Course details

Summary

With a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Waikato you gain an internationally recognised degree, leading to diverse career opportunities. Our graduates are in demand for their flexible skills, practical outlook and depth of understanding they bring to their roles. A Waikato BA develops sector-specific analytical abilities and research experience, well-honed written and verbal communication skills, and a broad perspective on the world and its various cultures. You'll learn about human nature and the human mind as they are revealed by the arts, the languages, the politics, and the cultures of the past and the present. The effective communication skills developed while studying the Arts are valued as essential in the modern workplace.

Political Science - Major

Political Science at Waikato offers a broad spectrum of political knowledge on both national and international issues. You'll seek answers to some of the most difficult political issues of today and gain skills for many potential career paths.

The Political Science programme will ask you why some crises lead to armed conflict while others resolve peacefully - why democracy thrives in some countries while it dies in others. We challenge you to learn lessons from international politics and to consider political solutions to international crises. We push you to consider tough questions like those involving equality and freedom - must one be sacrificed for the other to flourish?

Political Science is a highly flexible programme and will give you job opportunities from local to national government, media, education, industry, business, labour organisations and social services. We also offer a specialisation in International Relations and Security Studies which further allows you to investigate relevant contemporary events.

Political Science at Waikato not only gives you a well-rounded perspective on political issues but also provides a versatile base of knowledge and skills to enter many fields.

Career opportunities

• Advocate
• Central and Local Government Officer
• Foreign Affairs and Trade Worker
• 毛利 Development Policy Adviser
• Media Analyst
• Policy Analyst

International Relations and Security Studies - Specialisation

Like most states, New Zealand depends for its security and prosperity on regional and international stability. Its political, economic and societal well-being can be affected by, for example, major power relations; global financial crisis; and the rise of violent extremist non-state actors and the responses to them. As a good international citizen, New Zealand seeks to play a role in the international institutions which try to uphold international law and order and to contribute to international stabilisation operations in various countries.

Given the significance of such issues, International Relations and Security Studies is available as a specialisation within the Political Science major.

Career Opportunities

• Diplomat
• Foreign Policy Analyst
• International Defence Relations Officer
• National Assessments Bureau
• National and International NGOs
• New Zealand Defence Force Officer
• Security and Intelligence Officer

Requirements

• Students are required to pass a total value of at least 360 points.

Entry criteria

Applicants must meet NCEA University Entrance criteria or have completed the Certificate of Attainment in Foundation Studies, no less than C grade in any paper plus a B grade in CAFS001 and 002. Some qualifications require specific papers and higher grades or have obtained any other equivalent overseas qualification.

University Entrance means: From 2015 - (i) NCEA Level 3, (ii) a minimum of 14 credits at Level 3 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework, in each of three approved subjects, and (iii) the numeracy requirements of a minimum of 10 credits at Level 1 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework, made up of achievement standards and/or unit standards specified by NZQA, and (iv) the literacy requirement of a minimum of 10 credits at Level 2 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework, made up of: (a) 5 credits in reading , and (b) 5 credits in writing from a list specified by NZQA.

English language requirements:

IELTS (Academic) - 6.0 overall (no band less than 6.0); iBT (internet based) TOEFL - 79-80 with a score of 20 in writing; Pearson PTE Academic - 57 with no less than 57 for each communicative skill; Waikato Pathways - Successful completion of Level 7 with a B grade average in the Certificate of Attainment in Academic English (CAAE) programme.