About the course

Explore Victoria University of Wellington's highly regarded Bachelor of Arts degree. Study your passion and gain career skills in New Zealand's capital city.

Explore your passions through a rich variety of subjects and develop the creativity and flexibility needed in a changing job market. Choose the Bachelor of Arts from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

New Zealand’s most flexible Bachelor of Arts

Take advantage of the flexibility of our Bachelor of Arts. Some of your options include:

a double major—specialise in two subjects in your degree. Choose from over 40 majors in the Bachelor of Arts.
a second major from a different degree—study a wider range of subjects without doing another degree. Choose from over 90 majors across the University.
a minor—specialise in a subject without doing as many courses as for a major. You can have more than one minor.
a conjoint degree—this more intense programme of study lets you complete two degrees more quickly, usually in four years, by requiring you to do fewer courses. Most of our degrees can be studied together in a conjoint programme.
elective courses that aren’t part of your major—these can be courses from other degrees that expand the scope of your studies.

Not sure which subject to choose as your major? Our BA encourages you to explore up to three majors in your first year, so you can discover your passions and develop a broad base of learning before deciding where to specialise.

Study a globally ranked arts degree

Gain a new understanding of the world and the people who live in it. The Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington is ranked in the top 150 worldwide for Arts and Humanities in the QS World University Rankings 2026.

The QS World University Rankings is an annual global publication that gives overall rankings and subject rankings for more than 1,500 universities worldwide.

This degree will give you insights into cultures, languages, art, history, politics, and societies that will challenge your thinking and expand your view of the world.

Use Pūaha to view requirements for current students

If you're already studying with Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, use myDegree in the Pūaha self-service portal to find the most up-to-date information about the requirements that you’ve already met, and those you still need to complete. Find out more about tracking your progress.

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Fill in the form to discover how you can explore your passions and prepare for an exciting career with our Bachelor of Arts.

Future-proof your career

The job market is changing fast, with many current jobs predicted to be automated within 10 to 15 years. Gain skills valuable in any workplace—studying for a BA develops your creativity, flexibility, and imagination, while teaching you how to think critically and present an argument. You’ll also develop research skills and learn to communicate complex ideas in both speech and writing.

Get your degree in a subject you have a genuine passion for, and set yourself on a path to a fulfilling career. BA graduates are employed in almost every part of the workforce. Your ability to view things from different perspectives—along with your skills in research and analysis—can be applied in a vast array of careers. At Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, you’ll be encouraged to think about how what you learn can contribute to a progressive, inclusive, and internationally connected society.

To find out more about career opportunities with the Bachelor of Arts, see what you can do with a degree in humanities and social sciences.

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.

Fees may vary

Your actual fees may vary from the figure shown above, depending on the subject you choose for your major.

Make workplace connections

Take advantage of the exciting opportunities our BA offers to integrate work-related learning and industry engagement into your degree. You’ll give yourself a competitive edge in the job market.

We provide direct contact with employers in Wellington that are looking to hire graduates. Choose from both curricular and extra-curricular programmes, including the BA Internship. On this internship programme, you can gain academic credit towards your degree while working voluntarily for employers such as Te Papa Tongarewa, the Department of Conservation, Restorative Justice Aotearoa, Oxfam, NZ On Screen, and the NZ Book Council.

Capital opportunities

Study in New Zealand’s beating heart. The BA at Victoria University of Wellington offers opportunities you won’t find anywhere else in the country. We’re just a walk away from the centre of politics, national archives, museums, and libraries—as well as foreign embassies and the public service. Make the most of our links with many local and national organisations to develop your own connections in the capital.

Wellington is New Zealand’s creative and cultural capital. Discover its treasure trove of theatre, film, music, art, heritage and, of course, cafés, and make the city your own.

$1 million to $1.3 million

The amount BA graduates will earn more than non-graduates over their working life.

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.

International scholarships

Many scholarships are available for international students at Victoria University of Wellington. They can help with tuition fees and with accommodation costs.

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.

Build your dream degree

Combine your BA with another degree

You can combine your Bachelor of Arts (BA) with another degree, which means you can complete two undergraduate degrees in a shorter time than if you’d do one degree and then another. This is called a conjoint degree, and an example is a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws (BA/LLB).

Students often pair their BA with a:

Bachelor of Commerce
Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Popular Music
Bachelor of Science.

A conjoint degree can help you find specialised jobs and prepare for changes in your career by giving you a broader range of knowledge. These degrees involve a more intense study schedule, so it’s a good idea to talk to a student adviser to create a plan that suits you.

Once you graduate from a conjoint degree, you can choose which degree’s graduation ceremony you go to.

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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.