Kia ora, greetings from Aotearoa New Zealand

Welcome to our January 2026 agent newsletter.

In this issue:

• Happy New Year

• Preparing your students for A Tri 2026

• Applications for A2026

• Proposed changes to fees on offer letter

• Email address on applications

• New qualification - Master of Data Science

• Automatic bursary for MMgmt - Marketing (TGA)

• Holidays and important dates

Preparing students for A Trimester

Trimester A will begin on 23 February 2026 with classes starting on 2 March 2026. We strongly encourage students to aim to arrive by 23 February for Orientation Week and latest by Monday 2 March. You can view Orientation Week programmes here.

Students can check out our pre-arrival checklist on our website which provides detailed information for newly arriving international students. We strongly recommend that you send this checklist to your students and encourage them to read it.

Accepting students’ formal offers

As we approach the beginning of semester, we would like to remind you to accept your student's offer in MyWaikato before submitting a visa application. When students arrive on campus with unaccepted offers, it takes longer for students to complete the enrolment process and access their MyWaikato and study materials. Once agents accept an offer on behalf of students, students can create and access their MyWaikato account. Agents can still access their students’ applications. Agents are requested to ensure this important step is completed so that students have a smooth start to their studies.

Express Service

A reminder regarding our ID card Express Service which allows students to beat the rush and start their student ID application process so they can access campus services as soon as they arrive. Students need to email a copy of their passport, student visa and a headshot photo to be used on the ID card and student ID number to idcards@waikato.ac.nz. The cut-off date for this service is Monday 18 February 2026. Students will still be able to acquire their student ID cards after this date but the process will be undertaken in person once they arrive on campus.

Applications for A2026

Applications for Trimester A will be processed up until 30 January. After this date, applications indicating A2026 will be considered on a case-by-case basis, based on whether there is sufficient time to apply for and be granted a visa.

After 30 January, applications will be assessed for the next appropriate intake but if you have a student who you wish to be considered for A2026, please email info@waikato.ac.nz to indicate the student’s interest in Trimester A or contact you Waikato contact person.

Proposed changes to fees on offer letter

As you are aware the fees we publish on our website and include on our offer letters are indicative and will change depending on a student’s choice of papers. In addition, our fees increase each year and students who start in B or C trimesters are often caught out and do not budget for this increase.

In order to help students have greater visibility and awareness of tuition fees across years, we are proposing to include our 2027 tuition fees on offer letters for B2026 and C2026. This will allow students to more accurately budget for their tuition fees in advance.

As our valued partners we would appreciate your feedback on this proposal and would love to hear any suggestions you may have. Please contact Margaret Anderson, Deputy Director, International to provide feedback.

Email address on applications

As Trimester A approaches, we would like to remind our recruitment partners that student accounts must be created using the student’s own email address, not an agent’s. Doing so allows students to access their MyWaikato accounts independently, manage password resets, and move through the enrolment process more smoothly.

Automatic bursary for Master of Management in Marketing (TGA)

Waikato Management School is excited to roll out a new incentives for students applying to the Master of Marketing programme at our Tauranga campus.

• Scholarship: The new Tauranga Marketing Leadership Scholarship provides NZ$10,000 in tuition support for every student who successfully enrols. This enhanced scholarship replaces the previous $5,000 early‑bird offer.

  
  

• Business mentor: Each student will be matched with an experienced industry mentor, with scheduled check‑ins throughout the C Trimester applied project to guide their professional development.

  
  

• Business engagement: Students will gain valuable industry exposure through a minimum of two site visits per trimester, complemented by guest speakers from across the Bay of Plenty and Waikato business communities.

  
  

• Accommodation support: Tailored assistance will be available to help students explore both on‑campus and off‑site accommodation options in Tauranga.

  
  

• Student support: International students will benefit from dedicated onsite academic support and pastoral care to help them settle in and succeed.

Holidays and Important Dates

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International and Engagement Office

University of Waikato

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