Application information for domestic undergraduate students
Discover how to apply for students new to university or without a completed degree, such as Bachelor of Arts or Associate Degree in Applied Design.
If you're new to Waikato, here's how the application process works. You can start now (even without your year-end NCEA results) and finalise everything later.
For International students please view the International how to apply.
Apply to study
Watch this video to learn how new, domestic students can apply to study at the University of Waikato.
How to apply
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Create a MyWaikato account
You can do this now, even if you don't know what you want to study yet.
• To register your interest, create an account
• 1-2 minutesThis gives you access to MyWaikato, where you'll complete your enrolment (and manage a lot of your study, too). All we need for now is your name, date of birth, residency status, and email address, so get started now.
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Log in and apply for your course
Once you know what you want to study, and have all your documents ready, you're ready to apply.
• Decide what to study: Expore Qualifications and Subjects
• Log in and apply
• Start now and save as you go
• 15-20 minutesWe'll ask which qualification(s) and subject(s) you'd like to study, but not exact papers yet. You can start providing the official documents (or verified copies*) listed, too. If you don't have all of them ready yet, that's fine.
• Birth certificate, passport and permits
• Evidence of citizenship
• Evidence of any change of name (if your name is different from that on your birth certificate)
• A written statement in support of your application, if applicable
• Evidence of any previous tertiary study
• Proof that you meet the academic entry requirements (e.g. NCEA results or through Discretionary Entrance).* For information on what a verified document is please check out the verified documents information later on this page.
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Receive and accept your Offer of Place
We'll email once we've checked through your application.
• Your offer might take a few days to arrive
• We'll email you
• my.waikato.ac.nz
• 1-2 minutesYour Offer of Place confirms that you're ready for university study. It includes the qualification(s) you'll take, and your start date. All you need to do is respond online with a "Yes".
If you still have documents to provide or your school results aren't available yet, you'll receive a conditional offer.
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Choose your papers
Pick the papers you'll study in your first year, and enter a few other details.
• Paper selection opens in the weeks before each semester
• my.waikato.ac.nz
• 20-30 minutesYou can choose all your papers online, or if you need any help we're available to help. There are also a few questions about you and your emergency contact. Once you're all done you'll be able to view your study timetable.
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Accept your official Enrolment Agreement
We check that you're able to take all the papers you requested, then you give us final confirmation.
• You'll receive this once you're accepted into all your papers
• We'll email you
• my.waikato.ac.nz
• 2-3 minutesThis is the last step. In MyWaikato, under 'Qualifications and Papers', check the papers you're accepted into and then complete your enrolment. Your agreement includes the total fees owed, and asks you to confirm how they'll be paid. (For a lot of students, first year is fees-free).
Entry criteria
The New Zealand University Entrance (UE) requirements are:
- NCEA Level 3
- Three subjects - at Level 3, made up of:
- 14 credits each, in three approved subjects
- Literacy - 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of:
- 5 credits in reading
- 5 credits in writing
- Numeracy - 10 credits at Level 1 or above, made up of:
- achievement standards - specified achievement standards available through a range of subjects, or
- unit standards - package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627 - all three required)
Once you have met the requirements for University Entrance it will appear on your Record of Achievement. For further information please visit the NZQA website.
Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) standard recognised by Universities New Zealand:
Part A
- a minimum of 120 points on the New Zealand CAIE Tariff at A or AS level from any syllabus groups which are broadly equivalent to those in the list of approved subjects for NCEA; and
- a D grade or better in syllabuses from at least three different syllabus groups (excluding Thinking Skills).
Part B
Literacy: An E grade or better in any one of AS English Language, English Language and Literature, English Literature or English General Paper. A D grade or better will satisfy one of the syllabus requirements of Part A OR as prescribed for university entrance with NCEA.
Numeracy: A D grade or better in IGCSE or GCSE mathematics, or any mathematics passed at AS level. A ‘D’ grade or better will satisfy one of the syllabus requirements of Part A OR as prescribed for university entrance with NCEA
International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard Recognised by Universities New Zealand Award of the full IB Diploma (24 points or higher)
Home schooled students
New Zealand Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) Level 3 Certificate (Year 13) A completed ACE Year 13 Certificate which includes at least four subjects (i.e. 16 credits) designated Level 3 and passes in Algebra 1 (1097-1108) and English 1 (1097-1108).
Christian Education New Zealand (CENZ) Level 3 Certificate A completed CENZ Level 3 Certificate which includes at least four subjects designated Level 3 and passes in Algebra 1 (1097-1108) and English 1 (1097-1108).
Other secondary or tertiary study
If you have studied to UE level at an overseas secondary school or at tertiary level (in New Zealand or overseas) or passed examinations that reach the standard for admission to university as recognised by Universities New Zealand, you should apply for admission at entrance level.
We will assess your study to determine whether it is an acceptable equivalent to the New Zealand University Entrance qualification.
If you do not meet one of the criteria above or need further preparation for degree study, check out Waikato's pathways programmes.
Students under 20 without University Entrance
If you are over 16 years of age and a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, you may be eligible to apply for Discretionary Entrance (DE).
Discretionary Entrance is based on NCEA Level 2 results and you must also meet the literacy and numeracy requirements for University Entrance.
Year 13 students who leave school after 1 June are not eligible to be considered for Discretionary Entrance.
Students who have left school and did not achieve University Entrance from Level 3 NCEA are eligible to apply for DE following at least one semester's break after completion of Year 13.
All students are assessed on the basis of their academic background and an adviser's recommendation. If you are still at school, or have left school recently, your school principal must be your adviser. If you have left school, a Student Recruitment Adviser at the University can help you.
For information regarding other forms of University Entrance including UE achieved from Bursary or NCEA please contact the Enrolment Office on 0800 WAIKATO (0800 924 528) or email info@waikato.ac.nz.
Students over the age of 20
If you left school without University Entrance and will be 20 years of age or over by the first day of the semester, you may apply for Special Admission. Factors considered when granting Special Admission are:
• Any other relevant study you might have undertaken.
• Your general life experience and preparedness for university study.
Some qualifications have their own specific entry requirements - check the webpage you'll see on the when you read and will outline this on the relevant webpage.
Our Future Student Advisers are here to assist you with your application. Please contact us to arrange a meeting.
If you do not meet the entry criteria or need further preparation for degree study, we also offer a range of bridging and pathway programmes.
Pathway Programmes at the University of Waikato College
The University of Waikato College offers pathway programmes for students who don’t meet the academic or English language requirements for degree-level study:
• The Certificate of University Preparation is for students with a New Zealand secondary school qualification who don't meet the direct university entry requirements. Upon successful completion, students can progress to an undergraduate degree.
• The Foundation Studies programme is for international students who don’t meet the direct university entry requirements. Upon successful completion, students can progress to an undergraduate degree.
• The Academic English programme is for international students who need to improve their English language skills to prepare for the Foundation Studies programme at the University of Waikato College, or a range of degree courses at the University of Waikato.
• The General English Programme is for international students who want to improve their everyday language skills in preparation for the academic English course at the University of Waikato College.
Jump Start Programme
The Jump Start Programme is a short summer course for students new to undergraduate study. Within the programme, students complete a 100 level paper while learning study skills, making friends, and gaining confidence – giving them a head start in their tertiary studies..
Ready to apply?
What is a verified document?
An officially verified document is a photocopy of an original document that has been signed and dated by an authorised person who can confirm that it is identical to the original. This could be a Justice of the Peace, solicitor, barrister, court registrar, school principal, official of the issuing institution (either in New Zealand or overseas), a Trade New Zealand Offshore Education Centre, or an embassy, high commission, Notary public, or consulate general.
This person will need to see the original document and verify that the photocopy is a genuine, unaltered copy. They will then sign, date, and stamp the photocopy with an official stamp or write 'certified original sighted, and this is a true copy of that original.
University staff at the Student Administration desk on campus or the University of Waikato registered educational staff can also verify your documents.
You may submit scanned copies of your documents for assessment purposes, but you will need to provide hard copies or scanned verified documents prior to enrolment. Please check your offer letter to see what you need to provide.
Contact
If you have any questions about enrolment, choosing a course, or how to become a Waikato student, get in touch with a Future Students Advisor: