52 PhD programmes in Social Sciences in New Zealand

The values of Aotahi have been modelled on the traditions of Māui-Tikitiki-a-Taranga – the Māori demigod famous for obtaining the knowledge of fire and snaring the sun. The Te Ao Māori programme is offered at University of Canterbury.

The European Studies programme at University of Canterbury is focused around the National Centre for Research on Europe (NCRE), which provides unique training and development opportunities for postgraduate students seeking careers in trade, foreign affairs, and policy.

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 Antarctic Studies course at the University of Canterbury are coordinated by Gateway Antarctica, the Centre for Antarctic Studies and Research at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury. 

Study Japan’s unique culture, literature and society in depth, and develop your command of the PhD in Japanese language at Victoria University of Wellington.

Build a more profound understanding of the Pacific’s past influences and future possibilities with this PhD in Pacific Studies degree at Victoria University of Wellington. 

Expand your expertise in Public Policy and enhance your ability to analyse and influence how effective policy decisions are made with a PhD at Victoria University of Wellington.

Gain advanced knowledge and skills in Social Policy with postgraduate study at the School of Anthropology and Cultural Studies from Victoria University of Wellington.

Take advantage of the wide range of cultures and disciplines you can pursue in postgraduate PhD in Asian Studies at Victoria University of Wellington and dig deeper into the area that most interests you.

Deepen your knowledge of the relationships between people, place and the environment with postgraduate study in human PhD in Geography at Victoria University of Wellington.

Build your ability to make a difference for M?ori and boost your career with postgraduate PhD in Maori Studies at Victoria University of Wellington.

Go deeper into the explanations for crime and the workings of the criminal justice system. Study the characteristics of offenders and how criminal behaviour relates to a wide range of social factors with this PhD in Criminology degree at the Victoria University of Wellington. 

The Industrial and Organisational Psychology degree at University of Canterbury applies psychological theories and principles to understand individual attitudes and behaviours in the workplace, and how these attitudes, behaviours, and performance can be improved through hiring practices, training programs, leadership, and management systems.

Investigate politics, communities and how we make decisions collectively as governments with the Political Science and International Relations programme at University of Canterbury. 

The PhD in Humanities and Social Science program from Victoria University of Wellington involves original and sustained research, mentored by an academic supervisor. It’s an opportunity to make new discoveries, address some of the big issues of our time, challenge yourself, and develop a mix of transferable and specialised skills. 

Get an in-depth understanding of Spanish and Latin American culture, society and literature, and build your fluency in the Spanish language with the PhD in Spanish and Latin American Studies degree at Victoria University of Wellington. 

Enhance your degree and get the skills and knowledge to design, conduct, and evaluate cross-cultural research through advanced study of PhD in Cross-cultural Psychology at Victoria University of Wellington.

Get advanced training in the scientific study of cognition, brain, and behaviour to prepare for a future in psychology and neuroscience research with the PhD in Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience degree from Victoria University of Wellington. 

Enhance your Bachelor’s degree and gain an advanced understanding of PhD in Health Policy, Planning and Service Delivery at Victoria University of Wellington.

Build on the knowledge and skills you gained in your Bachelor's degree and improve your career prospects with advanced study in the PhD in Psychology from Victoria University of Wellington.