Course overview
Master of Data Science is a postgraduate (master's) course in data science & ai at University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand. It takes 180 points, with intakes in A Trimester (February/March) and B Trimester (July); some programmes also start in other trimesters.
University of Waikato is a public institution, ranked =293 in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2027. Read the full course description, modules and entry rules on the official course page.
Key highlights
| University | University of Waikato (Public) |
|---|---|
| Location | Hamilton, New Zealand |
| Course | Master of Data Science |
| Level | Master's (postgraduate) |
| Subject area | Data Science & AI |
| Duration | 180 points |
| Tuition per year | NZ$71,789 (≈ ₹38.8 lakh) |
| Intakes | A Trimester (February/March) and B Trimester (July); some programmes also start in other trimesters |
| English requirement | Check the qualification page for the IELTS band |
Interested in Master of Data Science?A counsellor checks your eligibility and helps you apply, free of charge.
Fees and costs
Tuition for international students is NZ$71,789 a year, about ₹38.8 lakh.
2027 estimate for the 180-point programme
Living costs near the university
| Cost | 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 |
Living costs for New Zealand as a whole: NZ$20,000–27,000 a year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Plan my monthly living costsEligibility
General entry requirements at University of Waikato for master's courses. Some courses ask for more, so check the course page.
- 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.
English requirements
For this course: Check the qualification page for the IELTS band.
| Test | What the university asks for |
|---|---|
| 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. |
Intakes
This course starts in: A Trimester (February/March) and B Trimester (July); some programmes also start in other trimesters.
Upcoming intakes and deadlines in New ZealandHow to apply
- Check the entry requirements and the deadline on the official course page.
- Take IELTS, PTE or the test the university accepts, if you need one.
- Prepare your documents: transcripts, statement of purpose, recommendation letters and CV.
- Apply on the university's application portal and pay any application fee.
- Accept your offer, meet any conditions and pay the deposit.
- Apply for your student visa for New Zealand, then arrange accommodation.
Documents you'll need
- 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)
Scholarships
Vice-Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship for India
Undergraduate, taught postgraduate and research postgraduate
Value: Up to NZ$15,000 towards tuition
Students from India in any area of study; read the 2027 regulations before applying. Applications are reviewed monthly.
Official pageNew Zealand Excellence Awards for India
Bachelor's and taught master's
Value: Set each round
Exclusive to Indian students; offered through New Zealand universities in yearly rounds.
Official pageVice Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship
Undergraduate and postgraduate
Value: See the scholarship page
International students from regions without a country-specific version.
Official page
About University of Waikato
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.
Similar courses
Data Science & AI courses at other universities in New Zealand
- Master of AnalyticsAuckland University of Technology (AUT)Check the programme page · NZ$49,460 / year
- Master of Artificial Intelligence for Land UseLincoln University1 year full time · NZ$66,000 / year
- Master of AnalyticsMassey University180 credits · NZ$61,560 / year
- Master of Applied Management (Business Information Systems)Otago Polytechnic18 months (180 credits, full time) · NZ$28,590 / year
- Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Management (Business Information Systems)Otago Polytechnic1 year (120 credits, full time) · NZ$28,590 / year
- Postgraduate Diploma of Applied Technologies-ComputingUnitec Institute of Technology1 year (120 credits, full time) · NZ$31,327 / year
More courses at University of Waikato
- Master of Information Technology120, 180 or 240 points · NZ$48,510 / year
- Master of Cyber Security120 or 180 points · NZ$48,308 / year
- Master of Engineering120 or 180 points · NZ$56,322 / year
- Master of Engineering Practice120 or 180 points · NZ$52,967 / year
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)180 points · NZ$65,700 / year
- Master of Management180 points · NZ$62,748 / year
FAQs
What is the fee for Master of Data Science at University of Waikato?
The tuition for international students is NZ$71,789 a year (about ₹38.8 lakh). 2027 estimate for the 180-point programme. Fees usually rise each year, so check the course page before you apply.
How long is Master of Data Science?
The course takes 180 points.
What English score do I need?
Check the qualification page for the IELTS band. Some universities also accept Class 12 English marks or other tests; confirm on the course page.
When can I start?
Intakes: A Trimester (February/March) and B Trimester (July); some programmes also start in other trimesters. Apply early: popular courses can fill up before the deadline.
Can Admission Mantra help me apply?
Yes. A counsellor checks your eligibility, helps you prepare your documents and statement of purpose, and guides you through the application and visa. The first conversation is free.
We researched this page on 23 Oct 2026 from the university's own pages. Fees, entry rules and intakes change every year; confirm them on the official course page before you apply. Listing a course doesn't mean Admission Mantra represents the university.
- University of Waikato: Master of Data Science (opens in a new tab)
- 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)