Bachelor of Global Studies

Bachelors DegreeBGS

Discover a world of opportunities with our Bachelor of Global Studies – your ticket to an exciting international career that bridges the realms of arts, human rights, international relations, and business.

360 points, 3 years

Hamilton

Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)

Why study the Bachelor of Global Studies?

In today's world, nations, economies, cultures, and societies are more interconnected than ever before. Understanding and navigating these global connections is crucial.

Waikato's brand-new Bachelor of Global Studies (BGS) degree will set you up to play a pivotal role in addressing pressing global issues, fostering cooperation on a global scale, and contributing to innovative solutions for global businesses. From exploring diverse cultures, influencing global diplomacy, or making a meaningful impact through organisations – the possibilities are endless.

Within this specialised three-year degree you'll develop core knowledge and skills in intercultural communication, business strategy and global relations allowing you to effectively negotiate and navigate diversity, particularly in organisations that span the globe. You will also study a language to help you thrive in different countries & cultures.

This core is enhanced by one of five specialised majors, each with its own unique focus and global perspective, to equip you to become a world-class expert in your chosen area. The five majors are:

Global Arts
Global Markets
Human Rights
International Languages and Cultures
International Relations

You’ll also have the option to take a second major and/or a minor from any part of the university.

For the International Languages and Cultures major, there are 5 languages available - French, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese and these can be studied from beginners to advanced.

Career Opportunities

Foreign Affairs and Trade Worker
Foreign Policy Analyst
Human Rights Advocate
International marketing analyst
Policy and Project Worker/Analyst
Tourism or hospitality manager
Language support for migrants and refugees
Non-governmental organisations such as human rights agencies
International development organisations
Journalism and media

360 points, 3 years

Hamilton

Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July)

Degree information

Major subject
Bachelor of Global Studies
Human Rights
Select a tile for more information.
Year 1
HUMRI100 Human Rights Foundations
HUMRI100 Human Rights Foundations15 points In this paper we discuss the foundations of the modern Human Rights regime, and address important controversies for Human Rights, including, accusations of Western-Centrism; protections for gender and sexuality; and issues of self-determination.Full paper details
One from 100 level papers
100 level papers
GNSEX101 Gender and Sexuality: Representations and Realities
IRSST103 Introduction to International Relations
MAORI150 Te Tiriti o Waitangi: An Introduction to the Treaty of Waitangi
PHILO106 Social and Moral Philosophy
See full list
COMMS101 Communication Competencies
COMMS101 Communication Competencies15 points This paper introduces students to the significance and meaning associated with our everyday communication choices. From traditional face-to-face conversation to digitally mediated interactions, communication is layered with social meaning that both replicates and constitutes our identities.Full paper details
STMGT101 Introduction to Management
STMGT101 Introduction to Management15 points Managing in organisations, small and large, in changing local and international business environments requires knowledge, skills, and abilities of who managers are, what managers do, and how they can make a difference to organisational performance, competitive position, and sustainability over time. This paper introduces students to management and organisational theory and practice using strategic management and the functions of management as essential frameworks. The paper shows students how to analyse organisations using management theory and how to suggest changes that respond to challenges and opportunities in diverse industries and sectors. As well as typically-studied organisational forms, this paper considers management in small and medium enterprises, Māori enterprise, not-for-profit, and state-owned entities. The relationship between management and organisational performance is also considered. Using the case teaching method, students develop a critical awareness that managing is a mix of artful and scientific decision-making that requires analytical and interpersonal skills. Full paper details
One from List A
List A
ANTHY102 Exploring Cultures: Aotearoa and the Pacific
HISTY117 Global Indigenous History
MAORI103 Introduction to Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies
PACIS100 Introduction to Pacific Histories, Languages and Cultures
See full list
One from List B
List B
CHINE131 Chinese for Beginners
FRNCH131 French for Beginners
JAPAN131 Japanese for Beginners
KOREA131 Korean Language for Beginners 1
MAORI111 Te Reo Māori: Introductory 1
See full list
100 level Elective
100 level Elective
Year 2
One from 200 level papers
200 level papers
ANTHY208 Protest Movements in the Asia-Pacific
GEOGY209 Health, People, Place
MAORI200 Mana Wahine
MAORI203 Decolonising Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples
POLCY212 Public Policy Analysis
See full list
One from 200 level papers
200 level papers
ANTHY208 Protest Movements in the Asia-Pacific
GEOGY209 Health, People, Place
MAORI200 Mana Wahine
MAORI203 Decolonising Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples
POLCY212 Public Policy Analysis
See full list
One from 200 level papers
200 level papers
ANTHY208 Protest Movements in the Asia-Pacific
GEOGY209 Health, People, Place
MAORI200 Mana Wahine
MAORI203 Decolonising Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples
POLCY212 Public Policy Analysis
See full list
MNMGT202 Intercultural Perspectives on Organisations
MNMGT202 Intercultural Perspectives on Organisations15 points This paper provides students wit the skills and knowledge to become competent and confident in culturally diverse contexts, locally and globally, and to understand how people behave in culturally diverse organisational contexts. It includes an introduction to mātauranga Māori. Learning is cemented through webinars, readings along with coaching sessions with peers, tutors and lecturers as well as engaging with culturally diverse teams.Full paper details
One from List C
List C
CHINE231 Intermediate Chinese 1
FRNCH231 Intermediate French 1
JAPAN231 Basic Japanese 1
KOREA231 Korean Language 2
MAORI112 Te Reo Māori: Introductory 2
See full list
100 or 200 level Elective
200 level Elective
200 level Elective
Year 3
PHILO315 Democracy, Justice and Rights
PHILO315 15 points This course provides students with an in-depth introduction to contested topics in modern political philosophy. Students will be expected to analyse the theoretical basis of these positions, and to consider the practical consequences of them.Full paper details
One from 300 or 400 level papers
300 level papers
ECONS304 International Economics Issues
GEOGY309 Social and Cultural Geographies of Difference
GNSEX303 Intersectionalities: Identities and Inequalities
HISTY302 Blood, Land, DNA: Contemporary Indigenous Histories and Archives
HMDEV320 Disability, Diversity and Inclusion: Intersecting Identities and Experiences
See full list
One from 300 or 400 level papers
300 level papers
ECONS304 International Economics Issues
GEOGY309 Social and Cultural Geographies of Difference
GNSEX303 Intersectionalities: Identities and Inequalities
HISTY302 Blood, Land, DNA: Contemporary Indigenous Histories and Archives
HMDEV320 Disability, Diversity and Inclusion: Intersecting Identities and Experiences
See full list
One from 300 or 400 level papers
300 level papers
ECONS304 International Economics Issues
GEOGY309 Social and Cultural Geographies of Difference
GNSEX303 Intersectionalities: Identities and Inequalities
HISTY302 Blood, Land, DNA: Contemporary Indigenous Histories and Archives
HMDEV320 Disability, Diversity and Inclusion: Intersecting Identities and Experiences
See full list
One from List D
List D
ALPSS301 Work-integrated learning - Placements
WSOMM396 Management Internship
WSOMM399 Report of an Investigation
SOCSC301 Work-integrated learning - Work-related Project
See full list
300 level Elective
300 level Elective
300 level Elective
This information is provisional and subject to change.
Major
Compulsory
Elective
ANTHY102 Exploring Cultures: Aotearoa and the Pacific
HISTY117 Global Indigenous History
MAORI103 Introduction to Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Studies
PACIS100 Introduction to Pacific Histories, Languages and Cultures
CHINE131 Chinese for Beginners
FRNCH131 French for Beginners
JAPAN131 Japanese for Beginners
KOREA131 Korean Language for Beginners 1
MAORI111 Te Reo Māori: Introductory 1
SPNSH131 Spanish for Beginners
Students wishing to enrol in a language they already have prior knowledge of must consult with a lecturer in the subject to determine whether an intermediate language paper will be an appropriate replacement.
CHINE231 Intermediate Chinese 1
FRNCH231 Intermediate French 1
JAPAN231 Basic Japanese 1
KOREA231 Korean Language 2
MAORI112 Te Reo Māori: Introductory 2
SPNSH231 Intermediate Spanish 1
Students who took an intermediate language paper in List B will enrol in the follow-on language paper in List C.
ALPSS301 Work-integrated learning - Placements
WSOMM396 Management Internship
WSOMM399 Report of an Investigation
SOCSC301 Work-integrated learning - Work-related Project
GNSEX101 Gender and Sexuality: Representations and Realities
IRSST103 Introduction to International Relations
MAORI150 Te Tiriti o Waitangi: An Introduction to the Treaty of Waitangi
PHILO106 Social and Moral Philosophy
ANTHY208 Protest Movements in the Asia-Pacific
GEOGY209 Health, People, Place
MAORI200 Mana Wahine
MAORI203 Decolonising Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples
POLCY212 Public Policy Analysis
POLSC224 Terrorism, Violence and the State
SOCIO201 21st Century Activism and Radical Thought
SOCPY202 Addressing Precarity: A Global Perspective
ECONS304 International Economics Issues
GEOGY309 Social and Cultural Geographies of Difference
GNSEX303 Intersectionalities: Identities and Inequalities
HISTY302 Blood, Land, DNA: Contemporary Indigenous Histories and Archives
HMDEV320 Disability, Diversity and Inclusion: Intersecting Identities and Experiences
MAORI304 Sustainability in Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Contexts
POPST305 Migration, Mobilities and Displacement
PSYCH302 Community, Culture and Diversity
LEGAL440 Pacific Peoples and the Law
LEGAL442 Human Rights Law
LEGAL469 International Indigenous Rights
finding subject information...
There are five ways you can gain admission to the University of Waikato.
NCEA University Entrance
Admission at entrance level
Discretionary entrance
University Entrance prior to 2015
Special admission.
For full details visit Entry Requirements.
Estimated fees
$8,132 - $8,290 per year
Domestic tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
Domestic tuition costs
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 30 October 2024.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. View information about fees free study.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Global Studies will be able to:
- Communicate effectively in multicultural settings
- Demonstrate competence in a language other than English commensurate with at least 300 hours of study in language acquisition
- Appreciate the place of Aotearoa New Zealand in a Pacific and global context
- Demonstrate strategies to facilitate intercultural communication in a workplace setting
- Work constructively in multicultural settings and make use of the different perspectives and solutions such settings offer
- Apply critical thinking and analytical skills in multicultural settings
- Respond to complex issues with an understanding of the global context in which they arose

Practical experience

Hands-on learning

At the heart of the BGS is work-integrated learning, where, through an internship you will apply your skills in a real organisation, bridging the gap between theory and practice. By engaging directly with industry, you'll form vital connections and gain insights that will prepare you for the global challenges of tomorrow.