BSc
Bachelor of Science

If you have achieved University Entrance through NCEA you will be accepted into this degree.

Discretionary Entrance

Applicants will normally be granted Discretionary Entrance if they have gained a total of at least 80 credits in NCEA at Level 2 in four subjects equivalent to the approved subjects for University Entrance in NCEA at Level 3, with a minimum grade of Merit in at least half of the achievement standards for each subject. Applicants must also have satisfied the numeracy and literacy requirements of University Entrance.

Applications must be supported by the applicant’s school principal or a University Student Recruitment Adviser.

Special Admission

Applicants will be considered on a case by case basis. Applicants 20 years old and over by the beginning of their programme of study will be accepted, except those that are clearly insufficiently prepared for academic study. Preference may be given to applicants who have successfully completed appropriate University of Waikato College bridging programmes.

Admission at entrance level or with credit from previous study

Applicants will be considered on a case by case basis bearing in mind patterns of admission which have applied in previous years and the standing of the qualification in New Zealand.

Pathways

Individual papers may require previous experience in this subject. However, there may be other pathways that you can take to study in this field. Please seek advice from the School of Science or the School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences.

Depending on your major subject, study in Tauranga can work in different ways.

Aquaculture, Environmental Sciences and Computer Science

From 2020, all three years of these majors are available in Tauranga. For Aquaculture and Environmental Sciences, Year 1 will be available from 2019; Year 2 from 2020; and Year 3 from 2021. For Computer Science, Year 1 will be available from 2020; Year 2 from 2021; and Year 3 from 2022.

• Aquaculture
• Environmental Sciences
• Computer Science

Ecology and Biodiversity

Toi Ohomai pathway: Once you've completed the NZ Diploma in Environmental Management - Marine or Terrestrial (Levels 5 and 6) with Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology with at least a B grade average, you'll be guaranteed admission to the BSc (majoring in Ecology and Biodiversity) with credit of up to 240 points towards the degree. This only applies to students coming through the agreed pathway with Toi Ohomai. All others will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

You can then complete the final year of the BSc degree in Tauranga by studying University of Waikato papers.

Once you have commenced your Diploma, we recommend you discuss your intended degree programme with University staff. We will advise you on degree and subject requirements.

• Ecology and Biodiversity

Psychology

Psychology can be a major subject of the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Social Sciences, or Bachelor of Science. Only some of the 'List A' and 'List C' papers are available in Tauranga.

• Psychology

Subjects not accepting new enrolments

Biological Sciences

If you have already started the NZ Diploma in Environmental Management through Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, a B average still guarantees you admission into Year 3 of the BSc in Biological Sciences in 2020. From 2021, the Ecology and Biodiversity major is replacing Biological Sciences.

Applied Computing

If you have already started studying at Toi Ohomai, your pathway into Year 3 in 2020 will still be open.

New to Waikato? The International Excellence Scholarship is worth up to $10,000.

Anne Shannon Scholarship  Accepting applications

For students who are enrolled in their second year of full-time study (120 points) in either a BSc or BSc(Tech) majoring in Ecology & Biodiversity or Molecular & Cellular Biology. Applicants must be enrolled in at least 60 points of papers coded BIOEBxxx or BIOMOxxx.
Closing Date: 15 June 2023

Computer Science Undergraduate Scholarship  Accepting applications

For students who are currently in Year 12 or Year 13 at a New Zealand secondary school. Candidates must be intending to enrol full-time in either the BCompSc, BSc majoring in Computer Science, or BE(Hons) majoring in Software Engineering.
Closing Date: 15 September 2023

University of Waikato HEBUST Scholarship  Not currently accepting applications

For students transitioning from HEBEI University of Technology (China) to the University of Waikato to undertake full-time study towards a Bachelor of Science majoring in Materials and Processing. Applicants must have achieved at least a B Grade Point Average over the last 1.5 years of study at HEBEI University of Technology. The value of the award will be up to $15,000.

Waikato Graduate Women Educational Trust Dame Jocelyn Fish Award  Not currently accepting applications

To assist women students who have been New Zealand Citizens or permanent residents for at least 2 years, and are enrolled full-time in the second year or above of a first degree, majoring in a non-traditional field for women (e.g. computer science, engineering).

Looking for more scholarships?

Visit our Scholarship Finder

The Bachelor of Science is a practical degree with laboratory and/or field work associated with most subjects.

In some papers you will be able to take part in field trips to local beaches, forests and lakes to conduct sampling and learn first-hand about the environments you are studying.

For some science subjects, you also have the opportunity to undertake an independent or small team research project (special topics paper) which may be laboratory or literature-survey based.