Before you apply
Follow the instructions below to plan your Waikato experience. The Study Abroad & Exchange team are here to help if you have any questions along the way.
It’s important to discuss your study abroad or exchange experience with your institution first so they can help you decide which study abroad experience suits you best. Your institution will send us an email on your behalf to nominate you.
If you are applying as a direct student, independent of your institution, please email our team at studyabroad@waikato.ac.nz to self-nominate.
Students planning to study abroad at the University of Waikato must have met the following eligibility criteria:
- Have completed at least two trimesters/semesters of study
- Be currently enrolled at a recognised tertiary institution
- Met the English Language Requirements (if applicable)
- If you have successfully completed study in English or taken an English language assessment not listed, please refer to our Undergraduate English Language Requirements.
- Meet the papers (units or modules) prerequisite requirement (if applicable)
Please note: our partner universities often require a minimum of a B-grade average or equivalent for enrolling in study abroad and exchange programmes.
The University of Waikato follows the Southern Hemisphere academic calendar and is split into three (3) periods of study, A, B and C trimester, with A and B trimesters making up the main academic year. A Trimester is also known as Spring semester and B Trimester as Fall Semester.
Read through our key academic dates page to get more familiar.
A Trimester dates
Late February – Late June
Also known as Spring Semester
Approximate Dates:
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Move-in: Mid-February
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Orientation: Mid to late February
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Classes begin: Late February
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Trimester break: Mid-April (2 weeks)
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Classes end: Late May
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Final exams: Mid-June (2 weeks)
B Trimester dates
Early July – Early November
Also known as Fall Semester
Approximate Dates:
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Move-in: Late June
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Orientation: Early July
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Classes begin: Early-Mid July
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Trimester break: Late August (2 weeks)
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Classes end: Early October
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Final exams: Late October (2 weeks)
C Trimester dates
Late November – Mid-February
Study Abroad & Exchange students don't typically start classes with us during the C Trimester. But if you're studying with us in B Trimester, you have the chance to continue studying in C Trimester.
If you wish to study with us during C Trimester, please email studyabroad@waikato.ac.nz
After you have been nominated, you will receive a formal welcome letter from our Study Abroad team with application instructions.
Contact studyabroad@waikato.ac.nz if you have not received instructions from us.
This will be outlined in the welcome email you received from us. If your university is listed on our exchange partners page, please check with your adviser if you're nominated to study at Waikato as an exchange student, as some of our partners are both exchange and study abroad.
If your university is not listed, then please apply as a study abroad student.
You will need:
- Transcript(s) from current and previous tertiary (university level) study. This must be a scanned copy signed & stamped by your home university or an official electronic copy. If your transcript is not in English, include the transcript in the original language and an official English translation.
- Evidence of English language proficiency (if applicable)
- A scanned copy of your passport photo page - make sure it is clear and easy to read.
You do not need to submit your high school/secondary transcript.
A Trimester deadline: 1 December
B Trimester deadline: 1 May
If you haven’t already, check the tuition fees associated with your Study Abroad or Exchange experience.
At Waikato, courses are called papers. Typically, each paper is worth 15 Waikato points. Most students choose to take 4 papers each trimester.
Requirements for each trimester:
- Minimum: 45 Waikato points | 12 US Credits | 22.5 ECTS
- Maximum: 60 Waikato points | 16 US Credits | 30 ECTS
Ensure that your papers match the trimester you're planning to study at Waikato.
Ensure your chosen papers are being taught at your chosen campus (Hamilton or Tauranga).
Check the prerequisites (or proof of prior knowledge) for the papers you are interested in. You will find a list of prerequisites on each paper page.
Visit the Info for New Students page to learn more about the Waikato academic system, including paper names and codes, timetables, lectures, and assessments.
Feel confident you are ready to apply? Head to our How to Apply page to learn how to submit your application.