Postgraduate Study
Victoria University of Wellington is known and respected internationally for its research. It has fostered strong and significant international links in teaching and research for the past century. Victoria University is New Zealand's leading research and developmnet centre in a number of key international growth areas including: bioscience, earth processes, material science, logic, built environments, business and law, creative research and policy, governance and society. The partnership approach to research ensures that Victoria gains significant external funding for key research initiatives.
Victoria offers an exceptionally wide range of postgraduate and graduate programmes to suit most learning needs; from single courses and three-month certificate programme to one-year honours and diploma coursework programmes, to more advanced research work in our many Master's and PhD degrees.
Graduate Diploma
Students who do not have enough subject background from their undergraduate studies may be required to undertake a graduate diploma before they can enrol in further postgraduate study. A graduate diploma is a bridging programme of coursework that allows students to broaden their knowledge in a particular subject area following the completion of an undergraduate degree. Courses that make up the graduate diploma may be at undergraduate level to extend learning in an area other than the original major or specialisation of the undergraduate studies.
The graduate diploma is generally one year full-time study.
Postgraduate Diploma
A postgraduate diploma is a programme of postgraduate courses that builds on the knowledge gained in the major subject at undergraduate level. This programme usually requires completion of an appropriate undergraduate degree with passes in any specified prerequisite courses in your selected subject. It is normally completed by coursework only, but may sometimes include a research project. In some disciplines a postgraduate diploma (or a Bachelor with honours) is required as the first year of enrolment for a two year programme leading to the award of a Master’s degree.
The Postgraduate Diploma is generally one year full-time study.
Bachelor with Honours
A Bachelor with honours is a stand alone degree is usually completed in one year full-time, which may include taught postgraduate courses and a research project. Admission to a Bachelor with honours is based on strong academic performance in the student’s undergraduate studies.
In some disciplines a Bachelor with honours (or a postgraduate diploma) is required as the first year of enrolment for a two year programme leading to the award of a Master’s degree. Students who perform exceptionally well in their honours programme may be given the opportunity to fast-track directly to a PhD degree.
Master's Degree
A Master’s degree allows students to build on previous study by increasing knowledge in a specific subject area, enhancing career prospects and understanding. Most Master’s degrees are one year of full-time research, though in some cases two years of coursework and research are required. Students accepted to a Master’s by research must have a successful postgraduate (coursework) background in the same subject area at the postgraduate level.
A Master’s by research provides students with the opportunity to develop advanced research skills and present findings in a documented scholarly form (such as a thesis). Research should make an independent contribution to learning or offer a critical perspective on existing scholarship or methodology.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees
A PhD is an advanced degree that provides a qualification for students who intend pursuing an academic or research career.
Admission to doctoral study requires a first class honours or second class honours first division bachelor's degree; or a Master’s degree with first class honours or second class honours first division standard; or comparable qualifications. Acceptance is also subject to the availability of staff for supervision, and appropriate facilities.
A candidate is required to prepare under supervision a substantial thesis that represents original research into an approved topic and contributes significantly to knowledge and understanding or application of knowledge. A doctoral degree is normally carried out over a minimum of three full-time years, with candidates preparing a thesis on the conduct and results of their research.
In accordance with a New Zealand government initiative, international students enrolled in a PhD programme are eligible to pay domestic fees. Click Here to see domestic course fees
Applying for a postgraduate programme
Postgraduate by coursework applicants e.g Graduate Diploma, Bachelors with Honours, Postgraduate Diploma and Masters by coursework, must apply directly to Victoria International.
Masters by thesis, and PhD applicants must also apply to Victoria International; however, we recommend you first assess whether their is appropriate supervision for your research by contacting the appropriate Faculty or Victoria Research Office.
- Victoria University Research Directory
- Victoria University's Research Centres and Institutes
- Find out how to apply
To find out more about Postgraduate life at Victoria, click here
