Why Study/Key Benefits

The Bachelor of Arts (Politics and International Relations) at Massey University is designed for students who want to understand how political decisions are made, how power operates in society, and how domestic and international events shape communities and countries. The major covers New Zealand government and politics, global politics, political thought, public policy, inequality, democracy, geopolitics, peace and conflict, and contemporary international affairs. Massey describes the subject as interdisciplinary, with relatively small classes and lecturers who are active researchers.

Key benefits include:

• Developing critical thinking, research, communication and analytical skills.
• Understanding political institutions, political ideas, policy-making and international relations.
• Studying both Aotearoa New Zealand politics and global political issues.
• Exploring contemporary international conflicts, democracy, peacebuilding and geopolitics.
• Having flexibility to combine the major with electives or a minor from the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business or Bachelor of Science.
• Studying fully online from outside New Zealand, which is particularly relevant for international students who do not need to relocate to New Zealand.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The Politics and International Relations major requires 120 credits. Students combine these major courses with the wider BA core and elective requirements.

Current major course options include:

Compulsory selection

Students choose 30 credits from:

• 200161 Politics Unveiled: Who decidesa – 15 credits. Introduces politics, political theory, political parties, electoral systems, public policy and international relations.
• 200262 Political Power in Aotearoa New Zealand – 15 credits. Examines political institutions, political actors, power and the relationship between politics and economics in policy development.

Subject courses

At least 30 credits can be selected from courses such as:

• 200215 Interrogating Foundations of Political Thought – history of political thought from antiquity to the nineteenth century.
• 200261 World Affairs in Crisis – major theories, issues, events and institutions in contemporary world politics.

At least 45 credits can be selected from areas including:

• 200300 Peace Studies
• 200301 Contemporary International Conflict
• 200303 Global Democratic Politics
• 200315 Contemporary Political Thought
• 200361 Aotearoa Now: Issues in New Zealand Politics.

Additional subject electives include:

• 145318 Geopolitics
• 150201 Te Kawenata o Waitangi: The Treaty of Waitangi in New Zealand Society
• 200100 Politics of Culture and Power
• 230302 Practicing Fieldwork: Doing Qualitative Research
• 294381 Terrorism and Transnational Crime.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The primary specialisation for this programme is:

• Politics and International Relations

Within the major, students can develop interests in areas such as:

• Political theory and political thought
• New Zealand politics and government
• International relations
• World politics
• Geopolitics
• Public policy
• Democracy and political participation
• Peace and conflict studies
• Contemporary international conflict
• Global political issues
• Treaty of Waitangi and New Zealand constitutional/political issues
• Politics, culture and power
• Terrorism and transnational crime.

Programme Highlights

• NZQF Level 7 bachelor's qualification.
• 360-credit Bachelor of Arts.
• Politics and International Relations major worth 120 credits.
• Flexible BA structure with core courses, major courses and electives.
• Optional minor from the BA, BBus or BSc subject to regulations.
• Coverage of both New Zealand and international political issues.
• Contemporary topics including democracy, global politics, international conflict, peace studies and geopolitics.
• Opportunity to develop research, analytical and communication skills.
• Small interdisciplinary teaching environment for Politics and International Relations.
• Lecturers are active researchers in their fields.
• Online study is explicitly available to international students outside New Zealand.

Career Outcomes

Massey identifies a broad range of career areas for Politics and International Relations graduates, including:

• Diplomacy
• Policy analysis
• Public service
• Journalism
• Business
• Finance
• Research
• Management
• Media
• Commercial and industrial sectors.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• The current programme page confirms that Politics and International Relations is available through Distance and online delivery.
• International students can study online from outside New Zealand.
• There are no specific admission requirements beyond Massey's university admission regulations.
• Not all courses are available in every year, so students should check the current course schedule before finalising their study plan.
• The major requires 120 credits.
• BA students must complete five 300-level courses; one is part of the BA compulsory core and three are required for the Politics and International Relations major. A further 300-level elective is required if the student is not completing a double major or minor.
• If a student has already completed a bachelor's degree, Massey provides a specific process for potentially replacing certain BA core courses, subject to special permission.

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student studying this qualification from outside New Zealand and travelling to New Zealand for study, the relevant visa is generally the Fee Paying Student Visa, subject to the student's individual circumstances.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• Offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or an applicable scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient funds for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical/health insurance arrangements as required by the provider.
• Meeting health and character requirements.
• Genuine intention to study.
• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the authorised stay.
• Online visa application; paper applications are no longer accepted.
• Immigration New Zealand recommends applying at least three months before planned travel.