Explore cultures of the world’s regions
Develop a nuanced understanding of how the world works. This minor examines the culture, language, history, and politics of specific regions, and how different parts of the globe interact and influence each other—including from Aotearoa New Zealand.
Draw on disciplines like history, anthropology, cultural studies, language, geography, and the arts to focus on regions like Asia, the Pacific, Europe, and Latin America. Relate these fields to your chosen region to understand the cultural and historical context for what happens there and why.
Whichever region attracts you, Area and Cultural Studies helps you work across cultural boundaries. You’ll also develop abilities in analysis and communication that employers value.
Choose your study path
The Area and Cultural Studies minor is unique to the Bachelor of Global Studies (BGS). It’s one of eight BGS minors.
You’ll study courses from disciplines like history, anthropology, Māori and Pacific studies, Asian studies, languages, politics, and the arts. This gives you flexibility to follow your interests while linking courses into a coherent body of knowledge.
You might learn:
- the histories, cultures, and politics of the Pacific, including Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa
- the politics and cultures of Asia, Europe, Latin America, or other parts of the world
- how film, literature, popular culture, architecture, and artistic movements reflect and shape regional and global cultures
- how colonisation, empire, and independence have shaped specific regions over time.
See 'degree and subject requirements' for your course options.
Choose your second minor
You must take at least two minors in your BGS. The Area and Cultural Studies minor pairs naturally with:
- Human Rights, Justice, and Peace if you’re interested in displacement and justice
- Ethical Leadership and Intercultural Communication, if you’re focused how personal, group, and cultural identity overlaps with leadership style and communication
- Globalisation, Movement, and Change or World Affairs and Organisations if you’re interested in the relationship between regional culture, political economy, and global power.
These are just suggestions—you're free to pair this minor with any of the others.
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.
Study options
Find out how you can take Area and Cultural Studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
The BGS is different from other degrees
For most degrees, you need to choose a major subject. But with the Bachelor of Global Studies, you’ll choose at least two minor subjects.
In the BGS, you complete:
- four interdisciplinary core courses
- a Māori Studies course
- a skills and concepts course
- three courses from a language offered by the University
- at least two of the eight available minor subjects.
You can also add a third BGS minor, a minor in your chosen language, or a minor from anywhere else in the University.
We help you design your BGS around your study goals and interests. This flexible degree also includes career development and direct professional experience.
Future careers
The Area and Cultural Studies minor reinforces your critical analysis and communication skills, which are valued in many sectors of the economy.
It helps you:
- analyse the history, culture, and politics of specific regions
- examine how regional dynamics connect to global processes
- interpret forms of cultural and creative expression in their regional context
- communicate across cultural and linguistic difference with regional knowledge and sensitivity.
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 first-year and school-leaver scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.
We encourage you to apply—many scholarships don’t receive enough applications.
Scholarships for Humanities and Social Sciences
-
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.
-
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.
-
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$15,000 VUW Undergraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Bachelor’s degree.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
We also offer specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. We encourage you to apply—many scholarships don’t receive enough applications.
Scholarships for Humanities and Social Sciences
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Postgraduate study
If you do well in your Bachelor’s degree, you could to on postgraduate study.
If you want to focus on communications, or intercultural communication in particular, we offer several postgraduate qualifications in these areas.
If you want to pursue international affairs more broadly, we offer postgraduate study paths in International Relations and Migration Studies.
We also offer Development Studies at postgraduate level.
We offer Global Studies at postgraduate level, including a Master's programme.
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.
Wellington Global Exchange
If you're a current student at Victoria University of Wellington, you can complete part of your degree overseas. Choose from our 140 partner universities worldwide.
Study Abroad and Exchange Programme
If you're an overseas student, you can spend a trimester or a year at Victoria University of Wellington. You'll earn credits at your home university while you study here.