Course details

Summary

Build a career with global reach. Develop in-depth insights into the world’s strategic and security issues with an internationally recognised one-year degree.

Develop a deep practical and theoretical understanding of the ways power is exercised. Explore how conflict is managed and security maintained across the globe.

You'll get insights into the pressing geopolitical issues of our age, such as the relationship between the US and China, cybersecurity, the South China Sea, and strategic responses to the problems of terrorism and civil conflict.

Enhance your policy, analytical and research skills and accelerate your career with a globally connected Strategic Studies programme.

Studying with the School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations, you’ll join a fully integrated Political Science and International Relations programme, giving you access to a broad range of relevant courses and expertise.

Returning to study

Many students return to university for postgraduate study after several years away. If it's been a while since you've studied, our liaison officers can help you get back into university life.

Careers

Gain the expertise needed to work in the wider security community, including government, research organisations and think tanks, civil society and the private sector. You might work in policy, research, assessment or analysis jobs in organisations with a foreign affairs, defence or intelligence role. The programme has a successful track record of getting internships in New Zealand and overseas a good way to set up your career here or further afield.

What you’ll study

The MSS is in two parts a taught and a research component.

The taught component starts with a core course and a range of approved courses.

As well as Strategic Studies courses, you can choose from selected International Relations and Political Science courses.

For the research component you can choose between a 60-point dissertation and a combination of a 30-point research essay or project and approved taught courses.

You may get permission from the head of school to do a 90-point thesis in place of the part two research component and some part one courses.

Entry criteria

Applicants must satisfy the following:

• An appropriate Bachelor's degree
• Acceptance by the programme coordinator as capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study

Other English Language requirements:

• IELTS overall band of 6.5, no sub-score below 6.0; or
• TOEFL 90 on the internet-based test with at least 20 in writing; or
• A minimum of two ratings of 5 and two ratings of 4 in the Victoria University English Proficiency Programme test
• Pearson Test of English: A score of 65 (with a ‘Communicative’ score of not less than 58).