Build your knowledge and develop new skills
Study a new subject, refresh your expertise, or explore the latest developments in humanities and social sciences. Choose from a wide range of subjects to suit your interests, career goals, or future study plans.
The 60-point Graduate Certificate in Arts (GCertArts) is a flexible way to gain knowledge in a new area or strengthen your understanding of a subject relevant to your work. Study part time or full time to fit learning around your other commitments.
The Certificate can also help prepare you for further study by building your knowledge and confidence in your chosen subject area.
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
You can apply to study for the GCertArts if you have a Bachelor’s degree in any subject.
Certificate or Diploma
The Graduate Certificate in Arts is a shorter qualification than the Graduate Diploma in Arts. The Certificate requires 60 points of study, while the Diploma requires 120 points.
If you complete the GCertArts and want to keep studying, you can usually count your completed courses towards a Graduate Diploma in Arts.
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
- 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 study
If you study full time, you can complete the GCertArts in one trimester.
To complete the Certificate you’ll study 200 and 300-level courses, with at least 40 points at 300-level.
You can choose from more than 40 different subjects.
Part-time study
If you study part time, you can complete the Certificate in up to four years.
Qualification 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 through our enquiry form.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
For the research portion of your study, you’ll need a supervisor to help guide your research. Your programme coordinator will work with you to find the right person.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for domestic students
- Requirements for students who completed secondary school 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. (a) Before enrolment, a candidate for the GCertArts shall have:
(i) completed the requirements of a BA degree; and
(ii) been accepted by the relevant head of school as capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study.
(b) Requirement (a)(i) may be waived by the head of school for a candidate who has completed another Bachelor’s degree, or have extensive practical, professional or scholarly experience that provides an equivalent level of preparation.
Entry requirements
Your acceptance into this programme is based on your previous qualifications and experience.
Qualification requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the GCertArts
2. (a) The course of study for the GCertArts shall be a coherent programme approved by the relevant head of school in a major subject area listed in the BA regulations. It shall consist of at least 60 points in courses numbered 200–499, including at least 40 points at 300-level or above. The inclusion of points above 300- level will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances. Except as provided in (b), the courses shall be selected from those satisfying the requirements for a single listed BA major.
(b) With the approval of the head of school, a candidate may substitute courses offered in another discipline or subject area up to a value of 20 points for the GCertArts.
3. At the discretion of the Associate Dean (Students) of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, up to 20 points may be included from courses passed for a Certificate of Proficiency before enrolment for the GCertArts.
4. (a) A candidate for the GCertArts shall normally be enrolled for at least one trimester and shall complete the requirements of the certificate within two years of first enrolling in it.
(b) The associate dean may extend this maximum period in (a) in special cases.
5. A candidate who has been awarded the GCertArts may transfer to the GDipArts the courses credited to the certificate, provided that the certificate is abandoned.
Majors
Majors are the subjects you focus on in your qualification. Each major has specific courses and requirements.
Choose your major from the options below.
Major requirements
Explore your major options below.
GCertArts majors
Art History
Asian Studies
Classical Studies
Criminology
Cultural Anthropology
Data Science
Development Studies
Economics
Education
Education for the Environment
Educational Psychology
English Literature
Environmental Humanities
Gender and Sexuality Studies
Geography
International Relations
Kaitiakitanga
Language Sciences
Māori Studies
Mathematics
Media Studies
Modern Language Studies
Pacific Studies
Philosophy
Political Science
Psychological Science
Psychology
Public Policy
Samoan Studies / Matā‘upu tau Sāmoa
Sociology
Study of Religion
Te Reo Māori
21 of 44 subjects shown
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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.
Future careers
GCertArts graduates work in a wide range of roles that make the most of their skills in communication, analysis, critical thinking, and creativity. Graduates are employed in every part of the workforce.
The kinds of roles and sectors you work in will depend on your chosen subject.
FHSS Internship
The FHSS Internship course run by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences helps develop practical workplace experience.
More career information
Find out more about 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.
We encourage you to apply—many scholarships don’t receive enough applications.
Scholarships for Humanities and Social Sciences
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This scholarship is for students undertaking or intending to undertake an Honours or Masters degree at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington in areas related to Peace Building or Peace Studies, Trust Building, Conflict Resolution, addressing Historical Injustice, Restorative Justice, Social Cohesion, Community building and promoting cross-cultural understanding, Change Making or Ethical Leadership.
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The Brian Murray Fox Scholarship in History offers an opportunity to students who are intending to undertake their second, third or Honours year of their degree at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington in the year following application.
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The Brian Murray Fox Scholarship in English Literature offers an opportunity to students who are intending to undertake their second, third or Honours year of their degree at Te Herenga Waka Victoria—University of Wellington in the year following application.
Scholarships for international students
We're currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma 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.
We encourage you to apply—many scholarships don’t receive enough applications.
Scholarships for Humanities and Social Sciences
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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.
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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.
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.
Further research or study
The GCertArts can be a stepping stone towards more advanced study at postgraduate level.
If you choose to continue to postgraduate study with us after finishing your degree, you’ll join a talented team of internationally recognised researchers doing innovative work.
If you want to do independent research, you could apply to study for a Master of Arts or a PhD.
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.