Jump start

You can take your first University paper and get set-up for the rest of your studies, find your way around campus, and make Uni friends all before the end of summer.

There are a number of 100-level (15 point) papers you can choose from on the Hamilton Campus and Tauranga Campus, and we offer one online paper for those who are unable to study on campus.

Jump Start is particularly good for those who need a boost in areas such as literacy, maths, and science, those who have been out of study for a while, and for those who come from smaller towns.

This programme is also great for those who would like to make friends and ease into understanding the Uni environment and learn core Uni study skills.

Alongside the paper you choose, you will attend sessions teaching you important tertiary study skills, how to use the Uni technology and so much more - all aimed at helping you be successful at University.

• Start University early and get ahead by completing your first paper
• Be better prepared for your University studies and gain confidence
• Learn study skills and how to use the University systems
• Make friends and find your way around the Hamilton campus before all the students come back
• Small classes help with your transition to University
• Get to know the Division you will be studying with - meet key teaching and support staff

Jump Start is for students who will be starting the 1st year of an undergraduate (Bachelor's) degree at the University of Waikato in Trimester A 2024.

You need to have gained entry to the University to join Jump Start, as you will be completing your first undergraduate paper.

Who can apply?

Jump Start eligibility is a little different to our usual entry criteria; this programme is aimed at students who studied at a New Zealand (or Australian) high school.  It is open to students with domestic status in NZ (including Australian citizens). We can accept International students, but you must have studied NCEA (or its equivalent) at a New Zealand high school and have the appropriate visa to enrol - international tuition fees will apply.

Still at High School in 2023?

If you're still finishing your last year of school, all you need to do is register for Jump Start and pre-enrol in your chosen paper. We'll hold a place in Jump Start for you and confirm it after NCEA (or its equivalent) results are released in January 2024.

What if I will be studying on the Tauranga campus?

In 2024 we will offer WRITE100 and LEGAL100 in Tauranga.  If you would like to take one of the Hamilton papers on offer, you have the option to stay in one of our Halls of Residence over the programme (See Accommodation Costs, in the Costs section).

What if I don't live near the campus my Jump Start paper is offered at, or I can't make it to all the classes?

The Jump Start programme is for all new domestic undergraduate students; for those who will be studying on the Hamilton or Tauranga campuses, or via online learning. It is predominantly an in-class programme, so you will need to be able to get to the campus each day for classes.  For those who do not live in Hamilton or Tauranga, you have the option to stay in one of our Halls of Residences over the programme (See Accommodation Costs, in the Costs section).

In 2024 we will offer one online paper, WRITE100-24JS (NET) which is a flexible learning option.  It is aimed at those who may be working full-time, have at-home commitments (such as children), or who may live far from one of our campuses and it is impractical to move for 4 weeks for Jump Start.  Classes are offered in a flexible way so you can study when it suits.  You would still be required to submit work weekly, and it runs for 4 weeks concurrently with the on-campus papers.   Those taking the online paper also have the opportunity to join in face-to-face learning if they are able to make it to campus at any point.

Note, the next Jump Start Programme will run in 22 January to 16 February 2024.

If you have not yet applied to the University of Waikato

If you have not yet completed an Application to Enrol (ATE) at the University of Waikato, when filling in the application, you need to click Yes to the Jump Start question asking if you are interested in taking a paper as part of Jump Start.  We will send you further information once you have an offer of place to study at the University.

If you have applied and have received an offer of place to study at the University of Waikato

1. Log on to MyWaikato

2. Go to Edit details

3. Click Jump Start Preference

4. Select the qualification you want to join under, and click Submit

This process is indicating to us your interest in Jump Start.  The next step is to add a Jump Start Paper.

Adding a Jump Start paper

1. Log on to MyWaikato

2. Go to Qualifications and Papers and click Complete enrolment

3. This takes you to your Enrolment 2024 page. Go to Choose papers, click Next

4. This takes you to the Confirm Paper Selections page. Click Select papers

5. Find and select one JUMP START paper - these papers have a JS trimester. The choices are:

Writing for Academic Success

WRITE100-24JS (HAM) - Hamilton campus

WRITE100-24JS (TGA) - Tauranga campus

WRITE100-24JS (NET) - Online flexible learning

Pre-Law

LEGAL100-24JS (HAM) - Hamilton campus

LEGAL100-24JS (TGA) - Tauranga campus

General Physics and Mathematics for Engineers

ENGEN100-24JS (refer to the note below on Special Permission)

Preparatory Mathematics

MATHS168-24JS

Find your JS paper and click Add.  If you have not done so already, you can also add your Trimester A and B papers at this time too.

Special Permission to add ENGEN100-24JS - Due to the way an Engineering degree is set-up, some students will need to request to add ENGEN100 via the Special Permission section at the bottom of the Confirm Paper Selections page (see below).

6. Confirm you want to take this Jump Start paper

Once you have added your paper and it is approved, we will be in contact with further information around Jump Start.

Over the Jump Start programme, accommodation is available for those who need it in one of our Halls of Residences. Those in Hamilton will stay at Student Village or Bryant Hall - confirmation of which Hall the Jump Start group will be staying in will be provided in January.  Those staying in Tauranga will reside at the Selwyn St Studios.

Over the 4-weeks of Jump Start (22 January -16 February 2024), the accommodation cost will be charged at the subsidised  rate (per week) of $225 for a room and food in Hamilton, or $200 for a room-only in Tauranga.  To apply for accommodation, go to the ‘Summer Accommodation’ tab on the Accommodation webpage.

Staying in a Hall all of 2024?

In preparation for the rest of the Halls students moving in, you will move to your allocated Hall/room on the evening of Tuesday 13 February.

Not staying in a Hall after Jump Start?

It is important to note that you will be required to pack-up and vacate your room by 9.00 am on Friday 16 February. The student allocated this room for the year will move in on the Friday, and the room needs to be cleaned prior to this. You will be able to store your belongings in one of the Hall’s locked areas.

Data shows us Jump Start is a great way to boost confidence, make friends, gain tertiary skills, and actually have a higher chance of success in your first year of university.  But, don't just take our word for it, here is what Jump Start participants have told us:

Student Comments

• I would highly recommend this course. It gave me so much confidence and the information I learnt during the course has helped me with all of my studies in A Trimester,  and will no doubt continue to help me with my future studies.
• Amazing Experience, I would do it every year if I could. It helped me transition from the classroom to the lecture theatre. I am so much more confident in my papers as now it’s “oh we did this in Jump Start” which allows me to get the upper hand on those that decided not to take this course. I see many reflections from JS to my semester papers.
• Jump Start was overall an enlightening and fun experience. I recommend the programme for any curious and eager students of any age who are wanting an early supportive foundation for their studies in university.
• Highly recommend this course and has set me up to do well in my studies.  I wasn't sure I would be able to do the material but with hard work it has been the experience of my lifetime.
• It was an awesome experience and I would encourage anyone to do it even if they don’t need it for getting into certain degrees or papers. Awesome environment and I loved meeting people that were doing the papers I would be doing once uni started especially because I didn’t know anyone coming here. The days were also structured nice and the content not too difficult therefore could explore Hamilton.
• The group study sessions where really good I got to meet so many more students through this in subjects other than mine and I still talk to them now.
• I am so pleased I did this course.  Although it was intense, it gave me a great head start to essays, reports, APA and much more!
• The lecturers were really helpful and gave positive feedback with each submission. Also provided advice on how to improve/what to consider for future papers. I refer to my notes each time I have an assignment and use this as my go to resource. The content has not failed me, thank you