Victoria University of Wellington

Master of Indigenous Studies

Wellington, New Zealand 1 year Taught in English Open to international students

Why students choose this program

  • Taught in English
  • Scholarships available for international students
  • No application fee

About Master of Indigenous Studies

At Victoria University of Wellington, the tuition fee is 35,499 USD per year.

The Master of Indigenous Studies positions Māori and Pacific cultures and histories in the global context of indigenous colonial and post-colonial experiences, cultural rights, and self determination. Take your undergraduate degree in Māori Studies, Pacific Studies, or Education to the next level, or get a qualification that underpins your career supporting Māori and indigenous communities here or overseas. You’ll learn to debate and negotiate indigenous issues in a persuasive, sophisticated, culturally appropriate, and respectful manner. Explore indigenous perspectives on sustainable development, resource management, governance, language, education, economics, or science. Deepen your understanding of the ethical responsibilities of indigenous research, and conceptualise and articulate your knowledge of indigenous political and cultural relationships. You can choose to complete your qualification with a dissertation, a research project on a topic of your choice, or an internship. Estimated number of indigenous people, worldwide. Reference: The World Bank As New Zealand’s Crown–Māori relations move into a new phase, more people with a deep understanding of mātauranga Māori are needed right across the New Zealand government. With a grounding in the political context of Aotearoa and an intimate knowledge of the common issues other indigenous peoples face, you’ll be positioned well for opportunities in government, non-government, and diplomatic organisations—both here and overseas. Postgraduate study will help you build valuable relationships and networks with peers, university staff and future colleagues. Make the most of opportunities to attend events, seminars, workshops and social functions. The Phillipa and Morvin Williams Scholarship is available to students studying Māori language cultural heritage or Māori language. I am a citizen of‐ Choose ‐AfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBolivia (Plurinational State of)Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and SabaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBrunei DarussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCabo VerdeCambodiaCameroonCanadaCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsColombiaComorosCongoCongo (Democratic Republic of the)Cook IslandsCosta RicaCroatiaCubaCuraçaoCyprusCzech RepublicCôte d'IvoireDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFalkland Islands (Malvinas)Faroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern TerritoriesGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard Island and McDonald IslandsHoly SeeHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIran (Islamic Republic of)IraqIrelandIsle of ManIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJerseyJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKorea (Democratic People's Republic of)Korea (Republic of)Kosovo, Republic ofKuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacaoMacedonia (the former Yugoslav Republic of)MadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMicronesia (Federated States of)Moldova (Republic of)MonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestine, State ofPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairnPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarRomaniaRussian FederationRwandaRéunionSaint BarthélemySaint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da CunhaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Martin (French part)Saint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSa

About Victoria University of Wellington

Victoria University of Wellington, established in 1897 and situated in New Zealand’s capital, is a research-led university serving a diverse student body of around 23,000. The university is known for strengths in arts, law, humanities, social sciences and research across public policy and environmental disciplines, offering a blend of rigorous scholarship and practical engagement with national institutions.

The Wellington campus places students at the heart of a lively cultural and political city, where internships, public-sector connections and creative industries are readily accessible. Academic programmes are complemented by research centres and community-facing projects, and teaching emphasises critical thinking, communication and transferable skills that prepare graduates for varied careers both locally and internationally.

For international students, the university provides support services including orientation, academic help and pathways into student life in Wellington. The city’s compact size, cultural amenities and outdoor opportunities make it friendly for newcomers. Overall, Victoria University of Wellington suits students seeking high-quality research and teaching in a capital-city setting that combines academic rigor with opportunities for professional and civic engagement.

Scholarships You Could Apply For at Victoria University of Wellington

Funding relevant to this program — the university's own awards and popular scholarships for studying in New Zealand.

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New Zealand · University

Hunter Postgraduate Scholarship

Victoria University of Wellington

Up to NZD 5,000 towards fees

Master's
Open · Next: No separate application — drawn from Wellington Master's by Thesis Scholarship applicants (1 November)
New Zealand · University

VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship

Victoria University of Wellington

NZD 10,000 towards tuition fees

Master's
Open · Next: No fixed date — same as the relevant programme application closing date; assessed automatically on application
New Zealand · University

Wellington Master's by Thesis Scholarship

Victoria University of Wellington

NZD 15,000/month

Master's
Open · Next: 1 November annually
New Zealand · University

Victoria University of Wellington Study Abroad Scholarship

Victoria University of Wellington

NZD 1,000

Master's
Open · Next: Trimester 1: 16 January; Trimester 2: 1 May
Browse all scholarships →

English Test Requirement

IELTS 6.5 overall, no band below 6.0

Master of Indigenous Studies: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the fees for Master of Indigenous Studies?
Tuition: USD 35,499.46 per year.
Is Master of Indigenous Studies available online?
This is an on-campus program at Victoria University of Wellington in Wellington.

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