Postgraduate Certificate in Digital Humanities
PGCertDigi
Overview
In the field of digital humanities, students learn to explore research questions using digital tools and methods, and develop a critical understanding of the possibilities and limitations of the digital world and our knowledge economy. They learn the technical skills and standards required to undertake digital projects using a variety of digital tools, translate complex information into accessible language, manage projects, and collaborate with multiple stakeholders.
Given the rate of change in this field, employers in a number of sectors are increasingly looking for employees who can provide ‘digital entrepreneurship’ and leadership.
Arising in the 1980's, Digital Humanities responded to the ever more digital nature of scholarship and culture. It is a highly interdisciplinary subject, as well as being strongly connected to the world outside academia, in particular the digital cultural heritage sector associated with galleries, art galleries, libraries, and museums.
This discipline creates and uses a wide variety of digital products, including websites, archives, databases, and mobile apps.
- UC’s Digital Humanities team is well known in Australasia and have been conducting teaching and research since 2001. Staff and postgraduate students engage in a broad range of 'real-world' activities, ranging from text encoding, digital archiving, GIS mapping, data visualisation, and 'big data' analysis, through to blogging, tweeting, and online publishing.
- The UC Digital Humanities team enjoys the support of a broad Consortium, including the National Library, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority, Christchurch City Libraries, Te Papa, NZ On Screen, the Canterbury Museum, the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre, and The Film Archive.
- The CEISMIC Canterbury Earthquake Digital Archive was created in 2011 and managed by the Digital Humanities team, involving the work of UC students.
- As well as enjoying academic strength in the digital humanities, UC is well known for its teaching and research in the history and philosophy of computing, high performance computing, and augmented reality.
A Bachelor of Arts, or a bachelor's degree plus relevant graduate diploma, with grades to a specified level in the subject concerned is required for the PGCertDigi.
If English is your additional language, you are also required to meet UC’s English language requirements.
For the full entry requirements, see the Regulations for the Postgraduate Certificate in Digital Humanities or use the admission requirements checker.
How to apply
You can apply online at myUC. Find out more about how to apply for graduate and postgraduate qualifications.
Students will complete 60 points (three courses) from the 400-level courses in Digital Humanities, including two compulsory courses and one 30-point elective.
The PGCertDigi will usually be studied over 6 months (one semester) full-time, or 1 year (two semesters) part-time.
Of the three courses required to complete this qualification, two are compulsory and one is elective:
- Students must take DIGI 404 Digital Humanities: Tools, techniques and theories and DIGI 405 Digital Humanities Research Methods 2. These are the core research methods courses, and are 15 points each. They will provide a foundation in digital methods for the arts and humanities. As well as an overview of a broad range of digital practices and techniques, applied assessment options are available.
- The optional 30-point course can be selected from a digital project (DIGI 403) or a research essay (DIGI 480). Students can elect to take the PACE 495 Professional and Community Engagement Internship (however this will need to be approved by the Head of School before commencing the internship).
UC offers a Master of Arts in Digital Humanities.
Subject to the approval of the Dean of Arts (Academic), you may transfer completed courses from the Certificate (passed with a B Grade Point Average or higher) to the Master of Arts Digital Humanities programme.
You may also choose to go onto further studies in related subjects, such as English and Cultural Studies within the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
Postgraduate study can bring many career benefits eg, specialist skills and enhanced knowledge, entry into specific occupations, higher starting salary/progression rates, research capability/achievement, and evidence of high academic attainment/self-discipline.
Useful information:
- Read what other UC postgraduate students have gone on to achieve in their studies and careers in our student and graduate profiles.
- Te Rōpū Rapuara | UC Careers can help you to achieve the career you want, connect with employers, or find a job.
- For research into career destinations by qualification, visit Te Pōkai Tara | Universities New Zealand website.
- Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
- Come along to an upcoming information event for prospective postgraduate students.
See Tuition Fee Structure for more information
Contact us
For full requirements, see the Regulations for the Postgraduate Certificate in Digital Humanities.
For study planning help, contact Digital Humanities or the College of Arts:
Te Rāngai Toi Tangata | College of Arts
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
Phone +64 3 369 3377
Email artsdegreeadvice@canterbury.ac.nz