Analyse global problems from new points of view
Combine knowledge from different fields to analyse the movements shaping both local behaviour and global events with this unique postgraduate diploma.
Your study takes a multidisciplinary perspective on global affairs. You’ll develop cross-cultural skills and expertise in different fields. Take courses from areas like politics, human rights, languages and cultures, and business to examine globalisation and other forces shaping our world.
You’ll also gain practical skills through an optional work placement, and learning and assessment techniques that mirror workplace practices. You’ll gain the critical thinking, cultural understanding, and communication skills to help you navigate complex cross-sector challenges.
Who can study for this qualification
The PGDipGS suits graduates from a range of backgrounds, including arts, social sciences, and environmental studies. It suits you if:
- you’re a recent graduate and want to deepen your expertise for a career in (for example) global business or diplomacy
- you’re already working and want to accelerate your career or change direction
- you’re interested in studying at Master’s level and need a pathway 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
Through this programme 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 teach you two key principles.
Intercultural capability
All students take a course in Intercultural Communication in Professional Practice, which develops the critical reflective capacity 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 a rare and desirable graduate attribute.
Global affairs from the New Zealand experience
The programme engages global studies taught within Aotearoa, considering the importance of Mātauranga Māori and Indigenous knowledge, our location in the Pacific and 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
- Development Studies and Geography.
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 will complete the 120-point Diploma over two trimesters of full-time study. You learn entirely by coursework—there is no research project or thesis to complete. All students complete three core courses (GLBL 401, GEOG 402 and ICAT 403) and 60 points of courses from the selection of electives.
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 diploma 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.
Part-time study options
If you’re a domestic student, you can study part time and complete the PGDipGS over four trimesters.
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 MGS degree 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 MGS 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 the PGDipGS
2. A candidate who passes Concepts and Challenges in Global Studies (GLBL 401), GEOG 402, Intercultural Communication and Professional Practice (ICAT 403) and 60 further points of the MGS, and does not proceed to complete the degree may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Global Studies (PGDipGS).
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 PGDipGS helps you stand out in the international job market. For example, it can help you advance or change direction within your field area, or pivot to a career that requires you to work across disciplines, cultures, and sectors.
The PGDipGS emphasises interdisciplinary and intercultural competence, which is valued by employers who need staff to work across cultural difference in professional contexts. For example, the abilities you’ll learn suit positions in organisations 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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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 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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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.
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.
Further research or study
If you do well in your PGDipGS and show an aptitude for research, you could study for the Master of Global Studies (MGS).
In some cases, you’ll be able to convert your PGDipGS to the full MGS degree if you’ve completed its course requirements through your PGDipGS study. 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.