Diploma in International Languages and Cultures

at The University of Waikato - Hamilton Campus New Zealand

Efficiently converting the world’s raw materials and commodity goods into products is important to the global economy.  To do this, we need to understand the properties of materials as diverse as food, wood, metals, plastics and fuel.

By studying Materials and Processing at the University of Waikato, you will learn how to add value to raw materials used to manufacture a number of useful products, while minimising waste.  These products can be as varied as dietary formulae, foods, ceramics that can withstand high temperatures, new metal alloys, pharmaceuticals, laminated boards, functional proteins, and composites.

Materials and processing skills are used in industrial and other activities where materials are undergoing chemical, biochemical or physical changes.

Communication Design is concerned with visually communicating messages and ideas across multiple media platforms. as a communication designer, you will be responsible for arranging typography, form and image on a myriad of communication platforms, and in various types of media. You will be recognised for the quality of your contribution to our visual culture.

Communication designers work in areas such as branding, environmental graphics, wayfinding systems, editorial design (newspapers, magazines, books), catalogues, museum displays and every aspect of our visual landscape where there is a communication need.  You will find communication designers working in digital mediums too, and the Communication Design major offers opportunities for you to learn web design and motion graphic design as well.

Poutu-maro Biomedical Sciences takes a multi-faceted and applied approach to improving the hauora of our communities. It embraces an integrative approach to biomedical sciences (including genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, anatomy, infection and immunity, pathophysiology) alongside Matauranga Maori, health communication, and bioethics to develop biomedical understandings and skills that will allow students to work across the health sector.

Developed and underpinned by the term hauora, we endeavour to respect the collective essence of health and wellbeing as well as applying the bio-medical principals that are essential for robust, quality healthcare. Hauora is a holistic approach that values the interconnection between the physical and meta-physical in ways that nourish and sustain the vitality of people and their communities. In doing so, recognition is attributed to past generations, historical contexts, and connections to the land.

The Poutu-maro Biomedical Sciences major is underpinned by the following six core concepts that are the BHealth’s point of difference:

• Maori and indigenous perspectives and practices;
• Holistic understandings of hauora, health and wellbeing;
• Community collaboration and engagement;
• Analytical and communication skills;
• Clear links to regional/rural health, social justice and equity, and critical perspectives;
• Competencies desired in the practices of health professionals, as identified through consultation with key stakeholders and industry.

Community psychology as an applied social science encourages inter-disciplinary approaches to learning, including sociology, community development, education and the policy sciences. Community psychologists contribute their expertise in a number of health and social services to encourage healthy people and communities. They develop, support and evaluate interventions that enhance health outcomes for individuals, wh?nau and communities.

During your Master of Applied Psychology studies, you'll be given opportunities to gain relevant hands-on experience. This will be through getting involved in work placements and projects, where you'll be connected with a range of organisations and community groups.

The type of workplaces you'll be placed in depends on the specialist area you've chosen. You could have a placement in an educational environment such as a school, university or special education venue. You may do a project at a research institution or in a private practice. Perhaps you'll work with business and industry, or in the health sector. You may have a placement in a governmental agency, or if it fits in with your specialist area, a zoo.

Marketing is essential for attracting customers to purchase a company's products or services. It helps to create strong, unique brands that will stand out from their competitors in the crowded global marketplace.

Marketing is far more than just selling or advertising – ultimately, it is marketing that decides what products and services an organisation will offer, to which customers, at what price, using which channels.

In first year you'll take part in a Marketing Tradeshow where you'll put theory into practice. In this fun assignment, you'll work in a team to develop an innovative idea for a new product or service based around a theme, such as tourism, board games, chocolate or sports. Your team will conduct customer research and plan a full marketing mix strategy, including product / packaging design, promotion, price and place of distribution. You'll be encouraged to dress up in costumes on the night, with prizes awarded for best stand, best costumes, and best overall product.

You'll also have the opportunity to study specialist areas of marketing such as digital marketing, brand management, marketing research, consumer and buyer behaviour, services marketing, and business development and sales.

A major in Theatre Studies at Waikato can be a rich and challenging pathway within an Arts degree. It has a wide range of vocational applications within the Performing Arts.  This suite of papers leads the student through processes of performance-making.

Waikato's Theatre Studies program takes a practice-led approach to teaching and learning different aspects of theatre. We encouraging students to explore and develop their performance practice, while thinking through what theatre does and can do in the world.

The papers in the program provide opportunities for the practical study of performance, although all are underpinned by relevant critical theory. The program focuses on Theatre as an evolving, living, breathing practice, and places emphasis on the processes of performance, as well as public performances.

Practical tutorials, seminars, and rehearsals take place in the theatre laboratory space, and the Playhouse Theatre within the University's purpose-built Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, which is also the venue for many of the public performances.

Careers for Theatre Studies graduates include employment within the creative community, such as community and professional theatres, local arts councils, schools, film production companies, and arts agencies such as Creative New Zealand and New Zealand On Air.

Physics aims to understand the entire physical world, from the sub-atomic to the cosmological.

In the School of Science, Physics is taught at a postgraduate level. By studying with us you will develop a thorough understanding of theoretical physics and gain advanced knowledge in areas such as quantum theory and biophysics.

Many famous scientists, such as Einstein and Newton were physicists. Physicists are versed in mathematics, computer programming, experimental science and the design of complex instruments. They are among the most versatile scientists, able to easily cross boundaries into other disciplines such as chemistry, biology, medicine, Earth and planetary sciences. There are biophysicists, geophysicists, astrophysicists and neurophysicists.

Human Resource Management prepares you to play a pivotal role in company needs – the person who recruits, develops and trains employees to achieve success.
Gain the essential skills to recruit, develop and manage an organisation's most valuable asset - its people.

Studying Human Resource Management at Waikato turns you into a strategic player who knows how to position employees for the long-term success of a company.

A career in human resources is all about selecting the right people for the right jobs; then knowing how to train, develop and motivate staff to improve their individual performance. It means you'll be involved in all areas of staff recruitment, salaries, employee benefits, training programs, managerial behaviour and staff productivity.

We'll teach you how to achieve the best results from employees through practical workshops, where you'll apply human resource management practices to address real situations in the workplace.

You’ll also learn about employment relations laws, health and safety, work-life balance, organisational culture, and managing conflict, negotiation and diversity in the workplace.

Students are encouraged to apply HR professional practice to real situations in the workplace, such as carrying out a health and safety audit of an organisation to assess whether the building complies with New Zealand legislation.

If you're interested in working alongside farmers and businesses focused on agriculture, then Agribusiness at Waikato will help you build the foundations for a dynamic global career.

Gain an all-round understanding of the agricultural sector, including farm management, soil and nutrient management, rural financial management and banking, and value chain management.

You'll learn about international marketing and sales, technological innovations in agribusiness, the impact of free-trade agreements, and how sustainable farming practices can be used to reduce costs and gain a competitive advantage.

During your studies, you'll also develop broad knowledge and skills in general management, which can be applied to various other sectors.

Anthropology is the study of humanity in all its fantastic diversity. Waikato's Anthropology students learn from anthropologists who have a strong Pacific focus and engage in research across a wide range of crucial global issues.

Cultural anthropology, our area of specialty, is the interpretation and appreciation of the vast array of cultural possibilities for human life. Studying Anthropology will challenge students to reimagine their assumptions about their own societies and cultures and develop a toolkit to critically understand their changing world.