Course details

Summary

Engage in advanced scholarship and contribute your own research to the existing knowledge in your field.

In a research masters you can contribute to the existing knowledge in your field by defining and managing a research project alongside some of New Zealand’s leading scholars.

In a taught masters you can deepen your knowledge in small classes with these leading scholars and complete a smaller research project such as a dissertation.

Pacific Studies

Pacific Studies enables you to develop a broad knowledge of the Pacific and enhance your cultural awareness. You can take different approaches to your study of the Pacific. Study opportunities cover Pacific indigenous knowledge, society and culture, music and dance, history, art and identity, as well as Pacific languages and linguistics.

A postgraduate qualification in Pacific Studies will extend, refine and apply the knowledge and skills you acquired in your first degree by taking a more focused look at the Pacific region and its peoples.

Postgraduate study opportunities in Pacific Studies

There are taught courses on Pacific language acquisition and teaching, continuity and change in the Pacific, and topics in Pacific research. You can take an interdisciplinary approach to the Pacific and draw upon knowledge from Art History, Education, English, Geography, History and Mäori Studies.

Postgraduate careers

Pacific Studies can be useful in the New Zealand context for careers in education, the public service, health, social service, social welfare, commerce, advertising, marketing, journalism, Pacific Islands language instruction, interpreting and translation.

Required course of study

120-point (one-year) MA

The 120-point MA requires one year of full-time study, with admission from a BA(Hons) or PGDipArts. It is available as either a research or taught masters.

240-point (two-year) MA

The 240-point MA requires two consecutive years of full-time study, with admission from a BA or approved equivalent qualification. It is available as either a research or taught masters.

Further study options

Doctor of Philosophy

Master of Arts Other Subjects: Ancient History, Anthropology, Applied Linguistics, Art History, Asian Studies, Chinese, Criminology, Development Studies, Drama, Economics, Education, Employment Relations and Organization Studies, English, French, Gender Studies, Geography, German, Greek, History, Italian, Japanese, Languages and Literature, Latin, Linguistics, Logic and Computation, 毛利 Studies, Mathematics, Media, Film and Television, Museums and Cultural Heritage, Music, 毛利 Studies, Philosophy, Politics and International Relations, Psychology, Screen Production, Sociology, Spanish, Statistics, Translation Studies.

Entry criteria

Admission for 120-point (1 year) programme: applicants must have completed a BA(Hons) or PGDipArts in Pacific Studies with an average grade of B or higher, or approval of the Head of the Centre for Pacific Studies. Admission for 240-point (2 years) programme: applicants must have completed either a BA with a major in Pacific Studies and a minor in one of: Anthropology, Art History, Comparative Literature, Education, English, History, Linguistics, Maori Studies, Samoan, Sociology, Tongan, Women’s Studies or a BA with a major in one of the subjects listed above and a minor in Pacific Studies. They must have an average grade of B or higher in at least 45 points above Stage II in the major. Applicants will need competency in a Pacific language equivalent to passes in COOKIS 201, SAMOAN 201, TONGAN 201, or equivalent. They may satisfy this requirement while enrolled for this programme.

English language requirements: