University of Waikato

Accessibility Quick Links

Site Search

Sign in access

Breadcrumbs

Map NZ Map World

History

Historians study the past to understand the present. History at Waikato will inspire you to understand current events in light of historical context and give you a first-rate history education from a top 200 QS-rated programme.

You'll explore connections to previous generations, how they influence today, and if they were really all that different. History isn't just what happened before, but is also an investigation into, and use of, reliable research methods. We'll challenge you to ask questions, use critical enquiry into historical evidence and consider new ways of looking at the past in light of that new evidence.

When you study History, it isn't just for the classroom either. New Zealanders are keen to gain new perspectives on the "hidden history" of the pre-Waitangi Tribunal. People are also fascinated to learn their family's story and the circumstances that surround their ancestor's immigration to New Zealand.

Papers studied within the History programme at Waikato can be grouped into seven themes – health, sustainability, conflict, global, national histories, professional practice and indigenous/encounter. You'll gain a broad perspective of what goes into the correct historical analysis as well as analytical and critical thinking skills that employers value in other fields.

Apply to enrol

Key information

Study Locations: Hamilton; Online
Faculty:

Study History in these qualifications

History as a specialisation of

Career opportunities

  • Archivist
  • Documentary Researcher
  • Historian
  • Journalist
  • Museum or Gallery Curator
  • Political Speechwriter
  • Tour Guide

Prescriptions for the GradCert(Hist) and GradDip(Hist)

A Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are available to graduates who have not included History at an advanced level in their first degree.

For further details, contact the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Office.

Prescriptions for the PGCert(Hist), PGDip(Hist), BA(Hons), BSocSc(Hons), MA and MSocSc

To be eligible to be considered for enrolment in graduate History papers, a student should normally have at least a B average in either the best three of their 300 level History papers or all their undergraduate History papers.

To complete a BA(Hons) or BSocSc(Hons) in History, students must gain 120 points from approved 500 level papers, including at least 30 points in research (normally HIST591).

To be eligible to be considered for enrolment in the MA or MSocSc in History, a student must have completed either:

a) a BA or BSocSc with a major in History (or equivalent) and have gained at least a B+ average in either the best three of their 300 level History papers or all of their undergraduate History papers, or

b) a BA(Hons) or BSocSc(Hons) in History (or equivalent) and have gained at least a B+ average across all 500 level papers.

Completion requirements for the MA or MSocSc in History vary according to admission criteria:

Students admitted under a) above must complete 180 points from approved 500 level papers, including either a 120 point thesis, or a 90 point thesis or a 60 point dissertation.

Students admitted under b) above must complete a 120 point thesis, a 90 point thesis and a further 30 points from approved 500 level papers, or a 60 point dissertation and a further 60 points from approved 500 level papers.

Prescriptions for the MPhil

The Master of Philosophy is a one year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.

Prescriptions for the PhD

The Doctor of Philosophy is a three year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.

100 Level

Code Paper Title Occurrence / Location
ARTSC110Old Worlds - New Worlds19A (Hamilton) & 19A (Tauranga)
This cross-disciplinary paper offers students with a rich background for study within the Bachelor of Arts. It is structured around metaphors of journey and cultural encounter and focuses on a variety of texts, images and sounds.
ARTSC111Social Science Theory and Action19A (Hamilton) & 19A (Tauranga)
This paper introduces University of Waikato social scientists as researchers. Each presenter's research will be discussed to demonstrate how it illustrates key themes of the social sciences and their specific disciplines.
HISTY107New Zealand Histories: Fresh Perspectives19A (Hamilton)
This introductory paper provides students with an overview of New Zealand's history, from first settlement to the present. The paper showcases exciting new developments in local and international historical scholarship and engages with contemporary issues.
HISTY117Global Histories19B (Hamilton)
This paper focuses upon events, issues and change in the twentieth century under five major themes: imperialism and decolonisation; war and conflict; health and human rights; environment and technology; and the global economy.

200 Level

Code Paper Title Occurrence / Location
HISTY206History in Practice: Historical Methods and Research19B (Hamilton)
The paper focuses on the fundamental and accepted practices in academic historical scholarship and surveys a variety of significant historical and theoretical approaches to the discipline.
HISTY211Studies in Social History: The United States Civil War19A (Hamilton)
This paper studies the causes, course and consequences of the United States Civil War, which ended slavery and saved the United States, today's world hyperpower.
PHILO215Moral and Political Philosophy: A Historical Introduction19B (Hamilton)
A study of the moral and political philosophy of thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle, Hume and Mill. This paper uses Plato's Republic to introduce students to central issues in Moral and Political Philosophy, including questions about virtue, happiness, justice, liberty, democracy, tyranny, feminism, art, censorship, and moral educat...
POLSC224Terrorism, Violence and the State19A (Hamilton)
Terrorism is an increasingly prominent global phenomenon. We will clarify it conceptually and situate it historically with theory and case studies in situating it in comparative political and International Relations analysis.

300 Level

Code Paper Title Occurrence / Location
HISTY316The Birth of the United States19B (Hamilton)
This paper studies the causes, course and consequences of the revolutionary war that led to the founding of the United States, today's world hyperpower.
HISTY330Researching Iwi Māori History19A (Hamilton)
This paper explores the history of Maori and iwi peoples from Pacific orgins to the present. It addresses the turning points, myths, discourses and narratives that have been mobilised to present Maori and iwi historical experiences. Students will examine the popular methods, theories, sources, and questions that have driven researc...
HISTY390Directed Study19Y (Hamilton)
A Directed Study is a taught paper enabling an undergraduate student to undertake a piece of extended historiographical research. Students enrolled in this paper work on a focused piece of research and are individually supervised.
POLSC300Religion and Political Violence19S (Online) & 19T (Online)
This paper examines religious attitudes to political authority and political violence. Students study the writings of major thinkers in the Christian tradition including Augustine, Aquinas, Luther and Calvin.

500 Level

Code Paper Title Occurrence / Location
HISTY515United States Cultural History19B (Hamilton)
This paper prepares students for historical practice and research, and higher study through an investigation of the cultural history of the United States.
HISTY516Historical Theories and Methods19A (Hamilton)
This paper prepares students for professional historical practice and higher study through an investigation of relevant historiographical theories and methodologies.
HISTY591Dissertation19Y (Hamilton)
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
HISTY592Dissertation19C (Hamilton)
A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation.
HISTY593History Thesis19C (Hamilton)
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.
HISTY594History Thesis19C (Hamilton)
An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.

800 Level

Code Paper Title Occurrence / Location
HISTY800History MPhil Thesis19C (Hamilton)
No description available.

900 Level

Code Paper Title Occurrence / Location
HISTY900History PhD Thesis19C (Hamilton)
No description available.

Chris Roberts Fresh out of Whakatane High School, Chris came to the University of Waikato a couple of weeks after his 17th birthday to study political science and history – "quite simply, the subjects I enjoyed the most", he says.

Read stories from other students

Scholarships and prizes

New to Waikato? The International Excellence Scholarship is worth up to $10,000.

Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships

Find your scholarship

Subject links

History Programme

History is available as a major for the BA and BSocSc. History may also be taken as a second major or as a supporting subject within other undergraduate degrees, subject to academic approval of the Faculty or School of Studies in which the student is enrolled.

To complete a major in History, students must gain 120 points above 100 level in History, including HIST206 and at least 60 points above 200 level. All 300 level History papers normally have as prerequisites three papers in History, including at least one at 200 level.

Please note: For all graduate subject requirements check the information provided in the papers section above.

Documents

Contacts

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:
Phone: 0800 800 145 or +64 7 838 4030
General and Undergraduate Email Enquiries: hist-fass@waikato.ac.nz
Graduate and Postgraduate Email Enquiries: hist-grad@waikato.ac.nz