Learn about people and the beliefs that define us
Find out about how religions shape war and peace, politics and law, ideas of good and evil, and diverse ways of confronting death. Study of Religion works with challenging ideas to broaden your horizons. It provides insights into diversity and human behaviour, power, and meaning.
Learn about the challenges of religion, including issues of historical change, patterns of power shaped through colonisation, why people leave religion, and how they live without it. You’ll also understand how religion shapes identity and community here in Aotearoa New Zealand, and influences literature, arts, and media.
Get a nuanced understanding of how religions and their followers operate. You’ll also develop skills in critical analysis, independent research, problem solving, and written and spoken communication—skills that are sought after in every industry.
Why Wellington
Make the most of our decades of groundbreaking scholarship and study in Religion—we first offered Study of Religion in 1971. We’ve become one of the largest and most influential Study of Religion programmes in Australasia, with a strong reputation internationally.
Our Study of Religion staff are experts on the big issues of human existence—from evil and salvation, violence and peace, environmental crisis and mortality, to the politics of ethical action.
Choose your study path
You can do Study of Religion as your major or minor subject in a three-year Bachelor of Arts (BA).
Many students broaden their expertise by pairing Study of Religion as a double major with subjects such as:
- Anthropology
- Criminology
- History
- Pacific Studies
- Political Science
- Sociology.
If you’re studying for a double degree or conjoint degree, Study of Religion goes well with Commerce, Communication, Law, Psychology, or Teaching.
Our BA gives you many ways to structure your study and to combine Study of Religion with other subjects.
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 Study of Religion at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Future careers
Study of Religion graduates work in a wide range of roles that make the most of their creative and unbiased approach, as well as their strong communication and analytical skills. Graduates are employed in policy, stakeholder relations, communications, and research or advisory roles.
These skills, along with understanding relationships, belief systems, influences, and behaviours make graduates valuable across many industries.
With further study, you could aim for roles in teaching or policy.
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.
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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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.
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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 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.
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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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.
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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.
Globally ranked
Our Sociology 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.