About the university
The University of Waikato, Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato, opened in 1964 in Hamilton, New Zealand's fourth-largest city, about 90 minutes south of Auckland. It is ranked =293rd in the world by QS and in the 551–600 band by Times Higher Education in 2027. Waikato is known for computer science (it developed the widely used Weka machine-learning software), cyber security, management, environmental science and Māori and Indigenous studies.
The Hamilton campus is a spacious, green campus with lakes and sports facilities, and the Tauranga campus is a modern building in the centre of a growing coastal city in the Bay of Plenty. The university's management school holds international business school accreditations.
Waikato offers flexible master's degrees in IT, cyber security, data science and engineering that can be taken as 120, 180 or 240 points, so you can choose a shorter or longer programme depending on your background. It also has a large share of international students, at about 37%.
For Indian students, Waikato runs a Vice-Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship for India worth up to NZ$15,000, reviewed monthly. Hamilton and Tauranga are cheaper to live in than Auckland while still being close to it.
- Founded
- 1964
- Type
- Public research university
- Total students
- About 11,400 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- International students
- 37% (THE 2027 data)
- Student–staff ratio
- 21.4 to 1 (THE 2027 data)
- Campuses
- Hamilton (main) and Tauranga, in the Bay of Plenty
- Intakes
- Several trimesters a year; most programmes start in February/March or July
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
=293 in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
551–600 in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
Master of Information Technology
- Fee / year
- NZ$48,510
- Duration
- 120, 180 or 240 points
- Intakes
- A Trimester (February/March) and B Trimester (July); some programmes also start in other trimesters
- English
- Check the qualification page for the IELTS band
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- NZ$48,308
- Duration
- 120 or 180 points
- Intakes
- A Trimester (February/March) and B Trimester (July); some programmes also start in other trimesters
- English
- Check the qualification page for the IELTS band
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- NZ$71,789
- Duration
- 180 points
- Intakes
- A Trimester (February/March) and B Trimester (July); some programmes also start in other trimesters
- English
- Check the qualification page for the IELTS band
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- NZ$56,322
- Duration
- 120 or 180 points
- Intakes
- A Trimester (February/March) and B Trimester (July); some programmes also start in other trimesters
- English
- Check the qualification page for the IELTS band
- Postgraduate
Master of Engineering Practice
- Fee / year
- NZ$52,967
- Duration
- 120 or 180 points
- Intakes
- A Trimester (February/March) and B Trimester (July); some programmes also start in other trimesters
- English
- Check the qualification page for the IELTS band
- Postgraduate
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Fee / year
- NZ$65,700
- Duration
- 180 points
- Intakes
- A Trimester (February/March) and B Trimester (July); some programmes also start in other trimesters
- English
- Check the qualification page for the IELTS band
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- NZ$62,748
- Duration
- 180 points
- Intakes
- A Trimester (February/March) and B Trimester (July); some programmes also start in other trimesters
- English
- Check the qualification page for the IELTS band
- Postgraduate
Master of Professional Accounting
- Fee / year
- NZ$62,748
- Duration
- 180 points
- Intakes
- A Trimester (February/March) and B Trimester (July); some programmes also start in other trimesters
- English
- Check the qualification page for the IELTS band
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (NZD) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Information Technology | 120, 180 or 240 points | NZ$48,510 | ≈ ₹26.2 lakh |
| Master of Cyber Security | 120 or 180 points | NZ$48,308 | ≈ ₹26.1 lakh |
| Master of Data Science | 180 points | NZ$71,789 | ≈ ₹38.8 lakh |
| Master of Engineering | 120 or 180 points | NZ$56,322 | ≈ ₹30.4 lakh |
| Master of Engineering Practice | 120 or 180 points | NZ$52,967 | ≈ ₹28.6 lakh |
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) | 180 points | NZ$65,700 | ≈ ₹35.5 lakh |
| Master of Management | 180 points | NZ$62,748 | ≈ ₹33.9 lakh |
| Master of Professional Accounting | 180 points | NZ$62,748 | ≈ ₹33.9 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at University of Waikato with similar universities in New Zealand.
Scholarships
- Undergraduate, taught postgraduate and research postgraduate
Vice-Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship for India
Value: Up to NZ$15,000 towards tuition
Eligibility: Students from India in any area of study; read the 2027 regulations before applying. Applications are reviewed monthly.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Bachelor's and taught master's
New Zealand Excellence Awards for India
Value: Set each round
Eligibility: Exclusive to Indian students; offered through New Zealand universities in yearly rounds.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Undergraduate and postgraduate
Vice Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship
Value: See the scholarship page
Eligibility: International students from regions without a country-specific version.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Bachelor's entry is based on your Class 12 results; Waikato lists its requirements for Indian boards.
- Engineering and computer science expect mathematics.
- The Waikato pathways college offers foundation programmes if you need extra preparation.
Postgraduate
- Master's degrees need a relevant bachelor's degree with a good average. Your background decides whether you take the 120, 180 or 240-point version of IT, cyber security and engineering master's.
- 180-point programmes take about 18 months; 120-point programmes about a year.
- Apply online; applications for the India scholarship are reviewed monthly.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets (bachelor's)
- Degree transcripts and certificate (master's)
- English test result
- CV and statement of purpose where required
- Evidence of funds for the student visa (NZ$20,000 a year for living costs)
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Each qualification lists its band; check the qualification page before applying. |
| Other tests | PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and other tests are accepted. |
| English courses | Waikato's language institute runs English programmes that lead into degrees. |
Accommodation and living costs
Waikato has halls of residence at Hamilton and student accommodation in Tauranga. Both cities are cheaper than Auckland. The costs below are our estimates built from the figures in our New Zealand study guide.
| Item | In NZD | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Room in a shared flatOur New Zealand estimate; Hamilton is usually in the lower half | NZ$650–1,400per month | ≈ ₹35,100 – ₹75,600 |
| Hall of residenceOur estimate; choose a hall or a flat, not both | NZ$1,450–2,400per month | ≈ ₹78,300 – ₹1.3 lakh |
| Public transportBuses link the Hamilton campus and the city centre | NZ$60–160per month | ≈ ₹3,240 – ₹8,640 |
| Living funds to show for the visaImmigration New Zealand requirement | NZ$20,000per year | ≈ ₹10.8 lakh |
Campus and location
Hamilton sits on the Waikato River in the heart of the North Island, about 90 minutes from Auckland, and Tauranga is a fast-growing coastal city in the Bay of Plenty.
- The Hamilton campus hosts most programmes, with lakes, gardens and sports facilities.
- The Tauranga campus is in the city centre, close to the beach at Mount Maunganui.
- Waikato researchers created Weka, a widely used open-source machine-learning toolkit.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Graduates can apply for post-study work in New Zealand; outcomes depend on your course, experience and English.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Post-study work after a master's (at least 30 weeks in NZ) | Up to 3 years, open work rights | Immigration New Zealand |
| Work allowed during study | Up to 25 hours a week (since 3 November 2025); full time in holidays | Immigration New Zealand |
| Minimum wage | NZ$23.95 an hour from 1 April 2026 | New Zealand Government |
| International students at the university | 37% | THE World University Rankings 2027 data |
Studying in New Zealand
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in New Zealand. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
Why do Waikato master's degrees come in 120, 180 and 240 points?
The length depends on your previous study. A related bachelor's may let you take the shorter 120-point version, while a degree in another field may need 180 or 240 points.
How much is the Master of Information Technology?
About NZ$48,510 for 120 points in 2027, or NZ$72,765 for 180 points.
Is there a scholarship for Indian students?
Yes. The Vice-Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship for India is worth up to NZ$15,000 and is reviewed monthly.
How far is Hamilton from Auckland?
About 90 minutes by road, so Auckland Airport and the city are easy to reach.
Can I work after my master's?
A master's with at least 30 weeks of study in New Zealand can lead to a Post Study Work Visa of up to three years.
Sources
- University of Waikato: international tuition costs (2027) (opens in a new tab)
- University of Waikato: Vice-Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship for India (opens in a new tab)
- University of Waikato: New Zealand Excellence Awards for India (opens in a new tab)
- Times Higher Education: University of Waikato (WUR 2027) (opens in a new tab)
- QS World University Rankings (opens in a new tab)
- Immigration New Zealand: staying to work after study (opens in a new tab)
- Immigration New Zealand: student visa work rights (opens in a new tab)
- Study with New Zealand: cost of living (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.waikato.ac.nz (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details