Advance your science study
Get a Master’s degree that’s recognised all over the world. Work independently, evaluate research, and interpret and communicate your findings.
Carry out in-depth supervised research and write a thesis. You could also write publications for peer-reviewed journals. Depending on your previous study and experience, you may study a few courses before you start your thesis.
When you finish, your career prospects and earning potential will increase.
Who can study for this qualification
To do an MSc you’ll need a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field, with an average grade of B+ or higher in your subject area.
You may also be able to qualify for entry if you have appropriate work or other experience.
What you’ll learn
A Master of Science advances your technical, academic writing, and laboratory or field skills to prepare you for a career in science.
Flexible options
You can take an interdisciplinary approach to your studies by swapping some optional courses in one subject for courses from another subject. For example, you could combine Marine Biology with Chemistry, or Geophysics with Geology.
How you’ll study
You can study for the Master of Science in two ways:
- MSc by coursework and thesis, if you’re coming straight from a Bachelor’s degree
- MSc by thesis, if you’ve already completed a Bachelor of Science with Honours or a postgraduate diploma.
Master of Science by coursework and thesis
The 240-point Master of Science by thesis and coursework comes after a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or relevant work experience.
It takes between two and two-and-a-half years of full-time study. It includes:
- two trimesters of courses related to your specialist subject area
- supervised research and a thesis.
Master of Science by thesis
The 120-point Master of Science by thesis is a 1-year qualification that comes after an Honours degree or postgraduate diploma in a relevant field. It focuses on in-depth supervised research and a thesis.
It takes around 12 months to complete.
Part-time study options
As a domestic student, you can study for the MSc part time, with a workload of about 20 hours of work a week.
You can estimate your workload by adding up the number of points you’ll be doing. One point is roughly equal to 10 to 12 hours work. Make sure you take this into account if you’re working.
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 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. (a) Before enrolment, a candidate for the MSc degree shall have:
(i) completed a degree or relevant graduate or postgraduate diploma of this university or, at the discretion of the Associate Dean, Academic (Postgraduate) of the Wellington Faculty of Science, another university;
(ii) satisfied the prerequisites listed in section 2 for the subject to be presented, or been granted exemption from those prerequisites by the relevant head of school; and
(iii) been accepted by the head of school as capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study.
(b) Requirement (a)(i) may be waived by the associate dean for a candidate who has had extensive practical, professional, or scholarly experience of an appropriate kind.
2. The subjects of examination and their prerequisites are as follows:
Artificial Intelligence (AIML)
One of (AIML 320, 331-335) and a further 45 points from (AIML 301-399, CGRA 301-399, COMP 301–399, CYBR 301–399, NWEN 301–399, SWEN 301–399)
Biotechnology (BTEC)
BTEC 301; 35 points from (BIOL 340, BMSC 301–399, CHEM 301–399, SCIE 310)
Cell and Molecular Bioscience (CBIO)
BIOL 340, BMSC 339; 40 points from BMSC 301, BIOL/BMSC 329–354
Chemistry (CHEM)
120 points in CHEM or other approved courses numbered 200–399, including at least 60 points at 300 level
Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience (CBNS)
PSYC 232, 242; two of PSYC 310, 327, 332, (340 in 2021–2024); at least 30 further 300- level PSYC points
Computer Graphics (CGRA)
30 points from CGRA 300–399; 30 further 300-level points from (ANFX/CGRA/COMP/ MATH/NWEN/SWEN)
Computer Science (COMP)
60 300-level points from (CGRA/COMP/CYBR/NWEN/SWEN)
Cross-cultural Psychology (CPSY)
PSYC 232, PSYC 242 (or 325); at least 60 300-level PSYC points
Data Science (DATA)
60 points in approved courses from COMP 309, DATA 301–399, or equivalent
Development Studies (DEVE)
60 points in approved courses from GEOG 300–399; or 60 points from 300-level in another degree as approved by head of school.
Ecological Restoration (ERES)
60 points in approved courses from BIOL 300–399; STAT 193 or equivalent
Ecology and Biodiversity (EBIO)
60 points in approved courses from BIOL 300–399; STAT 193 or equivalent
Electronic and Computer Systems (ELCO)
60 points in approved 300- or higher-level courses from the BE(Hons) Schedule or 300-level PHYS
Environmental Science (ENSC)
60 points in approved 300-level courses from ENSC, BIOL, CHEM, ESCI, GEOG, GPHS, MATH, PHYG, PHYS, STAT
Forensic Psychology (FPSY)
PSYC 232; PSYC 242 (or 325); at least 60 300-level PSYC points
Geographic Information Science (GISC)
GEOG 215, 315
Geography (GEOG)
60 points in approved courses from GEOG 300–399
Geology (GEOL)
80 points from ESCI 301–399, GEOS 301–399, including at least 20 points from ESCI 341, 342, GEOS 310
Geophysics (GPHS)
60 points in approved 300-level courses from (DATA, ESCI, GEOS, MATH, or PHYS)
Marine Biology (BMAR)
60 points in approved courses from BIOL 300–399; STAT 193 or equivalent
Mathematics (MATH)
60 points in approved courses from MATH 300–399
Molecular Microbiology (MBIO)
BIOL 340, BMSC 301; 20 points from BIOL 236, BMSC 334, BTEC 301
Physical Geography (PHYG)
60 approved 300-level GEOG or GEOS points
Physics (PHYS)
PHYS 304, 305, 307, 345 (or 309) Psychology (PSYC)
PSYC 232; PSYC 242 (or 325); at least 60 further 300-level PSYC points
Renewable Energy Systems (RESY)
60 300-level points from BILD, EEEN, PHYS, RESE, or approved subjects including geography, environment, economics, policy
Science Education (SCED)
A BSc(Hons) degree
Science in Society (SCIS)
A science major
Statistics (STAT)
At least 45 points from DATA 303, MATH 377, STAT 300–399
Qualification requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the MSc
3. (a) Except as provided in (b) and (c) and in section 7, the course of study for the MSc shall consist of:
Part 1: Approved courses worth at least 120 points from the BSc(Hons) or other schedules;
Part 2: A Master’s thesis (see Part 2 of the Master’s Thesis Regulations), or an approved combination of courses, thesis and research project(s).
Parts 1 and 2 shall be as prescribed in section 5 with both parts being in the same subject, and shall include such practical work as may be determined by the relevant head of school. Each part shall contribute at least 40 percent of the total marks.
(b) A candidate who has completed a degree with Honours or other graduate study to an appropriate level may be admitted directly to Part 2 and need not then offer Part 1.
(c) A candidate may proceed to Part 2 only with the permission of the relevant head of school.
4. (a) A full-time candidate whose course of study includes both parts shall normally be enrolled for at least four trimesters (extended pro rata up to eight trimesters for students who are not full time) and shall complete the degree within two and a half years of first enrolling in it (extended pro rata up to five years for students who are not full time). The associate dean may extend the maximum period in special cases.
(b) The minimum and maximum periods of enrolment for Part 2 are specified in the Master’s Thesis Regulations.
Subject requirements
Majors are the subjects you focus your degree on.
Subjects and requirements
Explore your major options below.
MSc subjects
Artificial Intelligence
Biotechnology
Cell and Molecular Bioscience
Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience
Computer Graphics
Computer Science
Cross-cultural Psychology
Data Science
Development Studies
Earth Science
Ecological Restoration
Ecology and Biodiversity
Electronic / Computer Systems
Environmental Science
Forensic Psychology
Geographic Information Science
Marine Biology
Molecular Microbiology
Physical Geography
Renewable Energy Systems
Science in Society
21 of 29 major subjects shown
Change filtersNo matching majors found.
Research an area that interests you
As part of your Master’s study, you’ll research an area of your choice and produce a thesis.
You’ll need to find an academic supervisor who can support your chosen area of research, and help guide your work.
Check each School’s research pages for research areas, supervising staff, and contact details.
Why Wellington
Wellington has the highest concentration of scientists and science organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Your teachers are active scientists and world experts in areas such green energy, geo-hazards, global warming, space science, human geography, volcanology, artificial intelligence, drug development, and viral diseases.
Affiliated centres and institutes
Major research centres and institutes are affiliated with our Faculty of Science and Engineering, including:
Future careers
Science graduates of all disciplines work in research, business, and policy. You’ll be able to innovate and lead in a range of sectors.
More career information
Find out more about careers in science.
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 science
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The purpose of this scholarship is to assist female students in the area of Mathematical Sciences or Geosciences to complete their M.Sc. or PhD thesis, by helping to extend enrolment in the final months of writing up their thesis.
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Applicants must be full-time post graduate student studying at Victoria University of Wellington. This scholarship is open to students from any course of study which focuses on social justice but students studying Criminology, Psychology, Sociology, Law and Restorative Justice are encouraged to apply. Students holding a full three-year PhD scholarship are not eligible to apply.
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The scholarship is intended to support students interested in pursuing a master’s degree in Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience, Forensic Psychology or Clinical Psychology (with preference given to Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience applicants).
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 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. 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 science
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The purpose of this scholarship is to assist female students in the area of Mathematical Sciences or Geosciences to complete their M.Sc. or PhD thesis, by helping to extend enrolment in the final months of writing up their thesis.
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The scholarship is intended to support students interested in pursuing a master’s degree in Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience, Forensic Psychology or Clinical Psychology (with preference given to Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience applicants).
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This scholarship is intended to assist with costs associated with pursuing a Master’s research degree in any research topic related to New Zealand/Aotearoa.
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
If you do well in your Master’s degree and show an aptitude for advanced research, you’ll be able to apply to do a PhD.
You’ll complete a piece of original research and begin your career as a scientist or academic.
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.