Complement your Bachelor’s degree with further study
Complement your undergraduate degree and boost your knowledge with the Postgraduate Certificate in Arts (PGCertArts).
Explore your area of interest in more detail with advanced learning and research. Improve your career prospects while refining your research, writing, creative, and analytical skills.
At postgraduate level your learning is more self-directed. You'll be in smaller classes and will be able to build closer relationships with academic staff and other students.
Discover what’s possible
Hear from our students about their experiences of postgraduate study and the opportunities it has opened up.
Who can study for this qualification
The PGCertArts suits people with a Bachelor of Arts who want to extend their study and potentially prepare for postgraduate research.
You need to have at least a B average in your Bachelor's degree for the subject you want to study. For some subjects you’ll need at least a B+ average to study at this level.
What you'll learn
Investigate contemporary topics and hone your skills in:
- critical and conceptual analysis
- creative thinking and practice
- communication—including written, verbal, non-verbal, visual, and intercultural
- consequential thinking
- cultural knowledge and skills
- data and information analysis
- human behaviour and motivation
- interpretation and meaning
- problem solving
- research design and methodology
- strategic thinking and planning.
How you'll learn
Most courses in the PGCertArts are small seminars, taught face-to-face. A few courses may involve online teaching. Often there are fewer lectures than at undergraduate level, and classes are typically small and supportive.
Much of your time will be spent carrying out focused, self-directed study along with guided individual research.
Our postgraduate programmes are designed to fit around your schedule. Studying full time, you'll complete the PGCertArts in a single trimester.
Why Wellington
We’ve offered the Humanities and Arts for over a century, with many of our subjects consistently ranked in the world’s top 100 in the QS World University Rankings. Whatever area you want to explore, you’ll be joining a community that values understanding people, culture, and society.
As the capital, Wellington sits at the heart of Aotearoa New Zealand’s political life and the creative economy. From Wētā FX, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Te Papa Tongarewa, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, connect with and learn from leaders making their mark.
Degree support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
If you’re a new student, talk to a Future Student Adviser.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for domestic students
- Requirements for students who completed university in:
If you live in New Zealand and are a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand or Australia, you're considered a domestic student.
Some citizens of the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau may automatically hold New Zealand citizenship.
Diplomatic residents living in New Zealand are also regarded as domestic students.
To be accepted into this qualification, you need:
1. Before enrolment, a candidate for the PGCertArts shall have:
(a) completed a degree of this university or, at the discretion of the appropriate Associate Dean (Students) of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, another university;
(b) satisfied the prerequisites for the subject to be presented as listed in section 2, or been exempted from those prerequisites by the relevant head of school; and
(c) been accepted by the relevant head of school as capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study.
Entry requirements
Your acceptance into this programme is based on your previous qualifications and experience.
Qualification requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the PGCertArts
Courses of study
2. The subjects for the PGCertArts and their prerequisites are as follows:
Subjects: Art History; Asian Studies; Chinese; Classical Studies; Criminology; Cultural Anthropology; Economics; Education; English Literature; Environmental Humanities / He Aronui Aotūroa; Film; French; Geography; German; Greek; History; International Relations; Italian; Japanese; Latin; Linguistics; Māori Studies; Mathematics; Media Studies; Modern Language Studies; Music; Pacific Studies; Philosophy; Philosophy, Politics and Economics; Political Science; Psychology; Sociology; Spanish; Study of Religion; Theatre.
Prerequisites: For each subject in section 2 that is also listed in the BA(Hons) regulations, the BA(Hons) prerequisites for each subject is as listed in section 2 of the BA(Hons) regulations (or equivalent preparation as determined by the head of school). For all other subjects, the prerequisite is a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject with a B grade average or better.
General requirements
3. (a) A candidate for the PGCertArts shall normally be enrolled for at least one trimester and shall complete the requirements of the postgraduate certificate within two years of enrolling for it.
(b) In special cases this period may be extended by the associate dean.
(c) A candidate who has been awarded the Postgraduate Certificate in Arts shall abandon that qualification upon being awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Arts in the same subject.
Major requirements
Majors are the subjects you focus your degree on.
Explore more degree options by adding an optional second major or minor. How our flexible degrees work.
Major subjects and requirements
Explore your major options below.
PGCertArts subjects
Asian Studies
Classical Studies
Cultural Anthropology
Environmental Humanities
International Relations
Māori Studies
Media Studies
Pacific Studies
Philosophy Politics Economics
Political Science
Study of Religion
21 of 33 major subjects shown
Change filtersNo matching majors found.
Globally ranked
Our Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences ranks within the top 120 in the world for Arts and Humanities in the latest QS World University Rankings.
This annual global rankings publication rates the world's universities and the subjects they teach.
Future careers
A PGCertArts builds cultural awareness, creativity, analytical thinking, and the ability to work collaboratively—skills that are valued in any field.
You’ll be qualified to work in professional positions across the public, nonprofit, and private sectors, especially in roles that involve the use of knowledge in your chosen subject.
For example, you could work in:
- arts and cultural institutions
- environmental and resource management
- government and policy development
- media, communications, and cultural advocacy
- international development and human rights.
More career information
Find out more about careers in careers.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It’s a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Humanities and Social Sciences
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This scholarship is designed to support second year students studying History at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington by removing financial barriers to study.
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This scholarship is designed to support second year students studying English at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington by removing financial barriers to study.
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This scholarship was established in 1980 by the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Rt. Hon. Sir John Marshall, GBE, CH, BA, LLM, Hon. LLD, to encourage the study of Political Science at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. The Scholarship was extended to include International Relations.
Scholarships for international students
We are currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree, Postgraduate Diploma, or eligible Honours programme.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
Other scholarships
We also have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It’s a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Humanities and Social Sciences
-
This scholarship was established in 1980 by the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Rt. Hon. Sir John Marshall, GBE, CH, BA, LLM, Hon. LLD, to encourage the study of Political Science at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. The Scholarship was extended to include International Relations.
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This scholarship was established to encourage students to complete a major in Language Sciences at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, and continue to further study or careers in this field.
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This scholarship is to assist students in the last year of their first Bachelors degree at Victoria University of Wellington. The scholarship fund will be awarded equally between male and female students.
Join our postgraduate community
The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on studying at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate Students’ Association
MAI ki Pōneke
MAI ki Pōneke are part of an international network of Māori and Indigenous postgraduate students. They provide advice, support, and information to Indigenous postgraduate students of all levels, as well as those thinking about enrolling.
Further research or study
The PGCertArts is part of a tiered family of qualifications. These are ‘staircased’ so that courses completed for each qualification can count towards the next step.
If you do well in your PGCertArts and want to continue studying, you'll be able to apply to do a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts.
If you have an aptitude for research, you’ll be able to apply to do a Master’s degree. The Master’s deepens your theoretical and practical knowledge and skills, and is useful if you’re aiming for senior roles.
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you’re facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Apply for a New Zealand study visa
You’ll need to apply for a study visa if you plan to study with us as an international student.
You should apply for your visa after you’ve received your Offer of Place, and before you come to New Zealand.