Course details

Summary

The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (PGDipArts) requires two semesters of full-time, or its equivalent in part-time, study. It entails a structured programme of postgraduate coursework and, in some instances, a piece of supervised research that counts for one or two of the required papers. The normal admission requirement is a completed Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in the major of the proposed programme.

Graduates are employed in administration, business, education, government, industry and journalism where their advanced knowledge of an academic area, ability to solve problems, research and writing skills are valued. It is also a recognised qualification for admission as a candidate for the Master of Arts (MA) and, if a dissertation is included, the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

The programme may be taken by full-time candidates in one year, or by part-time candidates over more than one year. Any paper in which a candidate is enrolled in any year shall be examined in that year.

Language is central, and perhaps unique, to human experience. Interest in its study has existed throughout history. Consequently, questions about language, and particularly the nature of its structure, use and development, have engaged scholars from a wide range of disciplines. Linguistics is the discipline that addresses these and other related questions directly.

Linguistics comprises different areas of specialisation:

phonetics (the study of speech sounds)

phonology (the study of sound systems)

morphology (the study of the internal structure of words)

syntax (the study of how words are combined into sentences)

semantics (the study of meaning)

pragmatics (the study of meaning in relation to the way language is used)

socio-linguistics (the study of language in its social context)

historical linguistics (the study of language change)

universal typology (the study of language universals and differences)

acquisition (the study of how first and second languages are learned)

applied linguistics (the application of linguistics to language teaching and other professional activities)

Level of Award of the Diploma

The diploma may be awarded with distinction or with credit.

Entry criteria

Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).

Every applicant shall: either have been admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Arts majoring in the subject or subjects of study proposed; or have been admitted with the status of one who is entitled to proceed to the diploma; or have a qualification acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor and produce evidence satisfactory to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of ability to proceed to the diploma.

English Language Requirements:

IELTS - Score of 6.5 in the academic module (with no individual band below 6.0); Internet-based TOEFL Score of 95 with a minimum writing score of 22.; Paper-based TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 587 (TWE 4.5); Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) – Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169); Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) – Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169); APIEL Advanced Placement International English Language Examination - Grade 4 or higher; Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic - Overall score of 64 with no communicative skills score below 57; University of Otago Foundation Studies Ltd: Completion of 'English for Postgraduate Academic Purposes' with a grade of C or higher.