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Great careers and perspectives start with an Arts degree
Great careers and perspectives start with an Arts degree
A good Arts degree lets you connect with, articulate, and explore your passions. You learn how to think critically, question effectively, and deal with complexity — all the ingredients for an inspiring life.
The degree gives students a deeper understanding of the world around and is designed to prepare them for their future. Both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes develop passions into career pathways that will sustain and inspire you throughout your life. Feel stuck in your career? Many professionals seeking to enhance their technical and soft skills join the taught masters’ programmes for their focus on applied learning and preparation for work.
Where can a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Auckland take you? From Microsoft to the Ministry of Justice, graduates have used their comprehensive Arts education – in more than 35 subjects across the humanities, social sciences, languages and Indigenous studies – to succeed in diverse roles. They gain a lot while studying at New Zealand’s top university and number one Arts and Education faculty – and that’s not counting all the rich things happening within them.
“Arts graduates bring context to the world we navigate daily. Critical thinking skills, visual literacy, a deeper understanding of the world around us, philosophy, ethics, communication, and creativity all offer different ways to understand and navigate the opportunities and challenges of the future.” Associate Professor Caroline Vercoe, BA Programme Director.
“Arts graduates pursue diverse careers. They are journalists, policymakers, social advocates, leaders and entrepreneurs. They are in roles across government, the tech industry, galleries, museums, and the charity sector. Our graduates are sought after, valued, and working to create a better future for us all. In a rapidly changing world where many jobs will be transformed, having a career that complements new technology rather than competes with it is key.” Associate Professor Caroline Vercoe, BA Programme Director
#1
university in New Zealand (Times Higher Education and QS World Rankings 2024)
#1
Arts Faculty in New Zealand (Times Higher Education and QS World Rankings 2024)
#1
in New Zealand for employability, 65th worldwide in 2023 (QS World Rankings Graduate Employability)
That’s what it’s like to hold a Bachelor of Arts degree – you have the means to think critically, communicate well, and reach across disciplines to thrive in your chosen fields or pivot into others.
Upon returning to South Korea, Kim found his time at the University of Auckland gave him a significant edge, especially when combined with internships, part-time jobs, and extracurricular activities.
“My international background helped me land a position at one of the world’s leading e-commerce companies,” he says. “This laid a solid foundation for my career, allowing me to work in various tech firms. I started in customer service but worked hard to transition into a more specialised role, and now I manage operations for APAC offices.”
James Kim MinBoum hails from Seoul, Korea but moved to New Zealand for primary school. When it was time to go to university, he was determined to join “one of the country’s finest universities.”
Kim pursued a Bachelor of Arts in TESOL and Film, TV and Media Studies (now called Media and Screen Studies), after hearing positive things about the programme.
“I wanted to choose a major where I could truly excel. After reflecting on my experiences from different part-time jobs, I realised I enjoyed teaching and was deeply interested in the dynamic Korean media scene,” he says. “I learned that the University of Auckland is renowned for its TESOL programme, particularly for its thesis research, which further sparked my interest.” After graduating, Kim found himself getting varied job offers from corporations. Today, he’s an operations executive at TransPerfect, a large translation and language services company.
Becoming future-orientated
James Kim MinBoum
“The skills I gained from my degree have been valuable in unexpected ways,” he says. “From TESOL, I learned how to teach and lead groups, skills that I’ve applied in a variety of business environments. My media studies background has also allowed me to bring fresh ideas and creativity to corporate projects. Sometimes, you may not realise how your studies connect to your career until you see how those "dots" align later in life.”
On campus, other student-led initiatives like the International Student Mentor Programme offer more ongoing support. This includes ensuring your transition to life here is smooth and providing one-on-one support. Various student associations also help you connect with fellow international students from your home country.
“I was part of the Auckland Korean Students’ Association, which provided a great platform to promote Korean culture within New Zealand,” says Kim. “I had the chance to be the stage director for a Korean cultural event at Aotea Square and contributed to a student magazine.”
Likewise, Soontrong joined the Thai Student Association and participated in other social activities. He stated that the experiences helped him ease through tough times, especially while carrying out research during his programme.
Before joining the Master of Arts (MA) in Criminology programme at the University of Auckland, Marut Soontrong was a policy analyst for the Department of Corrections in Thailand. He created rehabilitation and social reintegration programmes for offenders. It’s a field that’s rapidly evolving and he’s confident his MA will grow his expertise in this area so he may serve his country better upon his return.
A place where international students thrive
Marut Soontrong
“The learning environment here is really good. We have lots of resources to support our studies, and there is a lot of student support,” says Soontrong. “For me, as an international student, we’re sometimes not confident in using English, but the University’s English Language Enrichment Programme is very good in supporting my confidence in using English academically.”
“Explore the diverse range of programmes and research opportunities available. Build a supportive network by connecting with people. Also, take advantage of cultural and recreational offerings to make the most of your time in Auckland."
Asha Thrishali
PhD in Politics and International Relations
“I have had the privilege of learning from professors from all over the world; they’ve all been incredibly knowledgeable in their fields and well-equipped to share that knowledge with their students.”
Kate Wood
Bachelor of Global Studies
Hear from the students
An enriching arts education awaits at New Zealand's leading university
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