Prizes
Find out more about the prizes offered in various Divisions, Faculties, Schools and subject areas.
All available prizes
Prize information is updated annually in June. Most prizes require a minimum enrollment in the year of award of 60 points.
| Discipline | Prize Name | Value | Final year | Prize details |
| Accounting | ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) Prize in the Master of Professional Accounting (MPAcct) Advanced Financial Accounting | $500 | - | To the top international student in ACCTP574 Advanced Financial Accounting |
| Accounting | Baker Tilly Staples Rodway Award | $500 | - | To the student with highest grades in ACCTN102 and ACCTN203 |
| Accounting | Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand (CAANZ) Prize for Intermediate Financial Accounting | $150 | - | To the top student in ACCTN202-Intermediate Financial Accounting |
| Accounting | Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand (CAANZ) Prize for Management Accounting | $150 | - | To the top student in ACCTN303-Management Accounting |
| Accounting | Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand (CAANZ) Prize for the Top Graduating Student | $300 | - | To the top graduating student with highest GP in undergraduate degree for their programme of study in accounting with a Chartered Accountants major |
| Accounting | Governance New Zealand Prize in Corporate Entities | $500 | - | To the student with the highest grades in ACCTN309-Corporate Entities |
| Accounting | PricewaterhouseCoopers Prize in Accounting Information Systems | $1,000 | - | To the student with the highest GPA in ACCTN204-Accounting Information Systems |
| Accounting | PricewaterhouseCoopers Prize in Business Analytics | $1,000 | - | To the student with the highest GPA across all papers that form the Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics (minor) |
| Accounting | PricewaterhouseCoopers Prize in Financial Accounting | $1,000 | - | To the student with the highest GPA in ACCTN202-Intermediate Financial Accounting |
| Accounting | PricewaterhouseCoopers Prize in Performance Reporting | $1,000 | - | To the student with the highest grades in ACCTN308-Performance Reporting |
| All | Blackstock and Wakefield Prize | $500 | 2025 | To a past recipient of the D.V. Bryant University of Waikato Residential Scholarship who has completed 360 points of study and has the highest GPA in that year |
| All | Dr Andrew Smith Medal for Academic Excellence | $2,000 | 2032 | To the most academically outstanding student enrolled full-time in the final year of an undergraduate degree programme in any discipline |
| All | Koko Kairangi - University of Waikato Prize for Best Doctoral Thesis | $5,000 | - | For the best thesis submitted within 4 years of full-time study, with only top-box recommendations by examiners, and as considered based on quality of research and contribution to the relevant field |
| All | Sir Edmund Hillary Medal | $1,500 | - | For completing Hillary Scholars who consistently gained at least an A- in each year of study, and while a scholar showed exceptional leadership and continued involvement and contribution to their sport or creative or performing art |
| All | University if Waikato 3MT Doctoral Competition Prize – People’s Choice | $500 | - | For the 3MT presentation nominated the best by the audience of the University of Waikato 3MT Doctoral Competition |
| All | University of Waikato 3MT Doctoral Competition Prize – Highly Commended | $250 | - | Awarded infrequently, at the University of Waikato 3MT Doctoral Competition for a highly commended effort (3rd) |
| All | University of Waikato 3MT Doctoral Competition Prize – Runner-up | $500 | - | For the second ranked 3MT presentation at the University of Waikato 3MT Doctoral Competition |
| All | University of Waikato 3MT Doctoral Competition Prize - Winner | $1,000 | - | For the best 3MT presentation at the University of Waikato 3MT Doctoral Competition |
| All | University of Waikato 3MT Masters Competition Prize - Highly Commended | $100 | - | Awarded infrequently, at the University of Waikato 3MT Masters Competition for a highly commended effort (3rd) |
| All | University of Waikato 3MT Masters Competition Prize – Runner-up | $250 | - | For the 2nd ranked 3MT presentation at the University of Waikato 3MT Masters Competition |
| All | University of Waikato 3MT Masters Competition Prize – Winner | $500 | - | For the best 3MT presentation at the University of Waikato 3MT Masters Competition |
| All | Vice‐Chancellor’s Prize for Academic Achievement | TBC | - | Awarded infrequently on the nomination of the Vice-Chancellor to students who have achieved academically and meet University strategy |
| Arts | Paul Woodford Day Prize | $2,000 | - | To the most meritorious student completing their final year of an undergraduate degree offered by the School of Arts |
| Biology | Tom Shaw Memorial Prize in Biological Sciences | $500 | 2043 | To the top student enrolled in an undergraduate degree with a major in Biological Sciences |
| Biology | Vivienne Cassie Cooper Prize in Algae | $1,000 | 2053 | To an outstanding student studying algae at graduate or postgraduate level |
| Biology | Waikato Botanical Society Graduate prize | $250 | - | To the top student enrolled in a 500 level paper with a significant emphasis on botany |
| Biology | Waikato Botanical Society Undergraduate Prize | $200 | - | To the top student enrolled in BIOEB204 or BIOEB307 with a significant emphasis on botany |
| Biology & Earth | Jared Simpson Memorial Prize in Biological and Earth Sciences | $1,000 | 2033 | For the top student enrolled full-time in an undergraduate degree with 200 level papers in Biological and/or Earth Sciences and has submitted practical work of meritorious nature |
| Chemistry | J.E. Allan Memorial Prize in Chemistry | $300 | 2026 | To the top second-year student who has completed CHEMY201, CHEMY202, CHEMY203 and CHEMY204 |
| Computer Science | John Cleary Prize in Computer Science | $1,000 | 2091 | For the top student enrolled in COMPX301-Design and Analysis of Algorithms |
| Computer Science | Keith Hopper Prize in Computer Science | $1,000 | 2040 | For the top student studying 200 level papers in computer systems |
| Computer Science | Margaret Jefferies Prize in Computer Science | $500 | 2031 | For the top female student taking 200 level computer science papers and majoring in Applied Computing, Computer Science, or Software Engineering |
| Computer Science | The Ian Witten Prize in Computer Science | $1,000 | 2043 | For the top student in their final year of the Bachelor of Computer Science |
| Computer Science | Tony McGregor Prize in Computer Science | $500 | - | For the top student in COMPX204-Practical Networking and Cyber Security |
| Computing and Mathematics | Alan Turing Prize | $500 | 2031 | For the top student enrolled in a programme of study that includes at least two 300-level papers in computer science and at least two 300-level papers in Mathematics |
| Computing and Mathematics | CMS Prizes for Excellence | various | - | Offered to the 10 best full-time students in 100, 200 and 300 level papers. Value dependent on level of study. |
| Design | Design Excellence Prizes | $500 | - | For the top BDes student studying at 100, 200 and 300 level |
| Earth Sciences | Jeanette Gillespie Memorial Prize in Earth Sciences | $500 | 2035 | To the top student enrolled full-time and in at least two first year papers in earth sciences |
| Earth Sciences | McCraw Prize in Communicating Earth Sciences Research | $1,000 | 2039 | To the best presentation by a student enrolled in a masters or doctoral programme supported by Earth Science and presenting at the annual Te Aka Matuatau School of Science Postgraduate Conference |
| Earth Sciences | Shannon Young Award | $250 | 2025 | To the top student enrolled full-time and taking at 300 level papers in Earth Sciences and with outstanding ability in Earth sciences |
| Earth Sciences | Waikato Geological and Lapidary Society Prize in Earth Sciences | $500 | 2035 | To the top student enrolled full-time in an undergraduate degree in Earth Science who submitted the best geological field report |
| Earth Sciences | Waikato Regional Council Prize in Water Science | $500 | - | To the most outstanding student in level 300 courses dealing with water and the natural environment |
| Economics | Brendan Thompson Prize in Economics | $500 | 2033 | To the top student enrolled ECONS304-International Economics Issues |
| Economics | Brian Silverstone Prize in Macroeconomics | $1,000 | 2045 | To the top student in ECONS501-Macroeconmics Analysis (or equivalent postgraduate paper in macroeconomics) |
| Economics | Foundation Professor’s Prize in Economics | $250 | 2041 | To the top student in ECONS101-Economics for Business and Management |
| Economics | J T Ward Prize in Economics | $250 | 2063 | To the student with the highest grades enrolled in ECONS202 or ECONS302 - Microeconomics and Business Economics |
| Education | Judith McGee Memorial Prize | $1,000 | - | To the top student(s) with at least a 7.0 GPA enrolled in the Primary Graduate Diploma of Teaching with strong evidence of high quality practicum |
| Education | Te Kotahitanga Education Prize | $1,000 | 2034 | For the top student of Māori descent enrolled in the Initial Teacher Education Secondary Programme |
| Engineering | Bruce Liley Prize | $500 | - | To the top student enrolled in ENGEN111- Electricity for Engineers |
| Engineering | Waikato Graduate Women Educational Trust Ngā Raukura Wāhine Mātauranga o Waikato Engineering Prize | $1,000 | - | Waikato Graduate Women Education Trust Ngā Raukura Wāhine Mātauranga o Waikato recognises the most outstanding woman completing the third year of their BE(Hons) |
| English | Arthur Sewell Prize in English | $500 | - | Odd years only. For the most outstanding work during the year in the fields of Shakespeare or Milton Studies |
| English | Blackwood Paul Memorial Prize | $500 | 2034 | For the most meritorious student enrolled in ENGLI515- New Zealand Literature |
| English | Catherine Silverstone Memorial Prize in English | $1,000 | 2043 | For the most meritorious student completing their undergraduate degree with an English major |
| English | Doris Henry ESU Rotary Award | various | - | For the most meritorious student completing 200 or 300 level papers in English |
| English | Elizabeth Bisley Memorial Prize in English | $1,000 | - | Waikato Graduate Women Education Trust Ngā Raukura Wāhine Mātauranga o Waikato recognises the top scholar enrolled in level 500 English papers each year |
| English | Jason Waterman Prize | $500 | 2041 | For the most meritorious full-time student who has completed ARTSC110-Old Worlds/New Worlds |
| Environmental Planning | Luke O’Dwyer Environmental Planning Prize | $1,000 | 2041 | To a student who has exhibited key attributes during class settings while enrolled in compulsory environmental planning papers towards the Bachelor of Environmental Planning degree. |
| Geography | Katherine M Bell Prize in Geography | $500 | 2027 | The most meritorious student with Geography as a Major and completing 300 level papers |
| Health | Kirkman Prize for Outstanding Clinical Practice | $1,000 | 2025 | For a Bachelor of Nursing or Master of Nursing Practice student achieving at least an A in NURSE202 or HLTSC579, and with demonstrably outstanding clinical practice in final clinical placement |
| History | Taylor Prize in History | $500 | 2037 | For a Bachelor of Nursing or Master of Nursing Practice student achieving at least an A in NURSE202 or HLTSC579, and with demonstrably outstanding clinical practice in final clinical placement |
| Language | European Union Prize in European Languages | $175 | - | The European Union, NZ, offers a prize to an academically excellent undergraduate students studying European languages. |
| Law | Simpson Grierson Prize in Environmental Law | $1,000 | 2029 | For the top student in LEGAL434-Environmental Law |
| Law | Te Piringa Faculty of Law Prize for the Top Māori Student in LLB/LLB(Hons) | $500 | 2025 | For the top student of Māori descent completing an LLB or LLB(Hons) |
| Law | The Evans Bailey Prize in Jurisprudence | $500 | 2026 | For the top student in LEGAL203-Jurisprudence |
| Law | The LexisNexis New Zealand Law Journal Prize for the Top Legal Student in LEGAL401 Evidence | $500 | 2025 | To the top student in Legal401-Evidence who achieved at least a B+ |
| Law | The LexisNexis New Zealand Law Journal Prize for the Top Student in Year 1 (Dean’s Award) | $500 | 2025 | To the student top student with at least a B+ across the compulsory Year 1 papers LEGAL103 – Legal Method A, LEGAL104 – Legal Method B, and LEGAL106 – Legal Systems and Societies |
| Law | The LexisNexis New Zealand Law Journal Prize for the Top Student in Year 2 (Dean’s Award) | $500 | 2025 | To the student top student with at least a B+ across the compulsory Year 2 papers – LEGAL201 – Public Law, LEGAL203 – Jurisprudence, LEGAL204 – Contracts, and LEGAL207 – Torts |
| Law | The LexisNexis New Zealand Law Journal Prize for the Top Student in Year 3/4 (Dean’s Award) | $500 | 2025 | To the student top student with at least a B+ across the compulsory Year 3 papers and the required 120 points of 400 level LEGAL coded papers (Year 4 papers) |
| Law | The Pacific Peoples and Law Prize | $500 | 2025 | For the top student of Pacific descent in studying LEGAL440-Pacific People's and Law |
| Management | Alfred Marshall Prize in Human Resource Management | $250 | 2045 | For the top student in HRMGT202-Human Resource Management |
| Management | G.J. Schmitt Prize in Strategic Innovation | $250 | 2049 | For the top student in STMGT502-Strategic Innovation |
| Management | PVC’s Prize in Management Studies. | $500 | 2031 | For the top domestic and top international students completing their final year of an undergraduate degree offered by the School of Marketing and Management |
| Māori & Indigenous Studies | Te Matau o Kiwa Prize | $1,000 | - | Waikato Graduate Women Education Trust Ngā Raukura Wāhine Mātauranga o Waikato recognises the most outstanding woman of Māori or Pacific descent who has completed the second year of a bachelor's degree offered through Te Pua Wānanga ki te Ao |
| Māori & Indigenous Studies | Te Pua Wānanga ki te Ao Prize for Academic Excellence | $1,500 | 2036 | For the top student completing an undergraduate degree programme offered by Te Pua Wānanga ki te Ao |
| Marketing | Spark Business Prize | various | 2024 | To recognise the top three students studying MRKTG301 |
| Mathematics | Emmy Noether Prize in Mathematics | $1,000 | - | Waikato Graduate Women Education Trust Ngā Raukura Wāhine Mātauranga o Waikato recognises the most outstanding woman enrolled in at least one Mathematics paper |
| Mathematics | Euler Prize in Mathematics | $250 | - | For the most outstanding student, with at least an A- in mathematics papers, that has completed at least two years of study and is majoring in mathematics |
| Mathematics | Hilbert Prize in Mathematics | $250 | - | To the most academically outstanding student enrolled in an undergraduate degree or diploma, with at least an A- and who has completed at least 60 points of 300-level mathematics papers |
| Mathematics | John Turner Prize | $250 | - | To the top student studying the BCMS(Hons) 45 point dissertation paper |
| Mathematics | Leibniz Prize in Mathematics | $250 | - | To an outstanding undergraduate who has completed at least 60-points of mathematics papers above 100 level |
| Mathematics | Von Neumann Prize in Mathematics | $250 | - | To the top student in their first year of study enrolled in at least one mathematics paper |
| Music | Dr. Beverley Pullon Vocal Prize | $500 | 2028 | For the most meritorious Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) student who has contributed to enriching life in the Music Conservatorium (Master of Musical Arts or Bachelor of Musical Arts (honours) students may receive the award if no suitable DMA students exist) |
| Music | G.E. Fairburn Prize for Chamber Music Performance | $1,000 | 2040 | To a student, or group of students, for the most outstanding chamber music performance at Conservatorium of Music's yearly competition |
| Music | John Mansfield Thomson Prize in Music History | $500 | - | For the student who has written the most outstanding essay on a music history topic as part of enrolled studies in the Music Department |
| Music | Kerby Prize for Music Studies | $1,000 | 2032 | For the most meritorious student completing either a Bachelor of Music with Honours or a Bachelor of Arts with Honours majoring in music |
| Music | Lili Kraus Piano Award | $1,000 | 2027 | To students who demonstrate outstanding commitment and artistic progress in piano studies and who are enrolled in a BMus, BMus (Hons), Mmus, or a GradDip in Music |
| Music | Norah Howell Music Award | $500 | - | To an academically excellent music student studying full-time at any level |
| Philosophy | Ailsa M. Snow Prize in Philosophy | $100 | 2068 | This Prize was first established in 1981 by Ailsa M. Snow (BA). It was then known as the Prior Society Prize in Philosophy. The name of the award was changed in 2010, to the Ailsa M. Snow Prize in Philosophy, at the behest of her sons. The Prize will be awarded annually to an undergraduate student, majoring in Philosophy, who, in the year of the award, has taken 300 level papers in Philosophy and has shown outstanding ability in that subject. |
| Political Science | Graham Ward Memorial Prize | $1,000 | 2032 | The academically top student completing their final year of a Bachelor of Social Sciences majoring in Political Science |
| Political Science | Lewis Fretz Prize in International Relations | $1,000 | 2081 | The student with the highest final paper grade in IRSST103-Introduction to International Relations |
| Political Science | NZ Business & Parliament Trust Prize | $1,500 | 2025 | Awarded annually to top student studying either: a. 300 level papers in politics or b. taught postgraduate papers in political science, public policy and/or international relations |
| Political Science | Public Policy Prize | $500 | 2030 | Awarded annually to the top student studying POLCY212-Power, Politics and Policy Analysis |
| Political Science | Theo Roy Prize in Politics | $500 | 2039 | Awarded annually to the top student who has completed two years of full time study while majoring in Politics |
| Psychology | MPRU Prize for Excellence | $1,000 | - | Awarded infrequently to one or more outstanding students of Māori descent who were recipients of an MPRU Scholarship and successfully complete key outputs |
| Science | Te Aka Mātuatua School of Science Prize for Excellence | $500 | - | For the most outstanding student who has at least a GPA of 8, has completed an undergraduate degree offered by the School of Science was enrolled in at least 105 points in their final year |
| Screen and Media | Sam Barnes Memorial Prize | $500 | 2032 | The most meritorious student completing their final year of a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Social Sciences with a major in Screen and Media Studies |
| Te Reo Māori | The Kahukura Prize | $5,000 | 2029 | For the top student who completed the Diploma in Te Tohu Paetahi at the University's Tauranga Campus |
| Te Reo Māori | Waikato Raupatu Lands Trust Prize in Te Reo | $1,000 | 2048 | For the top student in MAORI316-Te Reo Ahurei |