Introducing Global Studies
Our interconnected world needs answers to pressing global problems. This unique Postgraduate Certificate combines knowledge from different fields to analyse the movements shaping both local behaviour and global events.
The Certificate is a short, focused introduction to Global Studies. Combine courses from areas like politics, human rights, languages and cultures, and business to examine globalisation and other forces shaping our world.
You’ll gain and improve your critical thinking, cultural understanding, and communication skills that you can apply in your current role. Gain work experience and problem-solving skills on projects with external organisations.
Who can study for this qualification
The PGCertGS suits graduates from a wide range of backgrounds, including arts, social sciences, and environmental studies. It’s designed for you if:
- you need to upskill in a niche area of Global Studies—for example, to meet the requirements of your role
- you’re interested in exploring Global Studies before committing to a longer postgraduate qualification.
What you need to enrol
You don’t need an Honours degree—just a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject, such as:
- Anthropology
- Asian Studies
- Communication
- Development Studies
- International Relations
- Law
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- Sociology.
These are just some of the subjects relevant to Global Studies—see the Requirements section below for more information.
What you’ll learn
You’ll gain expertise in several fields (rather than a single one) so you gain the skills to navigate the complex, cross-sector challenges in careers that tackle global issues.
Core courses
Your core Global Studies courses teaches you two key principles.
Intercultural capability
All students study Intercultural Communication in Professional Practice, which develops your ability to work across cultural difference in professional contexts. You’ll learn to reflect on your own cultural positioning and engage with contrasting worldviews and knowledge systems.
Employers with international roles identify this as a rare and desirable graduate attribute.
Global affairs from the Aotearoa New Zealand experience
The programme engages Global Studies taught within Aotearoa by considering the importance of Mātauranga Māori and Indigenous knowledge, and our proximity to Asia.
Elective courses
You have a lot of flexibility in the courses you choose—including from a wide range of electives across the university. In the context of Global Studies, you might choose courses in:
- Health, including Leadership and Management, and Pacific Community Health and Wellbeing
- History
- Migration
- Language Study—for translating and interpreting, and for intercultural competence in the workplace
- Philosophy, Politics and Economics
- Politics and International Relations
- Religious Studies
- Sociology, including sociological approaches to inequality.
These are just some of the available subjects—see the Requirements section below, and the University Calendar, for more information.
How you’ll study
You’ll complete this 60-point qualification in one trimester of full-time study.
You learn entirely by coursework—there’s no research project or thesis to complete.
All students complete two core courses and 30 points of elective courses.
You have lots of flexibility in the courses you choose—including from a wide range of electives across the university. You’ll design your personal course of study in consultation with the programme director, who provides ongoing guidance and approves your combination of electives.
Courses are interactive and taught through in-person lectures, tutorials, and in-class presentations. You may be able to attend some courses online—contact the School for more details.
Learning methods that mirror professional practice
The degree is designed so that the lessons you learn in the classroom today, you can use in the workplace tomorrow. It’s a seminar-based programme designed for close engagement with staff, peers and external partners. Classes are small, and you work in small groups across core courses.
We use assessment methods like group presentations, debating, and industry projects to replicate working environments and build your practical, applicable skills.
A tiered family of qualifications
We offer three qualifications in Postgraduate Global Studies:
- Master of Global Studies
- Postgraduate Diploma
- Postgraduate Certificate
These qualifications are ‘staircased’—they allow movement in both directions.
If you begin by enrolling in the Certificate or Diploma programme, you may be able to continue on to complete a Master's degree. Or if you enrol in the Master's but can't complete it for some reason, you may have completed enough courses to graduate with the Certificate or Diploma.
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. (a) Before enrolment, a candidate for the PGCertGS shall have:
(i) completed a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject, with a B grade average or better in at least 60 points of relevant courses at 300 level*; and
(ii) been accepted by the PGCertGS Programme Director as capable of completing the proposed course of study.
* Note: relevant subjects may include but are not limited to Anthropology, Asian Studies, Communication, Development Studies, Economics, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Environmental Humanities, Gender Studies, Geography, Global Studies, History, Indigenous Studies, Intercultural Communication, International Relations, Law, Languages and Cultures, Linguistics, Pacific Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Public Policy, Religious Studies, Sociology.
(b) Requirement (a)(i) may be waived by the Associate Dean (Students) in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences for a candidate who has had extensive practical, professional or scholarly experience that provides an equivalent level of preparation.
Qualification requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for PGCertGS
2. A candidate who completes Concepts and Challenges in Global Studies (GLBL 401), GEOG 402 and 30 further points of the requirements of the MGS, and does not proceed to complete the degree may be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Global Studies (PGCertGS).
Globally ranked
We're ranked within the top 150 universities in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2026 for key areas of Global Studies: Politics and International Relations, Development Studies, and Geography.
Our History, Modern Languages, Philosophy, Earth Sciences, Social Policy and Administration, and Sociology subjects all rank in the top 150 globally.
The QS World University Rankings is an annual global publication that gives overall rankings and subject rankings for more than 1,500 universities worldwide.
Future careers
The PGCertGS is a good way to update your knowledge in your professional area. It also raises your interdisciplinary and intercultural abilities that are useful for positions in industries and institutions within:
- foreign affairs and diplomacy
- policy and research
- global health
- advocacy, social entrepreneurship, and civil society
- journalism, communications, and international media
- tourism, hospitality, and cultural industries
- teaching (with further postgraduate study).
More career information
Find out more about global 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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The Erasmus Scholarship is open to second year students at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington who want to major in Greek or Latin.
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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 is designed to support second year students studying History at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington by removing financial barriers to study.
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 Humanities and Social Sciences
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The Erasmus Scholarship is open to second year students at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington who want to major in Greek or Latin.
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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.
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.
Why Wellington
Wellington—New Zealand’s capital city—is a great place to take Global Studies. It’s a globally connected city that hosts dozens of government agencies, and international businesses and organisations, that shape New Zealand’s engagement with the world.
You’ll benefit from networking opportunities and gain international business insights in a supportive, multicultural environment.
Wellington is also a safe and accessible city that welcomes different cultures, languages, and traditions. Crime rates are low, public transport is excellent, and the city centre is walkable and compact—so your travel times between home and lectures are short.
Switch to the Postgraduate Diploma
If you do well in your PGCertGS, you could apply to transfer to a Postgraduate Diploma of Global Studies (PGDipGS). The courses you take in the Certificate count towards the requirements for the Diploma, so you wouldn’t have to repeat those courses.
From there, it is also possible to move up to the Master of Global Studies (MGS) once you’ve met the Diploma course requirements. Contact the School for more information.
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.