Course details

Summary

Political Science is often called the study of who gets what, where, how and why. It is the independent and informed study of our communities and how we make decisions collectively as governments, why we behave as we do as citizens, and how we make public policy choices for the future. Political scientists use a variety of ideas and tools to examine local, national, regional, and global processes, institutions and relationships and to consider how we ought to live as political communities and how we can create change.

Why study Political Science and International Relations at UC?

The Political Science programme at UC has attained national and international visibility for the strength of its teaching and academic research. The Department of Political Science and International Relations is recognised internationally in fields as diverse as democracy, environmental politics and policy, humanitarian intervention, science and technology policy, Chinese and South East Asian politics, and regional and international relations.

Staff foster an environment in which students are supported toward achieving their goals as citizens, young leaders and as scholars, and where networks of fellow graduates and employers are nurtured to help with career planning and mentoring.

Recommended preparation

Political Science and International Relations students come from a wide variety of interests and backgrounds. Many study the subject alongside subjects such as History, Geography, languages, Media and Communication, Law, Commerce and Science.

Qualification structure and duration

A student must complete at least 120 points from taught courses, as approved by the Head of Department and the Dean of Arts.

Further study

Postgraduate Diploma in Arts graduates are well positioned to continue their studies. Subject to the approval of the Dean of Arts (and provided the courses fall within the time limits for the higher award), a student may transfer PGDipArts courses passed with a B grade or higher to:

the Bachelor of Arts with Honours

the coursework section of a master's degree (there are a number of taught master's operated by the College of Arts).

UC also offers a research-based Master of Arts and the Doctor of Philosophy.

Career opportunities

Political Science and International Relations students gain a versatile set of skills that can be applied in a wide range of exciting careers both within politics (international, national and local political institutions eg, the UN, humanitarian inter-governmental organisations, parliaments, city councils) and in more diverse areas such as law, business, education and journalism.

Recent graduates have been employed in the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Defence, and Justice as well as the Treasury, Te Puni Kōkiri, Parliament and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Government Communications Security Bureau, Security Intelligence Service, Te Runanga o Ngāi Tahu, and the Red Cross.

Political Science and International Relations specialists fare well in roles that value a questioning mind, superb communication skills and a strong understanding of systems and social issues such as the news media, trade unions, teaching and the finance industry (eg, banking and investment).

A number of our senior students have also gone on to further study and to teach at prestigious overseas universities.

Entry criteria

Candidates must have qualified for a Bachelor of Arts or an equivalent degree and satisfied the prerequisites for the subject concerned. Prerequisites vary between departments, but normally good grades in 300-level courses in that subject are required.

Other English language requirements: TOEFL PBT with a minimum score of 575 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5; CCEL EAP Level 2 with a minimum B+ grade; CAE or CPE score of 176 with a minimum of 169 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE with an overall score of 64 and no PTE communicative skills score below 58.