Key University dates
Our key university dates for the academic year include trimester dates, public and university holidays.
2026 key dates
January 2026
| Thursday 1 | New Years Day |
| Friday 2 | Day after New Year's Day |
| Monday 5 | Teaching Period H begins and Trimester C continues — University opens |
| Monday 26 | Auckland Anniversary Day |
February 2026
| Monday 2 | Final teaching day of Trimester C and Teaching Period H |
| Friday 6 |
Waitangi Day |
| Monday 9 | Study break and examinations begin |
| Friday 13 | Teaching Period H and Trimester C examinations end |
| Monday 16 | Teaching recess begins; |
| Monday 23 | Enrolment and O week begins |
March 2026
| Monday 2 | Trimester A and full-year classes start |
April 2026
| Friday 3 | Good Friday |
| Monday 6 | Easter Monday |
| Tuesday 7 | University Holiday |
| Wednesday 8 |
Trimester A mid-trimester recess begins |
| Monday 20 |
Trimester A resumes |
| Monday 27 | ANZAC Day |
May 2026
| Friday 22 | Open day Hamilton |
June 2026
| Monday 1 | King's Birthday |
| Friday 5 |
Final teaching day of Trimester A |
| Monday 8 |
Trimester A study week begins |
| Monday 15 | Trimester A examinations begin |
| Thursday 26 | Trimester A examinations end |
| Monday 29 |
Teaching recess begins |
July 2026
| Wednesday 1 | Open day Tauranga |
| Monday 6 |
Enrolment and O week begins |
| Friday 10 |
Matariki Holiday |
| Monday 13 | Trimester B begins |
August 2026
| Monday 24 | Trimester B mid-trimester recess begins |
September 2026
| Monday 7 | Trimester B resumes |
| Thursday 14 | Kīngitanga Day (provisional date) |
October 2026
| Friday 16 | Final teaching day of Trimester B |
| Monday 19 | Trimester B study week begins |
| Monday 26 |
Labour Day |
| Tuesday 27 |
Trimester B examinations begin |
November 2026
| Friday 6 |
Trimester B examinations end |
| Monday 9 | Teaching recess begins |
| Monday 16 | Trimester C and Teaching Period G begin |
December 2026
| Friday 18 | Teaching Period G ends |
| Monday 21 |
Trimester C mid-trimester recess begins — University Holiday begins (provisional dates) |
| Thursday 24 | Christmas Eve — University closed until Monday 4 January 2027 |
| Friday 25 | Christmas Day |
| Monday 28 | Boxing Day observed |
Application and enrolment dates
It's never too early to start your application to study at Waikato. You can apply online or contact us on 0800 WAIKATO.
New students and all returning students
- Any person who wishes to enrol at the University must submit an application to enrol by the relevant deadline.
- Applications submitted after the deadline may be accepted if space is available.
- Apply online at www.waikato.ac.nz/study/apply
Contact us about choosing a programme of study
Change of enrolment dates
Deadlines for changing the papers you're enrolled in, deleting papers (with a refund of the prescribed fees) or withdrawing from papers (without a refund) are found in the Change of Enrolment Regulations.
Research/thesis programmes dates
Application closing dates will be 31st January, 31st May and 30th September. Applications must be completed online and received before midnight (NZ time) on the deadline of the application round for which you are applying.