BA
Bachelor of Arts

You will be eligible to apply for this degree if you have University Entrance and meet any additional requirements for the qualification. All other applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Some first-year papers may have specific prerequisites, so please check the catalogue of papers carefully. If you do not meet the prerequisites, please contact [email protected] (School of Arts and School of Social Sciences), [email protected] (Faculty of Law) or [email protected] (Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies) as there may be other pathways that you can take to study in this field.

Entry

In general, to be admitted to the BA(Hons) you must have a B grade average in the 300 level papers of your undergraduate major subject. You need to have majored in the same subject for your undergraduate degree as that in which you intend to enrol at graduate level. In some cases, a substantial undergraduate supporting subject may be sufficient prerequisite.

A number of the graduate subjects/programmes are interdisciplinary in nature, and may accept students with appropriate undergraduate majors in other relevant subjects. Admission criteria may vary so please consult the appropriate programme Graduate Adviser for their specific admission criteria.

Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)) involves two semesters of full-time study, or the equivalent in part-time study. The BA(Hons) comprises 120 points at 500 level, of which at least 30 points must be in research, normally a 30 point dissertation or an approved equivalent. The BA(Hons) is awarded with classes of honours.

BA(Hons) subjects

• Anthropology
• Education and Society
• English
• Geography
• History
• Māori and Indigenous Studies
• Music
• Pacific and Indigenous Studies
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Screen and Media Studies
• Social  Policy
• Sociology
• Theatre Studies

Notes

Flexibility

You may take up to 60 points from other subjects, of which up to 30 points may be taken from outside the subjects listed for the degree. You should discuss your intended programme of study with the Graduate Adviser in each of the Schools or Faculties concerned. Some subjects have specific guidelines for numbers and types of papers outside the subject.

You'll learn about human nature and the human mind as they are revealed by the arts, the languages, the politics, and the cultures of the past and the present. The effective communication skills developed while studying the Arts are valued as essential in the modern workplace.

With a BA from the School of Arts,  School of Social Sciences or Faculty of Law, you have the opportunity to tailor your study to suit your passions and interests, across faculties within the University.

You'll have access to Waikato's modern, purpose-built teaching and performance venues, including the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts and on-campus television studios. You will be encouraged to extend and perfect your own practice, and take your place within New Zealand and international creative communities.

The BA under the Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies will teach you the fundamental bodies of knowledge in te reo and tikanga Māori, its distinctiveness, and the ability to think critically of its place locally, nationally and globally.

Studying the BA will provide you with leadership qualities in local, national and international indigenous communities and the ability to contribute to the ongoing development of whānau/hapū/iwi/Māori communities. You'll develop the capacity for working cooperatively with diverse groups and individuals, and contributing effectively to collective projects.

The programme will develop your appreciation of indigenous and global issues and the place of Māori in that indigenous community.

You'll graduate with a high level of communication skills in English and/or Māori and the competency to engage with Te Ao Māori.

You will have acquired the critical analysis skills and understanding to make a positive, relevant and innovative contribution to the social and economic development, the labour market and community of New Zealand.

BA graduates from the Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies might become active in the cultural and heritage sector, media, environmental management, Treaty of Waitangi issues and health, welfare and education agencies, and Government Departments including Te Puni Kokiri, to name just a few.