Course details

Summary

The Victoria Bachelor of Arts (BA) will give you insights into cultures, languages, art, history, politics and societies that will challenge your thinking and expand your view of the world. Explore your passions and discover what drives you through our wide range of subject areas.

The Victoria BA will teach you how to think, not what to think. You'll turn ideas over and look at them from several angles. Learn to argue your point of view and be prepared for it to change. You'll study in an inspiring environment with highly qualified lecturers who will help you develop a broad and disciplined intellect, so you can be successful in whatever career you choose.

Political Science

Study the theories and philosophies at the heart of politics. Examine political ideas including libertarianism, socialism and colonisation. Analyse social movements and the ideas behind them, including in gender equality, religious fundamentalism and environmentalism. Learn about the history, development and structure of New Zealand's political system, and enhance your understanding of the nature of power by comparing political systems from all over the world.

Course structure

For this degree you'll need to:

Complete at least 360 points, of which:

• At least 240 points must be from courses listed for the BA
• A maximum of 180 points can be at 100 level and
• At least 180 points must be at 200 and 300 level
• Of the 180 points, at least 75 points must be at 300 level
• Of the 75 points, up to 15 may come from courses listed for another degree when they are taken to satisfy the requirements of an additional major subject from another degree
• Of the 180 points, at least 75 must be from courses listed for the BA

In addition to the degree requirements, for this major you'll need to complete:

Two courses from POLS 100-199

Two courses from POLS 200-299

Two courses at 300 level:

One course from POLS 300-399

One further course from:

POLS 300-399

INTP 300-399

• Torangapu Maori/Maori Politics (MAOR 316)
• Rights, Equality and Freedom: Contemporary Political Philosophy (PHIL 303)
• Cabinet Government (PUBL 304)
• The Pacific Islands after 1945 (HIST 336)

One further course from:

POLS 200-399

INTP 200-399

• New Zealand Political History (HIST 249)
• The Pacific Islands after 1945 (HIST 336)
• Ethics and International Affairs (PHIL 264)
• Rights, Equality and Freedom: Contemporary Political Philosophy (PHIL 303)
• Cabinet Government (PUBL 304)

Future-proof your career

The job-market is changing fast with many current jobs predicted to be automated within 10 to 15 years. Gain skills valuable in any workplace studying for a BA develops your creativity, flexibility and imagination, and teaches you how to think critically and present an argument. You'll also develop research skills and learn to communicate complex ideas in both speech and writing.

Get your degree in a subject you have a genuine passion for and set yourself on a path to a fulfilling career. BA graduates are employed in almost every part of the workforce. Your ability to view things from different perspectives, and skills in research and analysis can be applied in a vast array of careers. At Victoria you'll be encouraged to think about how what you learn can contribute to a progressive, inclusive and internationally connected society.

Entry criteria

University Entrance, or to meet the requirements of another admission type.

English Language requirements:

• IELTS overall band of 6.0 with no sub-score below 5.5; or
• TOEFL 80 on the internet-based test; or
• A minimum of three ratings of 4 and one rating of 3 in the Victoria University English Proficiency Programme test; or
• Pearson Test of English: A score of 58 (with a ‘Communicative’ score of not less than 50).