Postgraduate study in Pacific Studies

What you can study in Pacific Studies

You can take advanced courses and undertake your own research in areas such as:

  • Pacific politics, culture, health, economy, environment, society and history
  • Pacific languages, language teaching and linguistics
  • Interdisciplinary research and analysis of the Pacific and its peoples
  • Pacific indigenous knowledges, expressive and performing arts, and world-views
  • Migration, identity and transnational connections across the Pacific and Pacific Rim, especially in New Zealand

Entry requirements

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Pacific Studies

A major in Pacific Studies, Anthropology, Art History, Dance, Education, English, Gender Studies, Geography, History, Language Teaching, Linguistics, Māori Studies, Music, Sociology, Translation Studies, or a related subject, with a GPA of 5.0 or higher in 45 points above Stage II in that subject.

The following subjects may also be considered for entry: Cook Island Māori, Samoan, Tongan, Dance, Education, Geography, Language Teaching, Music, Translation Studies.

Master of Arts in Pacific Studies

120-point (one-year) MA

A BA(Hons) or PGDipArts in Pacific Studies with a GPA of 5.0 or higher in that subject.

The following subjects may also be considered for entry: Cook Island Māori, Samoan, Tongan, Dance, Education, Geography, Language Teaching, Music, Translation Studies.

180-point (18-month) MA

A major in Pacific Studies, Anthropology, Art History, Dance, Education, English, Gender Studies, Geography, History, Language Teaching, Linguistics, Māori Studies, Music, Sociology, Translation Studies, or a related subject, with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in 75 points above Stage II including at least 45 points in the major.

The following subjects may also be considered for entry: Cook Island Māori, Samoan, Tongan, Dance, Education, Geography, Language Teaching, Music, Translation Studies.

Structuring your specialisation in Pacific Studies

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Pacific Studies

Consult the BA(Hons) schedule for how to structure your study and for the courses you may take.

2023 BA(Hons) schedule for Pacific Studies

Master of Arts in Pacific Studies

Consult the MA schedule for how to structure your study and for the courses you may take.

2023 MA schedule for Pacific Studies

Courses

Explore the courses you can take as part of a specialisation in Pacific Studies:

Postgraduate courses

Graduate career

Sarah McLean completed an MA in Pacific Studies looking at the views of mental health service providers and their experiences with young Samoan women with depression.

Scholarships and awards

Help and advice

Our friendly staff will provide you with advice on planning your degree and enrolling in your courses at Student Hubs.

If you would like to find out more about studying Pacific Studies, you can contact a Postgraduate Adviser.