Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Bachelor of Contemporary International Studies (BCIS) is a fully NZQA-accredited three-year bachelor's degree designed around contemporary international and interdisciplinary study.
• Students can combine international business, international relations, Japanese studies, language learning and TESOL-related study rather than following a narrowly focused degree.
• The programme is designed to develop critical thinking, creative problem-solving, multilingual communication and cross-cultural/intercultural communication skills.
• Students can undertake a study-related internship providing 100 hours of practical workplace experience, with supervision linking academic learning to professional practice.
• IPU places research skills at undergraduate level. Students complete Research/Study Skills 1 and 2 before progressing to an interdisciplinary research project.
• Students may also progress to postgraduate study, including IPU's Master of Global Business or other eligible postgraduate programmes, subject to admission requirements. The BCIS page specifically identifies postgraduate study such as the Master of Contemporary International Studies as a further-study option.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The BCIS consists of:

• 360 credits.
• 24 papers.
• Eight compulsory interdisciplinary/research papers.
• Six language and culture papers.
• A major or general-course option.
• An independent interdisciplinary research project in the final year.

Current compulsory papers listed by IPU include:

• 30.501 Principles of Economics – 15 credits
• 40.501 Introduction to Environmental Sustainability – 15 credits
• 50.501 Introduction to International Relations – 15 credits
• 90.602 Internationalism – 15 credits
• 90.501/601 Research/Study Skills 1 and 2 – 30 credits
• 90.701A/B Interdisciplinary Project 1 and 2 – 30 credits

Disciplines / Specialisations

Students can select one of four specialist majors:

• International Business
• International Relations
• Japanese Studies
• TESOL & Language Studies.

Programme Highlights

• Fully NZQA-accredited bachelor's degree.
• Three years of full-time interdisciplinary study.
• 360-credit qualification.
• Four specialist majors plus a general-course option.
• 24 papers.
• Eight compulsory interdisciplinary/research papers.
• Six language and culture papers.
• Optional 100-hour study-related internship with supervision.
• Final-year interdisciplinary research project.
• Strong focus on internationalisation, language skills and intercultural communication.
• Multicultural learning environment with students from different countries.

Career Outcomes

IPU states that BCIS graduates may work across a wide range of administrative and management roles, using language skills and intercultural communication knowledge in international business and international-relations environments.

Potential career areas include:

• International business and commerce
• Business administration and management
• International relations
• Trade and business development
• Administrative and management roles
• Cross-cultural communication
• Language and TESOL-related work, depending on the major and additional qualifications
• International organisations and globally oriented businesses

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• IPU's current programme page continues to describe BCIS as a fully NZQA-accredited three-year degree with four specialist majors.
• IPU's current programme listing shows BCIS as an active programme.
• The Master of Contemporary International Studies is currently being renamed and is no longer accepting new enrolments; existing students may complete it by 2027. This is an institutional update and does not indicate that BCIS admissions have closed.
• For international applicants, IELTS Academic 6.0 with no band below 5.5 is currently stated as the English requirement, alongside the listed academic-entry routes.
• Exact 2026 intake dates, current major availability by intake and any programme-specific special conditions are not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students normally need a New Zealand student visa that permits them to study the BCIS in New Zealand. The appropriate visa is generally the Fee Paying Student Visa when the student is paying their own tuition, subject to the individual circumstances and visa assessment. Immigration New Zealand states that this visa can normally be issued for the period of study that has been paid for, up to a maximum of four years.

Key requirements/conditions include:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of payment of tuition fees or an applicable scholarship.
• Evidence that the student has sufficient funds for living costs or an acceptable sponsor.
• Required medical/travel insurance.
• Meeting Immigration New Zealand's health, character, genuine-intention and other immigration requirements.
• The student must study the course specified on the visa and maintain satisfactory progress.