How to Apply: Study Abroad and Exchange
For Study Abroad and Exchange students planning on studying at Waikato.
How to apply
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Apply to study abroad in our online student portal, . If you haven鈥檛 already, you will need to create an account.
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Read the study abroad and exchange application guide, which contains screenshots and tips to help you complete your application successfully.
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In the Qualification Search, select Study Abroad and Exchange as your qualification. Do not select any other option other than Study Abroad and Exchange.
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Further into your application, make sure you select Study Abroad or Exchange as per your welcome email.
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You should receive your acceptance letter 鈥� called an 鈥淥ffer of Place鈥� 鈥� by email 2-4 weeks after submitting your application.
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Your Offer of Place will either be unconditional or conditional, if you have not supplied an official transcript or met English language requirements.
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If you have any questions about the conditions you need to meet, email studyabroad@waikato.ac.nz.
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Once you have received your offer
Once you have received your offer, you will need to accept it in
The papers you selected as part of your initial application for an offer were only a pre-selection. To formally enrol, please re-select the papers you want to complete with us so that they can be assessed. Once papers have been assessed, they will move from 鈥楶ending鈥� to 鈥楨nrolled鈥�.
100 level papers can be approved quite quickly, but 200 level papers and above need to be internally assessed by an academic advisor so take a bit longer. Paper approval for these levels can take a few weeks. If you have any concerns about pending papers, please email studyabroad@waikato.ac.nz.
You can apply for accommodation before you receive your "Offer of Place鈥�. We strongly recommend that you apply as early as possible to ensure you get your preferred option.
Campus housing is guaranteed for study abroad and exchange students if the accommodation application is submitted before the due date. Applications after the due date are welcome, however, the guarantee of placement does not apply.
If you're looking to improve your English or want a home away from home,鈥痶ry a homestay and live with a local New Zealand Family.
Accommodation application open and due dates
A Trimester
Opens:鈥�1 August
Due:鈥�1 December
B Trimester
Opens:鈥�1 April
Due:鈥�1 May
You're strongly encouraged to apply early to secure your preferred housing option. Self-catered flats are in the highest demand and not always available. We encourage you to talk to your study abroad and exchange advisor to discuss your accommodation options at Waikato.
On-campus accommodation
The rooms are single study bedrooms with a single bed, mattress, mattress protector, chair, desk, desk light, bookcase, drawers and a wardrobe. All rooms have curtains, are fully carpeted and centrally heated. All utilities are included in the cost of rent.
Linen packs鈥痑re available and consist of a pillow, duvet inner, duvet cover, sheet set and 2 towels. We recommend purchasing the linen pack before you arrive. This way, it will be waiting for you when you arrive after spending a long time flying and don鈥檛 want to worry about venturing out to buy bedding!
Each hall has a鈥�laundry鈥痺ith washing machines and dryers.
Fully-catered鈥痬eans that all meals are provided in the residence hall鈥檚 dining room - 3 meals/day, 7 days/week.
Self-catered鈥痑ccommodation provides you with a fully-equipped kitchen and you are responsible for buying your own food and cooking meals.
Homestay鈥痠s fully-catered; all meals are provided by your host family.
Find out more about the鈥�51萝莉 accommodation options.
Trimester Study Abroad & Exchange
We recommend applying for your student visa as soon as you receive your offer of place letter. Visa processing times range from 3-12 weeks, depending on your visa type. See up-to-date visa processing times .
Study Abroad students will need a . Exchange students will need an鈥�.
If you intend to be in New Zealand before or after your Study Abroad or Exchange experience, and would like the opportunity to work while you travel, then the鈥�痬ay suit your needs. This visa is a one-time visa; therefore, we recommend you study with us on a specific student visa if you are primarily in New Zealand to study. We recommend you鈥�痠f you have questions about which visa is right for you.
Short programmes (under 3 months)
Students from visa waiver countries studying on our short programmes can enter New Zealand and stay for up to 3 months.
Please read carefully through the information and be sure that you apply for the鈥� at least 72 hours before travelling. Students from non-visa waiver countries must apply for a visitor visa to enter New Zealand.
笔濒别补蝉别鈥� directly if you have questions regarding your visa application.
It is normal to see the below 鈥淓rror鈥� message when trying to complete enrolment. This is because you can only complete the final step of your enrolment when you arrive on campus, as our Student Services Team need to validate your passport and visa in person.
Our staff at the Student Centre will take copies of these documents. They will also advise you on where to go if you need to meet a course advisor to change your papers, how to collect your student ID card, and any remaining steps you need to take before your enrolment can be fully completed.
To complete your enrolment at the 51萝莉, you are required by the New Zealand government to have appropriate medical and travel insurance for the duration of your stay in New Zealand.
The 51萝莉 uses StudentSafe as its provider of insurance. The charge for StudentSafe is automatically added to your Waikato student account after applying to enrol.
If you wish to use another provider for your insurance, or already have insurance with your home institution, please view our list of alternative policies accepted by the 51萝莉.
If your current policy is not listed as fully compliant/approved, please send it for assessment at least two weeks before the course start date. Our insurance team will assess if it meets the requirements to be used as an alternative to StudentSafe.
The insurance fee can be found on the fees page.
To ensure that we are prepared for your arrival, you will need to complete an鈥痑rrival form at least 7 days before you arrive in New Zealand to let University staff know when you are expecting to arrive. We will send this form to you closer to the start of your programme.
This form also enables you to request free pick up from Auckland International Airport (1.5-2 hours drive from Hamilton - this is where most students arrive), Hamilton Airport, or Tauranga Airport. If you choose this option, a shuttle will be sent to collect you and take you to your pre-arranged accommodation in Hamilton or Tauranga. The shuttle is only available to new students. Family members/children are not permitted to use the shuttle service.
Please note: a return airport shuttle at the end of the term is not provided, but we are happy to assist you in arranging transport.
Participate in the Buddy Programme, volunteer at a local organisation, join a student club (or many), and discover the diverse group of people and cultures that make up the Waikato atmosphere and experience.
Learn all about upcoming Welcome to Waikato Orientation week鈥痚vents and activities - attendance at the International Student Orientation and Study Abroad & Exchange Orientation sessions are mandatory!
Join our private鈥�痜or Study Abroad and Exchange students - it鈥檚 a great way to connect with fellow students coming to NZ and ask any questions not answered on the website.
Follow Waikato International on鈥�痑苍诲鈥�
All tuition fees must be paid prior to arrival at Waikato.
Because you cannot complete your enrolment until you arrive on campus, you will not be able to use the Credit Card or Online Banking options listed through MyWaikato. You can however pay your fees through Flywire, which is our preferred method of payment.