Starting your doctorate

Find out when and how you'll enrol and start your PhD or professional doctorate.

International student enrolments during Covid-19

Due to the global Covid-19 situation, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington is temporarily allowing international students who have an Offer of Place to enrol from overseas and begin their PhD studies from a distance. Students enrolling from overseas will have to meet the criteria outlined in the Guidelines for enrolment of international PhD students who are overseas due to COVID-19 travel restrictions (PDF).

Students interested in this option must discuss with their supervisor(s) whether this is a feasible option for them and their research, and if it is, please email fgr-postgrads@vuw.ac.nz for further information on the enrolment process and for the appropriate forms.

You can also find more information on the University's main Covid-19 information page.

Starting your PhD

Find out when you need to arrive, enrol and start your PhD studies, about our induction programmes, and what to do if your plans change.

Starting your professional doctorate

Find out when your course starts, how to complete your enrolment in time, and what to do if your plans change.

Study location

Find out about your options for where you’ll be based during your PhD or professional doctorate—on campus, at a collaborating institution, or at a distance.

Support and services

The University offers a range of services that support you as you're getting started on your doctoral study.