Understand the past and its impact on today
Learn about the people, places, and events of the past, and how they shape the world today. Study histories from around the world and explore different ways of understanding the past.
You'll choose from courses that cover important topics such as the Scientific Revolution, nationalism, the two World Wars, and how to understand and use Māori historical methods. Broaden your cultural perspective by examining historical events through themes like gender, class, and race. Imagine how the world might develop in the future by learning how to interpret the past in more meaningful and inclusive ways.
Develop analytical and problem-solving skills by learning how to uncover, select, and interpret evidence from a range of sources. Improve your writing and learn how to communicate research clearly and logically. If you're interested in social, political, and cultural perspectives on how the modern world has developed, History is right for you.
Why Wellington
Make the most of our decades of scholarship and study—we’ve been teaching History since our inception in 1899.
As the capital, Wellington sits at the heart of national decisions around commemorating, remembering, and reflecting on the past. We are the place where hīkoi end.
Our city also hosts Aotearoa New Zealand’s most important cultural and historical records. Here, you’ll find:
Manatū Taonga | Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Te Papa Tongarewa | Museum of New Zealand
Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa | National Library
Te Rōpū Whakamana i te Tiriti o Waitangi | Waitangi Tribunal
Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga | Archives New Zealand
Te Tari Whakatau | Office of Treaty Settlements and Takutai Moana.
Choose your study path
You can study History as a major or a minor within a Bachelor of Arts.
Our BA gives you many ways to structure your study and to combine History with other subjects. Many students broaden their expertise by pairing History as a double major with subjects like Anthropology, Classical Studies, English Literature Māori Studies, Pacific Studies, and Political Science.
If you’re studying for a double degree or conjoint degree, History goes well with Commerce, Law, Science, or Teaching.
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 History at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Future careers
History graduates work in a range of industries that make the most of their critical analysis, research, interpretation, and communication skills. These include:
- health
- business, finance, and consulting
- government
- law and legal services
- publishing and media
- technology
- education and academia.
More career information
Find out more about careers in History.
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. 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 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 is designed to support second year students studying English at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington by removing financial barriers to study.
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This scholarship is designed to support second year students studying History at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington by removing financial barriers to study.
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.
Other scholarships
We also offer 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 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 History subjects are ranked in the top 200 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.
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.