opportunity.
Considering studying here? Don't navigate the application process alone, reach out to KC’s New Zealand Experts to get end-to-end services. Whether you are looking for Study in New Zealand Consultants in Aurangabad, Amravati, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, or any other leading Tier 1 or Tier 2 Indian cities, you will find our presence nearby.
The University of Waikato awaits. Unleash your potential and embark on an unforgettable academic journey with KC Overseas Education.
Q1. How much is the application fee for the University of Waikato for International students?
There is no application fee to apply for any program at the University of Waikato.
Q2. What is the acceptance rate for the University of Waikato?
The University of Waikato has a high acceptance rate. At present, it is approximately 70%.
Q3. Does the University of Waikato offer scholarships for international students?
Yes, the University of Waikato provides various scholarships and award options to students.
Q4. I am an international student; how do I apply for a scholarship?
Many scholarships have separate application processes, while a few don’t require applications. For further details on how to apply for a scholarship, visit the International Students section on the university website.
Q5. Does the University provide on-campus accommodation to students?
Waikato provides a range of different accommodation options for students studying at both the Tauranga and Hamilton campuses. They have various residence options like apartments, cottages, studios, and units for students.