Understand world affairs
Gain a nuanced, comprehensive understanding of world affairs. Examine how global organisations, institutions, and economies shape our world by looking at world affairs from the view of multiple disciplines and fields of study.
Understand of how global organisations and economies operate by studying disciplines like economics, international relations, anthropology, and public policy. Critically examine capitalism, inequality, and development, and build practical knowledge in how businesses, governments, and entrepreneurs work in global contexts.
You can take an analytical or practical approach, depending on your interests and career goals. Conduct research and analysis, communicate across cultures, and think critically about global events and trends. By doing so, you’ll develop the practical skills to work within global organisations.
Choose your study path
The World Affairs and Organisations minor is unique to the Bachelor of Global Studies (BGS). It’s one of eight BGS minors.
You’ll study courses from disciplines like international relations, economics, management, public policy, and international business. This gives you flexibility to follow your interests while building a coherent body of knowledge.
You’ll learn:
- how local and global economies are connected, and what that means for development and trade
- how international organisations and public policy shape world affairs
- how to apply ethical frameworks to business and organisational decisions, both locally and globally
- how capitalism operates across different cultural contexts and how it produces inequalities.
See 'degree and subject requirements' for your course options.
Choose your second minor
You must take at least two minors in your Bachelor of Global Studies. The Cultures and Identities minor pairs well with:
- Human Rights, Justice, and Peace, if you’re interested in how global economic, political, environmental and security issues affect people’s rights and wellbeing.
- Cultures and Identities, if you’re interested in how culture and identity are shaped by history, place, and power.
- Globalisation, Movement and Change or Environment and Sustainability, if you’re interested in how societies can be shaped by the global movement of people, ideas, and capital.
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 study World Affairs and Organisations 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 Bachelor of Global Studies builds your interdisciplinary and intercultural skills for careers in a range of industries and institutions, both in New Zealand and abroad.
The World Affairs and Organisations minor helps you:
- analyse how global political and economic systems shape world affairs
- examine the role of international organisations, trade, and public policy in addressing global challenges
- apply ethical frameworks to business and organisational contexts
- think critically about capitalism, development, and inequality across different cultural and political settings.
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
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.