University of Waikato Exchange

Program Overview

In this exchange program, you will enroll directly in classes at the University of Waikato. Ranked among the top 2% of universities worldwide, the University of Waikato is committed to delivering a world-class education and research portfolio, and emphasizes experiential learning such as internships and student research. The campus culture is diverse, sustainability-conscious, and class sizes are typically small. There are Indigenous Maori communities close to campus, and many Maori traditions are woven into various aspects of New Zealand life.

The University of Waikato is located in Hamilton, about 1.5 hours drive from Auckland. As the fourth largest city in New Zealand, Hamilton has the perks of city life with lower cost of living when compared to larger cities. Hamilton is well positioned near the center of the North Island as it is close to beautiful beaches, native forests, and snowy mountains. New Zealand is an ideal location for students with outdoor interests.

Exchange programs differ from other study abroad options and require a high level of independence. University systems outside the US may differ from what you are used to at the UO, both in terms of academic structure and student services. Students most comfortable and successful in these types of programs typically have high levels of self-reliance, resourcefulness, and willingness to adapt to unfamiliar teaching styles and living arrangements.

Dates and Deadlines

Term	Year	Deadline	Arrival Date	Departure Date
Fall Semester	2026	02/01/2026	Early July	Mid-November
Academic Year	2026-27	02/01/2026	Early July	Late June
Spring Semester	2027	02/01/2026	Mid-February	Late June
Calendar Year	2027	02/01/2026	Mid-February	Mid-November

The application process for this program is competitive: GEO staff will review your application materials, and a decision about your enrollment will not be made until after the application deadline. In some cases, an interview is required. If your program requires an interview, you will be contacted with further details about this process after the application deadline. Early applications are encouraged.

Successful applicants will receive an exchange nomination from GEO. Selection will be based on a holistic review of your application. This includes a review of your GPA, transcripts (including courses taken and in-progress), any additional requirements or prerequisites (see section "Additional Requirements"), and written statements.

Applying for an exchange program involves 2 steps. If you receive a nomination from GEO, you will also need to complete the host university's application, which is administered and reviewed by your host university directly. Instructions will be provided after acceptance by GEO. The host university makes the final decision regarding acceptance into the program.

Academic Details

The University of Waikato operates on a semester system. A Trimester is during UO’s winter and spring terms, and B Trimester is during the UO summer and fall. If you want to spend 2 semesters at Waikato, you can either select the Calendar Year, which is the regular school year at Waikato, or the UO Academic Year. Please note that if you choose the UO Academic Year option, you will have a 3.5 month break between the two semesters, from November to February.

Course Availability:

At the University of Waikato, "Papers" are the equivalent to classes/courses at the UO and "Subjects" are the equivalent to majors at the UO.

Please review the list of papers available for exchange students on the University of Waikato's website using the "Course Search" link on the sidebar menu or at the links below:

You may need to use the current academic year's list of papers as a guide for what might be available for the term you want to study at the University of Waikato.

You need to be flexible with choosing papers and have multiple back-up papers in case you do not get into your top choices. You are responsible for ensuring you meet any pre-requisites for papers at the University of Waikato.

Note: Students should consult with their UO academic advisor before submitting their course enrollment to the University of Waikato.

Credits:

Most papers at Waikato are worth 15 points, which transfers to the UO at the rate of 15 Waikato points = 6 UO quarter credits.

A typical workload at Waikato is 4 papers per semester. The University of Waikato requires you to take a minimum of 45 Waikato points and a maximum of 60 Waikato points per semester.

Additionally, to maintain full-time student status at the UO while on a university exchange program, UO students need to earn at least 12 UO credits per UO term abroad.

Internship Opportunity:

Students in any major who are a junior or above while they are abroad have the option to replace one of their classes with a credit-bearing, part-time internship. Please note that there is an additional cost to participate in the internship, which is not included in the Exchange Fee, and the internship is unpaid. See further details regarding the internship program, placement process, and internship cost here.

Research Opportunity:

Science majors who are a junior or above while they are abroad have the option to replace one of their classes with a credit-bearing science research project. There is no additional cost to participate in the research project. For more information, visit the website.

Course Equivalencies

UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.

Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.

Housing Description

The four halls of residence on campus are the perfect place to settle into university life, meet new people and gain more independence in a safe and secure environment.

Three of the halls have both fully catered (i.e. a meal plan is included) and self-catered (no meal plan) options and the other is solely self-catered. All are single rooms. Residents share bathroom and kitchenette facilities. Fully catered halls have a dining room where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served. All halls have lounges with TV’s, computer rooms with quiet study areas, and free wi-fi.

Flatting is when you share accommodation with other students in a private house located off campus.

Homestays are also available. In a Homestay, you will receive your own bedroom and have all meals provided. You are expected to keep your room clean and tidy and help with other household duties as if you were one of the family. Homestays are usually located within 30 minutes travel time from the University campus.

For more information, visit the University of Waikato Housing website.

Budget and Price

Exchange programs have a fixed program fee that is calculated based on your Oregon residency status and the number of semesters that you spend abroad. Please note that the terms available for each exchange vary based on the university's academic calendar.

Please only include the relevant program fee when determining your estimated total cost of attendance.

2026 Fall Semester

**GEO Program Fees**
Description	Amount
UO Exchange Program Fee – Oregon Resident	$5,025
UO Exchange Program Fee – Non-Resident	$12,250
UO Study Abroad Fee ($500 per semester)	$500
Estimated UO Insurance*	$494

**Estimated Additional Expenses**
Description	Amount
Estimated Housing**	$4,000
Estimated Meals	$2,400
Estimated Airfare from Eugene to Auckland	$2,000
Estimated Books and Course Supplies	$300
Estimated Cost of Acquiring a Passport	$150
Estimated Cell Phone Expenses	$250
Estimated travel clinic & pre-departure physical	$50
Estimated Local Transportation	$285
Estimated Compulsory New Zealand Health Insurance	$350
Estimated Visa Expenses	$550
Estimated Additional Living Expenses***	$1,750

**Total**
Description	Amount
Estimated Total Cost of Participation – Oregon Resident	$18,104
Estimated Total Cost of Participation – Non-Resident	$25,329

Included in Program Costs: Program tuition, medical insurance, pre-departure orientation, and on-site support

*Estimated insurance cost per program, based on program length ($3.50 per day of coverage). The insurance fees will be charged to your UO student billing account.

** Housing costs vary depending on what type of housing you select. This is based on the cost of a mid-range self-catered (no meal plan) accommodation: https://www.waikato.ac.nz/student-life/accommodation/hamilton-accommodation

*** This is a rough estimate for other living expenses such as doing laundry, buying non-grocery items/toiletries, general health/well-being, going to the movies, etc. This amount will vary depending on your spending habits. This does not include personal travel.

Please visit GEO Billing Information for information about how you will be billed and when payments are due.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Date	Cancellation Penalty
Upon acceptance to program	Student agrees to $500 non-refundable program deposit
8 weeks before program start date	Student is responsible for 50% of total GEO program fees
Program start date or after program begins	Student is responsible for 100% of total GEO program fees

2026-27 Academic Year

**GEO Program Fees**
Description	Amount
UO Exchange Program Fee – Oregon Resident	$10,050
UO Exchange Program Fee – Non-Resident	$24,500
UO Study Abroad Fee ($500 per semester)	$1,000
Estimated UO Insurance*	$1,327

**Estimated Additional Expenses**
Description	Amount
Estimated Housing**	$10,200
Estimated Meals	$4,800
Estimated airfare from Eugene to Auckland	$2,000
Estimated Books and Course Supplies	$600
Estimated Cost of Acquiring a Passport	$150
Estimated Cell Phone Expenses	$550
Estimated travel clinic & pre-departure physical	$50
Estimated Local Transportation	$765
Estimated Compulsory New Zealand Health Insurance	$650
Estimated Visa Expenses	$550
Estimated Additional Living Expenses***	$3,850

**Total**
Description	Amount
Estimated Total Cost of Participation – Oregon Resident	$36,542
Estimated Total Cost of Participation – Non-Resident	$50,992

Included in Program Costs: Program tuition, medical insurance, pre-departure orientation, and on-site support

*Estimated insurance cost per program, based on program length ($3.50 per day of coverage). The insurance fees will be charged to your UO student billing account.

** Housing costs vary depending on what type of housing you select. This is based on the cost of a mid-range self-catered (no meal plan) accommodation: https://www.waikato.ac.nz/student-life/accommodation/hamilton-accommodation

*** This is a rough estimate for other living expenses such as doing laundry, buying non-grocery items/toiletries, general health/well-being, going to the movies, etc. This amount will vary depending on your spending habits. This does not include personal travel.

Please visit GEO Billing Information for information about how you will be billed and when payments are due.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Date	Cancellation Penalty
Upon acceptance to program	Student agrees to $500 non-refundable program deposit
8 weeks before program start date	Student is responsible for 50% of total GEO program fees
Program start date or after program begins	Student is responsible for 100% of total GEO program fees

2027 Spring Semester

**GEO Program Fees**
Description	Amount
UO Exchange Program Fee – Oregon Resident	$5,025
UO Exchange Program Fee – Non-Resident	$12,250
UO Study Abroad Fee ($500 per semester)	$500
Estimated UO Insurance*	$494

**Estimated Additional Expenses**
Description	Amount
Estimated Housing**	$4,000
Estimated Meals	$2,400
Estimated Airfare from Eugene to Auckland	$2,000
Estimated Books and Course Supplies	$300
Estimated Cost of Acquiring a Passport	$150
Estimated Cell Phone Expenses	$250
Estimated travel clinic & pre-departure physical	$50
Estimated Local Transportation	$285
Estimated Compulsory New Zealand Health Insurance	$350
Estimated Visa Expenses	$550
Estimated additional living expenses***	$1,750

**Total**
Description	Amount
Estimated Total Cost of Participation – Oregon Resident	$18,104
Estimated Total Cost of Participation – Non-Resident	$25,329

Included in Program Costs: Program tuition, medical insurance, pre-departure orientation, and on-site support

*Estimated insurance cost per program, based on program length ($3.50 per day of coverage). The insurance fees will be charged to your UO student billing account.

** Housing costs vary depending on what type of housing you select. This is based on the cost of a mid-range self-catered (no meal plan) accommodation: https://www.waikato.ac.nz/student-life/accommodation/hamilton-accommodation

*** This is a rough estimate for other living expenses such as doing laundry, buying non-grocery items/toiletries, general health/well-being, going to the movies, etc. This amount will vary depending on your spending habits. This does not include personal travel.

Please visit GEO Billing Information for information about how you will be billed and when payments are due.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Date	Cancellation Penalty
Upon acceptance to program	Student agrees to $500 non-refundable program deposit
8 weeks before program start date	Student is responsible for 50% of total GEO program fees
Program start date or after program begins	Student is responsible for 100% of total GEO program fees

2027 Calendar Year

**GEO Program Fees**
Description	Amount
UO Exchange Program Fee – Oregon Resident	$10,050
UO Exchange Program Fee – Non-Resident	$24,500
UO Study Abroad Fee ($500 per semester)	$1,000
Estimated UO Insurance*	$1,327

**Estimated Additional Expenses**
Description	Amount
Estimated Housing**	$10,200
Estimated Meals	$4,800
Estimated airfare from Eugene to Auckland	$2,000
Estimated books & course supplies	$600
Estimated Cost of Acquiring a Passport	$150
Estimated cell phone expenses	$550
Estimated travel clinic & pre-departure physical	$50
Estimated local transportation	$765
Estimated Compulsory New Zealand Health Insurance	$650
Estimated visa expenses	$550
Estimated additional living expenses***	$3,850

**Total**
Description	Amount
Estimated Total Cost of Participation – Oregon Resident	$36,542
Estimated Total Cost of Participation – Non-Resident	$50,992

Included in Program Costs: Program tuition, medical insurance, pre-departure orientation, and on-site support

*Estimated insurance cost per program, based on program length ($3.50 per day of coverage). The insurance fees will be charged to your UO student billing account.

** Housing costs vary depending on what type of housing you select. This is based on the cost of a mid-range self-catered (no meal plan) accommodation: https://www.waikato.ac.nz/student-life/accommodation/hamilton-accommodation

*** This is a rough estimate for other living expenses such as doing laundry, buying non-grocery items/toiletries, general health/well-being, going to the movies, etc. This amount will vary depending on your spending habits. This does not include personal travel.

Please visit GEO Billing Information for information about how you will be billed and when payments are due.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Date	Cancellation Penalty
Upon acceptance into the program	Student agrees to $500 non-refundable program deposit
8 weeks before program start date	Student is responsible for 50% of total GEO program fees
Program start date or after program begins	Student is responsible for 100% of total GEO program fees

IMPORTANT: The GEO Cancellation Policy is effective from the time a student agrees to pay their non-refundable program deposit or electronically signs the program commitment form, regardless of application or acceptance status. It is essential to read this policy before a potential cancellation takes place, to fully understand the withdrawal and cancellation penalties, and to understand what it means financially to commit to a study abroad program.

To view the program specific cancellation policy dates and penalties, click the term budget dropdown menu.

Students who cancel their participation must notify GEO in writing. Email is acceptable (geoinfo@uoregon.edu). Verbal notification to GEO or notification given to a non-UO campus study abroad office is not sufficient.

For full details, see the complete GEO Cancellation Policy.

View as PDF

Back to Top

Search Global Education Oregon

Global Education Oregon Menu

Global Education Oregon

Jump To:

Program Overview

Dates and Deadlines

Discount for Pell Recipients

Academic Details

Course Equivalencies

Housing Description

Budget and Price