Application information for international undergraduate students
Discover how to apply for undergraduate students new to university or without a completed degree, such as Bachelor of Arts or Associate Degree in Applied Design.
Thank you for choosing to study at the University of Waikato. This section will guide you through the international student application process.
Check our application and enrolment dates to ensure we receive your application on time to start your study.
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Check your eligibility
You will be accepted into the University of Waikato if you meet the entry requirements and any additional requirements.
Find out if you are eligible:
Undergraduate qualifications eligibility
Postgraduate qualifications eligibility
University pathway programmes
If you do not meet the academic or English language requirements for entry you can find out how to apply for a pathway programme, or if you are ready you can apply directly using the online application form on the University of Waikato College site.
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Check tuition fees
To help you estimate the cost of your study, check out our international tuition fees.
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Choose your programme of study
Onshore students
Search our Qualifications to see what we offer. -
Apply
There are several ways to apply:
Direct Application
Once you have decided your programme of study, you can apply onlineApplying through an agent
If you think you may need some extra help in your home country, one of our approved International Recruitment Agents can assist you with submitting your application.Study Abroad or Exchange
If you are interested in short term study, and the opportunity to transfer your credits back to your home institution, you may like to Study Abroad and Exchange.Higher Research Degrees
If you are applying for a Higher research degrees program such as Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Education (EdD), Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD), Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) and Masters of Philosophy (MPhil), you should look at the PhD and Doctoral Degrees Application Process.Pathway Programmes
If you do not meet the academic or English language requirements for entry, you may choose to study a pathway programme at the University of Waikato College. Find out how to apply or if you are ready apply directly by using the online application form.
The University of Waikato also welcomes applications from students completing NCUK pathway programmes.Apply for Credit or Recognition of Prior Learning
If you have previously undertaken tertiary or non-formal education, you may apply for Credit (for formal studies) or Recognition of Prior Learning (for non-formal studies). This recognises your previous studies and can reduce the number of papers required to complete your University of Waikato qualification. You need to apply at least six weeks prior to your first trimester of study. Find out more, including how to apply, on our Credits and Transfer page. -
Scholarships
You may be eligible for one of our scholarships In most cases you will need to submit a separate application.
Congratulations!
You have now successfully applied to study at the University of Waikato. We will be in touch if we require any additional information or documentation to support your application.
If your application has been successful, you will be sent a formal or conditional offer of place to the email address you used to create your account (or from your authorised agent).
This means you have been given a place at the University of Waikato.
What’s next?
Learn more about how to accept your offer and prepare to start your study with us.
Onshore students
For students who will join us on-campus in New Zealand, please refer to the On-campus Student Enrolment Guide for steps on how to complete your enrolment. This guide is simple to follow and includes screenshots which will take you through the full enrolment process in MyWaikato.
Please note you will need to be in New Zealand on a valid visa. Most international students apply for an International Student Visa or Pathway Student Visa.
Offshore students who start studying online
For students who are studying with us online until they can join us in New Zealand, please refer to the Offshore/online Student Enrolment Guide for steps on how to complete your enrolment. This guide is simple to follow and includes screenshots which will take you through the full enrolment process in MyWaikato.
You do not need a student visa to commence your studies online while you are living outside of New Zealand. However, when you are ready to come to New Zealand to continue your studies face-to-face, you will need to apply for a student visa before travelling.
When the time comes, to ensure you arrive in New Zealand with everything you need to complete your enrolment, and to settle into your new home, check out our pre-departure info.
Entrance guidelines for students from selected countries
The following admission guidelines do not guarantee entry into a programme of study. Each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
The following programmes have additional prerequisites/entrance requirements and/or an additional selection process may apply. These may vary depending on the individual major or specialisation that you choose. Please see the relevant qualification page for further details:
- Bachelor of Engineering (Hons)
- Bachelor of Computer Science
- Bachelor of Laws
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Teaching
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Country |
Score and Qualification |
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New Zealand |
See NCEA University Entrance criteria |
| University of Waikato Foundation Studies, (Certificate in Foundation Studies – CAFS) |
The Certificate of Attainment in Foundation Studies - no less than a C- grade in any subject plus a B- grade or better in two English subjects.
Entry to the Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) requires an overall B- grade average, plus a B- grade or better in two English subjects and depending on the area chosen:
Civil, Electronic, and Mechanical • a B- grade in Bridging Physics and
• a B- grade in Bridging Chemistry
• a B- grade in Bridging Calculus and
Data Analytics • a B- grade in FOUND007 and
• a B- grade in FOUND007 and
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New Zealand foundation programmes |
Successful completion of any of the foundation certificates offered by a New Zealand university. |
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NCUK International Foundation Year (IFY) |
Completion of NCUK International Foundation Year (IFY) with BBB or above. Some programmes have additional entry requirements. For further details, visit our dedicated NCUK information page. |
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NCUK International Year One (IYOne) Entry to Bachelor of Business Year 2, Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) Year 2 (selected streams) |
Completion of NCUK International Year One (IYOne) Business and Engineering Streams, 120 credits with an average score of 50 or above. Some programmes have additional entry requirements. For further details, visit our dedicated NCUK information page. |
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Other foundation programmes |
The University of New South Wales Foundation Year – a minimum GPA of 6.5 (C grade) with an 8.0 in Academic English. Professional programmes such as law and engineering will require higher passes in prerequisite subjects. The University accepts applicants from a number of foundation programmes offered in New Zealand, Australia, the UK and elsewhere. Please contact the University to find out if your programme is accepted for entry to Waikato. |
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Advanced Placement International Diploma (APID) |
Applicants must have qualified for the diploma with grades of 3 or higher in each of at least 4 subjects. |
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Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) or Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) |
A minimum of 120 points on the New Zealand CAIE Tariff at A or AS level, including at least three subjects (excluding Thinking Skills) in which no grade is lower than D. Standards apply regarding literacy and numeracy and applicants should refer to Section 2 – Admissions at entrance level. |
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GCE A Levels (Outside UK Cambridge) |
Applicants must achieve a minimum of 6 points taken from three subjects, achieving a minimum grade of C in at least one subject. Points calculated as follows: A = 5, B = 4, C = 3, D = 2, E = 1. AS Level grades are not included. To meet the English language requirements, you are required to obtain an E (pass) grade in an approved English-intensive GCE A-Level subjects |
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International Baccalaureate (taken in NZ or overseas) |
Completed International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma with a minimum of 24 points. |
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Learning Resource Network - International GCSE and International AS/A Levels |
Applicants must satisfy both the Part A and Part B requirements.
PART A (General Requirement)
Literacy • An E grade or better in English Language at AS or A level.
• a C grade or better in GCSE mathematics, or |
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Pearson Edexcel International A levels |
Applicants must satisfy both the Part A and Part B requirements.
Part A
Part B Literacy • An E grade or better in any one of AS English Language, Literature in English (A D grade or better will also satisfy one of the syllabus subject requirements of Part A).
• A D grade or better in IGCSE mathematics, or |
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Australia |
Australian Tertiary Admission Rank of 70 or higher or QLD OP of 14 or lower (if sat prior to 2020). This also applies to students studying Australian qualifications outside Australia, such as the South Australian Matriculation (SAM) and the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE). |
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Bangladesh |
Successful completion of one year of study at a recognised institution of university standing. |
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Brazil |
Successful completion of one year of study at a recognised institution of university standing. |
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Canada |
Ontario Secondary School Diploma – 65% overall average grade. Quebec Grade 12 Certificate – average of 60% across six subjects (including English). British Columbia Certificate of Graduation - pass in at least five Grade 12 courses. |
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Chile |
Successful completion of one year of study at a recognised institution of university standing |
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China |
67% of the full mark for the Arts stream and 64% of the full mark for the Sciences stream, or the China Provincial Gaokao tier one mark if it is lower. To see the full list, please refer to 2024 Gaokao cut-off scores. |
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Colombia |
Successful completion of Tecnólogo Especializado at a recognised tertiary institution; or Successful completion of one year of study at a recognised institution of university standing. |
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Fiji |
Fiji Form 7 – an aggregate over 4 subjects of 250 marks out of 400 with a minimum of 50 in English. University of the South Pacific (USP) Foundation Year in Arts, Business or Science with a grade average of B or higher and no grade lower than C in the 8 required courses. |
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France |
Successful completion of Diplome du Baccalaureat. |
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Germany |
Successful completion of Abitur or Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife. |
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Ghana |
One year's successful bachelor degree level study at a recognised institution of university standing with good passing grades. |
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Hong Kong |
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education with a score of 15, based on aggregate of best five (5) subjects, from any combination of Core and Category A and C electives. This excludes Category B (Applied Learning) subjects. |
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India |
Achieve an average of 75% over the best four academic subjects in the Indian School Certificate (ISC), or the All-India Senior School Certificate (AISSC), and selected state boards: Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal with a minimum of 60% in English, or:An average of 80% over the best four academic subjects in all other state boards with Minimum of 65% in English. |
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Indonesia |
An overall average of 8.5/80% or more in SMA; or Successful completion of one year of study at a recognised institution of university standing; or Successful completion of a Diploma II from a recognised tertiary institution. |
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Japan |
Completion of a high school diploma with a B average; or One year of successful study at a Japanese university; or Completion of a Junior College Diploma of two or three years' duration. |
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Korea |
National College Scholastic Aptitude Test (CSAT) with a minimum score of 250. |
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Kuwait |
Successful completion of General Secondary Education Certificate with an overall average of 80% (calculated on academic subjects only). |
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Malaysia |
Foundation Studies (Business) - KDU College, Petaling Jaya with B average.Malaysian Matrikulation Certificate (Matrikulasi) - Cumulative minimum GPA of 2.5 (Calculated on the basis that A=4.0, A-=3.67, B+=3.33, B=3.0, B-=2.67, C+=2.33, C=2.0, C-=1.67, D+=1.33, D=1.0, F=0).A minimum of 6 points obtained from at least three Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) subjects. Points calculated as follows: A = 5, A-+4, B+=4, B=3, B-=2, C+=2, C=1; or, Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) of the Malaysian independent Chinese Secondary System with a maximum of 20 points over 5 academic subjects. |
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Nigeria |
One year's successful bachelor degree level study at a recognised institution of university standing with good passing grades. Completion of Nigerian National Diploma. |
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Norway |
Successful completion of the Vitnemal fra den Videregaende Skole (Certificate of Upper Secondary Education). |
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Oman |
One year of successful study at a recognised institution of university standing. |
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Pakistan |
One year of successful study at a recognised institution of university standing. |
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Philippines |
Successful completion of Philippines High School Diploma (Academic Track) with a minimum grade requirement of 85%. |
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Saudi Arabia |
Successful completion of a diploma at a recognised College of Technology; or One year of successful study at bachelor’s level, at a recognised institution of university standing. |
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Singapore |
A levels / H levels: A minimum of 3 H2 passes at C grade. (Pre-2008 = 3 A-level passes).. |
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South Africa |
Successful completion of the National Senior Certificate with confirmation of eligibility to enrol in a bachelor’s degree at a South African university. |
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South Pacific countries (not individually listed) |
South Pacific Form Seven Certificate (SPFSC) with a minimum of three B grades. All students must have Grade 5 or better in PSSC English and Grade 6 or better in PSSC Maths. |
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Sri Lanka |
Sri Lankan General Certificate of Education Advanced Levels with at least three C grades achieved. At least one year of successful tertiary level study at a recognised University or Institution. |
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Taiwan |
One year of university study; or Senior high school and a two-year Junior College Diploma; or Junior high school and a five-year Junior College Diploma. |
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Thailand |
Mathayom 6 with a minimum GPA of 3.2 |
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Tonga |
Successful completion of Tonga National Form Seven; or South Pacific Form Seven Certificate (SPFSC) with a minimum of three B grades. All students must have Grade 5 or better in PSSC English and Grade 6 or better in PSSC Maths. |
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UAE |
Successful completion of a Higher Diploma from a recognised Higher College of Technology; or One year of successful study at bachelor’s level at a recognised institution of university standing. |
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United Kingdom (A Levels) |
Applicants must achieve a minimum of 6 points taken from three subjects, achieving a minimum grade of C in at least one subject. Points calculated as follows: A = 5, B = 4, C = 3, D = 2, E = 1. AS Level grades are not included. |
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USA |
Completion of USA High School Diploma with a GPA of 2.5 in grade 12; or High School Diploma plus SAT (taken in grade 12) score of at least 1000 combining Critical Reading and Mathematics scores; or High School Diploma and ACT scores with at least 24 in every section; or completion of the GED with 660 overall (145 min in each subject).1
1Please note this criteria also applies to SAT, ACT, and GED taken in grade 12 from any other country. |
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Vietnam |
Complete the National High School Graduation Examination (Kỳ Thi Tốt Nghiệp Trung Học Phổ Thông Quốc Gia) with an overall pass; and a minimum GPA of 8.0/10 in Grade 12 as shown in the High School Report (Học Bạ Trung Học Phổ Thông)
OR
Successfully complete at least one year of Bachelor's degree at a recognised university in Vietnam, with passing grades in all courses. |
Recognised tertiary institutions and universities are those acknowledged as offering programme equivalent to those of Waikato. To find out whether your institution or university is recognised, please contact international@waikato.ac.nz
English language entry requirements
The University of Waikato accepts a number of alternative tests and pathways to meet the English language entry requirements. Please see the equivalency documents for the full list below. Please note these guidelines are subject to review.
- IELTS Indicator (this is an online version of the regular IELTS test)
Students submitting the IELTS Indicator will be required to undertake a supplementary language assessment.
- Duolingo English Test (DET) with the following scores:
- DET score of 95 for pre-degree programmes (IELTS 5.5 equivalent)
- DET score of 105 for undergraduate/graduate programmes (excluding those listed below)
- DET score of 120 for postgraduate programmes (excluding doctoral programmes)
The University of Waikato accepts Duolingo (DET) as an alternative means of meeting the English language entry requirements for the majority of its programmes (excluding all Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes and LLB). For doctoral students using DET to gain admission, you will be required to undertake a supplementary assessment prior to an offer being issued.
The University teaches in the medium of English and requires all students to demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English.
If you are an international student, you will need to meet English language entry requirements. If you do not meet the English language requirement for your chosen qualification, you can enrol in an Academic English programme with our University of Waikato College.
If you have successfully completed study in the medium of English, you may be considered for an English language waiver. Please see the 'Equivalent qualifications' section below for more details.
For entry requirements to professional qualifications such as Law, Initial Teacher Education (ITE), and Nursing please refer to the Undergraduate English Language Requirements document below.
|
English language test |
Undergraduate, graduate certificates, and graduate diplomas (all courses except those listed below) |
|
IELTS (Academic) |
6.0 overall (no band less than 5.5) |
|
iBT (internet-based) TOEFL |
80 with a score of 21 in writing |
|
iBT (home-based) TOEFL |
80 with a score of 21 in writing |
| C2 Proficiency (formally known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)) | 169 and no bands below 162 |
| Language Cert International ESOL (LRWS) | B2 Communicator with 33-37 score per skill |
| NCUK English for Academic Purposes | Minimum C grade average with no lower than D in all components. Some programmes have additional entry requirements. For further details, visit our dedicated NCUK information page. |
|
New Zealand Certificate in English Language (NZCEL) |
Level 4 (Academic) |
| Michigan English Test (formally known as Michigan Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)) | Minimum score of 54 |
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Pearson PTE Academic |
Overall score of 50 with no Band less than 42 |
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Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) |
II with distinction in all four components |
|
University of Waikato College |
Successful completion of Level 7 with a B grade in the Certificate of Attainment in Academic English (CAAE) programme |
Equivalent qualifications
If you have successfully completed study in the medium of English, or you have taken an English language assessment not listed, please refer to the documents below. These documents list all approved alternatives to our English language entry requirements.
Special admission
Students over 20 years of age with successful post-secondary education and/or work experience may be considered for special admission to a Bachelor degree if they do not meet academic requirements.
The Faculties or Schools of Studies may place students admitted on the basis of special admission in a restricted programme of studies.
Pre-degree programmes
If you do not meet the entry requirements the University has English language and academic pre-degree programmes available that can help you gain direct entry into a university programme.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
An officially verified document is a photocopy of an original document that has been signed and dated by an authorised person who can confirm that it is identical to the original. This could be a Justice of the Peace, solicitor, barrister, Notary public, court registrar, school principal, official of the issuing institution (either in New Zealand or overseas), an embassy, high commission, or consulate general.
This person will need to see the original document and verify that the photocopy is a genuine, unaltered copy. They will then sign, date, and stamp the photocopy with an official stamp or write 'certified original sighted, and this is a true copy of that original'.
University staff at the Student Administration desk on campus or the University of Waikato registered educational staff can also verify your documents.
You may submit scanned copies of your documents for assessment purposes, but you will need to provide hard copies or scanned verified documents prior to enrolment. Please check your offer letter to see what you need to provide.
There are several ways you can gain admission to the University. Find out about university entry requirements.
Some programmes require applicants to provide additional information, references, undergo police vetting and/or complete an interview. Please refer to the individual programme pages for more information.
The University does not offer any extramural courses, however there are some papers that are offered via the net. This information can be found using Find a Paper and filtering by 'Online'.
Contact us on 0800 WAIKATO or +64 7 807 9275 and we can put you in touch with one of our International Student Advisers who can assist you.
120 points per year is considered full-time study. This generally equates to eight first year papers however this varies across faculties.
We offer a choice of foundation and international diploma programmes that provide the preparation needed for undergraduate studies. Specialist teachers will support you in developing the core study skills, subject knowledge, and English language level required to succeed.
No.
The Halls of Residence offer accommodation on the assumption that the student will be accepted into the University of Waikato.
Once your enrolment is complete, we will need a photograph of you to produce your student ID Card. Learn more about Student ID cards.
Course literature and required textbooks will be published in the course outline. The course outline is only available to students that are fully enrolled and is usually released a few days before the first lecture. You will not require textbooks for the first week of lectures.
It is helpful to bring a refill pad or tablet etc, a pen and a print out of the course outline (as the first lecture will generally be based around this document).