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Research degrees

Study with our University’s world-leading researchers and make your own contribution to knowledge with a research Master’s or doctoral degree.

#1 for research intensity

Study for a research Master’s or doctoral degree at New Zealand’s number one university for intensity of high-quality research.

Applications for PhD admission are considered three times a year—apply by 1 March, 1 July, or 1 November. For the application dates of our research Master’s and other doctoral degrees, check the individual qualifications.

Postgraduate and doctoral scholarships

Applications for Wellington Doctoral Scholarships close on 1 March, 1 July, and 1 November. There are also many other scholarships available to postgraduate and doctoral students.

Explore scholarships
Two PhD students conducting a scientific experiment in a field.
Two students wearing high visability orange vests and hard hats, stand outside on a hill with wind turbines in the background, and look at a laptop together.

Research degrees

We offer research Master’s and a PhD in over 120 subject areas, as well as other specialist doctoral degrees.

Explore Research qualifications

Research areas

We foster multidisciplinary research as well as postgraduate research in single areas. Explore research areas by one or more faculties.

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Postgraduate information evenings

Come along to a postgraduate information evening. Get advice about choosing programmes and career pathways, and explore your research interests.

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Meet our research students

Hear from students who are part of our vibrant research community. Get a taste of the exciting and worthwhile research they are doing and find out why Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington was their number one choice.

Read their stories
A PhD candidate in biotechnology examining a plant.

How to apply

Find out how to apply to become a research student—the process you’ll follow depends on the research degree you’re applying for, but you’ll be able to apply online.

Check the application process

A profile image of Alistair Brown.

Instead of just learning how a cell works we were learning how you could change a cell to solve a problem. The labs were much more research focused, doing something no one else had done before.

Alistair Brown

PhD student in Biotechnology

Research student stories

Contact us

Faculty of Graduate Research

The Faculty of Graduate Research oversees all doctoral degrees at Victoria University of Wellington and supports candidates in their research.