At-a-glance

Name: Graduate Diploma in Arts

Abbreviation: GDipArts

Duration: 2 trimesters 

Duration details: 2 trimesters of full-time study or normally 4 if studied part-time

Schedule: Daytime lectures

Intensity: Full time or part time

Type: Coursework

Study at: On-campus (Kelburn, Wellington)

Complete: 120 points (6-8 courses)

Entry: Bachelor's degree

Start: Trimester 1, 2 or 3

Apply by: Standard trimester dates

Costs: From database for international only at this stage

Impact of previous university study in same subject: Requires

Entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree

To be accepted by the head of the school as capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study

Important information

• The academic Calendar is the authoritative source of programme and course information.
• If you have questions talk to a liaison officer. If you’re already a student here, contact a student adviser.

Programme requirements

Complete 120 points from 200- and 300-level courses, of which:

• At least 75 points must be at 300 level or above
• In exceptional circumstances you may be permitted to include courses at 400 level

Satisfy the subject requirements

Subject requirements

If you want to specialise in one of the following subjects you'll need to:

Art History

Get a comprehensive view of the history of art and study historical and contemporary works from a New Zealand perspective. Learn to think about art as a product of a particular social and cultural setting, and to use this knowledge to make sense of the work. Explore different artistic forms including painting and sculpture, photography and performance while developing transferable skills in research, writing and visual interpretation.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office 

Asian Studies

Explore New Zealand's interactions with Asia from a variety of perspectives. Discover how and why Asia is undergoing unprecedented economic and social transformation. You’ll learn about Chinese cinema, Gandhi, Islam in Indonesia, K-pop, Japanese manga, business in Hong Kong, colonialism, communism and more.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

Chinese

Study Mandarin, the main language in China (including Taiwan), Singapore and in Chinese communities all over the world. Learn to speak the language and to use the ideographic, or symbolic, writing system while gaining insights into Chinese society and culture.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

Classical Studies

Learn about the history and culture, arts and mythology of the ancient world. Explore the origins of democracy and republican government and learn about the realities of slavery, gladiatorial contests, class struggle and gender identity in ancient Greece and Rome. Develop transferable skills—in abstract thinking, analysis, writing and critical judgement—and learn to construct and express a logical argument.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

Criminology

Study crime in New Zealand and around the world—examining acts that range from graffiti, substance abuse and family violence, to terrorism and genocide. You’ll take a critical look at concerns around human rights, punishment, rehabilitation and deterrence. Study the relationships between crime, and youth, gender, alcohol and drugs, and find out about the motivations that may lie behind a person's decision to break the law.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

Cultural Anthropology

Study how people live and interact with each other in communities all over the world. Explore topics like the relative importance of kinship, class and caste, and the way that different cultural groups deal with conflict and reconciliation. Look at cultures from all over the world, from Oceania to the Middle East and compare them to understand the many ways social life can be meaningfully organised.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

Development Studies

Be part of creating a better world. Study poverty and inequality, and the issues behind development. Explore the strategies devised to address them. Look at the ways that societies are changing—economically, socially and culturally—and at the problems these changes can create. Examine the relationships between people and institutions—from small communities, to government agencies and international organisations.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

Economics

Study how we make decisions about limited resources and how to get the most value out of them. Consider why people choose to do the things they do, and how decisions are made to produce and distribute goods and services. Use models to simplify and explain the real world and make predictions about it, and discover tools that people use to make and judge economic choices.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

Education

Learn about education from many angles—from early childhood development to understanding youth issues to politics in education. Discover the fascinating relationships between education, culture and society. You’ll gain the knowledge and skills to understand and unpack our education system. Take a critical view of the way we educate our young people and study education theory, practice and policy issues.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

Education and Psychology

Study human development and learning with a focus on psychology. Explore how young people and children learn, and how they develop. Understand how to support children and young people who are experiencing social, emotional or learning difficulties using skills gained in psycho-educational assessment, evaluation, mediation and intervention.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

English Literature

Study literature in English from all around the world, including New Zealand, the Pacific, America and India. Explore literature from the Middle Ages to the 21st century and discover different literary categories, like writing for children. You’ll learn to interpret literary texts and to express your understanding effectively. Explore different genres and find out how a work relates to its time, place and readers.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

Film

Examine the rich history and diversity of cinema and learn how to interpret and critique film. You'll look at film from many angles, including historical, cultural and technological perspectives, and explore the relationship film has with other media. Study the cinema of Aotearoa New Zealand, as well as the cinema of Hollywood, Europe and South America.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

French

Study the international language of romance and diplomacy. Become fluent in a language spoken by over 200 million people around the world, while exploring the charms of French culture. Take advantage of opportunities to study abroad. Entry level courses are taught in English but as you progress through your degree, you'll be taught more and more in French.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

Geography

Study the relationship between humans and their environment. Examine how human cultures shape the world around them, and investigate the differences and inequalities between and within different countries and nations. Look at biophysical systems—the way that Earth, oceanic and atmospheric processes behave—and learn how they interact with one another.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

German

Learn the first language of 100 million people living in the heart and economic powerhouse of Europe. Studying German opens the door to incredible riches in fields such as music, science, philosophy, literature, history and politics. Within the supportive environment of Victoria's German programme, you'll soon be speaking, reading, and writing German. People able to speak both English and German are valued in New Zealand and overseas—in a range of careers in areas like tourism, marketing, and international business.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

Greek

You don’t need any previous experience in Greek to study the language of some of the world’s greatest philosophers, mathematicians and dramatists. Gain the skills to read, translate and interpret texts in ancient Greek, and get a deeper understanding and better appreciation of Greek literature. Discover the roots of the English language, enrich your vocabulary and improve your confidence in written and spoken communication.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

History

Learn about times, places and peoples of the past, and how they affect our world today. Study histories from all over the globe, and discover different ways of talking about and understanding the past. Learn about topics like the development of Europe into a world-wide power, how history is used to construct national identity, and how to understand and use Māori historical methods. You’ll build analytical and problem solving skills, and learn how to collect, select and interpret evidence from a variety of sources.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

International Relations

Examine the political motivations at the heart of the world's current events. Explore a wide range of issues including questions of war and peace, human rights, globalisation and the distribution of wealth and poverty around the world, and the efforts of transnational groups to promote change. You’ll also learn about the histories, theories and philosophies behind the political systems of different nations, from democracies to dictatorships and look at power and policies in specific areas of the world like Japan or Europe.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

Italian

Learn a language of music and literature, art and cinema and world-famous cuisine. You’ll get a broad, supportive introduction to speaking, reading, writing and understanding Italian. Start by learning basic grammar, how to hold a conversation and some simple composition. Then you'll study ancient and modern Italian culture and language through fiction, drama, poetry and film.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

Japanese

Get a comprehensive education in spoken and written Japanese. You’ll start to speak the language straight away through classes, fun tutorials and a variety of multimedia learning resources. Learn about Japanese culture and literature in a journey that will take you from the distant past to the near future.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

Latin

Learn the ancient language at the root of many modern English words. 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 writing and communication skills.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

Linguistics

Study language from all angles. You’ll explore what it is, what it tells us about the human mind, and how languages change over time. Delve into how language looks and sounds and how it's structured and shared. Examine its role in society and its connection to how people think. You’ll also gain the essential research skills that linguists use to evaluate language and make discoveries.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

Māori Resource Management

Gain an in-depth understanding of how Maori manage their environmental resources, like land, lakes, forests and fisheries, while learning the basics of Māori language. Examine the ownership of resources and find out why Māori do and don't own some of them. You'll also examine the laws that help or restrict Māori as they govern their resources and get the skills to contribute to Māori social, economic and political development.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

Māori Studies

Develop an awareness, appreciation and broad understanding of all things Māori. Your knowledge of Māori culture and society, and how this has been affected by New Zealand's colonial history, will help in creating a positive future. With a focus on te reo Māori me ōna tikanga—Māori language and culture—you'll become good at speaking Māori and gain a solid understanding of the culture and its traditions.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

Mathematics

Explore techniques to solve problems that you can use in several disciplines including pure and social sciences, and that you can apply in a variety of professions. You’ll start by studying calculus, algebra, and discrete mathematics and then move on to explore more theoretical concepts or applied mathematics. Improve your numeracy and problem-solving skills, and your ability to think logically and creatively.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

Media Studies

We rely on media more and more to inform us about society and our place in it. Examine the influence of media and investigate how changing technologies have impacted the way we interact with each other as individuals and as a society. Explore the world of popular culture and visual culture. You’ll look at the relationship between the media and politics, and explore media in New Zealand.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

Modern Language Studies

Study a comprehensive language package by combining a new language with linguistics courses in a single subject. Choose from Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Māori, Samoan or Spanish. As you learn to speak and write your new language, you'll also be studying Linguistics—the structure, use and cultural importance of language itself.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

Music

Explore music from many angles including cultural, historical, critical, technical, and creative. Choose from a wide range of subjects depending on your interests and experience, including popular music, jazz, classical film music, non-Western music and music technology. You can also choose to take Performance courses in Māori, Pasifika and Indonesian gamelan music, giving you the opportunity for cultural learning through making music.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

Pacific Studies

Expand your knowledge and understanding of Pacific lands, cultures and languages. You’ll get an introduction to the ideas and work of leading thinkers, political leaders, activists, and artists of the islands. Examine the impacts of imperialism and colonialism on Pasifika cultures and gain an understanding of modern Pacific issues. You'll also learn at least one Pacific Island language—Sāmoan, Māori or French.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

Philosophy

Philosophers attempt to answer big questions around human existence, knowledge, ethics and behaviour. Find out about the history of philosophy and meet influential thinkers like Plato, Descartes or Kant. You’ll learn about the philosophies at the heart of areas like religion, science, language or politics. Consider contemporary ethical issues like abortion, war and euthanasia and think about how we define what's right and what's wrong.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

Political Science

Study the theories and philosophies at the heart of politics. Examine political ideas including libertarianism, socialism and colonisation. Analyse social movements and the ideas behind them, including in gender equality, religious fundamentalism and environmentalism. Learn about the history, development and structure of New Zealand's political system, and enhance your understanding of the nature of power by comparing political systems from all over the world.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind —how we process information and what drives our behaviour. Gain insights into why people think, act and feel the way they do. Examine social behaviour, emotion, personality and motivation, and consider what leads to healthy development and what causes dysfunction. Find out how we become the people we are—looking at the role of culture, experiences, and thinking processes.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

Public Policy

Public policy is the set of decisions that shape how a country is run. Explore how governments make these decisions, how the public sector works, the political side of policy-making and how policies can be improved. Learn how to analyse issues and to use your creativity to propose solutions and make a case for them.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

Religious Studies

Learn about religions from all over the world and explore their role in shaping politics, culture, morality and law. Examine how different religions explain concepts like death and evil and study the relationships between religion and violence. Learn about the role of religion in history, or in shaping identity and community, and its influences on music, literature and art. Explore how religions are changing and look at likely future trends.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

Samoan Studies / Fa'asamoa

Gain an understanding of New Zealand's Samoan population and our Pacific Island neighbourhood—through studying the language, society and culture of Sāmoa. Explore the way cultural beliefs, ceremonies and daily life, shape the Sāmoan language. Discover the importance of nature to Sāmoan culture and learn to understand the meanings behind traditional song and dance. Study at the only university where you can major in Samoan Studies.

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Sociology

Make sense of the social world we live in—explore how societies are constructed, and find out why the world can work differently for different groups of people. You’ll examine relationships in society—from individual links to large-scale processes like population change and migration—and uncover what these can tell us about social patterns. Learn how differences can turn into divisions, and take a new look at the major issues confronting our world—like gender and racial inequality, violence, and globalisation.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

Spanish

Study the second most widely spoken language in the world. Your courses will get you reading, writing, and having conversations in Spanish early in your studies. You’ll also study the diversity of culture and history in both Spain and Latin America, and delve into important current issues such as ethnic diversity and national identity.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office

Te Reo Māori

Extend your knowledge and use of the Māori language. You’ll engage in basic conversations on everyday topics to develop confidence in speaking and listening to te reo Māori. Improve your skills in reading and writing and gain a deep understanding of the formal practices of the language. Learn to communicate confidently in te reo Māori while gaining a solid understanding of the rich culture, history and traditions of Māori in Aotearoa.

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Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Gain a thorough grounding in how language works, and how it is taught and learned. You'll focus primarily on teaching English but your skills will be applicable to other languages too. Get the professional and academic knowledge you'll need to succeed in the language education field. Note this major will not give you a teaching qualification so you'll need to complete some further study to work as a language teacher.

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Theatre

Study theatre from all angles—performance, directing, script writing, lighting and set design. Learn the techniques of scenography and dramaturgy, as well as vocal and physical skills. Discover how to generate new ideas and perform under pressure. You’ll examine the works of playwrights and the performances of actors, and learn about theatre from all over the world.

Obtain approval for a coherent set of courses from the Faculty Student and Academic Services office