Postgraduate study

The School of Social and Cultural Studies offers a range of postgraduate qualifications, including diplomas, Honours, Master’s and PhD programmes.

Overview

Within our programmes we strive to create a vibrant research culture through frequent interactions between staff and students as well as supporting the postgraduate community by way of seminars, reading groups, information sessions and social functions.

Subjects

Cultural Anthropology

Qualifications

Graduate Certificate in Arts and Graduate Diploma in Arts

A Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Arts can be undertaken by graduates who want to extend their knowledge into areas outside of their undergraduate degree or who do not have the necessary prerequisites for entry into an Honours programme. Our school offers the following subject areas:

Criminology
Cultural Anthropology
Sociology
Study of Religion.

For further information on the requirements and application process, please refer to the Graduate Certificate in Arts or the Graduate Diploma in Arts page or contact the relevant Programme Director.

Postgraduate Certificate in Arts and Postgraduate Diploma in Arts

The PGCertArts and PGDipArts are intended for students eligible to study at 400 level, but not wishing to undertake the research component required for a BA(Hons). Our school offers the following subject areas:

Criminology
Cultural Anthropology
Sociology
Study of Religion.

Entry to the PGCertArts and PGDipArts requires the same average grade as for a Bachelor of Arts with Honours.

For further information, refer to the Postgraduate Certificate in Arts and Postgraduate Diploma in Arts.

Bachelor of Arts with Honours

An Honours degree is a one-year, full-time (or two year, part-time) programme of course work (120 points of course work at 400-level) undertaken after completion of a bachelor's degree or a Graduate Diploma in Arts in the relevant subject area. An Honours degree is suited for well-qualified graduates (those with a B average in the majoring subject) and who have a strong academic interest in further and more detailed study of a particular subject.

Our School offers the BA(Hons) in the following major subject areas:

Cultural Anthropology
Sociology
Study of Religion

All Honours students are required to include in their programme a research essay, i.e. ANTH 489, RELI 489, SOSC 489, SPOL489.

For further information refer to the Bachelor of Arts with Honours or contact the relevant Postgraduate Coordinators.

Master of Criminology

The Master of Criminology is a one-year, full-time programme of course work (180 points of course work at 400-level and a 60 point dissertation at 500-level) undertaken after completion of a bachelor's degree with at least a B average in a relevant subject.

The programme consists of three trimesters of full-time study. Studying part time, it may take up to three years to complete. It is part of a tiered family of qualifications which also includes the Postgraduate Certificate in Criminology (60 points) and the Postgraduate Diploma in Criminology (120 points). These are “staircased”, so that courses completed for a smaller qualification can count towards a larger one.

The Master of Criminology is perfect for graduates who are interested in moving on to advanced postgraduate study or are aiming for a career in criminal justice or a related sector.

For further information refer to the Master of Criminology or contact the relevant Postgraduate Coordinator.

Master of Arts (Coursework)

The 180-point Master of Arts (Coursework) is a flexible qualification. You’ll take at least 90 points of 400-level courses. Your study programme can also include research, an internship, or work-integrated learning. You’ll have the opportunity to apply your knowledge in real settings and to build professional networks. Our school offers the following subject areas:

Criminology
Cultural Anthropology
Social Policy
Sociology
Study of Religion.

Entry to the MA (CW) requires the same average grade as for a Bachelor of Arts with Honours.

For further information, refer to Master of Arts (Coursework).

Master of Arts (Thesis)

The MA consists of a satisfactory thesis and can be taken in any of our subject areas. Applicants must have completed a BA(Hons) degree in the relevant subject area or in an approved other discipline. Entry is usually restricted to those students awarded a first or second division, first class Honours degree although applications will be considered on a case by case basis.

For further information on the requirements and application process, please refer to the Master of Arts 120 points and the MA by Thesis page on our School website.

Proposals will need to be approved by the programme staff and reviewed by the School’s research committee.

Doctor of Philosophy

Supervision of research for a PhD is offered in all our subject areas with the Faculty of Graduate Research (FGR) providing the first port of call for all students interested in enrolling in a PhD at Victoria University of Wellington. Before you apply for admission, you may make contact with a potential supervisor, although it is not compulsory.

For further information on the requirements and application process, please refer to the PhD page on our School website.

Proposals will need to be approved by the programme staff and reviewed by the School’s research committee.