Undergraduate Study

Pacific Studies and Samoan Studies/Fa'asamoa are offered as majors in the BA degree. For more information on the BA, please see the BA page on the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences' website.

The Pacific Studies programme comprises BA, BA(Hons) and Graduate Diploma in Arts, a Master's by thesis and PhD. Samoan Studies offers a BA major only.

Victoria is one of three universities in New Zealand offering a BA degree in Pacific Studies. The Pacific Studies Programme provides students with the chance to develop critical perspectives on knowledge about the diverse cultures and communities of the Pacific.

The Samoan language is the third most spoken language in New Zealand and as such it is being studied by Samoans and non-Samoans alike at schools and universities. However, Victoria is the only university in the world to offer Samoan Studies as an undergraduate major. The Samoan Studies Programme offers the opportunity to study, understand and appreciate fa'asamoa — Samoan language, culture and society. A research component on Samoan language construction and use is also now included in the programme.