About University of Waikato
The University of Waikato was established in Hamilton in 1964, following lobbying by local residents seeking a university in the city. It opened with just over 100 students and now enrols more than 13,000 students annually from New Zealand and overseas. The university has a campus in Tauranga in addition to its Hamilton campus.
The Hamilton campus stands on land with a specific legal status: following the 1995 Treaty of Waitangi settlement between the Crown and Waikato-Tainui, the land was vested in the title of the first Māori King, Pōtatau Te Wherowhero, and is leased to the university by Waikato-Tainui. The university has a formal consultative body, Te Rōpū Manukura, which sits in partnership with the University Council as Kaitiaki (guardian) of the Treaty of Waitangi for the university, with members drawn from more than 20 iwi within the university's catchment area.
The university was the first in New Zealand to combine with its regional teachers' college. It has strategic partnerships with Cardiff University and The University of Newcastle, and draws students from more than 80 countries.
The university's alumni community numbers over 90,000 worldwide.
Subject Areas
The University of Waikato offers study across the following subject areas:
- Arts, Design and Communication
- Business and Management
- Computer Science and Mathematics
- Engineering
- Education
- Health
- Law
- Māori and Indigenous Studies
- Natural Environment
- Psychology
- Science
- Social Sciences
- Sport and Human Movement
Te Kura Toi Tangata School of Education delivers education programmes grounded in current educational theory with practical experience components. Health study options include Bachelor of Health and Bachelor of Nursing degrees.
Campuses
The University of Waikato operates campuses in the following locations:
- Hamilton campus is located in the Hillcrest suburb and accessible from Knighton, Hillcrest and Silverdale roads.
- Tauranga campus is located in the Tauranga CBD at 101-121 Durham Street, spanning five floors.
- Hangzhou City University (HZCU) is a partnership location in China where students can gain a University of Waikato qualification.
Address
Where University of Waikato is based, taken directly from the Ministry of Education's own address record for this provider.
Approximate location, estimated from the provider's address via OpenStreetMap — not an official Ministry-verified coordinate. View larger map →
- StreetHillcrest Road
- SuburbHillcrest
- CityHamilton
- Postcode3240
- Territorial authorityHamilton City
- RegionWaikato Region
Contact University of Waikato
Find the published contact details for University of Waikato, including its phone number, website and other available contact information.
- Phone07 838 4176
- Emailinfo@waikato.ac.nz
- Fax07-8384370
- Websitewww.waikato.ac.nz
Contact details combine official Ministry of Education records with information published on University of Waikato's own website, reviewed by the KuraData team on 9 September 2026.
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University of Auckland Auckland Central
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University of Otago Dunedin North
International tuition costs
The University of Waikato charges international tuition fees on a per-paper basis, meaning students pay only for the individual papers (courses, units, or modules) they enrol in rather than a flat fee for an entire qualification. Tuition fees vary by degree level and the specific paper taken.
The 2026 tuition fees listed are indicative only; actual fees may differ. Offer letters issued for B and C Trimesters in 2026 include 2027 indicative tuition fees to support financial planning. Papers enrolled in 2027 are charged at 2027 tuition fees.
In addition to tuition fees, international students pay non-tuition levies including a Student Services Levy and Studentsafe medical insurance, as well as an International students refund administration charge.
Pre-degree programmes
Pre-degree qualifications range from $6,483 to $35,104 in 2026 estimated fees. The Certificate of Attainment in Foundation Studies (Accelerated) costs $14,046 in 2026 and $14,748 in 2027, while the International Diploma of Business (1 year) is $33,180 in 2026 and $34,839 in 2027.
Bachelor's degrees
Bachelor's degree fees range from $32,400 to $48,345 in 2026. The Bachelor of Engineering with Honours is the highest at $48,345 in 2026 and $50,762 in 2027. Most Bachelor of Arts degrees cost $32,441 in 2026 and $34,063 in 2027, while science and technology-based programmes typically cost $42,231 to $42,235 in 2026.
Master's degrees
Master's degree fees vary by programme length and specialisation. One-year (120-point) programmes range from $39,580 to $53,640 in 2026. Two-year (180-point) programmes range from $56,250 to $92,400 in 2026, with some specialised programmes such as Master of Nursing Practice and Master of Professional Accounting – CA reaching $90,100 to $94,605 for 240-point qualifications.
Graduate Diplomas and Certificates
Graduate Certificates are 60-point qualifications with fees approximately half those of the equivalent Graduate Diploma. Graduate Diplomas (120 points) range from $32,441 to $42,231 in 2026.
For the most current and accurate tuition fees for a specific qualification, search for your desired qualification and select the "Fees and scholarships" tab in the "Degree information" section. All amounts are in New Zealand dollars (NZD).
Named Scholarships and Financial Aid
The University of Waikato offers the following named scholarships and awards:
- Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship — for school-leavers
- Summer Research Scholarship Programme — for undergraduate, final-year honours and first-year master's degree students enrolled in taught papers
- Southern Cross Scholarship — for Bachelor of Nursing students, up to $30,000 per student
- Toi Moana Climate Change Scholarship — awarded by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council
- Waikato MBA Emerging Leaders Award — for MBA students
- Huy Tien Vu Scholarship — for undergraduate students
The University also administers scholarships for postgraduate students and international students, along with subject-specific prizes and external funding opportunities.
Facilities
The Tauranga campus provides the following facilities:
- Student accommodation with individual ensuites, located across the road from campus
- Bike racks around campus with secure swipe card storage for bikes and scooters
- Campus Clubhouse recreation centre next to the main campus, featuring a lounge, courts and play spaces
- Free Kaimai Shuttle between Tauranga and Hamilton campuses during teaching periods
Curated by the KuraData team from University of Waikato's own website, reviewed 9 September 2026.
Data source
- SourceTertiary Providers Directory — Ministry of Education
- KuraData last checked6 September 2026
- Editorial content based onUniversity of Waikato's official website — reviewed 9 September 2026