University profile
University of Waikato
Hamilton, New Zealand
About
Why study at University of Waikato?
The University of Waikato opened in Hamilton in 1964 after a local campaign for a university in the region, and now teaches more than 13,000 students a year. It has a long-standing partnership with Waikato-Tainui and is known for management, computing and mathematical sciences, environmental science and Maori and indigenous studies, delivered from campuses in Hamilton and Tauranga.
At a glance
University of Waikato in numbers
- 2Campuses
- 1964Founded
- #294QS World Ranking 2027
- 401–500THE World Ranking 2026
Rankings
How it ranks
#294
QS World University Rankings 2027
401–500
Times Higher Education World Rankings 2026
Where you'll study
Campus locations
Hamilton Campus
The main 65-hectare campus built on former farmland, set among gardens, lakes and sports grounds, with The Pa student hub at its centre.
Visit websiteTauranga Campus
A NZD 60 million city-centre campus in the Bay of Plenty that opened in 2019, developed with support from local councils and trusts.
Visit websiteSomewhere to live
Student accommodation at University of Waikato
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Bryant Hall
The smallest Hamilton hall with 178 fully catered rooms, including a kaupapa Maori floor and a floor for Pacific students; 2026 published rate NZD 429 per week (NZD 15,873 per year). · Hamilton Campus
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College Hall
The largest and most modern of the Hamilton halls with 267 fully catered rooms, spacious lounges on each floor and a location beside the sports fields and tennis and netball courts; 2026 published rate NZD 490 per week (NZD 18,130 per year). · Hamilton Campus
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Durham Mews Apartments
Six self-catered three-bedroom flats next to the Tauranga campus, each with its own kitchen, living room, bathroom and laundry; 2026 published rate NZD 285 per week (NZD 10,545 per year). · Tauranga Campus
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Selwyn Street Studios
A 91-bed self-catered facility across the road from the Tauranga campus, offering furnished studio rooms with en suite bathrooms; 2026 published rate NZD 330 per week (NZD 12,210 per year). · Tauranga Campus
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Student Village
Fully catered accommodation where students live in pods of six sharing a bathroom and kitchenette, next to the UniRec gym and the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts; 2026 published rates NZD 429 per week for a standard room and NZD 490 per week for an upgrade room. · Hamilton Campus
Prices are indicative — bookings are made directly with the university or provider.
Funding
Scholarships
Ask your counsellor which of these you may be eligible for — they'll confirm the details before you apply.
- Vice-Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship - tuition fee credits of between NZD 8,000 and NZD 15,000 for undergraduate study and up to NZD 10,000 for postgraduate study, awarded on academic merit to new onshore international students; five separate schemes cover China, India, the Pacific, South-East Asia and the rest of the world
- University of Waikato International Entrance Scholarship for School Leavers - NZD 10,000 towards first-year tuition for onshore international students entering direct from a New Zealand high school with University Entrance, rising to NZD 13,000 with NCEA merit endorsement and NZD 15,000 with excellence endorsement; applied automatically
- University of Waikato College International Pathway Scholarship - NZD 2,500 towards tuition fees for fee-paying international students who complete an eligible University of Waikato College pathway programme before starting a degree; no application required
- University of Waikato Doctoral Scholarship - up to NZD 33,000 a year for up to three years plus domestic tuition and student services fees, for full-time doctoral candidates
- University of Waikato Research Masters Scholarship - up to NZD 15,000 for students undertaking the research component of a master's degree
Get to where you want to be with University of Waikato
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