Postgraduate study

There are a range of postgraduate programmes offered by the School of Biological Sciences, ranging from certificates and diplomas to PhD programmes.

Preparing slices of diseased coral for microscopic investigation.

The School of Biological Sciences offers an outstanding postgraduate programme with many options to suit students’ needs.

Our approachable staff undertake research at an international level, and the School’s fully equipped labs facilitate all our science programmes.

If you are a qualified graduate, we welcome your application to undertake postgraduate study at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

Subjects

Biomedical Science

Advance your knowledge and develop your research skills with postgraduate study in Biomedical Science.

Biotechnology

Get more out of your degree with a postgraduate qualification and gain advanced skills and knowledge in biotechnology.

Cell and Molecular Bioscience

Improve your career prospects and gain new knowledge and skills with advanced study in cell and molecular bioscience.

Clinical Immunology

Build on your Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Science to become a leader in clinical research into the human immune system.

Clinical Research

Build on your professional health career and gain high-level skills in clinical research through distance learning.

Conservation Biology

Enhance your degree and gain specialist skills with postgraduate study in Conservation Biology.

Ecological Restoration

Develop an understanding of ecological restoration and its biological and human dimensions.

Ecology and Biodiversity

Enhance your career prospects and increase your knowledge with postgraduate study of ecology and biodiversity.

Marine Biology

Enhance your degree and gain new knowledge and expertise with postgraduate study of marine biology.

Molecular Microbiology

Gain advanced knowledge and skills and lead the way in science innovation with postgraduate study in molecular microbiology.

Honours

A Bachelor of Science with Honours, BSc(Hons), is a stand-alone one year full-time programme of coursework with a research project. It generally allows students to progress directly to PhD study. The School offers the degree with majors in:

  • Biotechnology
  • Cell and Molecular Bioscience
  • Conservation Biology
  • Ecology and Biodiversity
  • Marine Biology
  • Microbiology.

A specialist Honours programme is offered in Biomedical Science (BBmedSc(Hons)).

About Honours

An Honours degree follows an undergraduate degree such as a BSc or BBmedSc and is designed to provide students with depth in a specialised field.

Honours is normally a full-time, one year programme involving three 30 point courses and a research project. The courses can be chosen in line with a student’s interests. Minimum entry qualifications are a BSc or BBmedSc degree in an appropriate field with an average grade of B+ or higher in relevant 300 level papers.

A research project is an important part of the year’s work and is a good opportunity for further study in a selected topic. The project also provides practical training in research methods, an evaluation of published research and experience of the scientific process.

Arranging a supervisor for the research project is very important. Supervisors for research projects in Cell and Molecular Biology are assigned to students, but in all other majors, potential candidates must arrange their own supervisor before enrolment.

Honours is a significant step up from undergraduate study and students are expected to behave in a collegial manner and contribute to the academic life of the School.

Any students interested in finding out more about Honours are encouraged to contact a member of academic staff.

Master’s

A Master of Science (MSc) is a research degree. It consists of two parts and is normally completed in two calendar years. Part 1 (the first year) involves three courses of 30 points each and a research preparation course. Part 2 (the second year) is a full-time research project, leading to a thesis.

The School offers the degree with majors in:

  • Biotechnology
  • Cell and Molecular Bioscience
  • Conservation Biology
  • Ecology and Biodiversity
  • Ecological Restoration
  • Marine Biology
  • Molecular Microbiology.

Specialist Master’s programmes are offered in Biomedical Science, Clinical Immunology, Clinical Research, Conservation Biology, Drug Discovery and Development and Marine Conservation.

Choosing Honours or Master’s

Many students find it hard to decide whether to follow their BSc with Honours or Master’s. Here are some points to consider.

Honours is an intensive and sometimes stressful programme, but takes only one year. A good grade will give you access to PhD programmes in most New Zealand and Australian universities. Some overseas universities require an MSc for entrance into their PhD programmes.

A Master’s degree takes most students two to two and a half years to complete, so will cost more in fees than Honours. A thesis and possibly additional publications are written to document the one-year research component.

Master’s is recognised as a research degree and graduates acquire more technical and laboratory skills than Honours students. Master’s Part 1 is similar to an Honours year. It includes a 30 point paper, Preparation for Research, which contains assessed tasks such as a thesis proposal, literature survey, pilot studies, and a draft thesis introduction.

Diplomas and certificates

Graduate Diploma in Science (GDipSc)

A Graduate Diploma in Science (GDipSc) is a one year programme for students who already have a degree in another subject, but wish to pursue further study in science.

The course consists of 120 points above 100 level from the BSc schedule and must include at least 75 points at 300 level. Up to 30 points may be from courses outside science.

The GDipSc may be endorsed with the name of a subject major eg: GDipSc in Marine Biology. The School offers this in:

  • Biology
  • Biotechnology
  • Cell and Molecular Bioscience
  • Ecology and Biodiversity
  • Marine Biology.

Graduate Certificate in Science (GCertSc)

A Graduate Certificate in Science (GCertSc) is a one-trimester programme for students who have completed a degree in another subject, and who wish to pursue further study in science.

The course consists of 60 points above 100 level from the BSc schedule, and it must include at least 40 points at 300 level.

You can achieve a GCertSc with a specialisation in a number of subjects, including:

  • Biology
  • Biotechnology
  • Cell and Molecular Bioscience
  • Ecology and Biodiversity
  • Marine Biology.

Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSc)

A Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSc) is a one-year option for those who wish to extend their BSc with a coursework qualification. The course is made up of 120 points at 400 level and does not require a research project, although a project may be included where appropriate.

The minimum entry qualification is a BSc with an average grade of B or higher in relevant 300-level courses.

The PGDipSc is offered in:

  • Biotechnology
  • Cell and Molecular Bioscience
  • Conservation Biology
  • Ecological Restoration
  • Ecology and Biodiversity
  • Marine Biology
  • Molecular Microbiology.

Specialist Postgraduate Diplomas

The following specialist Postgraduate Diplomas are also offered:

  • Postgraduate Diploma in Biomedical Science
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Research
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Drug Discovery and Development.

Postgraduate Certificates (PGCert)

A Postgraduate Certificate may be completed in one trimester and is offered in Drug Discovery  and Development (PGCertDDD) or Marine Conservation (PGCertMarCon).

In addition, a Postgraduate Certificate in Science (PGCertSc) is offered, consisting of 60 points of coursework at 400 level.  The course may be completed in one trimester of ful-time study or up to two years of part-time study.  The minimum entry requirement is usually a B grade average in related 300-level courses.

The PGCertSc is offered in:

  • Biotechnology
  • Cell and Molecular Bioscience
  • Ecological Restoration
  • Ecology and Biodiversity
  • Marine Biology
  • Molecular Microbiology.

PhD

The PhD is the highest degree offered by the School of Biological Sciences and usually takes three to four years to complete. It is an internationally recognised research degree in the scientific community and opens up rich and varied career opportunities.

The Faculty of Graduate Research is the initial contact point for all PhD students. Please visit their website for all queries, including available funding, the role of a supervisor and the application process. The Faculty provides ongoing support to PhD students throughout their studies at Victoria University of Wellington.

More information about the PhD is available at the Wellington Faculty of Science.

How to apply for postgraduate study

Students are encouraged to discuss possible projects with potential supervisors or graduate coordinators although this is not necessary in order to apply.

Students wanting to study Ecology and Biodiversity and Marine Biology are encouraged to apply early, since some projects require summer fieldwork or have a seasonal requirement.