Postgraduate Physical and Chemical Sciences

• Bachelor of Science with Honours is a one-year postgraduate degree which provides rapid entry into the PhD or other research programmes
• Postgraduate Diploma in Science is a one-year course equivalent to the first year (Part I) of a Master of Science
• Master of Science is a two-year degree with the second year (Part II) devoted to writing a thesis
• Doctor of Philosophy typically takes three to four years and involves extensive, original research.

See the Science Postgraduate Advice and Forms for how to enrol and our enrolment forms. 

Guidelines

• Guidelines and policies can be found on the University's general postgraduate pages
• The University Regulations page has all legal university guidelines and qualification requirements 
• Some departments produce specific postgraduate qualification or subject brochures, handbooks or guides. Contact the relevant Postgraduate Coordinator for any further guidance. 

Scholarships

UC Master's and Doctoral scholarships are available as are many industry or research institute-funded scholarships. Search the Scholarships at UC database for those available each year.

Postgraduate Astronomy courses

Graduates can study Astronomy and astrophysics beyond undergraduate level at UC. Students with good honours or master's degrees can proceed to a PhD.

Research students have access to state-of-the-art technology and benefit from international collaborations. UC has research programmes in fields such as planet searching, gravitational lensing, stellar astrophysics, variable stars, the cosmic microwave background and neutrino astronomy. 

Postgraduate Biochemistry courses

Biochemistry graduates with good grades are able to progress in the subject, with options available in all postgraduate science qualifications at UC. These develop advanced research skills and provide the chance to specialise.

Some go on to prepare for a career through further training in, for example, teaching, communication, management, forensic science, or product formulation.

Research work related to Biochemistry is being actively carried out by UC staff and postgraduate students.

Postgraduate Chemistry courses

Students who are high-achievers in 300-level Chemistry may enrol in a Bachelor of Science with Honours degree. This involves a fourth year of study, which includes a research project. This can then lead to the research year of a Master of Science or into a Doctor of Philosophy. Other options are available.

See current department research.

Some graduates undertake further study for a particular career pathway for example, teaching, journalism, patent law or business management.

Postgraduate Physics courses

Graduates can progress into a number of higher programmes in Physics, from honours to master's and PhD level. These degrees provide advanced research and writing skills.

UC offers the study of Medical Physics at postgraduate level. This is a unique programme in Aotearoa New Zealand and includes a variety of qualifications — a postgraduate diploma, honours, master's and PhD. The extensive range of qualifications reflects the industry demand for skilled medical physicists.

Some graduates undertake further study for a particular career pathway for example, teaching, journalism, patent law or business management.