Location
  • New Zealand
    • Hamilton
Term
Academic Year, Fall, Spring
Health & Safety

Program Details

Program Type
Direct Enrollment
University
University of Waikato
Degree Level
Bachelors Masters
Housing
Apartment Dormitory Host Family
Language
English

Pricing

Starting Price
8500
Price Details
Study abroad fee (per semester): $13,400 NZD
Student health insurance (per semester): $420 NZD
The study abroad fee includes tuition, student services fees, transcript, and airport pick-up on arrival to Auckland International Airport.
What's Included
Airport Transfers Classes Travel Insurance Wifi
What's Not Included
Accommodation Activities Airfare Meals Visa
Aug 07, 2023
Jun 09, 2020
39 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Kia ora, welcome to the University of Waikato! Our campuses are located in the cities of Hamilton and Tauranga, both are in the heart of the North Island, making it a great hub to explore some of the best surfing, hiking, adventure sports, and Maori culture in our stunning country.
Hamilton is centrally located in the Mighty Waikato region and is our larger campus with 9,000 students, offering a wide range of subjects. Tauranga has 1,500 students with more select academic offerings.

Our motto, Ko te tangata, for the people, drives our student-focused mission. Voted one of the friendliest universities in the country, we pride ourselves on top-notch student support and are committed to ensuring you have an unforgettable study abroad experience. Learn from award-winning lecturers in small class sizes. Study, live, and socialise on our beautiful self-contained residential campus.

Study at Waikato and explore the best of what New Zealand has to offer.

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion

LGBTQIA+ Support

The Rainbow Staff/Student Alliance is a group for staff and students and provides a forum for networking, discussion and progression of takatāpui and LGBTIQ+ issues.

Neurodivergent Support

Neurodivergent support is housed in our wider Accessibility support at the University of Waikato. They are a small dedicated team, with a strong focus on providing a quality robust service that works for the students who engage with us. Our aim is to provide all students at the University of Waikato chances to succeed academically regardless of whatever impairments they may be experiencing and to have the opportunity to have a positive and engaging student experience.

Accessibility Support

The University of Waikato is committed to providing equity in education and works to ensure that students with impairments have access to all areas of campus life and the student experience. Our Accessibility Service strives to make our University more inclusive and accessible as well as having equity of opportunity for success.

Although registration is welcome at any time, all students with impairments or support needs are encouraged to register with Accessibility Services before coming to University or very early in their studies.

Impact

Sustainability

The United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) underpin all of our activities as an institution, and serve as a valuable framework for how we're addressing some of the biggest challenges facing humanity through our research, teaching, operations and external engagement. Our aspiration is for both a healthy and connected environment and fair and inclusive communities, acknowledging that neither can exist without each other.

Ethical Impact

The 2023 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings confirm the University of Waikato is making excellent progress when it comes to aligning its research, teaching, campus operations and engagement to the biggest challenges facing the world today.

The University is 92nd out of the 1,591 institutions ranked by THE worldwide, retaining its place in the top 100.

Program Highlights

  • Many study options: Almost all courses are open to study abroad and exchange students, making it easy to get the credits you need
  • Vibrant student life: Create memories within a vibrant and diverse student atmosphere through our Buddy Programme and wide range of student clubs and off-campus events
  • Affordable living costs: Experience the perks of city life with lower prices when compared to larger cities
  • Extensive international student support: our dedicated team provide assistance in the many areas and processes, that an international student would encounter on their adventure abroad
  • On campus accommodation is guaranteed for our international students

Popular Programs

Internship

Intern in a New Zealand based organisation while studying abroad at the University of Waikato. Through hands-on experience, you will increase your knowledge while enhancing your business acumen and developing invaluable industry connections. You will spend your time in an organisation applying your knowledge to solve a real-world problem or contributing to a live project. Completing an internship alongside your academic studies will give you practical skills and enhance your employability.

Scuba research project

Apply your science knowledge to hands-on research and learning through our capstone research projects. Work with world-renowned faculty in areas of animal behaviour, chemistry, coastal processes, earth sciences, ecology and biodiversity, environmental sciences, hydrology and more. Opportunities in marine conservation, rewilding rivers, teaching molecular science to school children, or remote field work on the Chatham Islands.
*Fall only*

Work in teams of multidisciplinary students from around the university

Enrol in one of our Impact Lab courses where we simulate real-world experiences through multidisciplinary teams by providing a forum for pan-divisional collaboration between students. Work on real sustainability issues faced by our surrounding communities, developing solutions in a team with a wide range of qualifications and majors.

Engineering projects

The Engineering Design show, showcases the incredible innovations, gizmos and projects of our amazing professional engineering students. Design, build, and compete - remote control boats, mini robots, bridge design, automated harvesters, construction structures - there are many different projects to choose from.
For engineering students of all levels. Fall only (B trimester)

Program Reviews

4.60 Rating
based on 5 reviews
  • 5 rating 60%
  • 4 rating 40%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.2
  • Support 4.2
  • Fun 4.4
  • Housing 4.6
  • Safety 4.8
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Default avatar
Danielle
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fabulous

This is such a fantastic way to learn more about Maori Culture and the great many adventures New Zealand has to offer. Many of their trips to places were organized and unique, like no other place I've been. The Professors are all very helpful and welcoming. Uni Week is a fun/wild time of meeting everybody! Incredible how the University handled the Covid-19 situation and everyone rallied together. The campus is beautiful, and the style of learning is VERY different than America. Very laid back, but when finals hit, they hit hard, so be ready. The best decision is to study here.

91 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Sophie
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great place to learn, not only about other cultures, but about your own as well

I really enjoyed taking Psychology and Māori & Indigenous courses at the University of Waikato for a semester. All the university staff are friendly and helpful. The professors for all my courses were approachable and engaging!
I took MAORI101, MAORI102, MAORI103, and PSYCH202 and would highly recommend all of these courses. Learning te reo and more about the Māori world has been super fun. PSYCH202 was amazing and actually changed the direction I want to go with my degree and what I want to do after graduation.
The campus its self is beautiful and welcoming. I loved going for walks around the lakes and sports fields.
The only thing that I found was a bit lacking was support for any mental health challenges. Everyone who works at the uni is very friendly but it was unclear where I should go to get extra support.
Overall studying at the University of Waikato has been an amazing life changing experience and a great chance to see the world while studying!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would have stepped further outside of my comfort zone and made more of an attempt to make new friends right out the gate!
91 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Dennis
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Master thesis at University of Waikato

I was not taking any classes at Waikato, and thus also was not automatically involved in the international students life - but after some start difficulties this was all ok, and i had an awesome time!
New Zealand is an awesome country for an exchange, mostly if you like beautiful landscapes and travelling. It offers some of the most stunning views and most breathtaking hikes i've ever seen. The University itself is good and offers good classes in a nice, familial environment. The city is well situated, but rather calm. No problem for me, i loved my time around here!

What would you improve about this program?
The international office and the student associations dealing with the internationals are doing a good job, but seem to be rather new in the business - and they seem to be missing their own exchange experience. A pity.
Coming to an exchange, help with housing is good, and also with finding classes. This is provided. But i also expected to have some cultural gatherings and, yes, also some organised parties for the internationals. New Zealand has a rather... reserved approach on alcohol, so the Uni doesn't want to be involved with anything party-like. This is very sad, as these gatherings also offer an opportunity to meet new people, and make friends also outside of the typical university atmosphere
91 people found this review helpful.
Jordan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

MN to NZ

One of the most amazing experiences I had was the beginning of the semester games we played against the other halls. We got to swim in the pool, and play all sorts of games and challenges with our hall and against others. It really brought us all together and made me feel a connection with the kiwis and the university. It was a fun time and I think a great idea to bring people out of their comfort zone and warm up to the change of Uni.

What would you improve about this program?
Stronger Uni-student interaction. More efficient interactions that do occur. More trip offerings (if affordable).
97 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Rebekka
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Do it!

A+ campus in an A+ country where people walk around barefoot and eat spagetti on their toast! Get to know yourself, new people, travel and soak in the culture. Plus interesting papers & helpful staff!

What would you improve about this program?
More low key 'get to know each other' activities for internationals and locals. It can be tough taking the step out there and a little kick in the butt is usually much appreciated (after some time at least!).
Beachday with social games at Raglan, bowling, the leap, pot-lock dinner, share your culture nights, boardgame night and/or championships. Movienights. Speed dating/ friend dating, pokernight, picnic at the field, the list goes on! :) and of course adventure trips like hobbiton, bungi/skydive, caves, maori experiences and such that you had while I was there! :)
80 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers