Study migration from different perspectives
Migration is a major issue for many governments and organisations. The multi-disciplinary Postgraduate Certificate in Migration Studies (PGCertMigS) helps you look at migration in a deeper way, and understand the challenges international migration presents.
This Certificate draws on disciplines like political science, geography, and history to help you discover what drives migration, the challenges and opportunities it creates, and its consequences. Examine key themes in migration like human rights, forced migration, or migration and identity. Then analyse critical topics in migration today, such as the refugee crisis in Europe or immigration as an election issue.
The PGCertMigS is good way to come up to date with migration, or as a first step into this field. You'll also develop the critical thinking, communication, and research skills valuable for your career.
Who can study for this qualification
The PGCertMigS is a good option if you’re already working in a migration-related field and want to boost your foundational knowledge. You could use it to strengthen your knowledge of migration theory to complement your practical experience, for example.
It’s also useful for exploring your interest in migration before committing to further postgraduate study.
To enrol, you need a Bachelor's degree in a relevant area, like Geography, History, Political Science, International Relations, or Public Policy. See below for the full enrolment requirements.
Our postgraduate Migration Studies qualifications
We offer three Postgraduate Migration Studies qualifications. These are ‘staircased’, so that courses completed for one qualification can count towards the next step.
The 180-point Master of Migration Studies provides the most comprehensive study, as it combines coursework with a work placement and practical translation project.
The 120-point Postgraduate Diploma in Migration Studies has in-depth study through coursework, but no work placement or translation project.
The 60-point Postgraduate Certificate in Migration Studies is an opportunity for professional development over two courses. You can also use it to explore postgraduate study before you commit to the Postgraduate Diploma Master’s.
What you’ll learn
The PGCertMigS brings different fields of study together to help you develop a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of migration.
It helps you understand migration challenges from different perspectives, analyse migration policy, and use evidence to find solutions to complex migration issues. Your study will help develop your skills in critical thinking, communication, and research.
You’ll learn through the Certificate’s core course and either an elective course or a supervised research project.
The core course: Approaches to Migration Studies
This course introduces the study of Migration from a range of disciplinary perspectives. You’ll look at:
- the central issues and concepts in the analysis of migration, like human rights, forced migration, and identity
- how academic disciplines like international relations, politics, anthropology, and psychology help us understand international migration's causes and consequences.
Your choice of topic
You could choose an elective in:
- the causes and consequences of human mobility under different circumstances—for example, what compels refugees compared with highly skilled migrants
- the global history of migration
- managing international migration from a political perspective
- the emotional geographies of forced migration
- the displacement of peoples by climate change, conflict, disasters, and human rights abuses, the challenges this raises, and how nation states and international organisations respond.
Instead of these, you can choose to complete a supervised research project on a theme within Migration Studies.
How you’ll study
The PGCertMigS is a 60-point qualification that you can complete in one trimester of full-time study.
The Certificate is delivered entirely through coursework—the only research component is the optional research project in place of an elective course.
Otherwise, you'll complete two 30-point courses:
- the core course—Approaches to Migration Studies
- an elective course, or the supervised research project.
For both courses, you'll attend one three-hour seminar each week for classroom discussions. You may be asked to deliver a presentation at some seminars.
You might be able to choose other courses that relate to migration instead of your elective course. Talk to the programme director if you’re interested in this.
You’ll normally start at the beginning of Trimester 1. You may be able to begin in Trimester 2, as long as you can complete the PGDipMigS in Trimester 1 of the following year.
Workload
If you’re studying full time—two courses per trimester—you can expect a workload of up to 40 hours a week.
Part-time study options
Studying part time, you can complete the PGCertMigS over one year.
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 PGCertMigS degree shall have
(i) completed a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area with at least a B grade average in 60 points of 300-level courses in the majoring subject or relevant area of study; and
(ii) been accepted by the head of school as capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study.
(b) Requirement 1(a)(i) may be waived by the Associate Dean (Students) of 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 the PGCertMigS
2. The course of study for the Postgraduate Certificate in Migration Studies shall comprise Approaches to Migration Studies / Ngā Tukanga Tātai Hekenga Tangata (POLS 488) and 30 points from Part 1 of the Master of Migration Studies.
3. (a) A candidate for the Postgraduate Certificate in Migration Studies shall normally complete within one year of enrolling.
(b) The associate dean in consultation with the head of school may extend maximum periods in special cases.
Future careers
This qualification gives you a broad background in the complex issues and concepts behind global migration that can help you within your current migration-oriented role. It’s also useful for work in a related field, like foreign policy and domestic policy, or working with immigrants in the New Zealand context.
The PGCertMigS is also a good option if you’re interested in working in the migration field, or are thinking about further postgraduate study, and want to explore the field first.
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. 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 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. 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 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
If you do well in your PGCertMigS coursework, you may be able to convert to a Postgraduate Diploma in Migration Studies (PGDipMigS) or a Master of Migration Studies (MMigS).
You wouldn’t need to repeat the coursework you’ve already taken for the Certificate.
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.