Unistart
Get a head start in your education and complete university papers while you're still at school
What is Unistart?
If you’re a secondary school student, Waikato’s Unistart programme gives you a head-start in education by letting you take university papers while you’re still at school. There are options to take papers online or at our Hamilton and Tauranga campuses.
Choice and flexibility
There are more than 50 papers to choose from, many of which are taught online, and completed Unistart papers can be credited towards an undergraduate degree at the University of Waikato.
Teaching excellence
Our students learn from award-winning lecturers and researchers who are committed to delivering you a world-class, innovative education in a supportive learning environment. Join our warm and welcoming community of students from all over New Zealand as you study as part of the Unistart programme.
Workload
Unistart papers usually run over one trimester and worth 15 points. The workload is around 8-10 hours a week, which can include time spent online in classes or on campus, participating in tutorials, reading course materials, lab work or preparing for assignments and tests.
ENTRY AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Unistart is open to all year 12 and 13 secondary school students who:
- Have met the criteria for discretionary entrance to the University.
- Have New Zealand citizenship or permanent residency*.
- Have their NCEA Level 2 Certificate or above endorsed with Merit or Excellence.
- Are between 16 and 20 years old at the start of the Unistart paper, and
- Have approval from their school.
UNISTART SCHOLARSHIP
The University of Waikato Unistart Scholarship covers the cost of up to two Unistart papers for domestic students. Students will automatically be considered for this scholarship if they meet the entry criteria and are accepted into the Unistart Programme, so no additional application is required.
* Note for International Students
If you are an international student, your current visa needs to cover tertiary level study. If it does not, you will need to apply for a Variation of Conditions on your visa (VOC) and have this approved by Immigration NZ before you apply for Unistart. You will not be eligible for the Unistart scholarship but will still be considered for entry to Unistart.
If you don’t meet the above entry requirements, email us to discuss your options.
How to apply
Step 1: Complete the School Approval Form
Talk to your school about whether the Unistart programme is right for you. Then complete the School Approval Form with them and email it back to us.
- Fill in the Unistart Secondary School Support form
- Have your school complete and sign their approval section
- Email the completed form to unistart@waikato.ac.nz
- Apply for the Unistart programme online (instructions below)
Step 2: Applying online for the Unistart Programme
Visit MyWaikato to complete your online application to enrol into the Unistart programme and use the instructions below to help you.
- New Unistart students need to Create an Account for MyWaikato
- Fill out your personal details and list the email address you use most under your account details. Click the Create account button once finished
- From the Type of Qualification drop down box, select Individual Paper Credit and click the Search button
- Two results will be listed after the search. Select Unistart Paper Credit
- Select your start date
- Continue to answer all the questions to complete your application
- Upload your verified ID. This can be a birth certificate or passport. You will need to ask your school to stamp and sign a copy to verify it. If you have difficulties uploading your verified ID, then please scan and email it to unistart@waikato.ac.nz
- We will be in touch with you once your application has been reviewed
If you need help to complete your application then please contact us on 0800 924 528.
Application Closing Dates: Applications for Unistart students enrolling in A Trimester or D Teaching period close on February the 22nd 2026.
2026 papers
Find out more about the 2026 Unistart programme and papers on offer with the 2026 Unistart brochure (PDF 1.1MB)
Flexibly taught papers
|
Subject |
Paper code | Paper title | Trimester(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Communication |
COMMS101-26B (HAM) | Communication Competencies |
B |
|
English |
ENGLI100-26A (HAM) | Telling the Story | A |
| ENGLI101-26B (HAM) | Adapting Stories | B | |
|
Environmental Planning |
ENVPL100-26A (HAM) | Introduction to Environmental Planning | A |
| ENVPL101-26B (HAM) | Future Cities | B | |
|
International Languages and Cultures |
INTLC221-26B (HAM) | Understanding East Asia | B |
| SPNSH131-26B (HAM) | Spanish for Beginners | B | |
| SPNSH231-26A (HAM) | Intermediate Spanish 1 | A | |
|
Māori and Indigenous Studies |
MAORI100-26A (HAM) | Kōkiri: Academic Skills for Indigenous Studies | A |
| Introduction to Conversational Māori for Absolute Beginners | A and B | ||
| He Hīnātore ki te Ao Māori: Introducing the Māori World | A and B | ||
| MAORI103-26B (HAM) | Introduction to Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies | B | |
| MAORI150-26A/B (HAM) | Te Tiriti o Waitangi: An Introduction to the Treaty of Waitangi | A and B | |
|
Music |
MUSIC115-26B (HAM) | Composition 1 | B |
|
Pacific and Indigenous Studies |
PACIS100-26A (HAM) | Introduction to Pacific Histories, Languages and Cultures | A |
|
Screen and Media Studies |
MEDIA100-26A (HAM) | Understanding Visual Culture | A |
Where will I be studying?
Unistart papers taught flexibly in 'Dual' delivery allow students to choose between studying fully online or on-campus.
When will I be studying?
A Trimester: 2 March - 26 June 2026
B Trimester: 13 July - 6 November 2026
D Teaching Period: 2 March - 6 November 2026