About
The University of Waikato is a public research and education institution in New Zealand founded in 1964. It was granted university status in 1964 after being established as Hamilton Teachers' College in 1956. The University of Waikato offers 15 undergraduate and graduate programs through 9 faculties. Out of all common, ten programs have been ranked in the top 200 of their kind. The University has been ranked 38th in year 2020 in the world for tourism and hospitality management in the Academic rankings of world universities.
What is the acceptance rate of the University of Waikato?
The University of Waikato acceptance rate is 72%.
The University has seven faculties offering various programmes in Arts, Social Science, Mathematics, Health, Business, Engineering, Management and provides courses in 135 subjects like Psychology, Anthropology, Data Analytics, Aquaculture etc. More than 2000 international students from 80 countries across the world study here.
Top Reasons to Study in the University of Waikato
According to a survey conducted in 2019 to test the satisfaction of international students , 90% of the students were satisfied studying at the University of Waikato.The University provides various scholarships and bursaries to international students. Some of the accreditation institutions like AMBA, EQUIS and AACSB have rated it as one of the best business schools. Reasons to study at the University of Waikato:
- The University of Waikato has earned the 'Triple Crown' for providing excellent education in business studies.
- The University of Waikato's main campus is located in Hamilton, a vibrant and multicultural city immersed in Indigenous Maori culture, and the University is home to 165,000 people. The University has a high acceptance rate. The University is situated on the banks of the Waikato River, Hamilton, and surrounding areas near the University, offering world-class bike trails, surf beaches and award-winning restaurants.
- The University of Waikato is committed to ensuring that the students can easily transit from the classroom into the workplace. The course content at the University includes both theoretical and practical components, and in recent years the University has offered more than 2000 industry placements and internships each year.
- The University bagged the 350th spot on the list of 1000 best universities across the globe as per the QS world rankings of 2021.
Admissions
How to Apply at University of Waikato
You have to create an account if you are a new user.
- After creating the account, log in with the saved username and password.
- Then you can select the type of qualification, keyword, location and year. The next step is to click on the search button to find your programme and course.
- Based on keywords, you will get a list of all the courses. Choose the ones you want to apply to and start filling out the form.
- Once you have selected all the details, click on the apply button.
- Fill in all the selections before reviewing and submitting your application.
Note: The University does not charge any application fees except for some courses such as DLitt, LLD and Dsc applications. The application fees for these courses are a refundable amount of NZD 500 (INR 26000).
Documents Required to Apply to University of Waikato
While the requirements for admission vary according to the department, all international students must submit the following documents :
- Academic transcripts
- English proficiency test score report
- Statement of purpose or a letter of motivation( LOM)
- Letters of recommendation( LORs)
- A copy of the passport
- Thesis or Research Proposal
- Video or audio recordings, written statements as per course
- Resume
- Financial Documents
Exams Accepted By University of Waikato
To enrol in various courses at the University of Waikato, specific requirements must be met:
| Courses | Exams |
| MS |
IELTS: Accepted TOEFL: Accepted PTE: Accepted |
| MIM |
IELTS: Accepted TOEFL: Accepted PTE: Accepted |
| MBA/PGDM |
IELTS: Accepted TOEFL: Accepted PTE: Accepted |
| B.E/B.Tech |
IELTS: Accepted TOEFL: Accepted PTE: Accepted |
| BBA |
IELTS: Accepted TOEFL: Accepted PTE: Accepted |
| Bsc |
IELTS: Accepted TOEFL: Accepted PTE: Accepted |
Undergraduate Admissions:
The University will accept any of these English test scores to prove English Proficiency:
| English Test | Minimum Score |
| PTE-A | 50 ( 42 in each skill ) |
| IELTS | 6.0 ( 5.5 in each category ) |
| CAE | 169 ( with 162 in each category) |
| CPE | 169 ( with 42 in each category ) |
| TOEFL iBT | 80( 21 in writing ) |
Graduate Programmes:
Any of these English test scores can be accepted :
| English Test | Minimum Scores |
| PTE-A | 58 ( with 50 in each skill ) |
| IELTS | 6.5 ( 6.0 in each category ) |
| CPE | 176 (162 in each band ) |
| CAE | 176 ( 169 in each band ) |
| TOEFL iBT | 90 ( 21 in writing ) |
Research Programmes :
English test scores that can be accepted :
| English Test | Minimum Score |
| PTE-A | 58 ( no communicative skill below 50) |
| IELTS | 6.5 ( band should not be less than 6.0 ) |
| TOEFL iBT | 90 ( 21 in writing ) |
Campus Life
Campus locations
Waikato
Transportation in the city
The University of Waikato offers a variety of means of transportation both on and off-campus, such as public transport, car-pooling, cycling, regional buses, the Kaimai shuttle ,or a walk to campus.
Services offered by the university
- The health services are available on both campuses. In Hamilton, students have access to nurses, doctors, counsellors and more. In Tauranga, children have a dedicated Student Health Nurse who can help them with their health concerns.
- The campus also has an extensive on campus library which is accessible to students 24×7
Student life at University of Waikato
Just 1.5 hours south of Auckland, the park-like campus in Hamilton has over 12000 students and provides a vibrant student culture reflective of its deep connection to Maori culture and community.
Student Life-
- Located in the heart of North Island, the University of Waikato is an innovative institution with a student-focused focus that makes it a great place to explore some of the best surfing and hiking spots, adventure sports, and natural wonders New Zealand has to offer.
- The University has an on-campus gym UniRec, one of the best-equipped gyms with weights and cardio equipment, personal trainers, exercise classes, physiotherapy services, a sports hall and endless pools.
On campus accomodation at University of Waikato
Students live on-campus in shared cottages in Orchard Park. Students have their bedrooms in a 4 or 6 person cottage with a shared kitchen, bathroom, and living and dining space. There is an Orchard Park recreation room for all residents to share in the community.
- The University of Waikato provides an option for on-campus housing for the students studying on the Hamilton and Tauranga campuses. A student can opt for the self-catered or full catered accommodation facilities, and the accommodation costs will vary accordingly.
- Waikato University has four halls of residence which are the perfect place to settle, and contains three galleries with fully catered and self-catered options, and the other one is self-catered solely.
- The Halls are close to the library, computer labs, and lecture theatres.
- Easy access to computers, photocopiers, fax, telephone and the internet is available.
- The rooms are regularly cleaned, fully furnished and heated.
- The atmosphere on campus is safe, friendly and supportive.
Faculty
University Faculty Stats
The University of Waikato has a balanced faculty-to-student ratio of 1:40, consisting of 599 academic staff and 12,229 students. The University's academic staff comprises several professors, associate professors, senior lecturers and other lecturers. The relationship between the academic staff and the students is cordial and beneficial to the students.
Career Opportunities
Internship opportunities at University of Waikato
The University encourages the student to gain hands-on experience to increase knowledge, enhance skills and develop industry connections. The Study + Intern programme of the University is open to all majors offered at the University of Waikato. The internship placements include opportunities in various organisations, including non-profit, corporate and government sectors. The Study abroad and exchange students have an exciting opportunity to take advantage of the work-integrated learning experience offered at the University of Waikato.
Placement of University of Waikato
After completing their degree from the University of Waikato,the average salary offered to graduates is 67000 NZD (INR 34,60,000). The highest paying job title is an accountant with 80000 NZD. The University of Waikato offers over 2000 industry placements and internships for students enrolling in undergraduate or postgraduate programmes. Career development services at the University of Waikato help to develop connections with employees through career fairs, employer campus visits and the promotion of graduate opportunities.
Popular Courses · 234
BA in Anthropology
27,210
tuition / yr
BA in Economics
27,210
tuition / yr
BA in Environmental Planning
27,210
tuition / yr
BA in Human Development
27,210
tuition / yr
BA in Law
27,210
tuition / yr
BA in Philosophy
27,210
tuition / yr
BA in Political Science
27,210
tuition / yr
BA in Psychology
27,210
tuition / yr
Last updated August 14, 2026