University of Waikato

New Zealand

The University of Waikato dates back to 1960 when the Hamilton Teachers’ College was established and the university itself was founded in 1964. It merged with the Teachers’ College in 1990. The university’s main campus is in Hamilton with an additional campus in Tauranga. There are currently just over 13,000 students including more than 1,700 international students from around the world.

Waikato is ranked 331st in the QS World University Rankings 2023 and is in the top 300 by subject for 9 different subjects. These include Accounting & Finance, Education, English Language & Literature, Geography, Law, Philosophy and Sociology. It has also been given an overall rating of 5 QS Stars for its research quality and commitment to making a positive contribution.

What is the University of Waikato acceptance rate for International Students?

The University of Waikato acceptance rate is 60-70%.

Read more

Courses

Show All
Undergraduate
Postgraduate
Doctorate

Trending Subjects

Facilities

Overview
Accommodation
Student Life

The University of Waikato's academic departments are grouped into divisions, faculties and schools and it has over 100 lecture and seminar rooms. The Library: Te Whare Pukapuka, contains large volumes of print and digital resources, bookable study spaces and educational support to enhance student learning. The Student Centre provides academic advice and career guidance.

The Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts is a state-of-the-art facility that hosts various cultural and artistic events. The campus also features world-class sporting facilities, including a gymnasium, sports fields, and recreational spaces. The University of Waikato is committed to creating an enriching environment to ensure students have access to the resources and opportunities necessary for a well-rounded academic experience.

Affordable Living

Hamilton is a vibrant student city but also one that comes with much lower living costs than many other cities in New Zealand. This means cheaper rent, food and public transportation costs.

International Welcome

International students at the University of Waikato can choose to be a part of a Buddy Programme. This pairs them with an existing student who can guide them through life in New Zealand and at the university.

Location

Hamilton is a vibrant student city but also one that comes with much lower living costs than many other cities in New Zealand. This means cheaper rent, food and public transportation costs. Hamilton is a great place to experience the best of New Zealand, with beaches just an hour away by car and ski slopes three hours' drive away.

Auckland is also an easy car journey away. Meanwhile, there are caves and mountains to explore on day trips and Hobbiton from the Lord of the Rings movies. International students at the University of Waikato can choose to be a part of a Buddy Programme. This pairs them with an existing student who can guide them through life in New Zealand and at the university.

Gallery

Employability

The Careers & Employability team at the University of Waikato provides students and graduates (within two years of graduation) with career development tools and support. This includes 1-2-1 appointments, career chats, workshops, mock interviews and employer events and visits, including Career Expos. They also offer the Employability Plus Programme where students can receive recognition for community volunteering, supporting university events and attending workshops. This can help boost their chances of standing out from the crowd when it comes to applying for jobs after graduating.

FAQs

The University of Waikato acceptance rate is 60-70%.

The University of Waikato is ranked 373rd in the QS World University Rankings and 83rd in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

icon

Approx. 2000

No. of international students

Ranking

  • by QS

    250th