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- University of Waikato
University of Waikato
| Area: | Global Direct |
| Location: | Waikato |
| Country: | New Zealand |
| Term: | Spring, Fall, Academic Year, Summer |
| Website: | University of Waikato Direct Program |
UofSC's direct enroll program in New Zealand is designed to help American students gain first hand knowledge of life and culture in New Zealand. New Zealand, consisting of a north island and south island, is situated approximately 3 hours via plane east of Australia. Naturally and ethnically diverse, New Zealand is a multi-cultural society with a strong commitment to the indigenous Maori population. The program is located on the north island, in Hamilton, New Zealand's fourth largest city. UofSC students will join about 13,500 students at the University of Waikato, situated on 148 acres of beautifully landscaped parkland.
Cost: Waikato international student tuition rates + in-country costs
Requirements: minimum 3.0 GPA
Students pay tuition and fees to the University of Waikato at a tuition rate determined by the host institution. Currently this rate is about $13125 NZD (approx. $7725 USD) The cost of living will vary depending on the type of accommodation you chose and your lifestyle. On campus options start at $4500 NZD (approx $2650 USD) per semester. Students should also budget roughly NZD$6,000 (approx $3550 USD) a semester for personal expenses including meals, transportation, etc. All costs are estimates and may fluctuate based on the exchange rate.
Courses are referred to as 'Papers' at Waikato. You can browse Waikato's Catalogue of Papers to see which courses you would like to enroll in. Trimester A at Waikato would be the equivalent of Spring semester at UofSC, while Trimester B would be the equivalent of Fall semester at UofSC. Pay special attention to which trimester courses are offering during.
To see courses UofSC students have taken at this university, please reference the Registrar's Course Equivalency Table.
Students have the opportunity for individual travel. Surfing and swimming beaches are just a 40 minutes drive from Hamilton. Forests, parks, lakes, thermal pools and limestone caves can be found throughout the Waikato region. The north island's mountain ski areas are only a three hour drive away.
A number of clubs are based at the University of Waikato including cultural clubs, traditional sports, and water sports. Clubs Day during Orientation Week provides the best opportunity to see the wide range of clubs offered. There is also an International Buddy Program and organized excursions through the International Student Services team.
All students must purchase the Student safe-University Insurance through University of Waikato. The cost of this insurance is roughly NZD$310 per semester. Per university policy, all UofSC students will be charged emergency medical, evacuation and repatriation insurance for their time abroad. Contact the Education Abroad Office for more details.
Students can choose to live on campus in full-board residence halls, or in self-catered, cottage-style units, however on-campus housing is not guaranteed. Students may also live off campus, sharing a house or flat with other students or living with a host family. Housing costs are paid in Hamilton and vary based on the type of accommodation chosen.
The New Zealand academic calendar begins in March, with the first semester running from the end of February through late June. The second semester commences in July and runs through mid-November.
Orientation is a requirement for all new students. Orientation Week is held the week prior to the start of classes and is an important part of settling into studies at Waikato and life in New Zealand.
All students studying in New Zealand are required to have a valid New Zealand Student Visa.