Jump Start
Jumpstart your university journey at University of Waikato. Take your first paper, gain study skills, and make friends before summer ends. Get ahead with small classes and tailored support.
Join the Jump Start programme
Hamilton and Tauranga Campuses
20 January to 14 February 2025
9.00am - 3.30pm daily
Why 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 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 attend in person.
Jump Start is particularly good for those who need a boost in areas such as literacy, maths, and science and those who have been out of study for a while.
This programme is also great for those who would like to make friends and ease into understanding the University environment and learn valuable study skills.
Alongside the paper you choose, you will attend sessions teaching you important tertiary study skills, how to use the University 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 campus before all the bulk of 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 papers
Papers are worth 15 points and may count as an elective paper towards your degree - the Admissions Office can assist with this if you are unsure, contact info@waikato.ac.nz and address your enquiry to the Admissions Office.
In most cases:
- Single major - paper will contribute as an elective to your degree
- Double major, single major with two minors, or professional qualification - in some cases the paper can contribute to your degree, you can confirm/discuss this with the Admissions Office at paper selection/approval stage.
- Engineering – ENGEN100 will not contribute towards a BE(Hons) degree. Gaining at least a B- grade will enable you to enrol in the standard first year engineering papers (note: this may be under a Bachelor of Science; upon passing all the standard first year engineering papers you can then transfer to the BE(Hons) degree).
- Law - LEGAL100 can be counted towards one of the 100 level non-law elective papers under the Bachelor of Laws, as long as it fits within your degree programme. This paper can also be taken as part of any degree and may be able to be counted as an elective paper within your degree programme.
Students select ONE paper:
| Paper | Content | Eligibility |
|
WRITE100-25JS (HAM)
WRITE100-25JS (TGA)
WRITE100-25JS (NET)* |
The paper gives opportunities for undergraduate students to develop their academic literacy skills. It begins with general academic communication and research skills and then embeds academic literacy practice within disciplines of study. |
This paper is suitable for students in any degree, and will be offered on the Hamilton and Tauranga campuses. An online option is also available but eligibility is limited - see *NET below.
WRITE100 would be of extra benefit to students who achieve lower NCEA Level 3 credits in literacy and those who intend to study within Arts and Social Sciences, the Waikato Management School, Māori and Indigenous Studies, Education, Health and Sports and Human Performance.
*NET paper - the online Jump Start version of WRITE100 is intended for students who would otherwise not be able to attend a four-week on-campus paper. It will provide flexible learning options which may suit adult-learners currently working, those caring for dependents, and those who live outside of the campus regions. |
|
LEGAL100-25JS (HAM)
LEGAL100-25JS (TGA) |
This paper is tailored to prepare new students who will be studying a Bachelor of Laws, but it can be also taken as an elective paper for other degrees.
It will offer an introduction to core topics and skills in legal studies. Topics include law making and the legislature, the court system, common law and cases. Skills include written and oral advocacy skills, legal research, client interviewing, and group work. |
This paper will be offered to students on both Hamilton and Tauranga campuses.
Recommended for students studying a Bachelor of Laws (including conjoint degrees). Particularly suited to students with lower NCEA Level 3 credits in literacy.
LLB students who complete LEGAL100 will be eligible to have this paper counted towards one of the 100 level non-law elective papers under the Bachelor of Laws, as long as it fits within your degree programme.
Students in other degrees may be able to count LEGAL100 as an elective paper if it fits within your degree programme.
Did not meet direct entry to the LLB?
This paper can be used as a pathway to an LLB for students who have gained UE but have not achieved a merit or excellence endorsement at NCEA Level 3. Passing the LEGAL100 paper, with a B- grade or higher, allows students entry to the LLB programme starting in Trimester A 2025. If you do not pass LEGAL100, you would be transferred to a Bachelor of Arts (BA) which can offer an alternative pathway to entry to an LLB. |
|
General Physics and Mathematics for Engineers
ENGEN100-25JS (HAM) |
This paper will help fill critical knowledge gaps in physics and math. It is particularly beneficial for students who don't meet the requirements for direct entry into the BE(Hons) programme or for those who haven't studied for some time. It can also help with the transition to university life and making new friends, so students can hit the ground running from the beginning of A Trimester.
NOTE: This paper is additional to the requirements of the BE(Hons) programme and will not count towards your degree.
Further information can be found on the Engineering Jump Start Programme page. |
Students intending to study the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours are eligible for this paper. Please note that you may be enrolled in a Bachelor of Science (BSc) while studying the Jump Start papers.
Particularly suited to those with lower Maths and/or Physics NCEA Level 3 credits (or anticipated to have lower). Recommended for those who have not completed the NCEA Level 3 standards for Calculus (Differentiation, Integration, and Complex numbers) and/or Physics (Mechanical Systems and Electrical Systems).
For students who don't meet the requirements for direct entry into the BE(Hons) programme, passing this paper with a B- grade or higher will allow you entry into the programme. |
|
MATHS168-25JS (HAM) |
This paper is an intensive ‘catch-up’ paper in basic algebraic concepts with a brief introduction to calculus.
This paper attempts to cover the minimum background skills needed for such papers. These include all algebra skills from Year 9 to Year 12 Mathematics.
It is an applications paper and stresses use of mathematics in a ‘real-world’ context. |
This paper is intended for those students who wish to improve their basic mathematical skills, either as a background for other subjects, or as a prerequisite to enrolling in MATHS165, MATHS166, DATAX111, or DATAX121 in a subsequent semester or year.
NOTE: If you are studying MATHS168 as preparation for any higher-level Mathematics paper you will need to aim for at least a B- grade.
MATHS168 is a required paper for a Finance major, unless the required Level 3 NCEA math credits are met. |
Eligibility
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 2025.
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 New Zealand (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 2024?
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 2025.
What if I will be studying on the Tauranga campus?
In 2025 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 2025 we will offer one online paper, WRITE100-25JS (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.
Costs associated with Jump Start
Tuition costs
Information about fees and costs.
Accommodation costs
Take advantage of subsidised accommodation during the 4-weeks (January 20 to February 14, 2025) of Jump Start :
- Hamilton's Bryant Hall fully catered accommodation at $270 per week
- Tauranga's Selwyn Street Studios self-catered accommodation at $240 per week
Student loans and allowances
If you're eligible, you can apply to StudyLink for access to a student loan and/or allowance over the 4-week programme. To access StudyLink, you will need to have enrolled in your Trimester A papers (or the full year), and your chosen Jump Start paper. You can do this via MyWaikato.
How to register for Jump Start
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
WRITE100-25JS (HAM) - Hamilton campus
WRITE100-25JS (TGA) - Tauranga campus
WRITE100-25JS (NET) - Online flexible learning
Pre-Law
LEGAL100-25JS (HAM) - Hamilton campus
LEGAL100-25JS (TGA) - Tauranga campus
General Physics and Mathematics for Engineers
ENGEN100-25JS (refer to the note below on Special Permission)
Preparatory Mathematics
MATHS168-25JS
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 ENGEN100-25JS - 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.
Applying for accommodation
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 Bryant Hall. Those staying in Tauranga will reside at the Selwyn St Studios.
Over the 4-weeks of Jump Start (20 January to 14 February, 2025), the accommodation cost will be charged at the subsidised rate of:
- Hamilton's Bryant Hall fully catered accommodation at $270 per week
- Tauranga's Selwyn Street Studios self-catered accommodation at $240 per week
Find out more about accommodation over Summer.
Staying in a Hall all of 2025?
In preparation for the rest of the Halls students moving in, you will move to your allocated Hall/room on the evening of Tuesday 11 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 14 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.
Student feedback
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.
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