Learn to read and understand Latin
Learn the language that drove the Roman Empireand remained influential across Europe for over 1,000 years after its collapse. Latin is at the root of many of the words and phrases common in law and medicine, as well as many everyday words in English and other modern languages.
Read, translate, and interpret texts by great writers and orators like Cicero, Virgil, and Catullus. You'll read Roman literature, history, and philosophy in the original language, gaining a greater appreciation for the shades of meaning in the text.
Develop a better understanding of the history and origins of the English language, improve your vocabulary, and enhance your written and spoken communication skills.
Visit our Classics Museum—Te Whare Taonga o te Puāwaitanga
The Classics Museum is a collection of antiquities—mostly Greek and Roman—including terracotta vases and other objects used in daily life, including a sizeable collection of coins.
Objects from the collection are brought out of the cases for you to learn, and the Curator often hosts visits from school groups and other learners. The Museum is also equipped as a teaching space, and many Classics undergraduate tutorials and Honours seminars are held there.
Choose your study path
You can study Latin as part of the Classical Studies major in a Bachelor of Arts. Your Latin courses will count towards your Classical Studies major.
You'll study Latin online through the University of Otago, with in-person tutorial support at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
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 Latin at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Future careers
Studying Latin equips you with a good grasp of both language and writing, which are useful skills in many careers.
Government ministries employ graduates in policy, stakeholder relations, communications, research, or advisory roles. Your early roles may be administration or coordination before progressing to a more senior position.
You may also work as business coordinators, logistics coordinators, web content writers, journalists, marketing assistants, programme coordinators, customer service managers, parliamentary researchers, or university administrators.
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 Latin
These scholarships are to support students to continue their studies in Latin:
Other scholarships
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.
Scholarships for studying Latin
These scholarships are to support students to continue their studies in Latin:
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
-
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 doing innovative work.
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.