The University of Waikato

Overview

Hamilton's University of Waikato was established in 1964 and is based over 0.67 km² (170 acres) of landscaped park-like foundation, this includes large sporting and entertaining areas surrounding three ornamental lakes. There is various international student clubs, sporting and cultural group active, along side extensive study facilities including contemporary lecture rooms and laboratories, a library with over 1,000,000 volumes and a state of the
art computer network with over 800 terminals.

It offers a broad range of subject areas, mainly concentrating on degrees in Computer Science and in Management

Faculties

The university consists of seven Faculties which offer undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate degrees in their respective subject areas.

1. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
2. Waikato Management School
3. School of Education
4. School of Science and Engineering
5. School of Computing and Mathematical Science
6. School of Law
7. School of M?ori and Pacific Development

Research

The University has many research facilities, including

• Centre for Biodiversity and Ecology Research
• Stable Isotope Unit
• Management Research Centre
• Technology Management and Innovation Unit
• Centre for Labour and Trade Union Studies
• Carbon Dating Unit
• Honey Research Unit
• Thermophile Research Unit
• Antarctic Research Unit
• International Global Change Institute

Particular strengths

In 2004 and 2007 the University was ranked the top out of New Zealand Institutes by the PBRF

The Department of Biological Sciences also earned first place rankings in both panels of PBRF: Ecology, Evolution and Molecular and Whole Organism Biology, Behaviour and Cellular.

The Computer Science department is exceptionally strong, with research groups in networking, machine learning (Weka), digital libraries, Formal techniques for Software Engineering and usability.


Unlike most New Zealand law school Waikato focuses on Alternative Dispute Resolutions as opposed to a more adversarial approach with is beneficial when in practice.

The university is co-located with Ruakura, a foundation for research in the key
industries.

University of Oxford and University of Cambridge take part in alternating years in "THE GREAT RACE" on The Waikato River against the excellent rowing teams produced by Waikato.


In 2007 The University of Waikato was once again ranked fifth in New Zealand.

Their School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, Management School and Combined School of Education were also ranked top in New Zealand.

They also achieved top rankings in 10 in the following areas

• Education
• Management
• Human resources
• Industrial relations
• International and other business Molecular
• Cellular and whole organism biology
• Music
• Literary arts and other arts
• Pure and applied mathematics
• Accounting and finance
• Chemistry
• Communications
• Journalism and Media studies
• Computer science,
• Information technology,
• Information sciences
• Ecology,
• Evolution and behaviour

In 2004 the University came first in the following

• Pure and Applied Mathematics
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Information Technology and Information Sciences
• Molecular
• Cellular and Whole Organism Biology
• Communications, Journalism and Media Studies
• Management, Human Resources
• Industrial Relations
• International Business
• Business
• Accounting and Finance

Course intakes

Course intakes are between March-June and again in July-November semesters.

The summer school semester runs from the beginning of January to the end of February.


International students

In 2002 Waikato University had over 1500 international students from more than 60 different countries mainly from the Pacific Border and Asia regions.
With a very involved international student committed there are also a growing number of students from diverse places such as Nepal, Eritrea, Mongolia, Ukraine, and various African countries. Courses in English for students from non English speaking backgrounds are also offered through the University of Waikato Language Institute.

The University has approximately 1000 places in accommodation available for students, a number of which are for.

The University has specifically set aside accommodation for international students with approximately 1000 places for the University students

Most students prefer to stay in the University Halls of Residance during their first year and then more into a student flat/ privet accommodation in subsequent years. For students living on a budget Hamilton is a great option for being inexpensive.


Sport and Leisure opportunities

A wide variety of social and leisure activities are available to students within walking distance from the University.


The Unirec Centre       

The Unirec Centre offers a wide variety of membership options,

o        REV indoor cycling
o        Squash court
o        Weight room
o        Different cardio equipment
o        Sports hall
o        Wide variety of exercise programmes
o        Personalised exercise programme available



ASB Social Sport- The indoor social sports start in March and have 6 leagues that goes
until the beginning of November

Variety of social indoor and outdoor sport
-        Netball
-        Soccer
-        Volleyball
-        Touch
-        Hockey


If you are interested in playing sports for a club, the University of Waikato has a variety of different sport clubs.

• University Netball
• Team Waikato
• Rowing Club
• Unicol Soccer
•  Hockey Club
• Rugby Club

The University also offers a 50 meter aquatic leisure pool and a diving pool.