Postgraduate entry requirements
Pathway programmes for international students
Please note that international students who do not meet the English language requirements for a postgraduate degree have the opportunity to study our Academic English programme at the University of Waikato College, which is designed to develop your English language skills. With successful completion of Level 8, you can progress to most postgraduate degrees at the University of Waikato.
The University of Waikato welcomes applications from students completing the NCUK Master’s Preparation Programme. For further details, please visit our dedicated NCUK information page.
Graduate certificate (six months)
A graduate certificate is for graduates who do not have a substantial background in a particular subject in their undergraduate degree. Find out more
A graduate certificate is for graduates who do not have a substantial background in a particular subject in their undergraduate degree.
A graduate certificate allows students to prepare for postgraduate study in that subject or to add a specialisation that is different from their major. This course comprises of undergraduate papers.
Entry requirements
A recognised bachelors degree, or a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent.
If you don't meet these requirements, admission can be granted through other criteria. See full regulations in the University Calendar.
Graduate diploma (one-year)
A graduate diploma is for graduates who do not have a substantial background in a particular subject in their undergraduate degree. Find out more
A graduate diploma is for graduates who do not have a substantial background in a particular subject in their undergraduate degree.
A graduate diploma allows students to prepare for postgraduate study in that subject or to add a specialisation that is different from their major. This course comprises of undergraduate papers.
Entry requirements
A recognised bachelors degree, or a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent.
If you don't meet these requirements, admission can be granted through other criteria. See full regulations in the University Calendar.
Masters
This degree can be either in the same area as your undergraduate study or in a new area of study. Find out more
This degree consists of either:
- a dissertation and coursework;
- coursework only.
This degree can be either in the same area as your undergraduate study or in a new area of study.
Depending on your previous study and chosen subject, a masters may take one, one and a half, or two years to complete.
Entry requirements
A recognised bachelors degree with a B-/B/B+ average, and a B-/B/B+ average in a relevant subject (if required).
Please refer to the respective masters degree course page for more detailed admission criteria.
Some Faculties/Schools require an honours degree (to demonstrate research capacity). Where the above requirements are not met, further study in a lower level programme may be required first.
Masters by thesis
This degree consists of a research project in the form of a thesis, dissertation, substantial research course or creative work. Find out more
This degree consists of a research project in the form of a thesis, dissertation, substantial research or creative work.
Entry requirements
A recognised bachelors degree with a B/B+ average, and a B/B+ average in a relevant subject (if required).
Some faculties/schools require an honours degree (to demonstrate research capacity). Where the above requirements are not met, further study in a lower level programme may be required first.
Bachelors with Honours
This is a one-year advanced programme for high achieving students, continuing a major subject in a bachelors degree. Find out more
This is a one-year advanced programme for high-achieving students, which continues your studies in a major subject after completing a three-year bachelor's degree. The honours programme may be taken on its own, or included as part of a four-year bachelor's degree.
Entry requirements
A qualification considered equivalent to a New Zealand bachelors degree with a B average, in a major in a relevant area.
Postgraduate Certificate (six months)
It meets the needs of graduates who wish to deepen their knowledge of the subject they studied at undergraduate level. Find out more
This programme comprises graduate level papers and normally takes six months. It meets the needs of graduates who wish to deepen their knowledge of the subject they studied at undergraduate level.
Entry requirements and regulations
- A recognised bachelors degree, or a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent, and
- Previously completed study at an advanced level in the subject to be taken.
If you don't meet these requirements, admission can be granted through other criteria. See full regulations in the University Calendar.
Postgraduate Diploma (one-year)
This programme comprises graduate level papers and normally takes one year. Find out more
This programme comprises of graduate level papers and normally takes one year. It meets the needs of graduates who wish to deepen their knowledge of the subject they studied at undergraduate level.
Entry requirements
- A recognised bachelors degree, or a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent, and
- Previously completed study at an advanced level in the subject to be taken.
If you don't meet these requirements, admission can be granted through other criteria. See full regulations in the University Calendar.
English Language Entry Requirements
If you are an international student, you will also need to meet English language entry requirements. Click here to find out more.
To provide flexibility to students during COVID-19 who are affected by the closure of testing centres, the University of Waikato will accept the following alternative tests for 2023 intakes. Please note this policy is subject to review.
- IELTS Indicator (this is an online version of the regular IELTS test)
- TOEFL iBT Home (Plus) (this is an online version of the regular TOEFL test)
- Duolingo English Test (DET) with the following scores:
- DET score of 95 for pre-degree programmes (IELTS 5.5 equivalent)
- DET score of 105 for undergraduate/graduate programmes (excluding those listed below)
- DET score of 120 for postgraduate programmes (excluding doctoral programmes)
The University of Waikato will accept Duolingo (DET) as an alternative means of meeting the English language entry requirements for the majority of its programmes (excluding all Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes, BSW and LLB) while test centres remain closed and until further notice.
Students who are accepted into their programme using any of the three language tests named above will be issued an unconditional offer, but will be required to undertake a supplementary online language assessment. For doctoral students using DET to gain admission, you will be required to undertake a supplementary assessment prior to an offer being issued.
The University teaches in the medium of English and requires all students to demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English.
If you are an international student, you will need to meet English language entry requirements. If you do not meet the English language requirement for your chosen qualification, you can enrol in an Academic English programme with our University of Waikato College.
If you have successfully completed study in the medium of English, you may be considered for an English language waiver. Please see the 'Equivalent qualifications' section below for more details.
English language test | Postgraduate, including higher degrees (all courses except those listed below) |
IELTS | 6.5 overall (no band less than 6.0) |
iBT (internet-based) TOEFL | 90 with a score of 21 in writing |
iBT (home-based) TOEFL | 90 with a score of 21 in writing |
C1 Advanced (formally known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)) | 176 and no bands below 169 |
C2 Proficiency (formally known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)) | 176 and no bands below 169 |
Language Cert International ESOL (LRWS) | C1 Expert with an overall high pass and no less than a pass in each skill |
Language Cert International ESOL (LRWS) | C2 Mastery with an overall pass and no less than a pass in each skill |
New Zealand Certificate in English Language (NZCEL) | Level 5 (Academic) |
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) | Minimum score of 59 |
Pearson PTE Academic | 56 and no PTE communicative skills below 46 |
Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) | III with a pass in all four components |
University of Waikato College | Successful completion of Level 8 with a B grade in the Certificate of Attainment in Academic English (CAAE) programme |
For entry requirements to professional qualifications such as Law, Initial Teacher Education (ITE), Nursing, and Social Work, please refer to the Calendar.
For the English language entry requirements for Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas, please see our undergraduate entry requirements page.
Equivalent qualifications
If you have successfully completed study in the medium of English, or you have taken an English language assessment not listed, please refer to the documents below. These documents list all approved alternatives to our English language entry requirements.
Contacts
Domestic students:
Phone: 0800 WAIKATO
Email: [email protected]
International students:
Phone: + 64 7 856 2889
Email: [email protected]