Key university dates
Our key university dates for the academic year include trimester dates, public and university holidays.
2026 key dates
October 2026
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Friday 16 | Final teaching day of Trimester B |
| Monday 19 | Trimester B study week begins |
| Monday 19-Tuesday 20 |
Graduation ceremonies - Hamilton |
| Monday 26 |
Labour Day |
| Tuesday 27 |
Trimester B examinations begin |
November 2026
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Friday 6 |
Trimester B examinations end |
| Monday 9 | Teaching recess begins |
| Monday 16 | Trimester C and Teaching Period G begin |
December 2026
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Friday 18 | Teaching Period G ends |
| Monday 21 |
Trimester C mid-trimester recess begins — University Holiday begins (provisional dates) |
| Wednesday 23 |
University closed until Tuesday 5 January 2027 |
| Thursday 24 | Christmas Eve |
| Friday 25 | Christmas Day |
| Monday 28 | Boxing Day observed |
Application and enrolment dates
It's never too early to start your application to study at Waikato. You can apply online (opens in a new tab) or contact us on 0800 WAIKATO.
New students and all returning students
- Any person who wishes to enrol at the University must submit an application to enrol by the relevant deadline.
- Applications submitted after the deadline may be accepted if space is available.
- Apply online at waikato.ac.nz/study/apply
Contact us about choosing a programme of study
Change of enrolment dates
Deadlines for changing the papers you're enrolled in, deleting papers (with a refund of the prescribed fees) or withdrawing from papers (without a refund) are found in the Change of Enrolment Regulations.
Contact us about application and enrolment
Research/thesis programmes dates
Application closing dates will be 31st January, 31st May and 30th September. Applications must be completed online and received before midnight (NZ time) on the deadline of the application round for which you are applying.