Politics and International Relations – Master of Arts

With Massey’s Master of Arts (Politics and International Relations), you can build on your undergraduate study and follow your passion for politics. Complete advanced research of an aspect of politics that interests you.

Where you can study

Distance and online
Manawatū campus (Palmerston North)

International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

Open to international students on campus in New Zealand, or studying online outside New Zealand
Note: This subject was previously called Politics.

Specialise in Politics and International Relations for your Master of Arts at Massey

With a Master of Arts (Politics and International Relations) at Massey, you can further investigate topics in politics that have taken your interest.

Understand the world around you

Politics is exciting and relevant. It’s about contests for power and how we make decisions in society. It’s about who gets what, when and how, from the local community to the global level. It’s concerned with the conflict of ideas and values. It has to do with who governs, and how and why decisions that affect all of us (such as how much students should pay to study at university or whether the UN should sanction military interventions) are made.

Small class sizes and enthusiastic lecturers

At Massey, politics is taught in a small interdisciplinary qualification where you have regular and close contact with academic staff. Your lecturers are active researchers in their respective fields. They are a politically diverse group who critically and enthusiastically engage with contemporary and historical events.

Complete your MA in three semesters 

Massey’s Master of Arts is 180 credits. This means you can complete an MA in three semesters of full-time study. If you study part-time, an MA will normally take three years to complete.

A Master of Arts in Politics and International Relations is a good fit if you:

  • have an undergraduate degree in politics
  • wish to stay relevant to current debates in politics
  • want to investigate a particular aspect of politics for your research report or thesis.

Planning information

If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.

Not all courses are available in each semester.

The Master of Arts (Politics and International Relations) is a parts-based qualification. That means you must complete the first part, before moving to the second.

Grades achieved in the first 60 credits will determine eligibility for progression to Part Two.

  • For the coursework pathway a minimum B grade average is required.
  • For the research pathway a minimum B+ grade average is required.

If you enrol in a thesis, you commence with Thesis (90 or 120 credits) Part 1, followed by Thesis (90 or 120 credits) Part 2 in the next enrolment period. Both parts combine to meet the thesis requirements with a single grade assigned to each part.

If the thesis cannot be submitted at the end of the initial Thesis (90 or 120 credits) Part 2 enrolment, you must re-enrol in Thesis (90 or 120 credits) Part 2 and pay fees each semester until submission is made.

Official regulations

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.

Returning students

For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.

In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.

Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.

Courses you can enrol in

Course planning key

Prerequisites
Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
Corequisites
Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
Restrictions
Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.

Part One: Coursework Pathway (120 credits) or Research Pathway (90 credits)

Compulsory courses

Choose 30 credits from
Course code: 176702 Advanced Social Inquiry 30 credits

An advanced study of methodological issues pertinent to social research. The course is designed to assist the planning of postgraduate theses and reports.

View full course details

Compulsory course selection

Choose at least 60 credits from
Course code: 200701 Advanced Political Thought 30 credits

An advanced study of significant and diverse scholarships and debates that frame and contest contemporary political events.

View full course details
Course code: 200702 Comparative Politics 30 credits

An in-depth exploration and critical analysis of the operation and nature of politics in different countries and regions around the world.

Restrictions: 200762

View full course details
Course code: 200761 International Relations: Theory and Practice 30 credits

An exploration of the theory and practice of international relations.

View full course details

Subject courses

Course code: 131703 Gender and Development 30 credits

An examination of the interaction of gender difference, development planning and social change. Selected topics include empowerment and human rights, masculinities, the household, work, education, and health.

View full course details
Course code: 150701 Tino Rangatiratanga: Strategic Māori Development 30 credits

Strategies for Māori advancement are examined within a Māori development framework. Barriers to development and the facilitation of positive development are explored using criteria relevant to indigenous self-determination. There is a focus on land, fisheries, social policy, health, Treaty settlements and opportunities for positive development.

View full course details

Part Two: Coursework Pathway

Choose 60 credits from
Course code: 200873 Research Report Politics (60) 60 credits

Part Two: Research Pathway

Choose 90 credits from
Course code: 200881 Thesis 90 Credit Part 1 45 credits

A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.

View full course details
Course code: 200882 Thesis 90 Credit Part 2 45 credits

A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.

Corequisites: 200881

View full course details
Course code: 200883 Thesis 90 credits

A supervised and guided independent study resulting in a published work.

View full course details

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

To enter the Master of Arts (Politics and International Relations) you will have been awarded or qualified for:

  • a Bachelor of Arts degree (or equivalent) with a major in the intended postgraduate subject, with at least a B grade average across the 200/300 level major courses

  • a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) with a subject in the intended postgraduate subject or a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts with an endorsement in the intended postgraduate subject, or an equivalent qualification, with at least a B+ grade average across the 700-level courses for entry to the Research Pathway or a B grade average across the 700-level courses for entry to the Coursework Pathway.

If you have a BA (Hons) or PGDipArts from Massey University in the intended Master of Arts subject as outlined above, you may apply for credit towards Part One of the qualification.

You will need to provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.

English language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Fees and scholarships

Fees, student loans and free fees scheme

Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.

There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.

Already know which courses you're going to choose?

You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.

Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme

You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.

The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.

Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.

Fees disclaimer

This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.

Careers and job opportunities

Massey’s Master of Arts (Politics and International Relations) can lead to a range of careers, including:

  • academia
  • business and commerce
  • diplomacy
  • finance
  • journalism and media
  • policy advising and analysis
  • public service
  • research.

Organisations employing our graduates include the NZ Defence Forces, the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, the Treasury, Air New Zealand, the Reserve Bank, the United Nations, TV3News and Amnesty International.

International students

New Zealand is a great place to study. Massey University’s reputation is supported by our international rankings, accreditations and associations. We are rated five star plus by the QS World University Rankings.

Massey University has small class sizes, and our lecturers and staff are friendly and approachable.

As an international student, there are entry requirements that will apply to you. We recommend that you apply at least three months before your anticipated start date so your application can be processed in time. There are additional steps you will need to take. These include obtaining a visa and travel bookings if your study is to be in New Zealand.

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