21 PhD programmes in Arts, Design & Architecture in New Zealand

Graduate with the skills you need to be able to perform, compose or teach at a high professional level with this Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance program from Victoria University of Wellington.

Learn how to shape and improve cities, towns, and regions. Develop the expertise to make our urban and rural environments more functional, sustainable, and appealing with the PhD in Urban and Regional Planning degree at the Victoria University of Wellington. 

The University of Canterbury's Doctor of Musical Arts course is aimed at those wishing to undertake advanced research in music composition or performance. 

The Doctor of Philosophy in Music from University of Canterbury follows on from completion of an Honours or Masters degree and is in an approved field of supervised research.

Create indoor spaces that inspire. Learn how colour, materials, light, shape, and form can influence a person's mood or provoke a particular response with the PhD in Interior Architecture degree offered at the Victoria University of Wellington. 

A PhD in Design from Victoria University of Wellington is an advanced research qualification carried out under academic supervision and is the highest degree offered by the Wellington Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation.

Enhance your degree with a postgraduate qualification and gain advanced knowledge and skills in PhD in Film at the Victoria University of Wellington. 

Explore architecture from a cultural and historical perspective with this PhD in Architecture History and Theory offered at the Victoria University of Wellington. 

Graduate with the skills you need to be able to perform, compose or teach at a high professional level with this Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition program from Victoria University of Wellington.

Examine the history of art in detail, contribute to the creative capital of Aotearoa, participate in developing new histories of art relevant to the 21st century, and gain a deeper understanding of your area of interest with this PhD in Art History degree offered at the Victoria University of Wellington. 

Build on your musical knowledge and gain skills in research and critical thinking with postgraduate study in Music program from Victoria University of Wellington.

Develop your skills in notated composition, film scoring, music technology or sonic arts to a professional level with a PhD in Composition Arts postgraduate study from Victoria University of Wellington. 

PhD in Landscape Architecture at Victoria University of Wellington is about exploring and envisaging better design solutions for outdoor spaces. It merges design, art, culture, nature, and science to create engaging and functional spaces.

Gain the skills and knowledge required in the architecture profession, including the ability to visualise spatial subjects in three dimensions with the Architecture and Design degree at the Victoria University of Wellington. 

Further develop and refine your vocal or instrumental Performance skills to a professional level with the PhD in Performance at Victoria University of Wellington.

The Cinema Studies programme at University of Canterbury is offered within the Department of English. Our Honours courses are coded as English courses, but the Cinema Studies Honours year focuses on film topics and has specific prerequisites.

Studying the Art History and Theory programme at University of Canterbury helps you understand theories of art, material culture and aesthetics, and their relevance in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Enhance your career prospects and gain advanced theoretical and technical knowledge with postgraduate study of the PHd in Theatre at Victoria University of Wellington.

The Doctor of Fine Arts (DocFA) at University of Auckland is an advanced studio-based research degree, encompassing research and practice. DocFA study is an opportunity to make a significant contribution to the field of contemporary art and/or design.

At the University of Otago Music programme we cover a unique combination of classical music, contemporary rock music, music production and world music.