Why study a Master of Policy and Governance at UC?

Entry requirements

To enrol, you will need a bachelor's degree in any subject, normally with at least a B Grade Point Average in 60 points of 300-level courses in the majoring subject, or other equivalent qualifications. All students also need approval to enrol.

• If you are an international student and need help meeting these requirements, study one of UC’s International Pre-Master’s pathways to gain entry into this degree.
• If you are a domestic student and need help meeting these requirements, study UC’s Diploma in Advanced University Studies to gain entry into this degree.
• If English is not your first language, you are also required to meet UC's English language requirements. If you need help meeting these requirements, or would like to practise your English skills before studying, UC offers English for Academic Purposes (EAP) language programmes.

For the full entry requirements, see the Regulations for the Master of Policy and Governance or use the admission requirements checker.

You can apply online at myUC.

See Admission and enrolment for all information on enrolling at UC.

Subjects and courses

Compulsory course

• POLS440 Principles and Practice of Policy and Governance

Elective courses

• 60 points of courses chosen from these options
• 30 points from relevant 400-level courses that will support your research course (eg, Geography, History, Māori and Indigenous Studies, Pacific Studies, Sociology, etc) with approval of the MPAG Programme Coordinator.

Research course

Choose one of:

• POLS688 Dissertation (60 points)
• POLS689 Thesis (90 points)

To complete POLS689 you will need approval from the MPAG Programme Director and an A- grade average or higher in 300-level courses.

Te Whanga-nui-a-Tara Wellington field trip is a two-day trip, which includes meetings with senior figures in Government and Opposition, a variety of senior ministers, policy advisors, the Parliamentary Research library, and senior leaders, including the Prime Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition. The field trip also includes a formal networking and senior peer mentoring event with UC alumni now working in Te Whanga-nui-a-Tara Wellington. This is an effective professional networking event.

Further study

You can study a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Political Science and International Relations.

Career opportunities

The MPAG caters perfectly for students interested in policy and governance careers in local, regional, and national government, and not-for-profit/volunteer sectors.

Graduates will leave UC having:

• built their knowledge in a chosen area
• engaged with senior staff and leading professional mentors
• conducted field-based learning
• conducted independent specialist policy research.