About the course

Become a leader of positive change, growth, and problem solving with our diverse and flexible Bachelor of Global Studies.

Become a leader of positive change, growth, and problem solving with our diverse and flexible Bachelor of Global Studies. Studying in Wellington, you will connect with change-makers and be ready to launch an exciting career, locally or internationally.

Focusing on what matters to you

Globalisation and the things it brings with it—good, bad, and ugly—dominate the way that we think and interact in the world today.
From politics, law, and human rights, to health and wellbeing, to the environment and sustainability, to business—we understand that the personal is political and that local decisions can have a big impact in the wider world. The Bachelor of Global Studies is a qualification that takes you across disciplines and allows you to focus on different aspects of the issues at the heart of our globally connected world—while developing your knowledge of te ao Māori and Aotearoa’s place in the global context.

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How you’ll study

In your first year you’ll explore the different subjects and approaches covered in the degree. You’ll take Māori studies papers to build your knowledge of te ao Māori and language papers to build your skills in intercultural communication. There are options for all levels of language learners—from absolute beginners to those with many years of experience. In your second and third years you’ll move further into your area of interest, adding at least two minors to your degree. Choose from:

Area and Cultural Studies
Cultures and Identities
Environment and Sustainability
Ethical Leadership and Intercultural Communication
Global Health and Wellbeing
Globalisation, Movement, and Change
Human Rights, Justice, and Peace
World Affairs and Organisations.

You’ll also be able to add a language minor to your degree, or a different third minor.

Choose your minors

Find the Bachelor of Global Studies minors that best suit your area of interest.

Area and Cultural Studies

Take a look at the history and contemporary issues facing specific areas, the cultures within those areas, and those cultures’ diaspora.

Cultures and Identities

Discover the history and investigate the impact of changing global attitudes towards identity—gender, sexuality, indigeneity, and culture.

Environment and Sustainability

Look at the global cultural impacts of climate change and the breakdown of the environment, and examine worldwide attempts to deal with the big environmental issues facing our world.

Ethical Leadership and Intercultural Communication

Learn the pleasures and pitfalls of communicating across cultures, and how to lead effectively when working with people from varied cultural backgrounds.

Global Health and Wellbeing

A globalised world includes one where some have access to medicines and treatments while others do not. Discover the roots of these inequalities and how they can be changed.

Globalisation, Movement, and Change

Look at the way that people have moved—and continue to move—around the world, examining the issues and impacts of migration, global communities, and cultures.

Human Rights, Justice, and Peace

Find out how we can create peace and preserve human rights across nations with different historic legal systems and approaches to law and justice.

World Affairs and Organisations

Examine the intersection of capitalism and culture. Find out what’s required to run an international business and the potential impacts of a globalised economy on developing nations.

Improve your writing

Clear writing is vital to your success at university and at work. It helps you understand your subject, organise your thoughts, and communicate your message. If you want to improve your writing, consider the Writing (Academic and Professional) course.

Scholarships

Scholarships are awarded to hundreds of first-year students each year. They help with living costs and accommodation costs at the University's halls of residence.

Our Tangiwai, Totoweka, and Kahotea scholarships are available to school leavers, and there are several other first-year scholarships on offer in our scholarships database.

You can also apply for a TeachNZ Scholarship. These scholarships are awarded based on specific areas where teachers are needed.

We strongly recommend applying for our scholarships, as they often don’t receive enough applications.

Scholarships for international students

We are currently offering a NZ$15,000 VUW Undergraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Bachelor’s degree. Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.

Future careers with your degree

With a Global Studies degree, you’ll graduate as an informed and engaged global citizen. You'll have the skills to create change, collaborate, and seek solutions for the challenges facing our societies and cultures today and in the future.

You might work in:

the public sector, both local and international
government service, including the diplomatic service, both local and international
the United Nations system and other international organisations
social entrepreneurship and companies with a global outreach
politics and international relations
global health and community development
journalism
travel and tourism.

Postgraduate pathways

A Bachelor of Global Studies prepares you for postgraduate study in several different areas.

If you complete your degree with a grade point average of B or higher, you'll be eligible to apply to study for the following degrees:

Students who complete their degree with a grade point average of B+ or higher will also be eligible to apply to study for the:

If you complete your degree and gain at least two years’ work experience in the public sector, or have a grade point average of A- or higher, you'll be eligible to apply to study for the:

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Entry requirements

Domestic entry requirements

University Entrance or alternative admission type.

International entry requirements

Achieve the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or three GCE Advanced Level passes at C grade, or equivalent.

English language requirements

You may also be required to demonstrate your proficiency in English.

About the provider

Victoria University of Wellington, full name Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, was founded in 1897 and is one of New Zealand’s largest and most prestigious universities. The University is located in the heart of New Zealand’s vibrant capital city and its three city campuses are all within easy walking distance of one another, as well as local attractions, shopping districts, and cafés.

The University’s central location gives students access to a variety of national organisations in the areas of business, government, politics, culture and heritage, the arts and filmmaking industry, as well as the science and technology communities. Wellington is a compact city where students can easily explore nature trails, beaches, galleries, museums, and events. It is multicultural, safe, friendly, and has a reputation for great food and coffee—it regularly ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities.

Victoria University of Wellington at a glance

Top 1% of the world's universities for research quality and teaching
170+ subjects
20 undergraduate programmes and 180 postgraduate programmes
40+ research institutes and 4 libraries
3,000 of our 17,000 students are international students, from 120+ countries
130+ clubs and societies
5+ stars from the latest QS Stars Rating of Excellence
#1 in New Zealand for research intensity (in the latest assessment of the Performance-Based Research Fund)
Wellington School of Business and Government is one of an elite group of commerce faculties worldwide that hold the Triple Crown of international accreditations of EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA
Top 2% of the world’s universities (QS World University Rankings 2026)
Top 100 in the world in 7 subjects (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)

Graduate outcomes*

Of the graduates who responded that they are currently working full time, 91% were employed prior to or within 6 months of degree completion.
67% were in full-time employment.

*Based on those who completed the 2023–2024 Graduate Destinations Survey.

Entry requirements

To study at Victoria University of Wellington, international students need:

a good command of the English language
a good record of academic achievement.

Entry requirements are provided under each programme. The University considers each student’s academic and English-language background when assessing applications. If a student doesn’t meet entry requirements, our team can help them meet their study goals.

If a student doesn’t meet the entry requirements for:

English language - Students can apply for our English for Academic Purposes programme
Undergraduate study - Students can apply for our Foundation Studies programme
Postgraduate study - Students can talk to us to help build a pathway to their degree

Student support

The University offers complete support for students through a range of wellbeing and learning services. These include a specialised international team that is dedicated to supporting students during their studies, which helps international students meet new friends and settle into university and Wellington life.

Some of the support services include:

dedicated international student orientation and events
a free arrival meeting service at the airport
the International Buddy Programme, where you get paired with a ‘buddy’ from the get-go

Students can make the most of the many opportunities to get involved in different communities, embrace new experiences, and develop skills for their future careers. The university encourages all students to develop strong global citizenship skills through their studies and extracurricular programmes such as the Kitea Impact Programme, which is also free to join.