Postgraduate
Whether you're a fresh graduate or navigating a non-traditional academic journey, our postgraduate programs offer a diverse range of opportunities.
Pathway programmes for international students
Please note that international students who do not meet the English language requirements for a postgraduate degree have the opportunity to study our Academic English programme at the University of Waikato College, which is designed to develop your English language skills. With successful completion of Level 8, you can progress to most postgraduate degrees at the University of Waikato.
The University of Waikato welcomes applications from students completing the NCUK Master’s Preparation Programme. For further details, please visit our dedicated NCUK information page.
A graduate certificate is for graduates who do not have a substantial background in a particular subject in their undergraduate degree.
A graduate certificate allows students to prepare for postgraduate study in that subject or to add a specialisation that is different from their major. This course comprises of undergraduate papers.
Entry requirements
A recognised bachelors degree, or a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent.
If you don't meet these requirements, admission can be granted through other criteria. See full regulations in the University Calendar.
A graduate diploma is for graduates who do not have a substantial background in a particular subject in their undergraduate degree.
A graduate diploma allows students to prepare for postgraduate study in that subject or to add a specialisation that is different from their major. This course comprises of undergraduate papers.
Entry requirements
A recognised bachelors degree, or a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent.
If you don't meet these requirements, admission can be granted through other criteria. See full regulations in the University Calendar.
This degree consists of either:
• a dissertation and coursework;
• coursework only.
This degree can be either in the same area as your undergraduate study or in a new area of study.
Depending on your previous study and chosen subject, a masters may take one, one and a half, or two years to complete.
Entry requirements
A recognised bachelors degree with a B-/B/B+ average, and a B-/B/B+ average in a relevant subject (if required).
Please refer to the respective masters degree course page for more detailed admission criteria.
Some Faculties/Schools require an honours degree (to demonstrate research capacity). Where the above requirements are not met, further study in a lower level programme may be required first.
This degree consists of a research project in the form of a thesis, dissertation, substantial research or creative work.
Entry requirements
A recognised bachelors degree with a B/B+ average, and a B/B+ average in a relevant subject (if required).
Some faculties/schools require an honours degree (to demonstrate research capacity). Where the above requirements are not met, further study in a lower level programme may be required first.
This is a one-year advanced programme for high-achieving students, which continues your studies in a major subject after completing a three-year bachelor's degree. The honours programme may be taken on its own, or included as part of a four-year bachelor's degree.
Entry requirements
A qualification considered equivalent to a New Zealand bachelors degree with a B average, in a major in a relevant area.
This programme comprises of graduate level papers and normally takes one year. It meets the needs of graduates who wish to deepen their knowledge of the subject they studied at undergraduate level.
Entry requirements
A recognised bachelors degree, or a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent, and
Previously completed study at an advanced level in the subject to be taken.
If you don't meet these requirements, admission can be granted through other criteria. See full regulations in the University Calendar.
English Language Entry Requirements
The University teaches in the medium of English and requires all students to demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English.
If you are an international student, you will need to meet English language entry requirements. If you do not meet the English language requirement for your chosen qualification, you can enrol in an Academic English programme with our University of Waikato College.
If you have successfully completed study in the medium of English, you may be considered for an English language waiver. Please see the 'Equivalent qualifications' section below for more details.
| English language test | Postgraduate, including higher degrees (all courses except those listed below) |
|
IELTS |
6.5 overall (no band less than 6.0) |
|
iBT (internet-based) TOEFL |
90 with a score of 21 in writing |
|
iBT (home-based) TOEFL |
90 with a score of 21 in writing |
|
C1 Advanced (formally known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)) |
176 and no bands below 169 |
|
C2 Proficiency (formally known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)) |
176 and no bands below 169 |
|
Language Cert International ESOL (LRWS) |
C1 Expert with an overall high pass and no less than a pass in each skill |
|
Language Cert International ESOL (LRWS) |
C2 Mastery with an overall pass and no less than a pass in each skill |
|
New Zealand Certificate in English Language (NZCEL) |
Level 5 (Academic) |
|
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) |
Minimum score of 59 |
|
Pearson PTE Academic |
56 and no PTE communicative skills below 46 |
|
Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) |
III with a pass in all four components |
|
University of Waikato College |
Successful completion of Level 8 with a B grade in the Certificate of Attainment in Academic English (CAAE) programme |
For entry requirements to professional qualifications such as Law, Initial Teacher Education (ITE), and Nursing, please refer to the Calendar.
For the English language entry requirements for Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas, please see our undergraduate entry requirements page.
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.