Why Study at Waikato?

Our university stands proudly on the world stage as a provider of future-focused, international education and an active player in global research. Our global rankings reflect these strengths.

We are committed to ensuring our students can easily transition from the classroom into the work-place. Course content includes both theoretical and practical components and in recent years, we have offered more than 2000 industry placements and internships each year.

Academic staff at Waikato are passionate about their area of expertise and are committed to helping students to build the skills and knowledge they will require to be successful in their careers. Students are encouraged to engage with academics, including asking questions and generating debate during lectures. All teaching staff at the university have ‘open office hours’ each week where students can visit them to discuss assignments and course content.

Travelling to a new country away from family and friends can be a daunting prospect even for the most seasoned traveller. At the University of Waikato, we go out of our way to ensure students feel welcomed and supported. International Students can choose to participate in our Buddy Programme where a new student is paired with an existing student. New students are guided through University life and find out helpful tips about living in Hamilton. We also offer a dedicated support team – the International Support Services office, the friendly team can assist students with anything from securing visas to finding out more about upcoming events.

Studying overseas can be expensive, so to help fund your tuition costs at the University of Waikato we have a number of different scholarships available to our international students.

It is our mission to provide students with every opportunity to complete internships and secure roles while studying at our University. Major employers visit Waikato throughout the year to promote Graduate positions and Internship opportunities. Our Job-Ready Day for international students helps students connect with international alumni and prepare for the workforce.

Hamilton is conveniently located in the centre of the North Island and is the perfect place to go exploring from. Beaches are just over an hour by car, our largest city Auckland a 90 minute drive north, and ski fields a 3 hour drive south. Popular day trips include a Mount Maunganui beach mission, hiking Mt Te Aroha or Hakarimate Summit Track, exploring Waitomo Caves or experiencing Middle-earth magic at Hobbiton.