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Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for University of Waikato College

To enrol at the University of Waikato College, you need to have a minimum level of English language proficiency (IELTS score or equivalent). You will also need to meet the academic entry requirements for your home country listed below. Entry requirements vary by programme.

When you have completed your programme at the University of Waikato College, you can progress to a degree at the University of Waikato, provided you meet the entry requirements for your chosen degree.

Undergraduate entry requirements

Foundation Studies

Academic requirements

Entry Requirements

Foundation programme (Standard)

40 credits at NCEA Level 2 with 12 credits in each of three University Entrance approved subjects at Level 2

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

NCEA Level 2 certificate with 12 credits in each of three University Entrance approved subjects at Level 2

Foundation programme (Standard)

Título de Bachiller - Grade 7.0 in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Título de Bachiller - Grade 8.0 in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Completion of Senior High School Year 11 - 55% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Completion of Senior High School Year 11 - 70% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) - 50% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) - 70% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Completion of Ensino Médio (Secondary Education) Year 11 - Grade 5.5 in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Completion of Ensino Médio (Secondary Education) Year 11 - Grade 7.5 in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Bhutan Certificate of Secondary Education (BCSE) - 45% in any three academic subjects

Indian Certificate of Secdondary Education Examination (ICSEE) - Grade 6 in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Bhutan Certificate of Secondary Education (BCSE) - 60% in any three academic subjects

Indian Certificate of Secdondary Education Examination (ICSEE) - Grade 4 in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Completion of Senior High School Year 11 - 55% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Completion of Senior High School Year 11 - 70% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Licencia de Educación / Enseñanza Media - Grade 4.5 in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Licencia de Educación / Enseñanza Media - Grade 5.5 in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Completion of Gaozhong (Senior High School) Year 2 - 65% in any three academic subjects

Completion of Gaozhong (Senior High School) Year 3 - 60% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Completion of Gaozhong (Senior High School) Year 2 - 80% in any three academic subjects

Completion of Gaozhong (Senior High School) Year 3 - 75% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Completion of Zhongzhuan / Zhongzhi (Vocational Senior High) Year 2 - 70% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Completion of Zhongzhuan / Zhongzhi (Vocational Senior High) Year 2 - 85% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Bachiller Académico - Desempeño básico or 60% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Bachiller Académico - Desempeño alto or 80% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Fiji Year 12 Examination Certificate / Fiji School Leaving Certificate – an aggregate of 165 across any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Fiji Year 12 Examination Certificate / Fiji School Leaving Certificate – an aggregate of 210 across any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Completion of Senior High School Year 2 - 55% in any three academic subjects

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) - Level 2 in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Completion of Senior High School Year 2 - 70% in any three academic subjects

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) - Level 2 in one academic subject and Level 3 in two academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

O Level - Grade D in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

O Level - Grade B in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Completion of Year 11 - 70% in any three academic subjects

Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (Year 10) - Grade 6 in any three academic subjects

All India Senior School Certificate (AISSC), Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC), or Indian School Certificate (ISC) from selected state boards (Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal) - 45% in any three academic subjects

AISSC, HSC, or ISC from other state boards - 50% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Completion of Year 11 - 85% in any three academic subjects

Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (Year 10) - Grade 4 in any three academic subjects

All India Senior School Certificate (AISSC), Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC), or Indian School Certificate (ISC) from selected state boards (Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal) - 55% in any three academic subjects

AISSC, HSC, or ISC from other state boards - 60% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Completion of Sekolah Menengah Atas / Madrasah Aliyah (SMA / MA) Year 2 - 60% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Completion of Sekolah Menengah Atas / Madrasah Aliyah (SMA / MA) Year 2 - 75% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Year 1 - 12 points across six subjects with 6 points from higher level subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Year 1 - 18 points across six subjects with 9 points from higher level subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Completion of Senior High School Year 2 - Grade 12

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Completion of Senior High School Year 2 - Grade 16

Foundation programme (Standard)

Completion of Kōtō Gakkō (Senior High School) Year 2 - Grade 3 in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Completion of Kōtō Gakkō (Senior High School) Year 2 - Grade 4 in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Kenya Certificate of Sceondary Education (KCSE) - Grade D in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Kenya Certificate of Sceondary Education (KCSE) - Grade C in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Shahadat Al-thanawaya Al-a’ama (General Secondary School Certificate) - 60% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Shahadat Al-thanawaya Al-a’ama (General Secondary School Certificate) - 70% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Completion of Senior High School Year 2 or Form 5 Certificate - 55%* in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Completion of Senior High School Year 2 or Form 5 Certificate - 70%* in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) - Grade C in any three academic subjects

Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) - 3 points across any three academic subjects

(Calculated on the basis that A = 5, A- = 4, B+ = 4, B = 3, B- = 2, C+ = 2, C = 1)

Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) - 24 points across any three academic subjects

Matrikulasi Certificate - Grade D+ in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) - Grade B in any three academic subjects

Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) - 4 points across any three academic subjects

(Calculated on the basis that A = 5, A- = 4, B+ = 4, B = 3, B- = 2, C+ = 2, C = 1)

Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) - 20 points across any three academic subjects

Matrikulasi Certificate - Grade C in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Título Académico de Bachiller / Diploma de Bachiller / Bachillerato General - Grade 6.5 in any three academic subject

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Título Académico de Bachiller / Diploma de Bachiller / Bachillerato General - Grade 8.0 in any three academic subject

Foundation programme (Standard)

Certificate of Complete Secondary Education - 65% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Certificate of Complete Secondary Education - 80% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Basic Education High School Examination / Matriculation Examination - 60% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Basic Education High School Examination / Matriculation Examination - 75% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Secondary Education Examination Year 10 - Grade 2.4 in any three academic subjects

Secondary Leaving Certificate Class 11 and 12 - GPA 2.0 across any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

School Leaving Certificate Examination Year 10 - Grade 3.2 in any three academic subjects

Secondary Leaving Certificate Class 11 and 12 - GPA 2.4 across any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Senior School Certificate / West African Senior School Certificate - 45% or D7 in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Senior School Certificate / West African Senior School Certificate - 60% or C4 in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

General Education Diploma - Grade C in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

General Education Diploma - Grade B in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Higher Secondary School certificate / Intermediate - 45% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Higher Secondary School certificate / Intermediate - 60% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Certificado de Educación Secundaria Común Completa - Grade 13 in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Certificado de Educación Secundaria Común Completa - Grade 16 in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Completion of Year 11 - 75% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Completion of Year 11 - 85% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Attestat o Srednem Obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary General Education) - Grade 3 in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Attestat o Srednem Obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary General Education) - Grade 4 in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Samoa Secondary Leaving Certificate (SSLC) - 55% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Samoa Secondary Leaving Certificate (SSLC) - 70% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Tawjihiyah (General Secondary Education Certificate) - 60% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Tawjihiyah (General Secondary Education Certificate) - 75% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Cambridge O Level - Grade C6 in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Cambridge O Level - Grade B4 in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Completion of Senior High School Year 2 - 45% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Completion of Senior High School Year 2 - 60% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Completion of Godeung Hakgyo (Senior High School) Year 2 - Grade D in any three academic subjects or Rank 7 overall

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Completion of Godeung Hakgyo (Senior High School) Year 2 - Grade B in any three academic or Rank 4.5 overall

Foundation programme (Standard)

General Certificate of Education O Level - Grade C in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

General Certificate of Education O Level - Grade B in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Completion of Senior High School Year 2 - 65% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Completion of Senior High School Year 2 - 80% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Completion of Matthayom 5 (Maw 5) - Grade 1.5 in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Completion of Matthayom 5 (Maw 5) - Grade 3.0 in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Lise Diploması (High School Diploma) - 55% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Lise Diploması (High School Diploma) - 70% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Tawjihiya / General Secondary School Education Certificate - 65% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Tawjihiya / General Secondary School Education Certificate - 80% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) - Grade 2 or E in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) - Grade 5 or C in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

High School Graduation Diploma - 65% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

High School Graduation Diploma - 80% in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Standard)

Year 11 – Grade 6.5 in any three academic subjects

Foundation programme (Accelerated)

Year 11 – Grade 8.0 in any three academic subjects

1 HSC awarded by Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education or Bangladesh Technical Board (BTEB).

2 Secondary school diploma is awarded after 11 years of education in Quebec hence students from Quebec with secondary school diploma are not eligible for Accelerated or Diplomas.

3 The programme must be studied at a provider that is nationally recognised or accredited by the government or goverment-mandated authority.

English language requirements

All test results are valid for two years from the date of the test to the proposed start date at the University of Waikato. The requirements must be met within one test sitting or on one certificate.

Entry Requirements

CAFS (accelerated)

IELTS score of 5.5 (with at least 5.5 in the Writing and one other band, and no band less than 5.0)

CAFS (standard)

IELTS score of 5.5 (no band less than 5.0)

CAFS (accelerated)

Overall score of 46 with a writing score of 18

CAFS (standard)

Overall score of 46 with a writing score of 14

CAFS (accelerated)

PTE Academic overall score of 42 and no band score lower than 38

CAFS (standard)

PTE Academic overall score of 36 and no band score lower than 29

CAFS (accelerated)

B grade or better with a B in Writing at level 6

CAFS (standard)

B grade or better at level 6

CAFS (accelerated)

Level 3 Applied

CAFS (standard)

Level 3 Applied

CAFS (accelerated)

ISE II with no less than merit in any band

CAFS (standard)

ISE II with no less than pass in any band

CAFS (accelerated)

B1 Achiever IESOL (LRWS) with High Pass and no less than Pass in each skill

CAFS (standard)

B2 Communicator IESOL (LRWS) with Pass and no less than Pass in each skill

CAFS (accelerated)

B1 & B2: overall score of 162 and no bands below 154

CAFS (standard)

B1 & B2: overall score of 162 and no bands below 154

CAFS (accelerated)

75

CAFS (standard)

50

CAFS (accelerated)

95

CAFS (standard)

95

CAFS (accelerated)

English New Zealand Accredited Pathway Assessment Level 1

CAFS (standard)

English New Zealand Accredited Pathway Assessment Level 1

All other evidence is considered on a case-by-case basis.

International Diplomas

Academic requirements

Entry Requirements

Academic requirements

NCEA Level 3 certificate with 32 credits across three University Entrance approved subjects at NCEA Level 3, and 10 numeracy credits at Level 1

Academic requirements

Please contact college.admissions@waikato.ac.nz for up-to-date requirements

Academic requirements

Completion of Senior High School Year 12 - 60% in any three academic subjects and 50% in Mathematics

ATAR - 60% in any three academic subjects and 50% in Mathematics

Academic requirements

Please contact college.admissions@waikato.ac.nz for up-to-date requirements

Academic requirements

Completion of Ensino Médio (Secondary Education) Year 12 - Grade 6.5 in any three academic subjects and Grade 5.0 in Mathematics

Academic requirements

Bhutan Higher Secondary Education Certificate - 50% in any three academic subjects and 40% in Mathematics

Indian School Certificate (Year 12) - 60% in any three academic subjects and 50% in Mathematics

Academic requirements

Completion of Senior High School Year 12 - 60% in any three academic subjects and 50% in Mathematics

Academic requirements

Completion of Year 2 of Grado de Bachiller - Grade 5 in any three academic subjects and Grade 4 in Mathematics

Academic requirements

Completion of Gaozhong (Senior High School) Year 3 - 70% in any three academic subjects and 65% in Mathematics

Gaokao Tier 2 score (for the required score by province, please click here) and 60% Mathematics

Academic requirements

Completion of Zhongzhuan / Zhongzhi (Vocational Senior High) Year 3 - 75% in any three academic subjects and 65% in Mathematics

Completion of Year 3 of a five-year Dazhuan (Vocational Tertiary) - 65% in any three academic subjects and 60% in Mathematics

Academic requirements

Please contact college.admissions@waikato.ac.nz for up-to-date requirements

Academic requirements

Fiji Year 13 Certificate / Fiji Seventh Form Examination Certificate – an aggregate of 165 across any three academic subjects and 50% in Mathematics

Certificate in Foundation Studies - Grade C+ in any three academic subjects and Grade C in Mathematics

Academic requirements

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) - Level 3 in any three academic subjects, and Level 2 in Mathematics

Academic requirements

AS Level - Grade B in any three academic subjects and Grade D in Mathematics

A Level - Grade C in any three academic subjects and Grade D in Mathematics

Academic requirements

All India Senior School Certificate (AISSC), Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC), or Indian School Certificate (ISC) from select state boards (Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal) - 55% in any three academic subjects and 50% in Mathematics

AISSC, HSC, or ISC (other boards) - 60% in any three academic subjects and 50% in Mathematics

Academic requirements

Completion of Sekolah Menengah Atas / Madrasah Aliyah (SMA / MA) Year 3 - 70% in any three academic subjects and 60% in Mathematics

Academic requirements

Year 2 - 18 points across six subjects with 9 points from higher level subjects including 3 points from Group 5 (Mathematics)

Academic requirements

Please contact college.admissions@waikato.ac.nz for up-to-date requirements

Academic requirements

Completion of Kōtō Gakkō (Senior High School) Year 3 - Grade 3 in any three academic subjects and Grade 3 in Mathematics

Upper Secondary School Equivalency Examination - Grade 3 in any three academic subjects and Grade 3 in Mathematics

Academic requirements

Kenya Certificate of Sceondary Education (KCSE) - Grade C+ in any three academic subjects and Grade D in Mathematics

Academic requirements

Please contact college.admissions@waikato.ac.nz for up-to-date requirements

Academic requirements

Senior Secondary Graduation Certificate - 65% in any three academic subjects and 60% in Mathematics

Academic requirements

Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) - 4 points across any three academic subjects and 1 point in Mathematics

(Calculated on the basis that A = 5, A- = 4, B+ = 4, B = 3, B- = 2, C+ = 2, C = 1) Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) - 20 points across any three academic subjects and 6 points in Mathematics

Matrikulasi - Grade C in any three academic subjects and Grade D+ in Mathematics

Academic requirements

Please contact college.admissions@waikato.ac.nz for up-to-date requirements

Academic requirements

University Entrance Examination - pass in any three academic subjects and Mathematics

Academic requirements

Please contact college.admissions@waikato.ac.nz for up-to-date requirements

Academic requirements

Secondary Leaving Certificate Class 11 and 12 - GPA 2.4 across any three academic subjects and Grade 2.0 in Mathematics

Academic requirements

Please contact college.admissions@waikato.ac.nz for up-to-date requirements

Academic requirements

Please contact college.admissions@waikato.ac.nz for up-to-date requirements

Academic requirements

Associate Degree - Grade C+ in any three academic subjects and Grade C in Mathematics

Academic requirements

Please contact college.admissions@waikato.ac.nz for up-to-date requirements

Academic requirements

Senior High School Katunayan / Katibayan (Certificate / Diploma) (Academic track) - 80% in any three academic subjects and 75% in Mathematics

Academic requirements

Svidetel'stvo o Rezul'tatakh YGE (Certificate of Unified State Examination) - successfully complete with a pass in Mathematics

Academic requirements

Please contact college.admissions@waikato.ac.nz for up-to-date requirements

Academic requirements

Please contact college.admissions@waikato.ac.nz for up-to-date requirements

Academic requirements

Cambridge A Level - Grade D in any three H2 Level subjects and Grade D in Mathematics

NUS High School Diploma - Cumulative average point (CAP) 2.0 in any three academic subjects and CAP 2.0 in Mathematics

Academic requirements

National Senior Certificate - 50% in any three academic subjects and 40% in Mathematics

Academic requirements

Completion of Godeung Hakgyo (Senior High School) Year 3 / High school certificate - Grade C in any three academic subjects or Rank 5.5 and Grade C in Mathematics

CSAT - Rank 6 in any three academic subjects and Rank 7 in Mathematics

Academic requirements

General Certificate of Education (GCE) A level - Grade S in two academic subjects and Grade C in one academic subject and Grade S in Mathematics

Academic requirements

Completion of Senior High School Year 3 - 70% in any three academic subjects and 60% in Mathematics

Academic requirements

Completion of Matthayom 6 (Maw 6) - Grade 2.4 in any three academic subjects and 2.0 in Mathematics

Academic requirements

Lise Diploması (High School Diploma) - 70% in any three academic subjects and 50% in Mathematics, and completion of either Higher Education Examination or Undergraduate Placement Examination

Academic requirements

Please contact college.admissions@waikato.ac.nz for up-to-date requirements

Academic requirements

General Certificate of Education (GCE) A level - Grade C in any three academic subjects and Grade D in Mathematics

Academic requirements

Advanced Placement (AP) Examination - GPA 2.5 across any three academic subjects and Grade 2 in Mathematics

American College Test (ACT) - Score of 18 in any three sections and 12 in Mathematics

SAT-1 - Score of 800 including 200 for Mathematics

Academic requirements

Học Bạ Trung Học Phổ Thông (High School Report) - Grade 7 in any three academic subjects and Grade 6 in Mathematics

1 Secondary school diploma is awarded after 11 years of education in Quebec hence students from Quebec with secondary school diploma are not eligible for Accelerated or Diplomas.

2 The programme must be studied at a provider that is nationally recognised or accredited by the government or goverment-mandated authority.

English language requirements

All test results are valid for two years from the date of the test to the proposed start date at the University of Waikato. The requirements must be met within one test sitting or on one certificate.

  • an Academic IELTS overall score of 5.5 (with no less than 5.0 in any band), including One Skill Retake (OSR) and Indicator, or
  • a TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Home minimum score of 46 with a Writing score of 14, or
  • a B grade or better with a B in Writing at Level 6 in the Certificate of Attainment in Academic English, or
  • a PTE Academic overall score of 36 and no band score less than 29, or
  • a Language Cert International ESOL (LRWS) B1 Achiever with a high pass and no less than pass in each skill, or
  • a Language Cert International ESOL (LRWS) B2 Communicator with a pass and no less than pass in each skill, or
  • awarded a New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Applied) (Level 3), or
  • a Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) II with no less than a merit in any band, or
  • a B1 and B2 (formally known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)) with an overall score of 162 and no bands below 154, or
  • a Michigan English Test (formally known as Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)) minimum score of 50.
  • Duolingo English Test (DET) 95.

All other evidence is considered on a case-by-case basis

Diploma in Postgraduate Preparation – Pre-Masters

Academic requirements

Entry Requirements

Academic requirements

Two years full time qualification at NZQF Level 6

Academic requirements

Please contact college.admissions@waikato.ac.nz for up-to-date requirements

Academic requirements

Associate Degree or Advanced Diploma

Academic requirements

Four-year Bachelors Degree

Academic requirements

Título de Tecnólogo / Grau de Tecnólogo

Academic requirements

Three-year Bachelors Degree

Academic requirements

Three-year Diploma

Academic requirements

Three-year Grado de Bachiller

Academic requirements

Junior College Programme (Zhuanke) Graduate Certificate

From a recognised degree awarding institution, sub-degree awarding institution, or higher education self-study examinations committee

Academic requirements

Especialista Tecnológico / Tecnólogo Especialist

Qualifications awarded by Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje (SENA) will be assessed on a case-by-case scenario

Academic requirements

Higher Education Diploma

Fiji National University or the University of Fiji is acceptible.

Academic requirements

Associate Degree or Higher Diploma

Higher Diploma must be at least two years.

Academic requirements

Two years of succesful completion of a recognised Bachelor Degree or a recognised Bachelor Degree with a third or pass class

Academic requirements

Ahli Madya (Diploma III)

Academic requirements

Please contact college.admissions@waikato.ac.nz for up-to-date requirements

Academic requirements

Please contact college.admissions@waikato.ac.nz for up-to-date requirements

Academic requirements

Higher Diploma

Awarded by the Kenya National Examinations Council, recognised polytechnics, or training institutions approved by the Nursing Council of Kenya (NCK).

Academic requirements

Please contact college.admissions@waikato.ac.nz for up-to-date requirements

Academic requirements

Diploma de Bacharelato (Higher Diploma)

From Instituto de Formação Turística (Institute for Tourism Studies), Universidade de Macau (University of Macau), or Universidade Politécnica de Macau (Macao Polytechnic University).

Academic requirements

Advanced Diploma

From an MQA registered institution with accredited programmes at level 5 within the MQR.

Academic requirements

Please contact college.admissions@waikato.ac.nz for up-to-date requirements

Academic requirements

Please contact college.admissions@waikato.ac.nz for up-to-date requirements

Academic requirements

Four-year Bachelor (Pass) Degree, Bachelor (Honours) Degree, or Bachelors Degree in professional subjects

Bachelors degrees in professional subjects include Bachelor of Technology, Law, Pharmacy, Medical Technology, Nursing, Community Health Nursing and Education.

Academic requirements

Three-year Bachelors Degree

Academic requirements

Higher National Diploma (HND)

Must be at least two years in duration; also applies to awards by a recognised polytechnic, monotechnic, or specialised institution.

Academic requirements

Three-year Higher / Advanced Diploma

Academic requirements

Please contact college.admissions@waikato.ac.nz for up-to-date requirements

Academic requirements

Titulo de Profesional

Academic requirements

Bachelors Degree

Awarded by higher education institutions with accredited programmes at Level II by Federation of Accrediting Agencies (FAAP) or Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities. A pass in the Professional Regulation Commision (PRC) exams is not required.

Academic requirements

Please contact college.admissions@waikato.ac.nz for up-to-date requirements

Academic requirements

Bachelors Degree

The National University of Samoa is acceptable.

Academic requirements

Please contact college.admissions@waikato.ac.nz for up-to-date requirements

Academic requirements

Polytechnic Specialist Diploma or Polytechnic Advanced Diploma

Academic requirements

Diploma or three-year National Diploma

Diploma must be awarded by universities and registered private higher education institutions after three years of full-time study.

Academic requirements

Three-year Associate Degree or Junior College Diploma

Academic requirements

National Diploma NVQ Level 6*, Higher National Diploma**, Higher Diploma in Social Work***

* Awarded by the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) in conjunction with recognised public or private training providers.

** Awarded by the Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education (SLIATE).

*** Awarded by the National Institute of Social Development.

Academic requirements

Two-years of succesful completion of a Bachelor Degree

Academic requirements

Please contact college.admissions@waikato.ac.nz for up-to-date requirements

Academic requirements

Please contact college.admissions@waikato.ac.nz for up-to-date requirements

Academic requirements

Higher College of Technology Higher Diploma

Academic requirements

Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE), Foundation Degree*, or Higher National Diploma (HND)

* England, Wales, and Northern Ireland only.

Academic requirements

Two-years of succesful completion of a Bachelor Degree

Academic requirements

Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Cao Đẳng (College Diploma / Associate Degree)

Awarded from a recognised university that offers degrees up to a doctoral level.

English Language Requirements

All test results are valid for two years from the date of the test to the proposed start date at the University of Waikato. The requirements must be met within one test sitting or on one certificate.

  • An Academic IELTS overall score of 6.0 (with no less than 5.5 in any band), includes One Skill Retake (OSR) and Indicator, or
  • A TOEFL iBT (and TOEFL Home) score of 80 with a writing score of 21, or
  • A B grade or better at Level 7 in the Certificate of Attainment in Academic English, or
  • A PTE Academic overall score of 46 with a band no less than 36, or
  • A Language Cert International ESOL (LRWS) B2 Communicator with 33-37 score per skill, or
  • Awarded a New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Academic) (Level 4), or
  • a Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) II with distinction in all four components, or
  • A B2 (formally known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)) with an overall score of 169 and no bands below 162, or
  • A C2 Proficiency (formally known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)) with an overall score of 169 and no bands below 162, or
  • A Michigan English Test (formally known as Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)) minimum score of 54, or
  • Duolingo English Test (DET) 105.

All other evidence is considered on a case-by-case basis.

Certificate of University Preparation

Entry requirements

The entry requirements listed below are a guide, but applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

  • NCEA Level 3 30 credits in approved subjects for university entry with numeracy and literacy.
  • NCEA Level 2 certificate and 12 credits each in three approved subjects for university entry with numeracy and literacy.  Students must not have been enrolled in a high school within the last 12 months.
  • Successful completion of an NZQCF Level 3 or 4 tertiary certificate, or equivalent.

When it’s time to apply, please include a personal statement to support your application. This should include a bit about you and what you would like to do after your complete the Certificate of University Preparation programme.

CAEL & CAAE

English language entry requirements

All test results are valid for two years from the date of the test to the proposed start date at the University of Waikato. The requirements must be met within one test sitting or on one certificate.

Entry Requirements

IELTS Academic

IELTS score below 4.0 or equivalent, please contact the College to arrange testing

TOEFL iBT

IELTS score below 4.0 or equivalent, please contact the College to arrange testing

Pearson (PTE)

IELTS score below 4.0 or equivalent, please contact the College to arrange testing

NZCEL

IELTS score below 4.0 or equivalent, please contact the College to arrange testing

Language Cert

IELTS score below 4.0 or equivalent, please contact the College to arrange testing

Trinity ISE

IELTS score below 4.0 or equivalent, please contact the College to arrange testing

Cambridge English

IELTS score below 4.0 or equivalent, please contact the College to arrange testing

IELTS Academic

IELTS score below 4.0 or equivalent, please contact the College to arrange testing

TOEFL iBT

IELTS score below 4.0 or equivalent, please contact the College to arrange testing

Pearson (PTE)

IELTS score below 4.0 or equivalent, please contact the College to arrange testing

NZCEL

IELTS score below 4.0 or equivalent, please contact the College to arrange testing

Language Cert

IELTS score below 4.0 or equivalent, please contact the College to arrange testing

Trinity ISE

IELTS score below 4.0 or equivalent, please contact the College to arrange testing

Cambridge English

IELTS score below 4.0 or equivalent, please contact the College to arrange testing

IELTS Academic

IELTS score below 4.0 or equivalent, please contact the College to arrange testing

TOEFL iBT

IELTS score below 4.0 or equivalent, please contact the College to arrange testing

Pearson (PTE)

IELTS score below 4.0 or equivalent, please contact the College to arrange testing

NZCEL

IELTS score below 4.0 or equivalent, please contact the College to arrange testing

Language Cert

IELTS score below 4.0 or equivalent, please contact the College to arrange testing

Trinity ISE

IELTS score below 4.0 or equivalent, please contact the College to arrange testing

Cambridge English

IELTS score below 4.0 or equivalent, please contact the College to arrange testing

IELTS Academic

IELTS score of 4.0 overall with 4.0 in writing and no band lower than 3.5 or equivalent assessed on a case-by-case basis

TOEFL iBT

IELTS score of 4.0 overall with 4.0 in writing and no band lower than 3.5 or equivalent assessed on a case-by-case basis

Pearson (PTE)

IELTS score of 4.0 overall with 4.0 in writing and no band lower than 3.5 or equivalent assessed on a case-by-case basis

NZCEL

IELTS score of 4.0 overall with 4.0 in writing and no band lower than 3.5 or equivalent assessed on a case-by-case basis

Language Cert

IELTS score of 4.0 overall with 4.0 in writing and no band lower than 3.5 or equivalent assessed on a case-by-case basis

Trinity ISE

IELTS score of 4.0 overall with 4.0 in writing and no band lower than 3.5 or equivalent assessed on a case-by-case basis

Cambridge English

IELTS score of 4.0 overall with 4.0 in writing and no band lower than 3.5 or equivalent assessed on a case-by-case basis

IELTS Academic

IELTS score of 4.5 overall (4.5 in the writing band and no less than 4.0 in the other bands)

TOEFL iBT

Overall score of 32-34 overall, with a writing score of 12

Pearson (PTE)

PTE Academic overall score of 34

NZCEL

Level 2

Language Cert

N/A

Trinity ISE

ISE I with no less than a merit in any band

Cambridge English

147

IELTS Academic

IELTS score of 5.0 overall (5.0 in the writing band and no less than 4.5 in the other bands)

TOEFL iBT

Overall score of 35 overall with a writing score of 14

Pearson (PTE)

PTE Academic overall score of 36 and no band score lower than 36

NZCEL

Level 3 General

Language Cert

B1 Achiever IESOL (LRWS) with a Pass and no less than a Pass in each skill

Trinity ISE

ISE I with no less than distinction in any band

Cambridge English

B1 & B2: overall score of 154 and no bands below 147

IELTS Academic

IELTS score of 5.5 overall (5.5 in the writing band and no less than 5.0 in the other bands)

TOEFL iBT

Overall score of 46 overall with a writing score of 14

Pearson (PTE)

PTE Academic overall score of 42 and no band score lower than 36

NZCEL

Level 3 Applied

Language Cert

B2: Communicator Achiever IESOL (LRWS) with a Pass and no less than a Pass in each skill

Trinity ISE

ISE II with no less than pass in any band

Cambridge English

B1 & B2: overall score of 162 and no bands below 154

IELTS Academic

IELTS score of 6.0 overall (6.0 in the writing band and no less than 5.5 in the other bands)

TOEFL iBT

Overall score of 80 overall, with a writing score of 21

Pearson (PTE)

Overall score of 50 and no band score lower than 42

NZCEL

Level 4 Academic

Language Cert

C1 Expert (LRWS) with a Pass and no less than a Pass in each skill 33-37

Trinity ISE

ISE II with distinction in all 4 components

Cambridge English

C1 & C2: overall score of 169 and no bands below 162

All other evidence is considered on a case by case basis.

Students whose first language is English or te reo Māori

English will be considered the first language of citizens (passport holders) of the following countries, regardless of their actual place of residence and, who have evidence of successful tertiary study or a senior secondary qualification in the English medium:

  • The United Kingdom
  • NZ
  • Australia
  • The Republic of Ireland
  • The United States of America
  • Canada (including all provinces, if the qualification has been taught in English)
  • Singapore

New Zealand and Australian citizens and permanent residents are not included as they are domestic students and therefore do not fall under the international student language requirement.

International applicants with te reo Māori as their first language will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Divisions.

Equivalent qualifications

If you have successfully completed study in the English medium, you may not have to take a language test. Please provide your transcript, graduation certificate, and evidence of your prior study in the medium of English language with your application, we will assess and consider these on a case-by-case basis.

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