Course details

Summary

As New Zealand seeks to become even more of a globally respected nation with solid social and political foundations, the need to revitalise and embrace te reo Maori as a living, everyday language is becoming even more important for people of all walks of life.

This discipline enables people to explore their identity as New Zealanders and to pass on their passion for this language of Aotearoa to others. Te Reo Maori is a highly recommended language option for those who might work with Maori people, indigenous industries or in education, public or communications roles that require bicultural and multicultural competency.

Students majoring in other subject areas such as History, Sociology, Political Science and International Relations, Human Services, English, Education, Cultural Studies, Law and Social Work often take Maori language courses to support their main field of study.

This postgraduate diploma is ideal for graduates wishing to undertake advanced study in a humanities or social science specialisation. Like its sister programme, the Postgraduate Certificate in Arts, the PGDipArts is very flexible; students can choose between a number of course combinations, and it offers a convenient taught pathway to other postgraduate study opportunities.

A graduate with a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts will have an advanced level of knowledge in one discipline or area of specialisation cultivated over a full year of study or equivalent. During this time they will have developed such skills as:

• the ability to analyse and evaluate academic literature in that area
• the ability to synthesize information and communicate their findings in both oral and written form
• self-directed learning and intellectual independence.

Qualification structure and duration

A student must complete at least 120 points from taught courses, as approved by the Head of Department and the Dean of Arts.

Further study

Postgraduate Diploma in Arts graduates are well positioned to continue their studies. Subject to the approval of the Dean of Arts (and provided the courses fall within the time limits for the higher award), a student may transfer PGDipArts courses passed with a B grade or higher to:

the Bachelor of Arts with Honours

the coursework section of a master's degree (there are a number of taught master's operated by the College of Arts).

UC also offers a research-based Master of Arts and the Doctor of Philosophy.

Maori is a very rewarding field for postgraduate study because there are so many opportunities to investigate areas which have not been previously researched.

Career opportunities

Careers are opening up as a result of the increasing role of Maori culture and society as a defining element of national culture. New Zealand will see this continue in the future, as a result of changing demographics, government policy, and social attitudes.

Whether you need it for a career in health, education, policy, government, law, tourism or social services, the confidence and skills from a language degree can help you step up to the next level in your career.

Employment options for graduates are rapidly increasing in iwi and other Maori organisations. Graduates find work in research, teaching, archival, heritage and arts/cultural organisations, government organisations and the wider community.

Entry criteria

Candidates must have qualified for a Bachelor of Arts or an equivalent degree and satisfied the prerequisites for the subject concerned. Prerequisites vary between departments, but normally good grades in 300-level courses in that subject are required.

Other English language requirements: TOEFL PBT with a minimum score of 575 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5; CCEL EAP Level 2 with a minimum B+ grade; CAE or CPE score of 176 with a minimum of 169 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE with an overall score of 64 and no PTE communicative skills score below 58.