- Flexible: Apply by 1 March, 1 July or 1 November, and start studying once you have a final Offer of Place.
Doctor of Philosophy
Undertake advanced research and make an original contribution to your field with a PhD at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
How to apply
Use the University’s online doctoral application system to apply for PhD degrees in all areas, and in all schools, institutes, and centres.
There are three application deadlines: 1 March, 1 July, and 1 November each year.
You need to:
- check that you meet the entry requirements below
- arrange references from two referees
- upload a sample of your academic writing in English
- prepare an overview of your intended research project.
You don't need to provide a full research proposal.
You can generally expect to hear back from us within six to eight weeks after the application deadline.
Contacts—application
The Scholarships and Doctoral Admissions Office will process your application for doctoral admission and scholarship.
From enrolment to examination, your PhD will be overseen by the Wellington Faculty of Graduate Research. The Faculty will provide training and support for you and your supervisor, and work alongside your school or centre to make sure that you get the most out of your experience as a research student.
Contacts—schools and centres
If you have questions about the PhD programme in one of the University's schools, institutes, or research centres, you should contact their postgraduate coordinator. They may be able to connect you with relevant research groups and potential supervisors.
Entry requirements
Requirements for domestic students who studied in
Academic requirements
To be accepted into this programme you will need:
Or to be currently enrolled in a Master’s thesis at the Victoria University of Wellington and meet the requirements for conversion to a PhD;
Or to be able to produce evidence to the satisfaction of the Dean, Wellington Faculty of Graduate Research, of adequate training and ability to proceed with the proposed course for the degree—see note below about qualifications from universities outside New Zealand.
As well as qualifying for entry, you will need to be accepted by the relevant Head of School and Associate Dean of Postgraduate Research.
Qualifications from outside New Zealand
- If you have a four-year Bachelor's degree graded in a four point GPA system, you will need to have a GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.0.
- If you have a Bachelor's degree graded in the British system (including from India), you must have been awarded the degree with first or upper second-class Honours.
Important information
- You are not guaranteed admission to a doctoral programme at the University even if you hold one of the prerequisite qualifications listed above.
- We will make our decision about accepting you as a doctoral candidate based on your academic record, your research background, and the availability of supervision and other resources in the area of your research interests.
- You must provide certified copies of academic transcripts for all qualifications, except those you have obtained at this University.
- More information on admissions and GPA calculations can be found on the Faculty of Graduate Research's page on required qualifications.
Key dates
Key dates
Estimated domestic fees for 2025
About per year
($10,436 course costs + $1,225 student service fees)
Your student service fees are based on the number of points you enrol in and where you study from.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees for full-time PhD study vary depending on the area of your research. The average yearly fees are listed by subject category in the postgraduate thesis section of the fees for domestic students page.
The New Zealand Government subsidises fees for international PhD candidates who live and study in New Zealand. This means that international PhD students may be eligible to pay the same ‘domestic’ fees as PhD students who are citizens, residents, or permanent residents of New Zealand.
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