Find the right fit

It's important to remember that a degree opens many opportunities, and doesn't limit your child to just one career. There are many ways to determine what degree would best suit your child, but a good place to start is considering what school subjects they are good at and enjoy, and then checking out the subjects that are available at Waikato.

Get the right advice

Some students are very clear on what they want to study, and others are unsure - either way, it can be very helpful to get some advice. Set up an appointment with one of our friendly and knowledgeable Future Student Advisers to chat about study options, accommodation, scholarships and course-planning and to ask any other questions that you may have about our university.

NCEA subject selection

Choosing the right subjects can be important for being accepted into particular courses at the university. Read the entry requirements for the various degree programmes that your child may be considering. There may be specific prerequisites or NCEA subjects that should be taken.

Entry requirements

There are several ways students can gain admission to study at the University of Waikato, find out more.

Fees and costs

Fees are calculated individually so that students pay a fee that reflects the papers that they choose. Each paper that is offered by the University has a separate tuition fee and fees are adjusted annually.

Course Finder

A room in one of our Halls is so much more than simply a place to live; it comes with a built-in social life, full support and endless opportunities.

At the University of Waikato, we have four Halls of Residence, our Halls are the ideal place for first-year students to settle into University life. With full academic and social orientation, all meals provided, Halls events, academic tutoring, social support and 24/7 campus security your child will be well taken care of.

We offer a generous range of school leaver scholarships to financially assist students with their studies, including:

• Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship - Up to $10,000 per year during undergraduate study
• Te Ara Whānui Scholarship - Up to $10,000
• Te Paewai o te Rangi: The University of Waikato Scholarship for Outstanding Academic Achievement - Up to $25,000 over three years
• Edna Money Future Pacific Leaders' Scholarship - $6000 a year for up to three years
• Pacific Excellence Scholarship - Up to $10,000
• University of Waikato Rugby Development Scholarship - Up to $7000
• The Manu Kaewa Scholarship - Up to $5000
• The 'Ko Te Tangata' Scholarship (Waikato Schools) - Up to $5000
• The 'Ko Te Tangata' Scholarship (Bay of Plenty Schools) - Up to $5000

For further information on these scholarships and others available to school leavers, have a look on our scholarships finder.

University is a whole new experience for students, many will be getting to know a completely new city, along with fitting into the university culture, campus lifestyle and making new friends. As a parent, you can encourage your child by encouraging them to plan for university:

• Prepare your child to be financially responsible so they understand the stresses and strains of living on a limited budget. Teaching your child how to budget effectively will help enormously.

• Support your child to do the very best they can in their studies. Provide guidance where necessary while letting them take responsibility to know what is expected of them

• Encourage your child to make the most of their time at University. There are plenty of extracurricular activities that students can get involved with to complement their overall university experience. Students can sign up to clubs and connect with student groups and societies.

• Motivate your child to look after their health while at University. As a parent, you can encourage your child to adopt good physical activity habits and make healthy food choices. Creating healthy habits early will bring lifelong benefits.

• Familiarise yourself with the resources available at University to support your child. If a problem arises you can then recommend the appropriate University services to your child and encourage them to reach out. Your child will appreciate the support you give them.