School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations

Postgraduate Study

On this page:

Overview

Our School has a thriving research culture and our postgraduate community is valued and supported. Collegiality is encouraged through strong interaction between staff and students. Practical support is offered by way of seminars, discussion groups and conferences. There is also a retreat run for and by Philosophy Postgraduate students and an annual History Postgraduate Conference run by History postgraduate students. Postgraduate students are actively encouraged to present their research at academic conferences. Financial assistance may be available from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (FHSS) Research Grant or other funding which may become available.

To learn more about our current postgraduate students see our History, Philosophy and Political Science and International Relations Student Profile pages.

Please note: Information on this page relates to the 2013 academic year unless otherwise specified.

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Graduate Diploma in Arts (GDipArts)

A Graduate Diploma in Arts gives you the opportunity to specialise at an advanced level in areas outside your first degree.  It is a one-year full time or up to four years' part-time programme of study.

For further information on the requirements and application process, please refer to the Graduate Diploma of Arts page on the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences' website or contact the relevant Postgraduate Coordinator below.

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Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (PGDipArts)

The PGDipArts is intended for students eligible to study at 400 level, but not wishing to undertake the research component required for a BA(Hons). Entry to the PGDipArts requires the same average grade as for a Bachelor of Arts with Honours.

For further information on the requirements and application process, please refer to the PGDipArts page on the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences' website or contact the relevant Postgraduate Coordinator below.

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Postgraduate Diploma and Certificate in Strategic Studies

We also offer a 120-point Postgraduate Diploma and 60-point Postgraduate Certificate in Strategic Studies. For more information contact the Director of the Centre for Strategic Studies, robert.ayson@vuw.ac.nz.

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Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons))

A Bachelor of Arts with Honours is normally a one year, full-time programme of coursework undertaken after the completion of a BA degree or GDipArts in the relevant subject area. It comprises four 400-level courses or 120 points.

Entry to Honours is normally based on achievement of at least a B average grade in courses relevant to the proposed Honours study for History, Political Science or International Relations. A B+ average grade in the 200- and 300-level courses of your Philosophy major is required by Philosophy, and a B+ average in 300-level POLS and INTP courses is required by the Political Science and International Relations Programme.

HIST 489 and PHIL 489: Research Essay is a compulsory course for History and Philosophy Honours students from 2011. As part of this course students are required to attend the Honours work-in-progress seminars. All Philosophy BA(Hons) students are expected to attend work-in-progress postgraduate seminars. Political Science and International Relations postgraduates enrolled in the Research Essay courses are encouraged to attend the Programme's postgraduate work-in-progress seminars.

For further information on the requirements and application process, please refer to the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences' (FHSS) Bachelor of Arts with Honours page or contact the relevant Postgraduate Coordinator below.

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Master of Arts (MA)

The Master of Arts requires the completion of a supervised thesis based on a programme of independent research.  Students proposing to enrol for an MA are expected to have a BA(Hons) with at least second class (first division), Honours, although applicants will be considered on a case by case basis.

The thesis is normally completed in 12 months for full-time students, or pro rata for part-time students.

Prospective MA applicants should contact the relevant Postgraduate Coordinator to discuss their proposal.  All projects must have an appropriate supervisor within the discipline and be approved by the Programme Research Committee.

For all preliminary enquiries and expressions of interest concerning the MA by thesis in History please contact the History Postgraduate Coordinator

History

General information about the MA thesis in History and preparing a History MA proposal can be found in the History MA Information Form.

Prospective History applicants should also read the History MA Memorandum of Agreement.

Philosophy

Prospective Philosophy students should read the Philosophy Memorandum of Agreement.

Political Science and International Relations

If you are interested in enrolling in an MA in Political Science or International Relations please complete the MA Expression of Interest Form.

Further information in relation to the MA can be found on the FHSS website.

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Master of International Relations (MIR)

In addition to the MA degree we offer a specialised Master of International Relations. The MIR is a one calendar year full-time degree or a two year part-time Master's degree that includes both taught courses and a research thesis.

For more information, contact the MIR Coordinator Ben Thirkell-White.

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Master of Strategic Studies (MSS)

We also offer the Master of Strategic Studies (MSS) which investigates contemporary strategic issues in their global, regional and New Zealand contexts. The MSS is a 180-point degree (three trimesters full -time, three years part-time) which allows students to choose from both taught and research courses. For more information, contact the Director of the Centre for Strategic Studies, robert.ayson@vuw.ac.nz.

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The PhD is a major piece of original work. The PhD is examined after a minimum of two years full-time supervised research and a maximum of four years, or three to six years part-time.

The Faculty of Graduate Research (FGR) provides the first port of call for all students interested in enrolling in a PhD at Victoria. The FGR website provides:

  • Application forms
  • Details of available funding
  • Application dates
  • Answers to frequently asked questions

The FGR continues to provide support to PhD students throughout their studies at Victoria.

Prospective PhD candidates should refer to the FGR website and contact the relevant Postgraduate Coordinator.  Further information can be found on the FHSS website.

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Postgraduate Degrees in Logic and Logic and Computation

The Philosophy Programme also offers BA(Hons), MA and PhD degrees in Logic, or Logic and Computation.

There is a prospectus for this course available online or from the Philosophy, Maths or Computer Science offices. For more information contact Prof Edwin Mares.

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Programme Postgraduate Coordinators

Academic oversight of the postgraduate programmes is the responsibility of the Postgraduate Coordinators or the Coordinator of Graduate Studies (Philosophy). All students proposing to enrol in any graduate degree must discuss their plans with the relevant Coordinator.

History

  
Honours Coordinator   Charlotte Macdonald
Postgraduate Coordinator Giacomo Lichtner

Philosophy

  
Coordinator of Graduate Studies (CGS) Ramon Das
Logic or Logic and Computation Edwin Mares

Political Science and International Relations

  
Honours Coordinator Kate McMillan
Postgraduate Coordinator Xavier Marquez
MIR Coordinator Alexander Bukh
MSS Coordinator Robert Ayson
GradDipArts Marc Lanteigne

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Seminars

Postgraduate students are expected to attend the student seminar series (time to be determined at the beginning of the year). All PhD and MA students must make a work-in-progress presentation. In addition, Philosophy students are expected to attend the staff seminar series.

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Tutors

Tutoring or marking work is often available for MA and PhD students in the School. Please see the relevant Programme page under Resources and Links or contact the Programme Administrator if you are interested.

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How to Find Out More

See our Resources and Links pages for general and School specific links and resources.