Short Programmes
Experience New Zealand's diverse and vibrant culture while learning from subject experts and making life-long friendships with our range of short programmes.
Marine Science for Conservation
This 6-week short programme for science students provides an exciting, hands-on opportunity to explore marine conservation in an Aotearoa New Zealand context. You will learn from our team of expert researchers through a combination of field trips, laboratories, and seminars, examining marine conservation issues from ecological, economic and cultural perspectives.
Please note: this programme will next be offered in 2025.
At a glance
- Credit-bearing: Formal Waikato Academic Credit Awarded
- 30 Waikato Points | 6-9 US Credits | 15 ECTS
- Dates: 22 June - 2 August 2025
- Length: 6 weeks
- Subject: Marine Science for Conservation
- Location: Tauranga
- Limited to 38 spaces
Papers (Courses)
SCIEN301 Capstone Project: Marine Conservation, Human Use, and Underwater Noise
Students will get to complete an interdisciplinary project of relevance to the community, in the theme of marine conservation and underwater sound. They will visit an area of a newly established Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Bay of Plenty and will engage with the community and stakeholders such as the regional council, Department of Conservation and iwi/ hapū.
- Paper workload: 40 contact hours and 110 study time
- Credit: 15 Waikato Points | 4 US Credits | 7.5 ECTS
- Level: Level 3, third-year undergraduate
- Assessment: Participation (20%), Final Group Presentation (30%), Individual Report (50%)
The paper will provide students with an overview of marine conservation science to support spatial management. The overarching objective of the paper is to equip students with a scientific understanding of the principles of marine conservation and relevant quantitative skills to support ecosystem-based management of the marine estate.
- Paper workload: 60 contact hours and 90 study time
- Credit: 15 Waikato Points | 4 US Credits | 7.5 ECTS
- Level: Level 2, second-year undergraduate
- Assessment: Online Quizzes (10%), Assignment 1 (25%), Assignment 2 (25%), Lecture Participation (10%), Final Exam (30%)
About the programme
- Papers/Courses: SCIEN301 & MARIN201
- Official academic credit from a top-ranked university in New Zealand
- Accommodation: Live with a New Zealand family or on-campus self-catered accommodation
- All meals during the programme (provided by your homestay family).
- Airport pickup from Auckland International Airport
- Trips/excursions (academic and fun)
- A Māori cultural experience
- A dedicated orientation and farewell
- Insurance – medical and travel
- Official University of Waikato Academic Transcript
- International Airfares
- Visa (New Zealand Visitor Visa or visa-waiver)
- Personal expenses during your free-time
- Meals (unless you stay in Homestay)
22 June - 2 August 2025 (6 weeks)
- Arrive in New Zealand: 21 or 22 June
- Welcome and Orientation: 23 June
- Programme: 23 June – 1 August
- Leave Accommodation: 2 August
As part of the programme you will stay in an iconic holiday park located on the famous Mount Maunganui Main Beach.
Each cabin features its own deck – the ideal spot to relax and watch the world go by. Make sure you get up early to watch the sunrise over the ocean!
You will share a spacious cabin with two other students on the Marine programme. The cabins all have a table and chairs, flat screen TV, small fridge, kettle and heaters are provided too.
Ocean view from inside the cabin
Each cabin on the programme will be provided with brand-new crockery, cutlery and linen. All cabins are within an easy walk of the clean and tidy amenities block where you will find the shared kitchen, showers, laundry and more.
Shared kitchen facilities
Relax and enjoy the great "Kiwi camping experience" and if you feel like a treat, explore restaurants and cafés close by!
Nearby 'Mauao' walking track
To be eligible for this programme, students must:
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Pre-requisites: 90 Waikato points in Science (equal to 18-24 US credits | 45 ECTS)
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Be a second (2nd), third (3rd), or fourth (4th) year student
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Have a GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0) or higher
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Be a degree-seeking student at your home university
Programme Fees
| New Zealand Dollars | US Dollars | Euro |
| $15,880 | $9,707 | €8,936 |
Note: The actual fee is in New Zealand Dollars. US Dollars and Euro are approximate values based on exchange rates at the time of publishing this webpage.
How to Apply
To apply, email studyabroad@waikato.ac.nz to request the application form.
To complete your application, you will need:
- An official academic transcript
- A copy of your passport
- A completed Waikato Homestay Application (if applicable)
Te Ao Hurihuri – Indigenous Short Programme
Te Ao Hurihuri translates to the ever-changing world. This short-term programme embodies the longstanding heritage of Te Ao Hurihuri by providing participants with a meaningful and unique cultural experience that follows a Māori welcoming ceremony, Pōwhiri. Located in a culturally significant setting, the University of Waikato provides participants with the opportunity to engage with knowledge holders both within the University and wider community; engage with like-minded Māori students in Aotearoa; and be immersed in land and community-based activities including visiting sites of significance in surrounding areas.
Make the programme your own! We welcome customisation and will happily curate the programme around specific academic subjects, while still providing a uniquely Waikato Indigenous experience.
At a glance
- Offered in 2024 and beyond
- Credit: No Academic Credit Awarded
- Length: 2 weeks
- Subject: Indigenous to indigenous engagement
- Location: Hamilton
- Minimum 10 participants, maximum 20 participants (usually made up of 1 to 2 universities working together)
- Dates: Programme dates are set in consultation with the participating university – we can be very flexible with dates. However, we will require a lead-in time of 3 months.
About the programme
- Programme fee
- Accommodation
- All meals during the programme
- Airport pickup from Auckland International Airport
- Trips/excursions (academic and fun)
- A dedicated orientation and farewell
- Traditional Māori welcome
- International Airfares
- Insurance – medical and travel
- Visa (New Zealand Visitor Visa or visa-waiver)
- Personal expenses during your free time.
Traditional Marae stay and motel-style accommodations.
To be eligible for this programme, students must:
- be a degree-seeking student at your home university.
- Capability and capacity building for indigenous students to experience Aotearoa New Zealand and Māori culture
- Engage with like-minded indigenous students in Aotearoa and share their own indigenous culture
- Be immersed in culturally rich experiences including land-based activities and visiting sites of significance in surrounding areas
- Experience a University in Aotearoa engaging with our academic experts and knowledge holders.
- Strengthen and grow the institutional relationship
- Provide opportunities that are indigenous-focused and support indigenous mobility
- Expand knowledge-sharing platforms for students, staff and communities
- Build unique person-person and community-community connections and understand the important opportunities that exist between both
- Visibility for both institutions as future study options for students, and research and teaching collaborations for staff.
Programme Fees
| New Zealand Dollars | US Dollars | Euro |
| $6,802 | $4,180 | €3,850 |
Inclusive of everything listed under What's Included.
How to Apply
To schedule a conversation, contact the Study Abroad team: studyabroad@waikato.ac.nz
Education Internship
Immerse yourself into a Waikato primary school (years 0 to 8) with the University of Waikato’s Education Internship. This course provides a brief overview of the New Zealand education system during the welcome day, followed by several weeks of hands-on experience in a real classroom setting. Participants will have the opportunity to observe experienced teachers in action and receive feedback from them on their own teaching practices.
Additionally, the course will help participants build their professional network by connecting them with experienced teachers and other education professionals. By completing the University of Waikato Education Internship in a New Zealand school, individuals will gain a solid foundation in the field of education that will set them up for future success as teachers or education professionals.
At a glance
- Credit-bearing: No formal Waikato Academic Credit Awarded
- Dates: To be arranged
- Length: 5 - 10 weeks
- Subject: Education – teaching internship experience in a New Zealand Primary School (new entrants – year 8)
About the programme
- An in-classroom experience based at a New Zealand school
- Accommodation: Live with a New Zealand family and immerse yourself into the culture
- All meals during the programme
- Airport pickup
- Two university trips/excursions
- A Māori cultural experience
- A dedicated orientation and farewell
- Certificate on completion
- International Airfares
- Visa (New Zealand Visitor Visa)
- Personal expenses during your free-time
- Bus and transport fees
- Insurance
Internship opportunities are offered in the following years
- New Entrants/Year 0
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
- Year 4
- Year 5
- Year 6
- Year 7
- Year 8
Programme length and start dates can be customised. A typical programme would run from 5 to 10 weeks.
We offer 2 sessions each year:
- Session 1: March/April start
- Session 2: October start
Fees vary based on the length of programme, with the shortest programme starting from $7,900 NZD*.
Please note: programme fees do not include international airfares or insurance.
*Programme fee is subject to change
This programme is offered at our Hamilton Campus.
Accommodation is provided for students who undertake this internship in Education.
Students will stay in Homestay accomodation in close proximity to the selected school. Our Homestay families are single family households and are not the host teachers.
Students must:
- be in their 3rd or 4th year of study
- be currently enrolled in a teaching degree or major
- have a GPA 3.0 or higher
- have up-to-date police/criminal record checks
How to Apply
To apply, email studyabroad@waikato.ac.nz and request the application form.
To complete your application, you will need:
- to submit an official academic transcript
- a copy of your passport
- a copy of your home country police report
An online interview will be conducted before
programme acceptance.
Application due dates
- Session 1: December 1
- Session 2: May 1
Summer at Waikato
We welcome our partners to visit us while on faculty-led trips to New Zealand. We would be delighted to provide student-centred accommodation and access to our fantastic facilities, allowing you to teach your programme in the heart of the mighty Waikato or Bay of Plenty regions; the perfect spot to base yourself for exploring the natural wonders New Zealand has on offer.
- Length: One to four weeks
- Accommodation: On-Campus Halls of residence on campus
- Location: Hamilton or Tauranga
- Dates: Anytime from early January until 11 February – arrival date is open to discussion.
- Facilities: University classrooms, library, and meeting spaces.
Fees
Contact us for pricing and booking options. Email studyabroad@waikato.ac.nz
Custom Short Programmes
Interested in what the University of Waikato has to offer, but can't find a programme that fits your specifications? Contact us to discuss the potential for developing a custom short-term programme that fits your needs.