Student Exchange
Explore the world, experience new cultures and make friends from around the globe. Spend some time studying at one of our partner universities as part of your University of Waikato degree.
What is a student exchange?
Study overseas for one or two trimesters as part of your University of Waikato degree. We have more than 50 partner universities across 20 countries for you to choose from. Each partner offers papers taught in English that can be credited back to your Waikato degree.
By taking part in a student exchange you experience learning in a different academic environment, by immersing yourself in a new culture, and building cross-cultural skills that are highly sought-after by employers.
Exchange eligibility
Undergraduate students
Domestic and International undergraduate students can go on an exchange if they meet the following criteria:
- Have studied at the University of Waikato for at least one year
- Achieved at least a B grade average.
Postgraduate students
Some exchange partner universities will accept postgraduate students taking taught papers. Requirements for postgraduate exchange are:
- Apply in the last year of undergraduate study
- Studying a 180 or 240-point Master's programme.
Unfortunately, professional programmes are not eligible for a trimester exchange.
We offer five-week teaching experiences in Denmark and Singapore, beginning in January, for students entering the third year of their Bachelor of Teaching degree. These programmes are specifically designed to complement your Bachelor of Teaching degree and offer you the chance to teach in a classroom in an international context.
You must apply in your second year if you are interested in a Bachelor of Teaching exchange. Spots are limited.
Academic planning
The best time to go on an exchange will depend on your degree and time remaining until graduation. Most degrees have enough flexibility to fit a trimester or a full-year exchange. If you are studying a double major or conjoint degree, you will need to map your degree programme more intricately to get the best fit for an overseas exchange.
Points you earn during your exchange will be credited towards your University of Waikato degree. You can transfer up to 60 points per trimester, which is equivalent to the standard trimester workload at the University of Waikato.
We strongly encourage you to attend a Waikato Global Experiences 102 information session to start mapping your degree and planning your papers before you start an application.
You must be accepted into the student exchange programme before you can officially apply for credit. We will work through this process during one of three pre-departure sessions that you will be required to attend.
Costs
Tuition
When you participate in a student exchange, you remain a University of Waikato student. You pay tuition fees to Waikato, not the host university. Instead of being billed for four individual papers (60 points), you are billed a fixed exchange fee which is the average of four Waikato papers at your level of study. That means tuition remains the same as you would pay staying in NZ.
Undergraduate exchange fees
| Domestic students | International students | ||
| One trimester | $4,838 | One trimester | $20,686 |
| Two trimesters | $9,676 | Two trimesters | $41,372 |
Costs are based on 2026 tuition fees and are subject to change.
Postgraduate exchange fees
| Domestic students | International students | ||
| One trimester | $5,563 | One trimester | $22,752 |
| Two trimesters | $11,126 | Two trimesters | $44,505 |
Costs are based on 2026 tuition fees and are subject to change.
Other expenses
You will be responsible for other costs including airfares, overseas living costs, accommodation, and course materials.
Budgeting for your exchange
The cost of an exchange programme will vary based on destination, accommodation, visa requirements, and insurance. If you plan to do a lot of extra travel, you will need to factor this into your budget as well.
Currently, we estimate that you will need $15,000-$17,000 NZD to finance an exchange over one trimester, although this does vary from country to country, as some countries have a lower cost of living than others. The estimate includes accommodation, flights, visa fees, health and travel insurance, and spending money. It does not account for any financial support you could receive through StudyLink, scholarships, or fundraising.
The biggest financial factor of an exchange is the accommodation, so make sure you have a look at the accommodation information on our programme pages to get the best estimate for what this amount would be. You can also look at hypothetical flights to get that estimate, and then work out how much you will need to live week-to-week. There are many university-specific resources available for budgeting, so let us know if you need some assistance with this.
Funding your exchange
If you are currently eligible for a student loan and/or student allowance or living costs, you will still be eligible for these while on exchange. You can also apply for university scholarships, or you may be eligible for a Global Experiences Travel Award. Check out our StudyLink, Scholarships, and Fundraising page to learn more about funding your student exchange.
Partner vs ISEP exchange
At the University of Waikato, we offer two student exchange pathways: partner exchange and ISEP exchange. Both have the same eligibility requirements, and both allow you to continue paying your Waikato tuition fees rather than fees to your host university.
A partner exchange is arranged directly between the University of Waikato and one of our 50+ partner institutions across 20+ countries.
An ISEP exchange is facilitated through ISEP (International Student Exchange Programs), a global network of more than 300 universities across 60+ countries. If none of our direct partner institutions are the right fit for you, ISEP really expands your options. Note that ISEP charges its own non-refundable application and placement fees directly to students, in addition to your standard Waikato tuition fees. Visit the ISEP Exchange fees page for more information.
| Partner exchange | ISEP exchange | |
| Universities available | 50+ partner universities | 300+ universities across the ISEP network |
| Countries | 20+ countries | 60+ countries |
| Tuition fees | Continue paying Waikato tuition fees | Continue paying Waikato tuition fees |
| Additional fees | None | Additional non-refundable application and placement fees, plus required health insurance. Visit the ISEP Exchange fees page for current amounts. |
| Accommodation and meals | Varies by host institution — check individual partner listings in the Global Experiences portal | Housing and 19 meals per week are covered in the programme fee. |
| Application process | Apply through the Waikato Global Experiences portal. | Apply through the Waikato Global Experiences portal AND submit a separate application to ISEP Exchange simultaneously. |
| Destination selection | You nominate a first and second choice institution from Waikato's partner list. Most students receive their first choice, but a second choice is required as partner places can vary. | You select up to 10 institutions from the ISEP network. ISEP places you using an algorithm based on your preferences, academic needs, and available spaces. |
| Support | Waikato Global Experiences team + host institution support. | Waikato Global Experiences team + dedicated ISEP Student Services Officer + host institution coordinator. |
| Language of study | English is available at all partner institutions. | English is available at all ISEP institutions. |
| Best for | Students who have a specific partner institution or destination in mind, or who want a more straightforward application process. | Students who want the widest possible choice of destinations, or whose preferred destination isn't available through Waikato's partner network. |
Not sure which pathway is right for you? Attend a Waikato Global Experiences 101 Information Session or come along to a drop-in session.
Explore Exchange destinations
How to Apply
Check out our step-by-step guide to get started with your application.
More information
Frequently asked questions
Undergraduate students are eligible if they have completed at least one year of study at Waikato and achieved a B grade average or higher. Postgraduate students may be eligible if they are in their final year of undergraduate study and plan to enrol in a 180 or 240-point master's programme. Note that professional programmes are not eligible for student exchange.
This depends on your degree and how close you are to graduating. Most degrees have enough flexibility for a one or two-trimester student exchange, though double majors and conjoint degrees require more careful planning. We recommend attending a Waikato Global Experiences 102 Information Session to map out the best timing before you apply.
Yes, points earned on exchange are credited toward your University of Waikato degree, up to 60 points per trimester. All papers must be matched to your degree requirements, and we work through this with you during your pre-departure sessions. If you need support with paper matching before then, book an appointment with one of your division’s student advisors or contact the Global Experiences team.
We have more than 50 partner universities across 20 countries. You can search and filter by subject area, language, duration, and more in our Global Experiences portal. Attending a Waikato Global Experiences 101 Information Session is also a great way to learn about your options.
While most papers at partner universities are taught in English, it is possible to study in another language if you meet the host university's language proficiency requirements, though this can be a lot more challenging.
Accommodation varies by partner. Some universities offer on-campus accommodation (and some may require international students to live on campus), while others will require you to arrange private housing such as an apartment or homestay. Universities without on-campus options typically provide support to help international students find housing. Check the individual programme pages in our Global Experiences portal for accommodation details specific to your chosen partner.
Full details on how to apply, including what to include in your application, are available on our How to Apply page. Applications close 1 January for B Trimester exchange and 1 July for A Trimester exchange. We recommend attending a Waikato Global Experiences 102 Information Session before you apply.