Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Specialise in Politics and International Relations for your Diploma in Arts at Massey
Politics is life, and like life, politics is struggle. The study of politics equips you with the concepts, theories and facts necessary to make sense of that struggle.
Politics is about us: how we make decisions in society and who gets what, when and how. Politics is also concerned with the conflict of ideas and values, not only at the level of the local community or the nation, but also internationally. More specifically, it has to do with who governs and how and why decisions that affect all of us (such as how much students pay to study at a university) are made.
A Diploma in Arts in Politics and International Relations is a good fit if you:
- are interested in how decisions are made in society
- have an interest in politics
- want to understand what is going on in the wider world.
Planning information
If you study full-time you’ll take eight 15-credit courses (120 credits) in one year, or 60 credits per semester. You may be able to take some courses at summer school.
If you later proceed to the Bachelor of Arts degree, all of the courses in your Diploma of Arts can be transferred to the Bachelor of Arts.
If you have questions, contact us through the Get advice button on this page.
Official regulations
To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations or this qualification.
You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate 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 be 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.
Core courses for the Diploma in Arts
As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.
Politics and International Relations courses
Compulsory course
Course code: 200161 Introduction to Politics 15 credits
An introduction to the study and nature of politics, including political theory, political parties, electoral systems, public policy and international relations.
View full course detailsSubject courses
Course code: 145318 Geopolitics 15 credits
An advanced study of geopolitics, emphasising geographical processes across a variety of topics.
View full course detailsCourse code: 150201 Te Kawenata o Waitangi: The Treaty of Waitangi in New Zealand Society 15 credits
A study of the Treaty of Waitangi background, texts, principles, and application to contemporary New Zealand. There is a particular focus on land, legislation, court decisions, social policies, the environment, constitutional matters, claims to the Waitangi Tribunal and Treaty settlements. Differing perspectives of hapū/iwi/Māori and the Crown, as well as opportunities for resolution, are explored.
View full course detailsCourse code: 200215 Foundations of Political Thought 15 credits
A study of the history of political thought from antiquity to the nineteenth century.
View full course detailsCourse code: 200261 World Politics 15 credits
An introduction to major theories, issues, events and institutions in contemporary world politics.
View full course detailsCourse code: 200262 Politics and Public Policy in Aotearoa New Zealand 15 credits
A critical study of politics and public policy in Aotearoa New Zealand, with an emphasis on political institutions, the development of public policy, and the interplay between politics and economics in policy development.
View full course detailsCourse code: 200300 Peace Studies 15 credits
A critical investigation of the ways that violence, conflict, and peacebuilding are understood within politics, and the resulting sub-discipline of peace studies.
View full course detailsCourse code: 200301 Contemporary International Conflict 15 credits
An examination of contemporary international conflict drawing on case studies from around the world.
View full course detailsCourse code: 200303 Global Democratic Politics 15 credits
This course will critically examine core issues and debates in contemporary democratic theory and practice in a global context, with a focus on diverse forms of and challenges to political participation in contemporary democracies.
View full course detailsCourse code: 200315 Contemporary Political Thought 15 credits
A study of key developments and debates in contemporary political thought.
View full course detailsCourse code: 200361 Contemporary New Zealand Politics 15 credits
A study of selected topics and themes in contemporary New Zealand politics and government, with particular reference to the period from 1984 to the present.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294280 Security and Diplomacy 15 credits
This course examines the nexus of security and diplomacy and the related theoretical and explanatory approaches with a particular emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region.
View full course detailsEntry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
There are no specific entry requirements for this qualification, outside of university admission regulations.
English language requirements
To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
If you have already completed a bachelor degree
If you have already completed a bachelor degree you may replace 230111 Tū Kupu: Writing and Inquiry or 230112 Tū Arohae: Critical Thinking with courses of your choice. You will need to apply for replacement courses via a Special permission request in your portal and you will need to attach evidence of your completed degree with the request.
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.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
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.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student portal
Scholarship and award opportunities
Search our scholarships and awardsFees 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
Politics has two big things going for it: it is exciting, and it is relevant. Politics is a degree that can lead to a range of careers, including business, diplomacy, finance, journalism, policy analysis, and public service.
Related study options
Border and Biosecurity – Postgraduate Diploma in International Security
Gain government-ready skills for a career in border management or biosecurity.
Border and Biosecurity – Master of International Security
Gain government-ready skills for a career in border management or biosecurity.
Certificate in Border and Biosecurity – CertBBiosec
Massey University’s Certificate in Border and Biosecurity will give you a credible and contemporary qualification to enhance your career prospects in border, biosecurity, or primary industries.
Counter-Terrorism – Postgraduate Diploma in International Security
Gain an understanding of the theories, concepts, and typologies of terrorism, violent extremism, and radicalisation.
Counter-Terrorism – Master of International Security
Gain in-demand skills with Massey’s Master of International Security (Counter-Terrorism). Understand the theories, concepts, and typologies of terrorism, violent extremism, and radicalisation.
Defence – Postgraduate Diploma in International Security
Gain knowledge of command, leadership and management theories, processes and practices in defence and security contexts.
Defence – Master of International Security
Gain in-demand knowledge of command, leadership, and management theories with Massey’s Master of International Security (Defence).
Diploma in Border and Biosecurity – DipBBiosec
Massey University’s Diploma in Border and Biosecurity will give you a credible and contemporary qualification to enhance your career prospects in border, biosecurity, or primary industries.
Master of International Development – MIntDev
Help solve the world’s development problems. Our postgraduate students come from a wide range of academic, cultural, and professional backgrounds, and our programme is enriched by this diversity.
Politics and International Relations – Graduate Certificate in Arts
With Massey’s Graduate Certificate in Arts (Politics and International Relations), you can study politics without completing a second bachelor’s degree.
Politics and International Relations – Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
With Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Politics and International Relations) you can take your study of politics further.
Politics and International Relations – Bachelor of Arts
Want to know how and why decisions that affect society are made? Become equipped with the concepts, theories, and facts you need to make sense of the world around you.
Politics and International Relations – Postgraduate Diploma in Arts
Take your study of politics to the next level with Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Politics and International Relations). Build on your undergraduate interests and develop your analysis and research skills.
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.
Politics and International Relations – Graduate Diploma in Arts
Be informed about how decisions are made in society. This Graduate Diploma in Arts will give you the equivalent of an undergraduate major in politics without completing a second bachelor’s degree.
Postgraduate Certificate in International Development – PGCertIntDev
Massey's Postgraduate Certificate in International Development will broaden your knowledge of the world’s key development issues to shape a positive future for those in need.
Security Studies – Graduate Certificate in Arts
The Graduate Certificate in Arts (Security Studies) will prepare you for roles that are integral to the safety of New Zealand and the globe.
Security Studies – Bachelor of Arts
Gain a powerful combination of critical thinking skills and knowledge of global security issues.
Security Studies – Diploma in Arts
Massey’s Diploma in Arts (Security Studies) will give you a powerful combination of critical thinking skills and knowledge of global security issues.
Security Studies – Graduate Diploma in Arts
Gain knowledge about local and global security issues. The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Security Studies) will give you the equivalent of an undergraduate major in security studies without completing a second bachelor’s degree.
Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz