Deepen your expertise in Pacific cultures, issues, and perspectives
Reflect on the past to contribute to the future of Pacific peoples. As a postgraduate student, you’ll investigate Pacific topics to develop advanced expertise in history, culture, and contemporary issues.
Many industries need people who understand the history, languages, and beliefs of our wider Pacific region. Aotearoa New Zealand has strong relationships with Pacific nations in diplomacy, migration, defence, and trade.
If you want to refine your cross-cultural understanding in Pacific worldviews, learn Postgraduate Pacific Studies with us.
Choose your study path
There are several ways you can do Postgraduate Pacific Studies with us.
Postgraduate study pathways
Postgraduate study gives you the flexibility to focus on either coursework or research, depending on your goals and interests.
When you study by coursework, you'll learn in a structured way through lectures, tutorials, assignments, and exams. When you do a research degree, you’ll do independent research while working closely with an academic supervisor.
Focus on coursework
Graduate Certificate in Arts
Graduate Diploma in Arts
Postgraduate Certificate in Arts
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts
Master of Arts (by coursework)
Focus on research
Bachelor of Arts with Honours
Master of Arts (by thesis)
Doctor of Philosophy
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 do Postgraduate Pacific Studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Why Wellington
Make the most of our expertise in Pacific Studies scholarship. In 2000, we became the first university in Aotearoa to offer Pacific Studies as an undergraduate major under the stewardship of the late Banaban, I-Kiribati, and African American scholar, poet, and activist Dr Teresia Teaiwa.
Future careers
Postgraduate Pacific Studies gives you career pathways in Aotearoa and abroad:
- consultancies—agencies, including the Big Four firms (PWC, Deloitte, EY, KPMG) as well as boutique firms have teams specialising in cultural competency, strategy, and research
- education—along with a qualification in Teaching, graduates go on to not only educate tauira, but design what they learn, many of our students also become academics and tertiary educators
- health—people with Pacific expertise are sought after in the health sector, especially in designing services and providing cultural support
- public policy—work on legislation and initiatives which directly impact Pacific people
- NGOs and community organisations—people with cross-cultural skills and knowledge are sought after by those wanting to improve service delivery and effectiveness
- government—knowledge in Indigenous worldviews is highly sought after by departments and agencies.
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.
Teresia Teaiwa Memorial Postgraduate Scholarship in Pacific Studies
This scholarship is awarded each year to a Pasifika student who is majoring in Pacific Studies.
Find out more about the scholarship
Other scholarships
We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.
Scholarships for Humanities and Social Sciences
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The scholarship is open to graduates of any university in New Zealand or of the University of the South Pacific, who are enrolled or intending to enrol full-time or part-time, in a Master of Criminology (MCrim) or a PhD in Criminology at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
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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 Creative Writing supports a student who has been accepted into the MA in Creative Writing. With one application deadline each year.
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.
Teresia Teaiwa Memorial Postgraduate Scholarship in Pacific Studies
This scholarship is awarded each year to a student of Pacific Island descent who is majoring in Pacific Studies.
Students from Pacific Island nations are welcome to apply.
Find out more about the scholarship
Other scholarships
We also have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.
Scholarships for Humanities and Social Sciences
-
The scholarship is open to graduates of any university in New Zealand or of the University of the South Pacific, who are enrolled or intending to enrol full-time or part-time, in a Master of Criminology (MCrim) or a PhD in Criminology at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
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The purpose of the award is to assist postgraduate (full-time or part-time) students in the study of a Master’s of Linguistics, Applied Linguistics or TESOL by coursework at Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington. Applicant will be assessed on the basis of academic merit. Relevant prior experience may also be taken into account.
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Applicants for this scholarship must be enrolled, or be intending to enrol full-time, in a Master's by thesis or PhD in a topic in Latin American studies at Victoria University of Wellington. Selection will be based on academic merit.
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
Toaga Alefosio
Lecturer (Teaching) in Samoan Studies
April Henderson
Presenter
Sadat Muaiava
Lecturer
Nalani Wilson-Hokowhitu
Lecturer in Pacific Studies
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.