Learn the most widely-spoken language in the European Union
Get the skills to communicate confidently across the German‑speaking world by studying a broad range of topics related to German-speaking countries and culture. Your courses will get you reading, writing, and having conversations in German as soon as possible.
Understanding the language, culture, and history of the German-speaking world is sought after in many industries. Aotearoa New Zealand has strong and longstanding relationships with German-speaking countries in areas of diplomacy, disarmament, defence, science, technology, and trade.
If you want the skills to communicate across cultures in the German-speaking world, studying German with us is the right move for you.
Why Wellington
We’ve been offering German scholarship and study since 1903, first taught by one of our four founding professors—George von Zedlitz. Our advanced exchange programmes provide life-changing experiences in German-speaking countries—we have partnerships with 12 universities across Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.
Study where international policy takes shape, alongside those shaping it. As the political and creative capital, Wellington sits at the heart of Aotearoa New Zealand’s decades-long engagement with Europe.
Wellington is home to diplomatic missions from Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and the European Union. You’ll find the Goethe-Institut New Zealand—the hub of German culture in New Zealand—and the Goethe Society, who are all about sharing the German language and building community.
With its headquarters in Wellington, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade connects with New Zealand’s embassies and permanent missions across the world, including:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Germany
- Switzerland
- European Union
- NATO
- United Nations
- World Trade Organization.
Choose your study path
There are three ways you can study German with us.
Bachelor of Arts
You can study German as a major or minor subject in a three-year Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Many students broaden their expertise by pairing German with a major in History or International Relations. Other students pair German with with subjects such as Anthropology, Film, Media Studies, and Political Science.
If you’re studying for a double degree or conjoint degree, German goes well with Commerce, Law, or Teaching.
Our BA gives you many ways to structure your study and to combine German with other subjects.
Short language qualifications
If you’d like to study a language without committing to a full major, a short qualification could be a good fit.
Certificate in Languages (CertLang)
The 60-point CertLang is a flexible, part-time qualification for anyone keen to add a language to their studies. It’s a great way to complement a Bachelor’s degree.
Diploma in Languages (DipLang)
The 120-point DipLang lets you go a step further, studying one or more languages part time—either broadening your range or building one language to a more advanced level. It can complement a Bachelor’s degree or stand alone as a qualification in its own right.
Study online from anywhere
You can study German with us online from anywhere in Aotearoa New Zealand. Students from AUT—Auckland University of Technology and the University of Otago study German with us as part of our cross-university collaboration. We also have students joining us online from other parts of the motu.
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 study German at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Language Study Abroad
We offer courses where you can study an Asian, European, or Latin American language at an approved overseas university during the New Zealand summer.
Future careers
Graduates who studied German work in a wide range of roles that make the most of their language skills, in-depth understanding of German-speaking countries, and cultural competency skills.
These skills, along with understanding belief systems, influences, and communication make graduates valuable across many different industries, including:
- tourism
- science and technology
- engineering
- business and trade
- government and defence
- immigration.
FHSS Internship
The FHSS Internship course run by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences helps develop practical workplace experience.
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.
Scholarships for studying in German-speaking countries
- Baden-Württemberg Scholarship
- Educational Exchange Service | Pädagogischer Austauschdienst (PAD)
- German Academic Exchange Service | Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD)
- International Parliamentary Scholarship
Other scholarships
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 German
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Two scholarships will be awarded annually to the top performing 300-level students of French, German, Spanish or Italian who intend to enrol in one of the above at Honours level the following year
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The fund, which was established at the time of the renovation of the C3 lecture theatre, is to assist a second-year student from any faculty in their studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
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
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The Erasmus Scholarship is open to second year students at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington who want to major in Greek or Latin.
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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.
Globally ranked
Our Modern Languages subjects are ranked in the top 250 worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
The QS World University Rankings is an annual global publication that gives overall rankings and subject rankings for more than 1,500 universities worldwide.
Postgraduate study
If you choose to continue to postgraduate study with us after finishing your degree, you’ll join a talented team of internationally recognised researchers doing innovative work.
- Postgraduate German
- Postgraduate Intercultural Communication and Applied Translation
- Postgraduate Translation Studies
If you get good results in your undergraduate study, you could continue on to study a Master’s or PhD if you want to do independent research.
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.