Master of Policy and Governance MPAG

at University of Canterbury

The Master of Policy and Governance (MPAG) comprises 180 points. You can decide on the level of research that makes up their programme, choosing one of two options:

• 120 points of coursework plus a 60-point dissertation, or

• 90 points of coursework plus a 90-point thesis

  Note: (this is normally only open to students with a GPA of 7.5 or with the approval of the Head of Programme).

You will start studies in February or July, and the normal duration would be full-time for 1 year. However, with approval, you can study part-time up to a maximum of 3 years.
 

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 good grades in your elective courses.
 

Field trips
 

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.
 

Two further regional field trips will be arranged, with local councils setting case study problems, and students working with community and groups to address this problem and report back on solutions to a panel of public and policy makers.

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.
 

English language requirements for postgraduate qualifications
 

If you want to study towards a postgraduate qualification, eg a Postgraduate Diploma, Masters, or PhD you must have one of the following:
 

FEES (NZD) 2022    180pt        $42,300

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.