The University of Waikato opened in 1964 after many years of energetic lobbying by a group of Hamilton locals, determined to have a university in their city. To begin with, facilities were sparse, but in early 1965 new buildings were officially opened by then Governor-General Sir Bernard Fergusson. Sir Don Llewellyn was the founding Vice-Chancellor.
By the 1980s, Waikato was the fastest-growing university in New Zealand. Computer Science became an increasingly popular study choice and the thriving Department was elevated to a School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences in 1987.
The University always had a close relationship with its neighbouring teachers’ college and, leading the way for others to follow, became the first university in New Zealand to combine with its regional teachers’ college. Through its teaching programmes, the University began to establish a presence in Tauranga.
The University of Waikato has a longstanding relationship with the K?ngitanga and Waikato-Tainui, who are the traditional owners and custodians in the Waikato region. The University’s Hamilton campus is based on land originally inhabited by Ng?ti Wairere and Ng?ti Hau? of Tainui. Much of this land was confiscated in 1864 by the colonial government following the Waikato Land Wars, an act later found to be in breach of the Treaty of Waitangi.
To redress this, the Crown signed a settlement with Waikato-Tainui in 1995, part of which vested the land on which the Hamilton campus stands in the title of the first M?ori King, P?tatau Te Wherowhero, to ensure it could not be alienated. It is now leased to the University by Waikato-Tainui.
In 1991 Te R?p? Manukura was formed as a consultative body to the University Council. It now sits in partnership with the University Council as the Kaitiaki (guardian) of the Treaty of Waitangi for the University. Te R?p? Manukura is currently made up of members from over 20 different iwi within the catchment area of the University.
In 2009, K?ngitanga Day was established as a way to honour and strengthen the connection between the University, K?ngitanga, Waikato-Tainui, and many other iwi across the country. K?ngitanga Day is a community-focused event and is celebrated annually in September.
The University of Waikato campus in Hamilton covers 65 hectares, built on what was previously farmland. Originally designed by architect John Blake-Kelly, the campus has developed over time to include an impressive array of facilities set amidst tranquil gardens, lakes and sports grounds.
These facilities include the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts – the concert chamber’s near-perfect acoustics regularly attract international artists for performance and recording.
The Student Centre - Te Manawa, which houses the library and provides a central study space for students, was opened in 2011.
The P?, which will include a marae and spaces for students to work and relax.
Tauranga Campus opened in 2019. Previously, the University shared facilities with Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology in the Bay of Plenty. The $60 million campus development was possible through the support and drive of the region, especially key funders Tauranga City Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and the Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust who all saw the need to enhance the range of qualifications and study options available to students in the Bay of Plenty.
The University of Waikato was the first New Zealand university to receive Chinese Ministry of Education approval to fully deliver degrees in China. The first cohort of students started at the University’s Joint Institute with Zhejiang University City College (ZUCC) in Hangzhou in late 2017, and enrolments continue to increase across the three Waikato degree programmes being offered at ZUCC.
Internationally recognized
The University of Waikato is a consistent climber in the most prestigious international rankings. We've risen 127 places in the QS World University Rankings in five years!
Waikato experience
Our campuses are bursting with life and energy. With smaller class sizes, better access to lecturers, affordable living, a wide range of support services, and dozens of student clubs, your student experience at Waikato will be dynamic and distinctive.
Flexibility
Our flexible degree structures mean you can study a broad range of subjects to shape a qualification that matches your strengths and career interests and will keep your skills in demand.
Scholarships
We believe in rewarding success, which is why we offer hundreds of scholarships every year to our students to help fund study and study-related expenses.
Teaching excellence
Our students learn from award-winning lecturers and world-leading researchers who are committed to delivering you a world-class, innovative education.
Industry ready
Each year, we offer more than 2000 industry placements and internships. Whether you’re an undergraduate or postgraduate student, our partnerships and networks offer you a unique opportunity to embed yourself in local or international organizations as part of your learning experience.
QS World University Rankings 2024
Placed 250th in the world and the #1 University in New Zealand for Research (measured by citations per faculty member).
QS Rankings by Subject 2024
16 subjects and subject areas ranked by QS, 11 in the top 350 globally:
Accounting & Finance (201-250)
Agriculture & Forestry (301-350)
Economics & Econometrics (301-350)
Education (201-250)
English Language & Literature (301-330)
Geography (201-230)
Law (251-300)
Philosophy (201-210)
Psychology (301-330)
Sociology (251-300)
Sports-related Subjects (51-100)
QS Sustainability Ranking 2024
Ranked 99th in the world, with a 27th place in Environmental Education and 36th place in Environmental Impact.
QS Annual Survey
QS uses an annual survey to assess institutions’ academic and employer reputation:
If you employ our graduates and would like to take part in this annual survey, complete the form.
QS Global Employer Reputation Survey
If you are an academic in a university anywhere in the world, or if you have knowledge of academic research in your area of expertise, and would like to take part in the survey, complete the form.
QS Global Academic Reputation Survey
QS Stars
Given an overall rating of 'Excellent' (5 stars) by QS in their QS Stars Ratings, which aim to give prospective students an additional tool to use when choosing a university.
THE Impact Rankings 2023
Ranked 92nd in the world.
The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings score institutions against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The ranking reflects the University of Waikato’s commitment to using the power of our research and our people to make a significant, positive contribution on both a local and global scale.
We are proud to be ranked 32nd in the world for SDG17 Partnership for the Goals, 34th for SDG14 Life below Water, 44th for SDG15 Life on Land, 48th for SDG16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and 51st for SGD5 Gender Equality.
Learn more about our commitment to sustainability.
THE World University Rankings 2024THE Rankings by Subject 2024
Five subjects ranked by THE in the top 300 globally:
Business and Economics (151-175)
Education (251-300)
Life Sciences (251-300)
Psychology (251-300)
Social Sciences (176-200)
International student satisfaction
The 2023 International Student Barometer surveyed over 117,000 international students studying all over the world.
90% of the students surveyed who studied at the University of Waikato were very satisfied or satisfied with their experience. Our satisfaction rates are higher than the comparable benchmarks for the international universities and the six New Zealand universities that took part.
Join us as an international student
Waikato Management School: Triple Crown status
Waikato Management School is a member of an elite group of business schools worldwide that have earned 'Triple Crown' status – an international acknowledgement of excellence in business education. We are accredited to AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA – only 1% of the world's business schools have met the strict standards of all three accreditation bodies.
Internationally accredited MBA
In 2022, Waikato Management School received re-accreditation for its MBA programme from AMBA for five years, the maximum length of accreditation available.
Engineering New Zealand accredited
At Waikato, our eligible engineering programmes are fully accredited by Engineering New Zealand. This means that our Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) students benefit from a qualification that is benchmarked to international standards and recognised internationally.
We are ranked in the 401-500 band globally
