The University of Waikato has benefitted from an increase in student numbers for the start of the 2024 academic year. 

Overall student numbers are up more than six per cent, with Ministry Funded Equivalent Full-Time Students growing over three per cent in Hamilton and more than six per cent in Tauranga.

International EFTS are 25 per cent higher than the same time last year, albeit remaining below pre-pandemic levels. 

Postgraduate numbers are up 16 per cent on last year and school leaver numbers have remained relatively stable despite a smaller cohort of Year 13 students achieving University Entrance. 

“Students transferring from elsewhere in the tertiary sector is up by 19 per cent over 2023 and there is a stronger pipeline of returning students with the volume up from last year,” says University of Waikato Vice-Chancellor, Professor Neil Quigley.

A Trimester is off to a strong start, largely because of its base of facilities and programmes, and a solid pipeline of enrolments that provide a strong foundation for future growth, says Professor Quigley.

“The demand for healthcare professionals is driving enrolment growth, and we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead, especially with the prospect of a new Waikato Medical School.

“We have had notable enrolment increases for the Bachelor of Nursing and Master of Nursing Practice qualifications.”

Waikato’s law and psychology programmes are also experiencing growth and its total immersion Māori language programme, Te Tohu Paetahi, continues to see strong growth, with an over 20% increase overall in students enrolling for the year ahead. 

“The positive enrolment numbers reflect the dedication of our staff and the quality of education we provide. We are excited about the future and the impact our University will continue to have on the lives of students and the community.”  

Despite this, the University continues to operate in a highly constrained environment, Professor Quigley says, with many costs escalating far faster than the University’s income, and an ongoing need to improve the efficiency of our operations wherever opportunities are identified. 

Qualifications experiencing strong growth among new students in 2024 include: 

Bachelor of Business  
Bachelor of Computer Science  
Bachelor of Laws  
Bachelor of Nursing  
Diploma in Te Tohu Paetahi 

University of Waikato 2023 enrolments: 

Total domestic EFTS: 8,4,74 
Tauranga EFTS:  862 
Māori EFTS:  2,141 
Pacific EFTS: 747 
International EFT