A) Undergraduate Study

Degree programmes at Victoria are designed to give you as wide a range of subject choice as possible.

Courses can be combined in different ways so that you can build a degree that suits your interests and career plans. You can be creative in your choices - in trying out new courses, specialising in more that one subject area, or studying for two degrees at once.

The Arts, Commerce and Science degrees offer a vast array of subject combinations. Even in the more specialised and professional degrees - such as Architecture, Biomedical Science, Design, Education, Information Technology, Law, and Tourism Management - you are encouraged to try out new subjects to give breadth and a competitive edge to your specialist qualification.

At Victoria there is an emphasis on more personalised teaching - tutorials and laboratories play an important role. Teaching staff are also involved in extensive research programmes of international significance, giving you the chance to share in that experience.

Victoria offers 16 different undergraduate degree programmes in over 80 specialised subject areas.

B) Postgraduate Study

Over the past century, Victoria has established a proud international reputation for academic excellence in postgraduate study and research across all faculties.

The postgraduate programmes are highly flexible, and are continually being developed in response to the needs of the students, the research community and the workplace.

Victoria University is New Zealand's leading research and development centre in a number of key international growth areas, including technology, genetics, tourism, management, commerce, design, architecture, international relations, computer sciences and IT. These subject areas complement the traditionally strong disciplines of Law and Humanities.

Graduate programmes by coursework

There is a wide range of graduate programmes by coursework.

Most diploma programmes can be completed after eight months. The Graduate Diplomas in Arts, Commerce, Design, Law and Science offer the opportunity to fashion a programme to suit your needs by choosing courses and papers from a range of disciplines and levels, from high-level undergraduate papers to Masters' papers.

Most degree and diploma programmes by coursework are also designed to be as flexible as possible, giving you not only a wide choice of papers within the subject area, but also the ability to substitute papers from other disciplines, in many cases for up to half the degree.

This presents a virtually endless array of possibilities, enabling you to design a coursework programme that focuses on a specialist area, or undertake interdisciplinary studies that give you the basis you need for your career aspirations or higher-level research.

Graduate programmes by research

Research is the driving force of all graduate programmes at Victoria. As a Victoria graduate student you'll be learning from, and actively involved with, leading scholars whose research is pushing the boundaries of their subject, often at the highest international level.

Many Honours and diploma programmes include a research paper, and almost all Masters' programmes have a sustained period of supervised research, ranging from one trimester to a full year. A growing number of graduate programmes include work-based research projects.

Supervision for PhD theses by the University's leading scholars is offered in a huge range of disciplines. Applications can be made at any time of the year.

c) Studying English as a Second Language

About the English Language Institute

Students from over 90 countries have studied English at the Institute over the past 40 years. The Institute is within the School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies. The School is internationally respected for its teacher education programmes. Postgraduate courses offered at the School include the MA and PhD in Applied Linguistics. The highly qualified staff have had professional experience in many parts of the world and have worked with students from many regions.

Language teaching at the Institute benefits directly from the long-established research programme on English language use and learning. Most of the course materials are designed and developed at the Institute in response to the needs of the students.

The Institute also provides English language courses and consultancies for special professional or academic groups at other times on request.

The English Proficiency Programme (EPP):

The programme improves your performance in:

• reading and listening to complex information;
• taking an active part in discussions;
• expressing complex ideas and facts through speech and writing;
• becoming an independent learner of English.

Courses are 12 weeks long and offered at different times of the year. You can combine two or three into a 24- or 36-week programme of intensive English. Short breaks in the middle of courses and between courses give you time to relax and enjoy Wellington or visit other parts of New Zealand.

Special courses can be arranged at any time to meet the needs of particular groups of students - contact the Institute for more information.

Who is the Programme for?

This is an English Academic Preparation (EAP) programme for students of an intermediate level or above (4.5 IELTS). You will be tested on the first day of the programme. If your English language ability is assessed to be lower than the appropriate level, you should consider undertaking an alternative course of English language study before entering this programme.
 

Most English language students enrol at the Institute for at least one of the following reasons:

• to prepare for study at a university;
• to improve employment prospects - English is in demand all over the world as an international language of trade and industry;

Whatever your purpose, the staff at the Institute will work with you to provide a course of study that meets your own personal needs. Your teacher will monitor and discuss your progress with you throughout the course.

Weekly Activities

The programme is full-time and consists of 20 - 25 hours per week of class work, as well as your own independent study.

Class work includes:

• activities in which you practise listening to talks and lectures, taking part in discussions, reading effectively, writing essays or reports;
• listening and speaking practice in audio-visual classrooms;
• vocabulary and grammar study;
• media studies in which you read, listen to and discuss information from the radio, television and newspapers;
• regular tests to give you feedback on your progress.

Outside the regular class hours you will have access to independent learning materials in the Language Learning Centre and the University Library.

Final Assessment and Certificate

At the end of the course, you will receive a final written report on your English proficiency. This includes a proficiency rating indicating the level of English you have achieved.

With an overall rating of '4' you will be awarded with a Certificate of Proficiency. The Certificate is accepted by most universities in New Zealand as an alternative to IELTS and TOEFL for admission to undergraduate degree programmes.

Course Dates

Course dates for 2004 - 2005

* includes a separate class for postgraduate students

The English Language Institute also offers ELIN 935, a six-week course for school-leavers during January and February each year.

D)Foundation Studies

Victoria's Foundation Studies Programme is a condensed eight-month programme designed to give you the academic skills and English language practice you need to gain entry to university and to succeed in your studies.

Programme structure

The programme is made up of six courses taken over two trimesters - starting in March, July or November.

In the first trimester you take FNDN 001 Academic Writing and Research and choose two electives from:

• FNDN002 Information Management
• FNDN003 Commerce & Economics
• FNDN004 Politics & Government
• FNDN005 Modern New Zealand Literature

In the second trimester you choose three electives from:

• FNDN020 Computing Technologies
• FNDN021 Accounting
• FNDN022 Science
• FNDN023 Mathematics
• FNDN024 Design
• FNDN025 Modern New Zealand History

(Note that your programme must include one of FNDN 004, 005, 025.)

Teaching occupies 25 hours per week and in addition you are expected to spend at least 20 hours per week in unsupervised self-study.

You are assigned a tutor, who provides counselling and is available to listen and help with any questions or difficulties you may have.

Successful completion

Students who successfully complete the programme will be awarded a Certificate in Foundation Studies.To complete the programme successfully, you will need to achieve at least 50% in all six subjects.

About the courses

FNDN 001 Academic Writing & Research

This intensive core course is for ESOL students who wish to study at university, and covers: reading and listening to complex information; how to be active in discussions; expressing complex ideas through speech and writing; formal presentation; note-taking; critical thinking; writing and research; ethical study practices; using the library; and managing your personal time.

FNDN 002 Information Management

This course introduces a range of software applications commonly used in assignments including word processing, spreadsheets and databases, and also Internet research skills. You will learn how to find evaluate and manage information using computer technology. The skills gained in this course will be valuable throughout your university study.

FNDN 003 Commerce & Economics

An introduction to economic theory and to analytical techniques used in modern economics as a preparation for studies in economics and commerce at first-year university level. The course is made up of theoretical and practical applications including analysis and problem solving, with an emphasis on the New Zealand economy.

FNDN 004 Politics & Government

This course provides a structured analysis of national and international political systems and their evolution. Illustrations of political organisations and processes will include historical and contemporary New Zealand.

FNDN 005 Modern New Zealand Literature

This course has two main purposes. One is to introduce you to New Zealand culture and society through the study of New Zealand literature. The other is to further develop your English language skills through a study of poetry, the novel and the short story.

FNDN 020 Computing Technologies

This course provides you with the skills required for undergraduate study in Computer Science and related disciplines. You will work with some specialised applications, undertake web page development and learn basic programming.

FNDN 021 Accounting

An introduction to the general concepts, terminology and methodology used in accounting to prepare you for studies at first year university level. Areas covered include: accounting principles, language and reports; recording and reporting in an accounting system; recording transactions; budgeting for decision making.

FNDN 022 Science

An introductory course in physics, chemistry and earth science. Laboratory work, the language of science in English, and scientific processes will be emphasised. The course prepares you for further study in a wide range of university science courses.

FNDN 023 Mathematics

A course in the mathematical skills required for entry into university-level study of business, science and technology, including the concepts and principles of mathematics relevant to these areas. Students will continue their study of algebra, calculus and statistics and become familiar with the language of mathematics in English. Applications and problem solving will be emphasised.

FNDN 024 Design

An introduction to existing procedures and practices which underlie the making of art and design and the practice and extension of these in individual performance. Topics include graphic design and illustration, environmental or structural design, design for packaging, calligraphy, designs for the theatre and computer graphics.

FNDN 025 Modern History

This course provides an introduction to key themes in New Zealand's recent social, political and economic history, setting these in an international perspective. Topics covered include the great depression and the impact of wars in which New Zealand participated; changes in labour force participation and concepts of family and household; biculturalism and the Treaty of Waitangi; immigration and multiculturalism; New Zealand's place in the international economy and its relations with Australia, Britain and Asia; the local and international origins of popular culture.

E)Study Abroad

'Study Abroad' at Victoria University allows visiting students the chance to study at a world-class institution while enjoying the benefits of living in a vibrant capital city at the heart of New Zealand. Students have the opportunity to complete one or two semesters of their home degree with courses taken from Victoria's academic portfolio. Students study side by side with New Zealanders and have the chance to take a varied course load with subjects taken across different faculties.

Victoria University is proud of its extensive selection of courses and encourages study abroad students to sample classes outside of their major including courses from Maori and Pacific studies, Earth Sciences, Film and Theatre and Women's Studies. You will find staff and other students friendly and approachable with student services second to none in New Zealand.