Waikato University can trace its history back to 1956, when a small number of Hamiltonian locals decided they wanted their own higher education institution.
The town of Hamilton was, at the time, known mainly for farming, but a long campaign resulted in the formal opening of the institution in 1964. In 1989, the university played a key role in connecting New Zealand to the internet before going on to become the first university in the country to have "cyber-graduates", completing their teaching degrees online. In 1998, Waikato formed an alliance with the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic designed to facilitate teaching in the Western Bay of Plenty.
The university's Hamilton campus covers about 65 hectares, which includes landscaped gardens and lakes, and many sporting and recreational areas. It was designed by the architect John Blake-Kelly in 1964.
Located in New Zealand’s North Island, the University of Waikato is ranked among the world’s top 1.1% of universities. The University has campuses in Hamilton and Tauranga, and offers qualifications in a broad range of subjects – 10 of which are recognised as being in the top 200 of their kind in the world.
The University has internationally recognised research capabilities and facilities across numerous disciplines. It delivers innovative and pioneering research and is successful in transferring its knowledge to business and government sectors. The University partners with industry, government, and other educational institutions, and continues to develop new research partnerships.
Whether a school leaver, postgraduate student, or adult student, the University of Waikato offers hundreds of scholarship and grant opportunities, enabling accessible education for all students. Many of its programmes provide the opportunity for students to participate in practical learning and internships with a clear focus on preparing industry-ready graduates.
The University has a student population of more than 12,500, including almost 2000 international students from more than 70 countries. At the main campus in Hamilton, students have access to on-and off-campus accommodation options, cafes, health services, an award-winning student centre, gym, a swimming pool and the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, all on 65 hectares of park-like grounds with access to regular public transport. There is also a satellite campus in Tauranga, a shared space with a partnering institution, but the University is also building its own state-of-the-art campus in the heart of the coastal city. Both cities are great places to be a student, with a vibrant and welcoming student culture, many recreational activities to enjoy and amongst the strongest economic centres in the country. Hamilton is only a 1.5 hour drive from New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, and is central to many other North Island towns and beaches.
UNDERGRADUATE
The University of Waikato is one of New Zealand’s leading research universities, made up of seven faculties offering a wide range of subjects. The University of Waikato is committed to delivering a world-class education and research portfolio and is home to 12,500 students, including close to 2000 international students from more than 70 countries.
The university stands proudly on the world stage, ranked at 292 in the 2018 QS World University Rankings, with ten subjects ranked in the top 200. These rankings place the university among the top 1.1% in the world. Rankings are a reflection of Waikato’s strengths: the ability to challenge, inspire, and prepare students to be future leaders.
Quality education
The University of Waikato is widely regarded as a progressive and innovative university that develops undergraduate programs to cater for the world’s changing environment. Waikato offers a broad range of subjects, courses and degrees, including conjoint degrees. Flexible degree structures allow students to build a program to suit their interests and career plans.
Waikato’s ten subject areas ranked in the top 200 in the world by QS Rankings:
• Education
• Computer Science and Information Systems
• Economics and Econometrics
• Law (101-150)
• Linguistics
• Accounting and Finance
• Communications and Media Studies
• Business and Management Studies
• Geography
• Sociology
Smaller class sizes provide students with more one-on-one learning opportunities from lecturers. Students also have the opportunity to partake in industry-related, practical learning and internships across all programs.
POSTGRADUATE
As a research-intensive university with strong links to industry, the University of Waikato provides the ideal environment for postgraduate study, including specifically designed 180-point Masters programs that can be completed in as little as 12 months full time.
The University of Waikato is widely regarded as a progressive and innovative university, which develops Masters programs to cater for the world’s changing environment. Among its many strengths are its key research areas: cybersecurity, agribusiness, health and human performance, indigenous studies, and environment studies. The university’s world-class researchers collaborate with local and international research units and industry to continuously pioneer in these fields and allow postgraduate students the opportunity to partake in practical learning and internships.
The university understands the need for a balance between work and study, so flexible study options are available. The University of Waikato offers great student support, world-class facilities, a broad range of study options and industry placements to get people from anywhere in the world started in their chosen career or research field.
Whether changing careers, career path, or improving employability, the University of Waikato’s postgraduate degrees help people to achieve their goals and stand out in the workplace. University of Waikato students say that their university is one of the friendliest in the New Zealand. The university offers a range of services so students will have a hassle-free study experience. Find out more about what’s on offer.
