Approval to enrol in the PhD (or MPhil) requires support at the Department, School (WMS) and University level. You should complete the application forms fully with accompanying documentation in the form required. Guidance and official forms can be found under Postgraduate Studies at the following University website: www.waikato.ac.nz/sasd/postgraduate   Enquiries can be answered by the WMS Management Student Centre Graduate Consultant, or at the University Website address: www.waikato.ac.nz/sasd/postgraduate

Conditional Enrolment Process
The first stage is when you apply for conditional enrolment into the PhD or the MPhil. For this you should complete and submit an Application to Enrol Form accompanied by the signatures and attachments required. This includes a brief proposal of your intended research (approximately 10 pages including timetable and commitment to ethics compliance), certified originals of your academic records, signatures and other information as set out in the instructions. If you do not have a supervisor, then we will use your proposal and academic records to direct your application to an appropriate Department and supervisors. If you are an international student, you should first apply by submitting your completed International Application to Enrol and other documentation to:

Enrolment Office
The University of Waikato
Private Bag 3105
Hamilton
Tel: +64 7 838 4667
Fax: +64 7 838 4377
Email: international@waikato.ac.nz
Website: www.waikato.ac.nz/international

To avoid unnecessary delays you are advised to complete the forms and provide all documentation in the form required.

Grant or Scholarship Recipient
If you are applying for a grant or scholarship, please keep in mind that the PhD and MPhil enrolment process is separate from a scholarship application. You are advised to apply for PhD (or MPhil) enrolment before or concurrently with grant or scholarship applications.

Confirmed Enrolment Process
The second stage, usually six months into conditional enrolment, occurs where you apply for unconditional (or 'confirmed') enrolment. This involves the preparation of a detailed written research plan and literature review together with evidence of an approved ethics plan (see below under Ethics Approval). You are also required to make an oral presentation of this research plan to a committee of your supervisors, Chairperson of your Department, and the WMS Doctoral Studies Convenor.  (For a MPhil, a detailed research plan and ethics approval is required before enrolment can take place.)

Support and Advice during Enrolment
Your supervisors, the WMS Student Centre Graduate Consultant, the School's academic representative, Chairpersons, Graduate Convenors, and student computer lab assistants are all available to provide guidance and advice throughout your period of enrolment.  A Doctoral Assistant is available to assist students with IT related issues associated with their doctoral study.  Over the course of a doctoral programme $3000 will be available for students for course research expenses or conference presentations.  There is also a PhD peer group which meets on occasion for seminars and informal gatherings. The Postgraduate Studies Handbook at the University of Waikato contains information and advice on all aspects of the University's PhD programme.