Academic Programs

Victoria's academic year is divided into three trimesters, each lasting four months. The first two trimesters, March to July and July to November, are the main teaching periods. At Victoria, each course is named a "paper" and, generally, you will take three to four papers per trimester,

Students wishing to obtain an undergraduate or graduate degree will find that flexible programs are offered in the following areas of study: Faculty of Humanities and Social Science, Faculty of Commerce and Administration, Faculty of Law, Schools of Architecture and Design and the Faculty of Science.

Potential graduate students will find Ph.D., Master's, and Postgraduate Diploma programs open to them. Students should be aware that in order to apply for a Ph.D. you should have already completed you Master's Degree. Master's Degree programs at New Zealand universities tend be more research based and therefore you will be required to submit a research proposal for approval during the application process. However, course work is increasingly being built into programs so that the combination of course and research programs are becoming available.

For more information on the actual programs available at Victoria University of Wellington scroll down to the Subject and Degrees area.

For information about admissions requirements at Victoria University of Wellington please see the Undergraduate Admissions and Graduate Admissions pages.


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Subject and Degree areas

Listed below are some of the more popular areas of study and links to the university Web sites for more details about their offerings. Visit the following Web pages for further information. undergraduate programs
graduate programs.
(These pages will open in a new window).

Links to VUW's different academic departments can be found here:
http://www.vuw.ac.nz/home/faculties_schools/schools.html (This page will open in a new window)

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Tuition

The Center for International Studies does not charge for its services in preparing you for studying for a full degree at one of our partner institutions, therefore you will be responsible for paying only the direct fees charged by the university you attend. Unlike U.S. institutions, overseas universities charge different fees for different programs. An example would be that if you are interested in a program in the Humanities you would probably pay less than in the Sciences where lab expenses would be included.

Tuition amounts vary considerably but a range for an undergraduate degree may be between $US10,000 - $US12,00 for non laboratory-based programs and $US15,000 to $US18,000 for laboratory-based programs. Graduate fees can range from $US11,500 - $US17,000 per year (many take only one year). When you request information on a particular university a fee schedule will be provided by CIS. In addition to the tuition fees, you will want to be prepared for the other costs associated with traveling abroad such as travel expenses, meals (if you are not on a meal plan), local transportation, spending money, etc. To find exact cost of tuition for your program, go to the Victoria University of Wellington fees page. (This page will open in a new window).

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Studying in Wellington

Wellington city, situated at the southern tip of New Zealand's North Island, is the nation's political, commercial and financial capital. As well as being the political and business center of New Zealand, Wellington is also the country's cultural capital. It is home to the Royal New Zealand Ballet Company, The National Opera, and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. The city annually hosts the International Festival of Arts, the Wellington Film Festival and the Wellington Jazz Festival.

Wellington offers all the advantages of a modern cosmopolitan city in a clean, safe and culturally aware environment. The surrounding region also presents many opportunities for recreation with activities such as water sports, hill and bush walking, tennis, mountain and road biking, fishing and skiing. With a climate that is temperate and mild, the city of Wellington lies at the center of a country renowned for its clean air and water, natural beauty and tranquility. It's a fun city that encourages you to work hard and play hard.

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Student Life

Upon your arrival, arrangements will be made for you to be greeted at the airport by a Victoria representative. A two-day orientation is provided for all new international students to introduce them to the University's facilities, staff and other students. On campus you will have access to all facilities including computer labs, a Learning Support Center, personal counselors, and a campus clinic. The Students' Association help students in many ways and directs nearly 100 social, sporting, cultural and ethnic clubs to make you feel at home in your new environment. The Recreation Center, open up to 16 hours per day, hosts a variety of health and fitness activities.

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Accommodation

There are eight residence halls close to the University for students; some provide meals, while other halls require that you cook your own meals. You will find that living in a hall with other students is a supportive, enjoyable environment that offers opportunities for meeting new friends from a variety of backgrounds. Each hall is furnished with the necessities; you only need to bring personal items. You are also welcome to work with the University Accommodation Office if you would prefer off-campus housing in a flat, apartment or shared house. The cost of accommodation ranges from $US300.00-$US400.00 a month depending on accommodation you choose. Read more about the accommodation options available to you at http://www.vuw.ac.nz/st_services/accommodation/index.html (This page will open in a new window).

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Useful links

Click here for useful degree abroad links.

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