Highly ranked
Shanghai Ranking lists us as 1st equal in New Zealand for political sciences – so you're in good hands studying at Massey.
What really matters
Beliefs and ideas transform people's everyday lives and futures. Study politics and society to understand the big picture.
The heart of the matter
Humanities and Social Sciences at Massey. Explore what it means to be human, why we act like we do and the ways we create meaning.
Specialise or go broad
The wide range of Massey courses allows you to specialise in your area of passion, or pick and mix across areas of interest.
Overview
Become a knowledgeable local and global citizen. See the world as it really is, and where it's heading.
Learn from world-class lecturers and researchers with expertise in areas such as religions and rituals, social movements or urban change. Get hands-on with field trips to explore places and people's practices in everyday life, including human/environmental interactions. Hone skills in research, analysis and communication. Choose from a wide array of careers to apply these skills and insights.
Subjects within politics and society are a good fit if you:
- enjoy school subjects such as geography, history, psychology or social studies – and getting involved in social change, such as climate activism
- want to make sense of our world and its possible futures
- like thinking analytically and working with diverse ideas.
Course examples
Courses from across politics and society may cover:
- choices and decisions people make about how to organise society
- fieldwork techniques, including critical cartography (mapping and analysis) in geography
- social and environmental sustainability.
Anthropology
Anthropology courses may cover:
- culture as a lens to understand issues such as climate change or migration
- how people create – and transform – their worlds, beliefs and practices
- fieldwork in Aotearoa New Zealand and overseas.
Geography
Geography courses may cover:
- geospatial science and geographic information systems (GIS) – mapping data that casts light on people, places and the Earth's processes
- how people and social processes interact with places and landscapes, also called human geography
- how environments take shape and change over time.
Politics
Politics courses may cover:
- international relations, including cultural, economic and political interactions
- people's political activity and behaviour, such as social justice movements
- public policy and how it's negotiated
- systems of government such as democracy.
Sociology
Sociology courses may cover:
- causes and experiences of inequalities in society
- how society is intersected by ethnicity, gender and class
- human interactions between and within groups
- social contexts and how society is structured.
How to study politics and society
Discover what we offer if you’re interested in politics and society – whether you’re coming to university for the first time, changing direction or returning to advance your study or career.
Undergraduate study
Bachelor's degrees
Geography – Bachelor of Arts
Understand your place in the world with Massey's Bachelor of Arts (Geography). Learn how we interact with our cultural, social, and physical environments.
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.
Social Anthropology – Bachelor of Arts
See the world through fresh eyes. Get a unique perspective on the world, global culture, and society through the Bachelor of Arts (Social Anthropology).
Sociology – Bachelor of Arts
Massey's Bachelor of Arts (Sociology) will build your understanding of some of the biggest issues facing the world today.
Bachelor of Social Work – BSW
Become a registered social worker to support the wellbeing of individuals, families, whānau, and diverse communities by helping them through challenging situations, and advocating for environmental sustainability, social justice and social change.
Undergraduate certificates
Certificate in Arts – CertArts
With Massey’s Certificate in Arts, you can study what you enjoy and explore subjects within history, beliefs, societies, languages, and cultures.
Graduate certificates
Geography – Graduate Certificate in Arts
With Massey’s Graduate Certificate in Arts (Geography), you can study geography without completing a second bachelor’s degree. Learn how we interact with our cultural, social, and physical environments.
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.
Social Anthropology – Graduate Certificate in Arts
Get a better understanding of the world. With Massey’s Graduate Certificate in Arts (Social Anthropology), you can study social anthropology without completing a second bachelor’s degree.
Sociology – Graduate Certificate in Arts
Use your social knowledge for a meaningful career. With Massey’s Graduate Certificate in Arts (Sociology), you can study sociology without completing a second bachelor’s degree.
Undergraduate diplomas
Diploma in Arts – DipArts
With a Massey Diploma in Arts, you can study what you enjoy and explore subject areas that spark your interest.
Geography – Diploma in Arts
With Massey's Diploma of Arts (Geography) you’ll learn how we interact with our cultural, social, and physical environments.
Politics and International Relations – Diploma in Arts
Social Anthropology – Diploma in Arts
Study the relationship between human beings and culture with Massey’s Diploma in Arts (Social Anthropology).
Sociology – Diploma in Arts
Sociologists ask the questions that are crucial to understanding some of the biggest issues facing the world today. Study Massey’s Diploma in Arts (Sociology) to better understand how society works.
Graduate diplomas
Economics – Graduate Diploma in Arts
The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Economics) will give you the equivalent of an undergraduate major in economics without having to complete a second bachelor’s degree.
Geography – Graduate Diploma in Arts
The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Geography) will give you the equivalent of an undergraduate major in geography without having to complete a second bachelor’s degree.
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.
Social Anthropology – Graduate Diploma in Arts
Get a better understanding of the world with Massey’s Graduate Diploma in Arts (Social Anthropology). Gain the equivalent of an undergraduate major in social anthropology without completing a second bachelor’s degree.
Sociology – Graduate Diploma in Arts
Use your social knowledge for a meaningful career. The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Sociology) will give you the equivalent of an undergraduate major in sociology without completing a second bachelor’s degree.
Relevant undergraduate subjects to major or specialise in
When you apply to study at Massey, for some undergraduate qualifications you can choose what subject you’d like to specialise in. You can usually change your mind after you get to university, depending on the courses you enrol in.
Postgraduate study
Postgraduate bachelor's degrees with honours
Geography – Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
With Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Geography) you can take your study of geography further.
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.
Social Anthropology – Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
With Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Social Anthropology) you can take your undergraduate study of social anthropology further.
Sociology – Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Take your study of sociology to the next level. Show your in-depth understanding of sociology and its application to the real world with Massey's Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Sociology).
Master's degrees
Geography – Master of Arts
Take your study of geography to a higher level with Massey’s Master of Arts (Geography). You can build on your undergraduate interest in geography and develop your critical 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.
Social Anthropology – Master of Arts
Immerse yourself in another world. With Massey’s Master of Arts (Social Anthropology) you can build on your undergraduate study and complete advanced research of an aspect of social anthropology that interests you.
Sociology – Master of Arts
Take your study of sociology to the next level. With Massey’s Master of Arts (Sociology) you can build on your undergraduate study and complete advanced research of an aspect of sociology that interests you.
Master of Applied Social Work – MAppSW
Develop your passion for helping others. Massey’s Master of Applied Social Work will prepare you for practice and registration as a social worker in Aotearoa New Zealand and other English-speaking countries, subject to their registration regulations.
Master of Social Work – MSW
Take the next step in your social work career. Improve your practice and gain new knowledge to become an excellent social worker who makes a difference.
Postgraduate diplomas
Geography – Postgraduate Diploma in Arts
Take your study of geography to a higher level with Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Geography). Enhance your research skills by investigating a topic in geography that interests you.
Geospatial Science – Postgraduate Diploma in Arts
Take your study of geospatial science to the next level with Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Geospatial Science). Build on your undergraduate interests and develop your analysis and technical skills.
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.
Social Anthropology – Postgraduate Diploma in Arts
Take your study of social anthropology to the next level. By understanding human behaviour and interactions, you’ll have skills that will be useful in almost every career path, all over the world.
Sociology – Postgraduate Diploma in Arts
Take your study of sociology to the next level with Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Sociology). Get the knowledge and competencies you need to start your career.
Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work – PGDipSW
Take your social work career to the next level with Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work.
PhD and other doctoral degrees
Doctor of Philosophy – PhD
A prestigious research qualification that demonstrates your ability to carry out independent and original research in your chosen field.
Relevant research areas at Massey
Discover research expertise, projects and initiatives relating to politics and society at Massey.
What our students say
“My degree helped me not only find employment, but to choose the jobs where I can make the most difference to the lives of others.”
“Studying politics at Massey University helped me realise my dream of working for an international organisation helping to protect communities caught up in conflict and to build a peaceful and more prosperous future.”
Fieldwork opportunities
Our anthropology and geography students get to immerse themselves in different communities and environments, with options for overseas travel during postgraduate study. As well as Aotearoa New Zealand, examples include:
- Asia
- Europe
- Pacific Islands
- South America.
Jobs in politics and society
Many careers rely on the analytical and communication skills gained while studying social sciences such as anthropology, geography, politics and sociology. Our research with employers show the value of a social sciences degree, with good demand for these transferrable skills now and in jobs of the future.
Careers can be in all sorts of sectors – examples range from business to government, agriculture to conservation, education to health. Some of our graduates work in community development or social justice, or go into the media.
Politics and society careers include:
- community engagement or support roles, working with iwi, government or other groups
- communications roles
- geographers, who study relationships between human activity and natural systems
- geospatial or GIS (geographic information systems) specialists
- politicians or advisers in local or national government
- policy analysts, who interpret information for businesses or government
- researchers for businesses, government agencies or universities
- service designers or design researchers
- social workers
- teachers or lecturers.
Annual salary ranges for jobs
- Communications professional – $110,000 to $250,000
- Geospatial specialist – $48,000 to $120,000
- Lecturer – $50,000 to $213,000
- Policy analyst - $71,000 to $170,000
- Politician – $160,000 to $190,000
Salary ranges disclaimer
Indicative pay rates are:
- in New Zealand dollars
- based on careers.govt.nz data.
Which politics and society qualification?
Examples of where our qualifications may take you.
| Jobs | Examples of what you could study |
|---|---|
| Community development or engagement specialist |
Bachelor of Arts (Social Anthropology) Bachelor of Arts (Sociology) |
| Conservation or environmental specialist | Master of Arts (Geography) |
| Geographer or geospatial specialist |
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Geography) Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Geospatial Science) |
| Lecturer or researcher | Master's degree or PhD in your chosen specialisation |
| Policy analyst |
Bachelor of Arts (Social Anthropology) Bachelor of Arts (Sociology) |
| Politician |
Bachelor of Arts (Politics and International Relations) Master of Arts (Politics and International Relations) |
| Service designer or design researcher |
Bachelor of Arts (Social Anthropology) Bachelor of Arts (Sociology) |
| Social worker |
Bachelor of Social Work Master of Applied Social Work |
Accreditations and rankings
QS Ranking - Geography
Massey is ranked in the world's top 200 universities for geography in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings.
QS Ranking - Sociology
Massey is ranked in the world's top 350 universities for sociology by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).
Get an information guide
Download our guide to find out more about studying at Massey.
Related areas of interest
