Entry requirements for undergraduate international students

For all intakes up to and including A Trimester 2023, we are accepting predicted and provisional exam results for enrolment in most undergraduate programmes if your studies have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. You will need to provide final certificates and results by the start of your second trimester of study at the latest. The University will apply a slightly higher academic entrance criteria for students who apply using predicted results.

For students applying for the Bachelor of Teaching, you will need to provide final certificates and results by the start of your second trimester of study at the latest, and you will still need to meet all of the requirements relating to the Teacher Education Selection process. When your final results are available, if you do not meet required academic entrance criteria you will need to transition to another qualification.

As an international student studying at undergraduate level, you are required to meet English language and academic entry requirements.

Entry requirements

Have a look below to find out what your entry requirements are:

Academic entry requirements

Academic entry requirements are dependent on which country your previous study was completed in.

Entrance guidelines for students from selected countries

The following admission guidelines do not guarantee entry into a programme of study. Each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

The following programmes have additional prerequisites/entrance requirements and/or an additional selection process may apply. These may vary depending on the individual major or specialisation that you choose. Please see the relevant qualification page for further details:

Country	Score and Qualification
New Zealand	See NCEA University Entrance criteria
University of Waikato Foundation Studies, (Certificate in Foundation Studies – CAFS)	The Certificate of Attainment in Foundation Studies - no less than a C- grade in any subject plus a B- grade or better in two English subjects. Entry to the Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) requires an overall B- grade average, plus a B- grade or better in two English subjects and depending on the area chosen: Civil, Electronic, and Mechanical a B- grade in Bridging Physics and a B- grade in Bridging Calculus and at least a C- grade in every other subject. Chemical and Biological, Environmental, Materials and Process a B- grade in Bridging Chemistry a B- grade in Bridging Physics and a B- grade in Bridging Calculus and at least a C- grade in every other subject. Software Engineering a B- grade in Bridging Calculus and at least a C- grade in every other paper. Depending on the area chosen, entry to the Bachelor of Computer Science requires: Data Analytics a B- grade in FOUND007 and at least a C- grade in every other paper. Embedded Systems a B- grade in FOUND007 and a B grade in FOUND011 and at least a C- grade in every other paper. Entry to the Bachelor of Laws requires an overall B- grade average, plus a B- grade or better in FOUND001 (Introduction to Study Skills)
New Zealand foundation programmes	Successful completion of any of the foundation certificates offered by a New Zealand university.
NCUK International Foundation Year (IFY)	Completion of NCUK International Foundation Year (IFY) with CCC or above. Some programmes have additional entry requirements. For further details, visit our dedicated NCUK information page.
NCUK International Year One (IYOne) Business and Engineering	Completion of NCUK International Year One (IYOne) Business and Engineering Streams, 120 credits with a score of 50 or above. Some programmes have additional entry requirements. For further details, visit our dedicated NCUK information page.
Other foundation programmes	The University of New South Wales Foundation Year – a minimum GPA of 6.5 (C grade) with an 8.0 in Academic English. Professional programmes such as law and engineering will require higher passes in prerequisite subjects. The University accepts applicants from a number of foundation programmes offered in New Zealand, Australia, the UK and elsewhere. Please contact the University to find out if your programme is accepted for entry to Waikato.
Advanced Placement International Diploma (APID)	Applicants must have qualified for the diploma with grades of 3 or higher in each of at least 4 subjects.
Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) or Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE)	A minimum of 120 points on the New Zealand CAIE Tariff at A or AS level, including at least three subjects (excluding Thinking Skills) in which no grade is lower than D. Standards apply regarding literacy and numeracy and applicants should refer to kams.a-loan-calculator.com/study/enrolment/undergraduate
GCE Advanced levels (outside UK)	Applicants must achieve a minimum of 6 points taken from three subjects, achieving a minimum grade of C in at least one subject. Points calculated as follows: A = 5, B = 4, C = 3, D = 2, E = 1. AS Level grades are not included.
International Baccalaureate (taken in NZ or overseas)	Completed International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma with a minimum of 24 points.
Learning Resource Network - International GCSE and International AS/A Levels	Applicants must satisfy both the Part A and Part B requirements. PART A (General Requirement) a grade of C or above in three A level subjects PART B (Literacy and Numeracy) Literacy An E grade or better in English Language at AS or A level. Numeracy a C grade or better in GCSE mathematics, or D in Mathematics at AS or A level
Pearson Edexcel International A levels	Applicants must satisfy both the Part A and Part B requirements. Part A Applicants must obtain minimum of 120 points on the NZ Tariff at A or AS level in approved syllabus subjects, including at least three syllabus subjects in which no grade is lower than D. Part B Applicants must satisfy the literacy and numeracy requirements as follows: Literacy An E grade or better in any one of AS English Language, Literature in English (A D grade or better will also satisfy one of the syllabus subject requirements of Part A). Numeracy A D grade or better in IGCSE mathematics, or Any mathematics passed at AS level (A D grade or better will also satisfy one of the syllabus subject requirements of Part A).
Australia	Australian Tertiary Admission Rank of 70 or higher or QLD OP of 14 or lower (if sat prior to 2020). This also applies to students studying Australian qualifications outside Australia, such as the South Australian Matriculation (SAM) and the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE).
Bangladesh	Successful completion of one year of study at a recognised institution of university standing.
Brazil	Successful completion of one year of study at a recognised institution of university standing.
Canada	Ontario Secondary School Diploma – 65% overall average grade. Quebec Grade 12 Certificate – average of 60% across six subjects (including English). British Columbia Certificate of Graduation - pass in at least five Grade 12 courses.
Chile	Successful completion of one year of study at a recognised institution of university standing
China	Tier One score in the National University Entrance Examination (Gaokao). For the required score by province, please click here; or two years' successful academic study at a recognised junior college; or successful completion of one year of study at a recognised institution of university standing.
Colombia	Successful completion of Tecnólogo Especializado at a recognised tertiary institution; or Successful completion of one year of study at a recognised institution of university standing.
Fiji	Fiji Form 7 – an aggregate over 4 subjects of 250 marks out of 400 with a minimum of 50 in English. University of the South Pacific (USP) Foundation Year in Arts, Business or Science with a grade average of B or higher and no grade lower than C in the 8 required courses.
France	Successful completion of Diplome du Baccalaureat.
Germany	Successful completion of Abitur or Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife.
Ghana	One year's successful bachelor degree level study at a recognised institution of university standing with good passing grades.
Hong Kong	Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education with a score of 15, based on aggregate of best five (5) subjects, from any combination of Core and Category A and C electives. This excludes Category B (Applied Learning) subjects.
India	Achieve an average of 75% over the best four academic subjects in the Indian School Certificate (ISC), or the All-India Senior School Certificate (AISSC), and selected state boards: Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal with a minimum of 60% in English, or: An average of 80% over the best four academic subjects in all other state boards with Minimum of 65% in English.
Indonesia	An overall average of 8.5/80% or more in SMA; or Successful completion of one year of study at a recognised institution of university standing; or Successful completion of a Diploma II from a recognised tertiary institution.
Japan	Completion of a high school diploma with a B average; or One year of successful study at a Japanese university; or Completion of a Junior College Diploma of two or three years' duration.
Korea	National College Scholastic Aptitude Test (CATS) with a minimum score of 250.
Kuwait	Successful completion of General Secondary Education Certificate with an overall average of 80% (calculated on academic subjects only).
Malaysia	Foundation Studies (Business) - KDU College, Petaling Jaya with B average. Malaysian Matrikulation Certificate (Matrikulasi) - Cumulative minimum GPA of 2.5 (Calculated on the basis that A=4.0, A-=3.67, B+=3.33, B=3.0, B-=2.67, C+=2.33, C=2.0, C-=1.67, D+=1.33, D=1.0, F=0). A minimum of 6 points obtained from at least three Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) subjects. Points calculated as follows: A = 5, A-+4, B+=4, B=3, B-=2, C+=2, C=1; or, Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) of the Malaysian independent Chinese Secondary System with a maximum of 20 points over 6 academic subjects.
Nigeria	One year's successful bachelor degree level study at a recognised institution of university standing with good passing grades. Completion of Nigerian National Diploma.
Norway	Successful completion of the Vitnemal fra den Videregaende Skole (Certificate of Upper Secondary Education).
Oman	One year of successful study at a recognised institution of university standing.
Pakistan	One year of successful study at a recognised institution of university standing.
Saudi Arabia	Successful completion of a diploma at a recognised College of Technology; or One year of successful study at bachelor’s level, at a recognised institution of university standing.
Singapore	A levels / H levels: A minimum of 3 H2 passes at C grade. (Pre-2008 = 3 A-level passes)..
South Africa	Successful completion of the National Senior Certificate with confirmation of eligibility to enrol in a bachelor’s degree at a South African university.
South Pacific countries (not individually listed)	South Pacific Form Seven Certificate (SPFSC) with a minimum of three B grades. All students must have Grade 5 or better in PSSC English and Grade 6 or better in PSSC Maths.
Sri Lanka	Sri Lankan General Certificate of Education Advanced Levels with at least three C grades achieved. At least one year of successful tertiary level study at a recognised University or Institution.
Taiwan	One year of university study; or Senior high school and a two-year Junior College Diploma; or Junior high school and a five-year Junior College Diploma.
Thailand	Mathayom 6 with a minimum GPA of 3.2
Tonga	Successful completion of Tonga National Form Seven; or South Pacific Form Seven Certificate (SPFSC) with a minimum of three B grades. All students must have Grade 5 or better in PSSC English and Grade 6 or better in PSSC Maths.
UAE	Successful completion of a Higher Diploma from a recognised Higher College of Technology; or One year of successful study at bachelor’s level at a recognised institution of university standing.
United Kingdom (GCE)	Please contact [email protected] for up-to-date requirements.
USA	High School Diploma plus SAT-1 (taken in grade 12) score of at least 1000 combining Critical Reading and Mathematics scores; or High School Diploma and ACT scores with at least 24 in every section.
Vietnam	Complete the National High School Graduation Examination (Kỳ Thi Tốt Nghiệp Trung Học Phổ Thông Quốc Gia) with an overall pass; and a minimum GPA of 8.0/10 in Grade 12 as shown in the High School Report (Học Bạ Trung Học Phổ Thông) OR Successfully complete at least one year of Bachelor's degree at a recognised university in Vietnam, with passing grades in all courses.

Recognised tertiary institutions and universities are those acknowledged as offering programme equivalent to those of Waikato. To find out whether your institution or university is recognised, please contact [email protected]

English language entry requirements

Where applicants are non-native speakers of English, acceptable evidence of English language competence is required

To provide flexibility to students due to COVID-19 who have been affected by the closure of testing centres, the University of Waikato will accept the following alternative tests for 2023 intakes. Please note this policy is subject to review.

IELTS Indicator (this is an online version of the regular IELTS test)
TOEFL iBT Home (Plus) (this is an online version of the regular TOEFL test)
Duolingo English Test (DET) with the following scores:
- DET score of 95 for pre-degree programmes (IELTS 5.5 equivalent)
- DET score of 105 for undergraduate programmes (excluding those listed below)
- DET score of 120 for postgraduate programmes (excluding doctoral programmes)

The University of Waikato will accept Duolingo (DET) as an alternative means of meeting the English language entry requirements for the majority of its programmes (excluding all Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes, BSW and LLB) while test centres remain closed and until further notice.

Students who are accepted into their programme using any of the three language tests named above will be issued an unconditional offer, but will be required to undertake a supplementary online language assessment. For doctoral students using DET to gain admission, you will be required to undertake a supplementary assessment prior to an offer being issued.

The University teaches in the medium of English and requires all students to demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English.

The University’s English language entry requirements are set out below. If you do not meet the English language entry requirements you can enrol in an English Language programme with our University of Waikato College.

If English was the language of instruction in the last two years of secondary/tertiary studies, an English language waiver may be considered. Students need to provide evidence of this at the time of application.

English language test	Undergraduate (all courses except those listed below)
IELTS (Academic)	6.0 overall (no band less than 5.5)
iBT (internet-based) TOEFL	80 with a score of 21 in writing
iBT (home-based) TOEFL	80 with a score of 21 in writing
C2 Proficiency (formally known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE))	169 and no bands below 162
Language Cert International ESOL (LRWS)	B2 Communicator with 33-37 score per skill
NCUK English for Academic Purposes	Minimum of a C grade overall and no less than D grade in each component. Some programmes have additional entry requirements. For further details, visit our dedicated NCUK information page.
New Zealand Certificate in English Language (NZCEL)	Level 4 (Academic)
Michigan English Test (formally known as Michigan Language Assessment Battery (MELAB))	Minimum score of 54
Pearson PTE Academic	Overall score of 46 with no Band less than 36
Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE)	II with distinction in all four components
University of Waikato College	Successful completion of Level 7 with a B grade or better in the Certificate of Attainment in Academic English (CAEL) programme

For entry requirements to professional qualifications such as Law, Initial Teacher Education (ITE), Nursing, and Social Work please refer to the Calendar

Equivalent qualifications

If you have successfully completed study in the medium of English, or you have taken an English language assessment not listed, please refer to the documents below. These documents list all approved alternatives to our English language entry requirements.

Special admission

Considerations for special admission to study at the University of Waikato

Students over 20 years of age with successful post-secondary education and/or work experience may be considered for special admission to a Bachelor degree if they do not meet academic requirements.

The Faculties or Schools of Studies may place students admitted on the basis of special admission in a restricted programme of studies.

Pre-degree programmes

If you do not meet the entry requirements the University has English language and academic pre-degree programmes available that can help you gain direct entry into a university programme.

Note: some programmes have limited numbers.

Disclaimer

Entry requirements are constantly reviewed and the University reserves the right to amend the above guidelines at any time.

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