Next steps

We recommend applying for your student visa as soon as you receive your offer of place letter. Visa processing times range from 3-12 weeks.

It is possible to enter NZ and study on the Working Holiday Visa.  However, this is only given once in a lifetime, therefore we strongly recommend that you enter on a student visa rather than the working holiday visa.

Short term programme students: Students from visa waiver countries studying on our short programmes can enter NZ and stay up to 3 months (6 months for UK passport holders), which gives you plenty of time to travel before or after the programme. Please read carefully through the visa waiver visitor visa information and be sure that you apply for the NZeTA at least 72 hours prior to travel.  Students from non-visa waiver countries will need to apply for a visitor visa to enter New Zealand.

Please contact Immigration New Zealand directly with any questions regarding your visa application.

Apply for Accommodation Accommodation Costs

You can apply for accommodation before you receive your enrolment offer (acceptance letter). We strongly recommend that you apply as early as possible to ensure you get your preferred option.

If you're looking to improve your English or want a home away from home, try a homestay and live with a local New Zealand family.

Campus housing is guaranteed for study abroad and exchanges students if the accommodation application is submitted before the due date.

Accommodation application open and due dates:

A trimester
Opens: 1 August
Due: 1 December

B trimester
Opens: 1 April
Due: 1 May

You're strongly encouraged to apply early to secure your preferred housing option. Self-catered flats are in the highest demand and not always available. We encourage you to talk to your study abroad and exchange advisor to discuss your accommodation options at Waikato.

On-campus accommodation
The rooms are single study bedrooms with a single bed, mattress, mattress protector, chair, desk, desk light, bookcase, drawers and a wardrobe. All rooms have curtains, are fully carpeted and centrally heated. All utilities are included in the cost of rent.

Linen packs are available and consists of a pillow, duvet inner, duvet cover, sheet set and x2 towels. We recommend purchasing the linen pack before you arrive. This way, it will be waiting for you when you arrive after spending a long time flying and don’t want to worry about venturing out to buy bedding!

Each hall has a laundry with coin-operated washing machines and dryers.

Fully-catered means that all meals are provided in the residence hall’s dining room - 3 meals/day, 7 days/week.  Self-catered accommodation provides you with a fully-equipped kitchen and you are responsible for buying your own food and cooking meals.  
Homestay is fully-catered; all meals are provided by your host family.

International Arrival Form

To ensure that we are prepared for your arrival, you will need to complete an arrival form to let University staff know when you are expecting to arrive.

This form also enables you to request free pick up from Auckland International Airport (1.5-2 hours' drive from Hamilton - this is where most students arrive), Hamilton Airport, or Tauranga Airport. If you choose this option a shuttle will be sent to collect you and take you to your pre-arranged accommodation in Hamilton or Tauranga.

Please note that a return airport shuttle at the end of the term is not provided but we are happy to assist you in arranging transport.

Studentsafe Insurance Alternative Policies

To complete your enrolment at the University of Waikato, you are required by the New Zealand government to have appropriate medical and travel insurance for the duration of your stay in New Zealand. These insurance policies must comply with the New Zealand Government Code of Practice for Pastoral Care of International Students which is part of Immigration New Zealand's requirements. The University is responsible for ensuring all international students have insurance at the time of enrolment. We strongly recommend you purchase the Studentsafe Inbound University policy as it is an approved insurance policy. While most overseas policies are not compliant with the requirements, please visit the Alternative Policies page to see if your policy is accepted, or to have your policy assessed by the University of Waikato.  If you were to contract COVID-19 while in New Zealand, your healthcare-related costs WILL be covered.

Please check with your home university to see if your insurance costs are billed directly to the University of Waikato or if you will need to pay upon arrival to campus.

The 2023 cost for insurance is $375 NZ/trimester or $750/year.

Student Life

Check out what it's like to live and study at the University of Waikato!  Participate in the Buddy Programme, volunteer at a local organisation, join a student club (or many), and discover the diverse group of people and cultures that make up the Waikato atmosphere and experience.