History Major - Bachelor of Arts

Understand the past to change the future by studying the History major in the Bachelor of Arts.

With the Bachelor of Arts in History you delve into the history of New Zealand and major events in our world over the centuries. Our history courses are different from other New Zealand universities – you can learn online and will be fully supported throughout the semester. It’s easy to get in touch with your lecturer or arrange an individual tutorial to support your learning.

There’s a strong focus on the practical application of history. You’ll develop advanced skills in research, writing, analysis and debate; skills that are essential for a wide range of careers, including in roles as a policymaker, diplomat, manager or board member.

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This is part of the Bachelor of Arts.

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Further your understanding of key events in the history of New Zealand and the world, and develop effective communication, critical thinking and other transferable skills.

Apart from the courses below you also need to complete courses from your second major, your chosen minor(s) or electives.

Core courses

All Bachelor of Arts students need to complete core courses that help you develop transferable skills and support your work in all other courses in the degree.

Complete one course from each of the following clusters. Each cluster aligns with one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Partnerships and Reduced Inequalities

Peace and Justice, Climate Action and Economic World

Choose one of:

  • CRIM580 Criminology and Criminal Justice
  • EVNT500 Introduction to Event Management
  • HIST500 Introduction to New Zealand History
  • HIST501 The Holocaust: Its Causes, Character, and Legacy
  • PSYC580 Introduction to Psychology A
  • SOSC582 Social Thinking
  • SOSC583 Social Institutions
  • SOSC585 Climate Action
  • TOUR511 Global Issues in Tourism

Sustainability, Health and Wellbeing

Choose one of:

  • FOOD501 Food and the Senses
  • CLSY513 Organisation and Human Behaviour Perspectives
  • HOSP509 Hospitality Social Enterprise
  • TOUR512 Tourism and Sustainability

Quality Education, Gender Equality and Reduced Poverty

Workplace experience is an important part of your degree, and the Work Integrated Learning course is the final part of your degree. This is a supervised work placement related to your major(s), for an organisation of your choice. It's a great way to get industry experience while still being able to get feedback from AUT lecturers, and for many of our students this workplace experience also leads to a job offer.

You could also take the Foundations in Research course to prepare you for postgraduate study.

Want more info about work integrated learning at AUT?

Read more about workplace experience in AUT programmes, how it works and why it’s so beneficial when you start your career.

Workplace experience in AUT programmes

History major courses

If you're majoring in history, this is the main subject area you specialise in. It makes up one third of your degree and consists of eight history-related courses you study throughout your degree.

Year 1 courses

Complete the following course:

And one of:

Year 2 courses

Complete the following course:

And two of:

Year 3 courses

Complete the following course:

  • HIST711 Historical Methods

Complete two of:

  • HIST701 Nostalgia and Utopianism in New Zealand History
  • HIST707 He Wānanga mō Te Reo Māori: History of the Māori Language
  • HIST709 Gender and Culture
  • HIST710 Special Topic in History

Ready to enrol in your courses?

Find out how you can enrol in the courses and classes for your programme, whether you’ve just joined AUT as a new student or you’re already studying with us. If you’re looking for more info on a specific course use our course search.

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Build your degree

Use our online tool to build your own degree and see what your three years of study could look like.

Build your degreeBuild your degreehttps://www.aut.ac.nz/courses/bachelor-of-arts/history-major-bachelor-of-arts

  • History teacher
  • Diplomat
  • Heritage manager
  • Museum/gallery curator
  • Journalist
  • Policy specialist
  • Civil servant
  • Researcher
  • Content producer

Other majors in the Bachelor of Arts

*This major focuses on New Zealand Sign Language and developing the skills to become a Sign Language interpreter. It doesn’t include the option to include courses from different subjects.

Key features
  • Covers major historical events in New Zealand and around the world
  • Online learning with strong support from your lecturer
  • Learn from world-class academic staff
  • Valuable workplace experience in your final semester
  • Option to include subjects from across AUT in your degree
See yourself as
  • Interested in historic events
  • Questioning and enquiring
  • Inquisitive and open-minded
  • Connected with the community and the world

The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.

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