How to Explore Qualifications, Subjects and Courses on the Victoria University of Wellington Website

Updated

To explore study options at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, start from the study pages of wgtn.ac.nz and use three separate entry points: Explore qualifications (whole programmes such as degrees and diplomas), Explore subjects (the disciplines you can study) and Explore courses (individual course listings). Use qualifications and subjects to shortlist what you want to study, then use courses and the programmes-and-courses pages to plan and select the specific courses for your enrolment. The site's study pages rely on JavaScript, so enable it in your browser before you begin.

The three exploration paths and when to use each

Path What it answers Use it when
Explore qualifications Which programmes (e.g. degrees, diplomas) you can enrol in You know the level or credential you want and need the full programme
Explore subjects Which disciplines are taught and where they sit You know your area of interest but not the programme
Explore courses What individual courses cover You are planning your enrolment or checking a specific course

A practical order is subject → qualification → courses: confirm the discipline exists, find the programme that contains it, then check the courses you would actually take.

Step by step

  1. Enable JavaScript. The study pages display a notice that they do not work properly without it. Turn it on in your browser settings and reload.
  2. Open the study section from the main navigation and choose Explore qualifications, Explore subjects or Explore courses depending on what you already know.
  3. Shortlist programmes under Explore qualifications. Note the programme name and level so you can compare later.
  4. Check the subject pages for the disciplines inside your shortlisted programmes, to confirm the focus matches your goal.
  5. Review programmes and courses together to see how the qualification is built from individual courses.
  6. Confirm the entry route on the Apply for study page, which explains how to apply for your chosen programme and select courses to complete enrolment.

Expected result: a shortlist of one or more qualifications, the subjects within them, and the courses you would need to select at enrolment.

Planning your studies and postgraduate options

The study section also links to Planning your studies and Postgraduate study. Use Planning your studies for guidance on structuring a programme; use Postgraduate study if you are looking beyond an undergraduate qualification, since postgraduate options are listed separately rather than only inside the general qualification search.

If you are undecided between degrees, the site offers taster lectures—short lectures intended to help you decide which degree is right for you. These are useful when two programmes look similar on paper.

Common sticking points

  • Blank or broken study pages: almost always JavaScript being disabled; re-enable it and reload.
  • Confusing a subject with a qualification: a subject is a discipline; a qualification is the credential you enrol in. Search qualifications when you need the programme, subjects when you need the discipline.
  • Skipping course selection: applying for a programme and selecting courses are described as two parts of completing enrolment, so check both.
  • Looking for postgraduate options in the wrong place: use the dedicated Postgraduate study entry.

Related resources on the site

  • Scholarships — funding options, including the Alumni Appeal–supported scholarships.
  • Library, news and events — support and campus life once you have chosen.
  • Faculties and schools — see which faculty teaches your subject.
  • Global rankings — context on the university's standing if that matters to your decision.

Start with Explore subjects if you are unsure, Explore qualifications if you know the credential you want, and Explore courses once you are ready to plan enrolment.