Program Overview

---

University of Waikato Program Information

The University of Waikato offers a range of programs for students, including undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, diplomas, and certificates.

Study Options

• Undergraduate
• Postgraduate
• Explore our subject areas
• Find a paper
• Get started at uni
  • Information for parents and whānau
• Year 13 Class of 2025
• How to apply
  • PhD and Doctoral
• Fees and costs
• Work-Integrated Learning
• Upskilling and short courses
• International
  • Study Abroad and Exchange
  • Global Experiences
  • International onshore
  • International offshore
• Scholarships
• For schools and career advisors
• Prospectuses
• Student success stories
• Why choose Waikato?
• Key University dates

Student Life

• Accommodation
• Academic Integrity
• New student's guide
• Get involved
• Finding a job
• Health and wellbeing
  • Student Health Service
• Student support services
  • ICT for Students
• Student Learning
• Student Assessment Handbook
• Māori ki Waikato
• Pacific at Waikato
• Sport
• Library
• Transport
• Examinations and assessment
• Graduation
• Ngā Ara Auaha | Creative Practice Student Showcase

Research

• Research institutes, centres and groups
  • Research institutes
  • Research centres
• Research projects
• Find a PhD opportunity
• Find an expert
• Research services and facilities
• Research & Enterprise Waikato
  • Ethics committees
• Research showcase
• Open Research
• Horizon Europe

About Us

• Our story
  • History of The University of Waikato
• The Pā
• Honorary doctorates
• Governance and reporting
• Rankings and reputation
• Faculties and Schools
• Global Partnerships
• Sustainability
• Careers
• Community Connections
• Major projects
• 60th Anniversary
• Our campuses
  • Campus maps
  • Tauranga campus
• 2025 Academic Calendar
• The Foundation
• Te Puna Ako – CeTTL

Industry & Partners

• Services and facilities
  • HIKO hub
• Partner with Waikato WIL
• Employer Information

News and Events

• News
• Events
  • Find an event
  • Open Day
  • Campus Tours
  • Key engagement and information events
• Venues and Event Services
  • Hamilton Campus
  • Tauranga Campus Event Facilities
  • Event Services
• Emergencies at the University of Waikato

Diploma

A diploma is a short-term study option that can help pave your way to future success.

Points and Duration

The total number of points to gain this qualification and how long this is expected to take full-time.

• 120 points, 1 year

Locations

The study locations where the qualification is offered.

• Hamilton

Area of Study

This shows which Faculty or School you can study this qualification under.

• School of Arts
• School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences
• School of Education
• Division of Health
• Waikato Management School
• Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies
• School of Science

Start Dates

Which trimester this qualification can be started in.

• Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)

Why Study the Diploma?

A diploma is a good way to gain an introductory one-year qualification (120 points) in a particular field of study, without having to complete a whole three-year bachelor's degree.

It is equivalent to the second year of study of a bachelor's degree, and is slightly more comprehensive than a certificate (60 points).

It takes a year of full-time study, or longer if you wish to study part-time.

If you do not have any previous tertiary study or relevant work experience, we recommend that you look at the certificate instead.

Subjects

A diploma can be taken in any of the following fields:

• Arts - Dip(Arts)
• Business - Dip(Bus)
• Design - Dip(Des)
• Education - Dip(Ed)
• Environmental Planning - Dip(EnvPlan)
• Management - Dip(Mgt)
• Māori and Indigenous Studies - Dip(M&ISt)
• Science - Dip(Sc)
• Social Sciences - Dip(SocSc)

Degree Information

Plan Your Study

Available planners:

• Diploma in Business - 1 year - 120 points
• Diploma in Management - 1 year - 120 points

To complete the Dip(Bus), students must pass a total of eight papers (120 points). At least five of the eight papers (75 points) in the Dip(Bus) must be from subjects listed in the field of Business, including the 100-level paper STMGT101 Introduction to Management. At least five papers (75 points) in the Dip(Bus) must be taken at 200 Level or above, while the other three papers can be any level.

Business Fundamentals Papers

If STMGT101 has already been completed as part of another qualification, it can be replaced with any other paper in the field of Business, at any level. You may choose to take some of the following 'Business Fundamentals' papers as elective papers, although this is not compulsory:

• ACCTN101 Accounting for Management
• ECONS101 Economics for Business and Management
• FINAN101 Introduction to Finance
• MGSYS101 Digital Business and Supply Chain Management
• MRKTG101 Fundamentals of Successful Marketing

Entry Requirements

There are five ways you can gain admission to the University of Waikato:

1. NCEA University Entrance
2. Admission at entrance level
3. Discretionary entrance
4. University Entrance prior to 2015
5. Special admission.

You will be eligible to apply for a diploma if you have University Entrance or its equivalent, or if you have relevant experience or ability.

Fees and Scholarships

• Domestic tuition fees: Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
• Scholarships: Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.

Regulations

To complete a Diploma, students must complete 120 points (usually eight 15-point papers). This includes at least 75 points (five papers) within a single field of study (e.g. Arts or Science). At least 75 points (five papers) must be taken at 200 level or above.

Student Testimonials

• Te Tohu Paetahi has been liberating for me mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It has been an awakening to my identity as a Māori and has solidified the foundations of my lived experiences. - Mereana Vaka
• From the passion and support of the kaiako to the whakawhanaungatanga (relationships) of other like-minded students, it has been a truly broadening experience that has invigorated me to pursue future studies - Michael Lambert
• Look after yourself, know that it is okay to ask for help, and enjoy the opportunities that come your way. Simple as these things. Kia kaha, kaua e mate wheke. Me mate ururoa. Okea ururoatia. - Anaru Palmer
• Kāre he kupu… I have no words to describe the experience. This gave me the courage to chase something that has always been missing. It’s been life changing. - Deborah and Jackson Wood
• Te reo is sacred taonga left by our tūpuna (ancestors). It is up to us to ensure the continuation of reo for all future generations - Darren Paruhiterangi O'Callaghan