Advance your career in information management
Study postgraduate Information Studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington to explore how information is created, managed, and used in the digital age.
These qualifications are designed for graduates and working professionals who want to advance their careers or move into the information professions. They give you the skills to organise information in a way that helps people connect with it, and develop your critical thinking and research skills. You’ll also build the confidence to lead information projects across government, business, and cultural organisations.
You’ll graduate with a globally recognised qualification, ready for a rewarding career in records management, librarianship, data curation, or knowledge management.
Information Studies and Information Systems are not the same
Information Studies is about how people use, organise and access information. It deals with libraries, archives, records, and the ethics and policy of information management.
Information Systems is about technology and organisations. It focuses on designing and building systems to solve business problems with principles of systems design, data modelling, and analytics.
If you’re interested in Information Systems, check out the Postgraduate Information Systems page.
Bicultural awareness
Develop your awareness of the Treaty of Waitangi and biculturalism during your studies. Gain an understanding of Māori culture and language and a knowledge of Māori taonga, or artefacts, in libraries, archives, and museums.
Choose your study path
We offer three postgraduate Information Studies qualifications:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Information Studies (PGCertIS)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Information Studies (PGDipIS)
- Master of Information Studies (MIS).
Choose the qualification that suits your career goals, eligibility, time commitments, and financial situation.
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.
Change career direction to Information Studies
Postgraduate Certificate in Information Studies
The Postgraduate Certificate is a great starter qualification in Information Studies. It’s a two-trimester (full-time) programme that teaches you foundational principles in information management and digital environments. It’s ideal if you’re already working in the information field and want a formal qualification to upskill, or want to explore postgraduate study before committing to a higher qualification.
Postgraduate Diploma in Information Studies
The Postgraduate Diploma is a one-year qualification for students pursuing careers in archives and records. It deepens your expertise by including specialist electives and advanced professional practice, and offers industry accreditation and a pathway to the Master of Information Studies.
Carry out advanced Information Studies research
Master of Information Studies
This qualification takes 1.5 to two years of full-time study. It’s a robust, research-based education that develops the technological and organisational skills needed for senior or specialist roles in libraries, records management, and digital information.
Doctor of Philosophy
Carry out original, sustained research in Information Studies, mentored by an academic supervisor. Make discoveries, address the big issues of our time, and develop transferable and specialised skills.
International students study online
The Master's, Postgraduate Diploma, and Postgraduate Certificate in Information Studies are delivered and assessed entirely online. So if you’re an international student, you’ll study by distance.
You won’t need to travel to New Zealand to complete the qualification, and you won’t be eligible for a student visa to enter New Zealand.
Contact the International Office if you have any questions about studying with us.
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.
Study options
Find out how you can study Postgraduate Information Studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
International recognition
Wellington School of Business and Government is among the top 1% of business schools worldwide that hold the ‘Triple Crown’ of international business education accreditations. By studying here, you can be confident your qualification will be recognised globally for its quality.
Future careers
Graduates of the University’s postgraduate Information Studies programmes have many engaging career options. You could pursue roles like:
- librarian or knowledge-services specialist
- archives and records manager
- data governance professional
- information architect
- metadata analyst.
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 Information Studies
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This scholarship is to assist Masters or PhD students undertaking a research degree in Information Studies at Victoria University of Wellington.
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 Information Studies
-
This scholarship is to assist Masters or PhD students undertaking a research degree in Information Studies at Victoria University of Wellington.
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.
Academic staff research areas
Jennifer Campbell-Meier
Senior Lecturer
Anne Goulding
Presenter
Maja Krtalic
Head of School
Chern Li Liew
Associate Professor
Spencer Lilley
Associate Professor
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.