Criteria for Admission to Particular Qualifications

In addition to meeting the Admission requirements below, applicants whose first language is not English or Māori are required to provide satisfactory evidence of English language proficiency, generally in the form of an IELTS (academic) or TOEFL examination score (see the English Language Requirements for Admission)

On this page:

• Part 1: Admission to Bachelors Degrees
• Part 2: Admission to Certificates and Diplomas
• Part 3: Re-entry for Returning Students
• Part 4: Admission for Transferring Students
• Part 5: Exclusion for Unsatisfactory Progress from Particular Papers
• Part 6: Appeals

Part 1
Admission to Bachelors Degrees¹

1. Admission to the

Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Bachelor of Banking, Finance and Technology (BBFinTech)
Bachelor of Business (BBus)
Bachelor of Business Analysis (BBA)
Bachelor of Climate Change (BCC)
Bachelor of Communication (BC)
Bachelor of Computer Science (BCompSc)
Bachelor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences with Honours (BCMS(Hons))
Bachelor of Design (BDes)
Bachelor of Environmental Planning (BEP)
Bachelor of Health (BHealth)
Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance (BHSHP)
Bachelor of Science (BSc)
Bachelor of Science (Technology) (BSc(Tech))
Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc) degrees
Applicants for the above degrees must fulfil the academic criteria listed below:

1. 1. University Entrance²

Applicants who have achieved University Entrance through NCEA will be accepted into the degrees listed above.

1. 2. Discretionary Entrance³

Applicants will normally be granted Discretionary Entrance if they have gained a total of at least 80 credits in NCEA at Level 2 in four subjects equivalent to the approved subjects for University Entrance in NCEA at Level 3, with a minimum grade of Merit in at least half of the achievement standards for each subject. Applicants must also have satisfied the numeracy and literacy requirements of University Entrance.

Applications must be supported by the applicant’s school principal or a University Student Recruitment Adviser.

1. 3. Special Admission

Applicants will be considered on a case by case basis. Applicants 20 years old and over by the beginning of their programme of study will be accepted, except those that are clearly insufficiently prepared for academic study. Preference may be given to applicants who have successfully completed appropriate University of Waikato College bridging programmes.

1. 4. Admission at entrance level or with credit from previous study forBachelor of Arts (BA)
      Bachelor of Banking, Finance and Technology (BBFinTech)
      Bachelor of Design (BDes)
      Bachelor of Environmental Planning (BEP)
      Bachelor of Health (BHealth)
      Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance (BHSHP)
      Bachelor of Media and Creative Technologies (BMCT)
      Bachelor of Science (BSc) with respect to the majors listed under section 6(b) of the Bachelor of Science regulations
      Bachelor of Science (Technology) (BSc(Tech))
      Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc) degrees

      1. Applicants will be considered on a case by case basis bearing in mind patterns of admission which have applied in previous years and the standing of the qualification in New Zealand.

      2. Admission from the University of Waikato Certificate of Attainment in Foundation Studies, or equivalent⁴
         Applicants seeking admission with a Certificate of Attainment in Foundation Studies will be accepted¹ into the qualifications listed above provided that they have achieved

         1. no less than a C- grade in any paper, and

         2. a B- grade or better in each of FOUND021 and FOUND022 to satisfy the minimum English language requirement for undergraduate study.

Applicants not satisfying these requirements will be assessed on a case by case basis.

1. 1. 1. 3. Admission from the University of Waikato Certificate of University Preparation.
            Applicants who have successfully completed the Certificate of University Preparation with no less than a C- grade in any paper will be accepted¹ into the qualifications listed above.

Applicants not satisfying this requirement will be assessed on a case by case basis.

1. 5. Admission at entrance level or with credit from previous study forBachelor of Business (BBus)
      Bachelor of Computer Science (BCompSc)
      Bachelor of Science (BSc) with respect to the majors listed under section 6(a) of the Bachelor of Science regulations, degrees
      1. Applicants will be considered on a case by case basis bearing in mind patterns of admission which have applied in previous years and the standing of the qualification in New Zealand
      2. Admission from the University of Waikato Certificate of Attainment in Foundation Studies, or equivalent⁴
         Applicants seeking admission with a Certificate of Attainment in Foundation Studies will be accepted¹ into the qualifications listed above provided that they have achieved.
         1. no less than a C- grade in any paper, and
         2. a B- grade or better in each of FOUND021 and FOUND022 to satisfy the minimum English language requirement for undergraduate study.

Applicants not satisfying these requirements will be assessed on a case by case basis.

1. 5. 3. Admission from the University of Waikato Certificate of University Preparation
         Applicants who have successfully completed the Certificate of University Preparation and achieved an overall B- grade average, with no less than a C- grade in any paper, will be accepted¹ into the qualifications listed above.
         Applicants not satisfying this requirement will be assessed on a case by case basis.

      4. Admission from the International Diploma (Business)
         Applicants who have successfully completed the requirements of the International Diploma (Business) with no less than a C- grade in any paper, and have not been awarded the Diploma, will be accepted, with credit transferred from that programme, into the Bachelor of Business.

         Applicants not satisfying this requirement will be assessed on a case by case basis.

      5. Admission from the International Diploma (Computer Science)
         Applicants who have successfully completed the International Diploma (Computer Science) with no less than a C- grade in any papers, and have not been awarded the Diploma, will be accepted into the Bachelor of Computer Science.

         Applicants not satisfying this requirement will be assessed on a case by case basis.

      6. Admission from the International Diploma (Computer Science)
         Applicants seeking admission into the Bachelor of Science with a major in either Applied Computing, Computer Science or Data Analytics will be accepted into this qualification, with credit, upon completing the International Diploma (Computer Science) with no less than a C- grade in any paper, and having not been awarded the Diploma.

         Applicants not satisfying this requirement will be assessed on a case by case basis.

   6. Admission at entrance level or with credit from previous study forBachelor of Communication (BC)
      Bachelor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences with Honours (BCMS(Hons))
      1. Applicants will be considered on a case by case basis bearing in mind patterns of admission which have applied in previous years and the standing of the qualification in New Zealand.
      2. Applicants seeking admission with a Certificate of Attainment in Foundation Studies will be accepted¹ into the qualifications listed above provided that they have achieved
         1. no less than a C- grade in any paper, and
         2. a B- grade or better in each of FOUND021 and FOUND022 to satisfy the minimum English language requirement for undergraduate study.

Applicants not satisfying these requirements will be assessed on a case by case basis.

1. 1. 1. 3. Admission from the University of Waikato Certificate of University Preparation
            Applicants who have successfully completed the Certificate of University Preparation and achieved an overall B- grade average, with no less than a C- grade in any paper, will be accepted1 into the qualifications listed above.

            Applicants not satisfying this requirement will be assessed on a case by case basis.

2. Admission to the

Bachelor of Computer Graphic Design (BCGD) degree

In addition to satisfying the requirements for achieving University Entrance, entry into the BCGD is available only to applicants who are chosen by the Division of Health, Engineering, Computing and Science's selection process. Applicants must have achieved a minimum of 14 credits in NCEA at Level 2 in Mathematics; in addition, applicants must submit a portfolio as part of the selection process and may also be required to attend an interview.

Bachelor of Education (BEd), Bachelor of Teaching (BTchg), and Te Ara Poutama Tōitu Te Reo (TTR) degrees

In addition to satisfying the requirements for achieving University Entrance, entry into the BEd and BTchg programmes is available only to applicants who are chosen by the Division of Education's selection process (see the Schedule of Limitations on Enrolments).

In addition to satisfying the requirements for achieving University Entrance, entry into TTR is available only to applicants who meet the admission criteria in the qualification regulations and who are chosen by the Division of Education's selection process.

Bachelor of Music (BMus) degree

In addition to satisfying the requirements for achieving University Entrance, all applicants for the BMus must have

1. 1. at least 14 credits in NCEA at Level 3 in Music, or
   2. a Grade 3 Theory pass or better in the New Zealand Music Education Board, or Australian Music Education Board, or
   3. a Grade 5 Theory pass or better in the Trinity College or Royal College of Music examinations, or
   4. a music qualification assessed as equivalent.

Bachelor of Nursing (BNurs) degree

In addition to satisfying the requirements for achieving University Entrance, all applicants must follow a selection process approved by the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Division of Health, Engineering, Computing and Science, or delegated authority, including a police vetting check, to ensure that they meet the criteria for admission to register for nurses as defined by the University and the Nursing Council of New Zealand.

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree

In addition to satisfying the requirements for achieving University Entrance, all applicants must follow a selection process approved by the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences or delegated authority, including a police vetting check, to ensure that they meet the criteria for a 'fit and proper' person to practice Social Work as defined by the University and the New Zealand Social Workers Registration Board. The Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act 2004 provisions do not apply to social work. Students must also complete further Police vetting checks prior to fieldwork placements. An assessment of a student’s suitability under the Children's Act 2014 will also take place during the BSW admissions process and prior to fieldwork placements. Details of the selection and police vetting processes are available in the BSW supplementary application forms.

Applicants to the above programmes must satisfy the requirements for admission to university listed below:

1. 1. University Entrance²

Applicants who have achieved University Entrance through NCEA will be eligible to be accepted into the degrees listed above.

1. 2. Discretionary Entrance³

Applicants will normally be granted Discretionary Entrance if they have gained a total of at least 80 credits in NCEA at Level 2 in four subjects equivalent to the approved subjects for University Entrance in NCEA at Level 3, with a minimum grade of Merit in at least half of the achievement standards for each subject. Applicants must also have satisfied the numeracy and literacy requirements of University Entrance. Applications must be supported by the applicant’s school principal or a University Student Recruitment Adviser.

1. 3. Special Admission

Applicants will be considered on a case by case basis. Applicants 20 years old and over by the beginning of their programme of study will be eligible for acceptance, except those that are clearly insufficiently prepared for academic study. Preference may be given to applicants who have successfully completed appropriate University of Waikato College bridging programmes.

1. 4. Admission at entrance level or with credit from previous study for Bachelor of Music (BMus) degree
      1. Applicants will be considered on a case by case basis bearing in mind patterns of admission which have applied in previous years and the standing of the qualification in New Zealand.
      2. Admission from the University of Waikato Certificate of Attainment in Foundation Studies, or equivalent⁴
         Applicants seeking admission with a Certificate of Attainment in Foundation Studies will be accepted1 into the BMus provided that they are chosen through the selection process as set out in section 2 of these regulations and have achieved
         1. no less than a C- grade in any paper, and
         2. a B- grade or better in each of FOUND021 and FOUND022 to satisfy the minimum English language requirement for undergraduate study.

Applicants not satisfying these requirements will be assessed on a case by case basis.

1. 1. 3. Admission from the University of Waikato Certificate of University Preparation.
         Applicants who have successfully completed the Certificate of University Preparation with no less than a C- grade in any paper will be accepted1 provided that they meet the additional criteria for the BMus as set out in section 2 of these regulations.

Applicants not satisfying this requirement will be assessed on a case by case basis.

1. 5. Admission at entrance level or with credit from previous study forBachelor of Education (BEd), Bachelor of Teaching (BTchg), Te Ara Poutama Toitū Te Reo (TTR) and Bachelor of Nursing (BNurs) degrees
      1. Applicants will be considered on a case by case basis bearing in mind patterns of admission which have applied in previous years and the standing of the qualification in New Zealand.
      2. Admission from the University of Waikato Certificate of Attainment in Foundation Studies, or equivalent⁴
         Applicants seeking admission with a Certificate of Attainment in Foundation Studies will be accepted¹ into the qualification provided that they are chosen through the selection process for their intended qualification as set out in section 2 of these regulations and have achieved
         1. no less than a C- grade in any paper, and
         2. a B- grade or better in each of FOUND021 and FOUND022 to satisfy the minimum English language requirement for undergraduate study.

Applicants not satisfying these requirements will be assessed on a case by case basis.

1. 5. 1. 3. Admission from the University of Waikato Certificate of University Preparation.
            Applicants who have successfully completed the Certificate of University Preparation and achieved an overall B- grade average, with no less than a C- grade in any paper, will be accepted¹ provided that they are chosen through the selection process for their intended qualification as set out in section 2 of these regulations.

            Applicants not satisfying this requirement will be assessed on a case by case basis.

   6. Admission at entrance level or with credit from previous study forBachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree
      1. Applicants will be considered on a case by case basis bearing in mind patterns of admission which have applied in previous years and the standing of the qualification in New Zealand.
      2. No credit transfer or recognition of prior learning will be awarded for successful study that took place more than 5 years prior to the date of first enrolment in the degree. Credit transfer or recognition of prior learning will not be awarded for more than 50% of the degree. No credit transfer or recognition of prior learning will be granted for field education unless the transfer is from a current Social Workers Registration Board recognised programme.
      3. Admission from the University of Waikato Certificate of Attainment in Foundation Studies, or equivalent⁴. Applicants seeking admission with a Certificate of Attainment in Foundation Studies will be accepted1 into the BSW provided that they are chosen through the selection process as set out in section 2 of these regulations and have achieved
         1. no less than a C- grade in any paper, and
         2. a B- grade or better in each of FOUND021 and FOUND022 to satisfy the minimum English language requirement for undergraduate study.

Applicants not satisfying these requirements will be assessed on a case by case basis.

1. 1. 4. Admission from the University of Waikato Certificate of University Preparation Applicants who have successfully completed the Certificate of University Preparation with no less than a C- grade in any paper will be accepted1 into the BSW provided that they are chosen through the selection process as set out in section 2 of these regulations. Applicants not satisfying this requirement will be assessed on a case by case basis.

3. Admission to the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours (BE(Hons)) degree
   1. University Entrance²
      1. Admission to the BE(Hons) in the Specified Programmes of Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics Engineering
         Entry into the BE(Hons) in the above specified programmes will be guaranteed to applicants who gain University Entrance, including a minimum of 16 credits in NCEA at Level 3 in Calculus.

Applicants must also gain at least 14 credits in NCEA at Level 3 in Physics.

1. 1. 2. Admission to the BE(Hons) in the Specified Programmes of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and Materials and Process Engineering. Entry into the BE(Hons) in the above specified programmes will be guaranteed to applicants who gain University Entrance, including a minimum of 16 credits in NCEA at Level 3 in Calculus.

Applicants must also gain at least 16 credits in NCEA at Level 3 in Chemistry and 14 credits in NCEA at Level 3 in Physics.

1. 1. 3. Admission to the BE(Hons) in the Specified Programme of Software Engineering. Entry into the BE(Hons) in the above specified programme will be guaranteed to applicants who gain University Entrance, including a minimum of 16 credits in NCEA at Level 3 in Calculus. Applicants must also gain at least 14 credits in NCEA at Level 3 in two other approved subjects for University Entrance.
      4. The Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Division of Health, Engineering, Computing and Science may waive up to 120 points of level 100 papers of the degree of Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) for candidates who have achieved exceptionally high grades in approved subjects in the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) qualification at Level 3 or higher or in other qualifications considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent, provided that students substitute approved alternative papers of equal points value.
   2. Special Admission
      Applicants with evidence of successfully completed post-secondary study will normally be accepted. This includes applicants who have successfully completed an appropriate University of Waikato College bridging programme.
   3. Admission at entrance level or with credit from previous study
      1. Applications will be considered on a case by case basis bearing in mind patterns of admission which have applied in previous years and the standing of the qualification in New Zealand.
      2. Admission from the University of Waikato Certificate of Attainment in Foundation Studies, or equivalent⁴
         1. Admission to the BE(Hons) in the Specified Programmes of Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics Engineering. Applicants who have successfully completed the Certificate of Attainment in Foundation Studies and achieved
            1. an overall B- grade average, including
            2. a B- grade in FOUND011 and
            3. a B- grade in FOUND007 and
            4. at least a C- grade in every other paper and
            5. a B- grade in FOUND021 and FOUND022 to satisfy the minimum English language requirement for undergraduate study will be accepted1 into this specified programme.

Applicants not satisfying these requirements will be assessed on a case by case basis.

1. 1. 1. 2. Admission to the BE(Hons) in the Specified Programmes of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and Materials and Process Engineering
            Applicants who have successfully completed the Certificate of Attainment in Foundation Studies and achieved:
            1. an overall B- grade average, including
            2. a B- grade in FOUND010 and
            3. a B- grade in FOUND007 and
            4. a B- grade in FOUND011 and
            5. at least a C- grade in every other paper and
            6. a B- grade in FOUND021 and FOUND022 to satisfy the minimum English language requirement for undergraduate study will be accepted¹ into this specified programme.

Applicants not satisfying these requirements will be assessed on a case by case basis.

1. 1. 1. 3. Admission to the BE(Hons) in the Specified Programme of Software Engineering. Applicants who have successfully completed the Certificate of Attainment in Foundation Studies and achieved:
            1. an overall B- grade average, including
            2. a B- grade in FOUND007 and
            3. at least a C- grade in every other paper; and
            4. a B- grade in FOUND021 and FOUND022 to satisfy the minimum English language requirement for undergraduate study will be accepted¹ into this specified programme. Applicants not satisfying these requirements will be assessed on a case by case basis.
         4. Admission from the University of Waikato Certificate of University Preparation. 
            1. Admission to the BE(Hons) in the Specified Programmes of Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics Engineering
               Applicants who have successfully completed the Certificate of University Preparation and achieved an overall B- grade average, including a B- grade in FOUND011, a B- grade in FOUND007, and at least a C- grade in every other paper will be accepted¹ Applicants not satisfying these requirements will be assessed on a case by case basis.
            2. Admission to the BE(Hons) in the Specified Programmes of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and Materials and Process Engineering. Applicants who have successfully completed the Certificate of University Preparation and achieved an overall B- grade average, including a B- grade in two of FOUND007, FOUND010 or FOUND011 and at least a C- grade in every other paper, will be accepted.1 Applicants not satisfying these requirements will be assessed on a case by case basis.
            3. Admission to the BE(Hons) in the Specified Programme of Software Engineering. Applicants who have successfully completed the Certificate of University Preparation and achieved an overall B- grade average, including a B- grade in FOUND007 and at least a C- grade in every other paper, will be accepted.1

Applicants not satisfying these requirements will be assessed on a case by case basis.

4. Admission to the Bachelor of Management Studies with Honours (BMS (Hons)) degree
   1. Entry into the BMS(Hons) programme at the beginning of the first year of study will be guaranteed to applicants who have gained University Entrance.
   2. Students who have been admitted to the BMS(Hons) must achieve a B+ grade average or better over the first two years of the programme to be guaranteed re-entry into year 3 of the BMS(Hons). Students who do not gain re-entry to the BMS(Hons), but who meet the re-entry criteria for the Bachelor of Business (BBus), will be able to be admitted to the BBus.
   3. Students may apply to be admitted to the BMS(Hons) in the third year of the degree. As part of the application process students must provide a personal statement that sets out their leadership/community involvement and their future career aspirations. Applicants would normally be expected to have achieved a B+ grade average or better in their previous 240 points of study. Selection will also take into account leadership potential and community citizenship.
5. Admission to Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Diploma in Law
   1. University Entrance Entry into the LLB will be guaranteed to all applicants who gain University Entrance, including:
      1. NCEA Level 1 numeracy and Level 2 literacy requirements;
      2. Merit or Excellence endorsement at NCEA Level 3.
   2. Discretionary Entrance Applicants will normally be granted Discretionary Entrance if they have gained a total of at least 80 credits in four subjects at Level 2 in the NCEA, with a minimum grade of Merit in at least half of the achievement standards for each subject. Applicants must also have satisfied the numeracy and literacy requirements for University Entrance. Applications must be supported by the applicant’s school principal or a University Student Recruitment Adviser.
   3. Special Admission Applicants will be considered for Special Admission who are 20 years old or over by the beginning of their paper or programme.The Faculty will afford priority to
      • applicants with law-related experience
      • applicants who have successfully completed a programme of degree level study at a tertiary institution.
   4. Admission at entrance level or with credit from previous study
      1. Applicants will be considered on a case by case basis bearing in mind patterns of admission which have applied in previous years and the standing of the qualification in New Zealand.
      2. Admission from the University of Waikato Certificate of Attainment in Foundation Studies, or equivalent⁴.Applicants who have successfully completed the Certificate of Attainment in Foundation Studies and achieved at least a B- grade average overall, with a B- grade or higher in FOUND001 will be accepted.
      3. Admission from the University of Waikato Certificate of University Preparation. Applicants who have successfully completed the Certificate of University Preparation with at least a B- grade average overall, with B- grades or higher in FOUND001 and FOUND002 will be accepted.
      4. Admission from the University of Waikato Unistart programme for secondary school studentsApplicants who have successfully completed the Unistart programme paper LEGAL105 Introduction to New Zealand Law and Society with a B- grade or higher will be accepted.
      5. Admission from the University of Waikato Jump Start summer programme for new studentsApplicants who have successfully completed the Jump Start summer programme paper LEGAL100 Pre Law with a B- grade or higher will be accepted.