Postgraduate Intercultural Communication and Applied Translation

Boost your multilingual skills for a career in language services

Change direction or update your credentials with a shorter Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma, or build on your undergraduate degree with the Master’s degree—a unique qualification in Australasia.

Whichever path you choose, you’ll learn how effective intercultural communication breaks down cultural barriers.

Our qualifications bring you the theory and practice of translation and interpretation. You’ll learn how meaning is expressed and information shared across different linguistic and cultural contexts.

Discover Intercultural Communication and Applied Translation

We think that what we think and what we know is exactly what the world thinks and what the world knows and what the world does. This is a big mistake.

This is what leads us to judgement, alienation, conflict, war. It's like a suitcase—culture is a suitcase. Do you want these things in your suitcase?

My name is Marco Sonzogni. I am a reader in Translation Studies with the School of Languages and Cultures at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. Where I am the programme director of the Master of Intercultural Communication and Applied Translation and the programme director of the Intercultural Communication major in the Bachelor of Communication.

If you decide to study Intercultural Communication, you may have a very legitimate question: what exactly is it, what exactly will I study, what is communication?

Communication is the way we share ideas, concepts. Each of the six or seven courses that you take will explore state of the art theories through workshops that engage with theories coming from a variety of disciplines from anthropology to psychology, from literary to sociology, from music to sign language.

Whether you are interested in the certificate or the diploma, or the full master, the asset of this programme is its flexibility. At all points, you gain knowledge in the two souls of the programme, Intercultural Communication and Applied Translation, and you are able to see how theories and examples are put into practice. Flexibilities, applicability, and an edge for the market, for a job, for employment, that's I think, is the assets of the programme.

For you to be the ideal student in the Master of Intercultural Communication and Applied Translation, you need to have a passion for communication, you need to have a passion for languages, cultures, travels. Essentially you need to have a passion for difference, which means you have to have a passion for life.

The founding treaty of this country is based upon issues of translation, so there really is no better place than Aotearoa New Zealand to come and experience the ways in which communication, not only acknowledge differences but is enriched by them. Not only respects differences but welcomes them. Not only understands differences but invites them to be part and parcel of our daily life.

We're waiting for you. We're waiting for your gift. Choose us. Come study with us and come make a difference to a country that's making a difference, here in Aotearoa New Zealand of course but also globally.

Choose your study path

We offer three Postgraduate in Intercultural Communication and Applied Translation qualifications—choose the one 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.

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.

Future Student Advisers Tītoko—Student Success

Two students with laptops are being helped by a third person

Study options

Find out how you can study Postgraduate Intercultural Communication and Applied Translation at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

Gain intercultural communication skills by studying full time or part time. Explore postgraduate study in translation or interpretation, or boost career skills.

Postgraduate Certificate in Intercultural Communication and Applied Translation

0.5 Year

Kelburn campus, Wellington · Flexible

Postgraduate

Full or part-time

Coursework · Daytime

Important dates

2026 – Trimester 3

Apply by

12 Nov 2026

Start study

16 Nov 2026

2027 – Trimester 1

Apply by

14 Feb 2027

Start study

22 Feb 2027

2027 – Trimester 2

Apply by

15 Jun 2027

Start study

5 Jul 2027

2027 – Trimester 3

Apply by

10 Oct 2027

Start study

15 Nov 2027

Entry requirements Degree and subject requirements

Get career-boosting skills with our Postgraduate Diploma. Gain professional translation and cross-cultural expertise you can apply right away.

Postgraduate Diploma in Intercultural Communication and Applied Translation

1 year

Kelburn campus, Wellington · Flexible

Postgraduate

120

Full or part-time

Coursework · Daytime

Important dates

2026 – Trimester 3

Apply by

12 Nov 2026

Start study

16 Nov 2026

2027 – Trimester 1

Apply by

14 Feb 2027

Start study

22 Feb 2027

2027 – Trimester 2

Apply by

15 Jun 2027

Start study

5 Jul 2027

2027 – Trimester 3

Apply by

10 Oct 2027

Start study

15 Nov 2027

Entry requirements Degree and subject requirements

Launch a translation or interpretation career with this career-focused degree. Master communication strategies and gain expertise with an industry placement.

Master of Intercultural Communication and Applied Translation

1 year

Kelburn campus, Wellington

Postgraduate

180

Full or part-time

Coursework, research project, practicum / placement, and project work · Daytime

Important dates

2026 – Trimester 3

Apply by

12 Nov 2026

Start study

16 Nov 2026

2027 – Trimester 1

Apply by

14 Feb 2027

Start study

22 Feb 2027

2027 – Trimester 2

Apply by

15 Jun 2027

Start study

5 Jul 2027

2027 – Trimester 3

Apply by

10 Oct 2027

Start study

15 Nov 2027

Entry requirements Degree and subject requirements

Study for a PhD to complete advanced research and make an original contribution to your field.

Doctor of Philosophy

3 years

Kelburn, Pipitea, Te Aro, and Miramar Creative Centre campuses, Wellington

Postgraduate

360

Full or part-time

Research

Important dates

2027 – Trimester 1

Apply by

14 Feb 2027

Start study

22 Feb 2027

2027 – Trimester 2

Apply by

15 Jun 2027

Start study

5 Jul 2027

2027 – Trimester 3

Apply by

10 Oct 2027

Start study

15 Nov 2027

Entry requirements Degree and subject requirements

Why Wellington

Wellington is a ideal place to study for the Postgraduate Intercultural Communication and Applied Translation. It’s cultural diversity brings access to many language communities—Māori, Pacific, Asian, and more—for practical experience.

It also hosts government agencies, NGOs, and international organisations that offer opportunities for networking and internships.

Because Wellington is the seat of government, you’ll have opportunities for political, diplomatic, business, and ministerial translation work once you graduate.

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Future careers

The skills you learn in your study directly prepare you for careers in language teaching (ESOL/TEFL), cultural facilitation, and translation. They are also useful for content strategy work, technical writing, or language technology development.

Depending on your study pathway, graduates may enter—or already be working in—roles like:

professional translators
policy analysts
interpreters
intercultural communication specialists.

Potential industries

Graduates often find work in:

government agencies (particularly those requiring NAATI-certified interpreters)
non-governmental organisations
translation agencies
cultural and diplomatic institutions
international businesses.

These postgraduate qualifications are also excellent preparation for teaching careers at secondary schools and universities. To teach at tertiary level, you will be expected to complete PhD-level study.

More career information

Find out more about careers.

The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.

What can I do with my degree? Tahatū

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.

Postgraduate scholarships

Scholarships for Humanities and Social Sciences

Sarah Anne Rhodes Research Scholarship

Worth: $7,000 (subject to funds available) Closing: 31 October, 2026

This scholarship is offered to women graduates intending to study at Victoria University of Wellington in a course leading to a higher degree, which includes research in some field related to the general purpose of teaching or promoting the knowledge of home or domestic science among the women of New Zealand (e.g. Sociology, Psychology, Education or Science).
Sir Lloyd Geering Scholarship in Religion

Worth: $7,500 (subject to funds available) Closing: 31 October, 2026

This scholarship has been established in honour of Sir Lloyd Geering to support students undertaking postgraduate study in Religious Studies. Sir Lloyd was the founding Professor of Religious Studies at Victoria University of Wellington in 1971. He contributed greatly to the study of religion in New Zealand and to thinking about transformations of religion in modernity. The horizons of his...
Jack Pearce Research Scholarship in History

Worth: $25,000 (subject to funds available) Closing: 31 October, 2026

The Jack Pearce Research Scholarship in History (the "scholarship") was established through the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation and offers students the opportunity to gain postgraduate experience in the area of History.

Search all scholarships

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.

Postgraduate scholarships

Scholarships for Humanities and Social Sciences

Sarah Anne Rhodes Research Scholarship

Worth: $7,000 (subject to funds available) Closing: 31 October, 2026

This scholarship is offered to women graduates intending to study at Victoria University of Wellington in a course leading to a higher degree, which includes research in some field related to the general purpose of teaching or promoting the knowledge of home or domestic science among the women of New Zealand (e.g. Sociology, Psychology, Education or Science).
Sir Lloyd Geering Scholarship in Religion

Worth: $7,500 (subject to funds available) Closing: 31 October, 2026

This scholarship has been established in honour of Sir Lloyd Geering to support students undertaking postgraduate study in Religious Studies. Sir Lloyd was the founding Professor of Religious Studies at Victoria University of Wellington in 1971. He contributed greatly to the study of religion in New Zealand and to thinking about transformations of religion in modernity. The horizons of his...
Jack Pearce Research Scholarship in History

Worth: $25,000 (subject to funds available) Closing: 31 October, 2026

The Jack Pearce Research Scholarship in History (the "scholarship") was established through the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation and offers students the opportunity to gain postgraduate experience in the area of History.

Search all scholarships

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.

Find out more about MAI ki Pōneke