Bachelor of Arts [B.A] (Political Science) Featured Image

Universities New Zealand University of Waikato Courses Bachelor of Arts [B.A] (Political Science)

Bachelor of Arts [B.A] (Political Science)
at University of Waikato

Hamilton NZ, New Zealand

Tuition Fee NZ$ 26,603
Country Rank#5
Duration36 Months
Score IELTS: 6.5 TOEFL: 90

Program Overview

If you’re fascinated by the history and creative activities of humankind and how this shapes societies and our future, then a Bachelor of Arts (BA) is for you. Our graduates are in demand for their flexible skills, practical outlook and depth of understanding they bring to their roles.

Political Science at Waikato offers a broad spectrum of political knowledge on both national and international issues. You'll seek answers to some of the most difficult political issues of today and gain skills for many potential career paths.

Course Content
Papers

100 Level
- IRSST103 Introduction to International Relations
- IRSST104 Introduction to International Security
- POLSC102 New Zealand Politics and Policy
- POLSC103 Let's get Political
200 Level
- IRSST206 International Relations: The Security Agenda
- MAORI250 Māori Politics
- PHILO215 Moral and Political Philosophy: A Historical Introduction
- POLCY212 Power, Politics and Policy Analysis
- POLSC200 Politics and the Media
- POLSC201 Modern Political Thinkers
- POLSC203 The Politics of Collective Memory
- POLSC211 Political Systems around the World
- POLSC224 Terrorism, Violence and the State
- POLSC229 US Politics
300 Level
- GNSEX303 Intersectionalities: Identities and Inequalities
- IRSST301 International Relations: The Context, Theory, and Practice of New Zealand Foreign Policy
- IRSST315 International Politics of Asia
- IRSST331 Cyber Security and Global Politics of the Internet
- POLCY318 Global Environmental Politics and Policy
- POLSC301 Political Communication in a Visual Age
- POLSC316 Latin American Politics
- SOCIO302 Globalisation and International Development
  
  List A: Academic Foundations
- ARTSC103 Rights and Reasons
- ARTSC105 Language in Context
- ENSLA103 Undergraduate Research Writing for ESL Students
- ENSLA202 Oral Skills for Academic English
- List B: Cultural Perspectives
  
  Any Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies paper, or
- ANTHY101 Exploring Cultures: Introduction to Anthropology
- ANTHY102 Exploring Cultures: Aotearoa and the Pacific
- ANTHY201 Patriots, Racists, and Foreigners: Ethnicity and Identity in Global Perspective
- DSIGN252 Cultural Perspectives for Design
- EDUCA200 Te Hononga Tangata
- ENGLI200 Global Fictions
- GEOGY219 Māori Lands and Communities
- INTLC101 International Languages and Cultures
- INTLC221 Understanding East Asia
- INTLC222 European and Latin American Cultures: Tradition and Modernity
- LINGS203 Language, Society and Culture
- Any MAORI paper
- Any PACIS paper
- List C: Work-Integrated Learning
- ALPSS301 Work-integrated learning - Placements
- ARTSW300 Arts and Cultural Festivals
- ARTSW301 Professional Practice in the Arts (prerequisites ARTSC110 - so open to all BA students)
- ARTSW302 Work-Related Project in the Arts (prerequisites ARTSC110 - so open to all BA students)
- LINGS301 Research Apprenticeship
- MEDIA307 Professional Studio Production
- POPST300 Population Studies Work-Related Project
- PSYCH301 Psychology Research Assistantship
- SOCSC301 Work-Integrated Learning - Work-Related Project
- WRITE396 Writing Studies Work Placement
- *Please consult our Student Advisors for the correct work-integrated learning paper.
  
  Subject to approval
  
  In Political Science we study all aspects of political life. We ask such questions as: Why do some crises lead to conflict while others are resolved peacefully? What lessons can we draw from the policy experience of other countries? How should we deal with climate change and other environmental crises? Why does democracy survive in some countries and not in others? Can we have both freedom and security - or must we choose between them? What did the great political thinkers of the past really say? Political Science comprises four main areas of study. Comparative Politics examines the political institutions and societies of particular countries, and compares and contrasts them. International Relations focuses on the relations between states, on their foreign policies, and on international organisations like the UN and NATO. Political Theory examines theories about politics and society, and the philosophical and methodological questions that arise in studying political life. Public Policy explores the processes by which governments at national, regional and local levels develop, implement and evaluate policies. Students taking political science papers may focus on one or more of these areas, or follow a broader programme reflecting the diverse interests of political science.
  
  Political Science is available as a first major for the Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Climate Change (BCC) and the Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc). Political Science may also be taken as a second major or minor, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.
  
  To complete Political Science as a single major for the BA, BCC or BSocSc, students must gain 135 points from papers listed for Political Science, including 105 points above 100 level, and 60 points above 200 level. Students must include POLSC102 and POLSC103, or 15 points from POLSC102 and POLSC103 and 15 points from IRSST103 and IRSST104; and POLSC201 and POLSC211, or 15 points from POLSC201 and POLSC211, and 15 points from IRSST206 and POLCY212.
  
  To complete Political Science as part of a double major for the BA, BCC, BSocSc or other undergraduate degree, students must gain 120 points from papers listed for Political Science, including 90 points above 100 level, and 45 points above 200 level. Students must include POLSC102 and POLSC103, or 15 points from POLSC102 and POLSC103, and 15 points from IRSST103 and IRSST104; and POLSC201 and POLSC211, or 15 points from POLSC201 and POLSC211, and 15 points from IRSST206 and POLCY212.
  
  To complete a minor in Political Science, students must complete 60 points from the papers listed for the Political Science major, including at least 30 points above 100 level. Students must include at least one of POLSC102 or POLSC103, and one of POLSC201 or POLSC211; and select their remaining papers from the papers listed for the Political Science major.

Entry Requirement

Country	Score and Qualification
New Zealand	See NCEA University Entrance criteria
University of Waikato Foundation Studies, (Certificate in Foundation Studies – CAFS)	The Certificate of Attainment in Foundation Studies - no less than a C- grade in any subject plus a B- grade or better in two English subjects. Entry to the Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) requires an overall B- grade average, plus a B- grade or better in two English subjects and depending on the area chosen: Civil, Electronic, and Mechanical a B- grade in Bridging Physics and a B- grade in Bridging Calculus and at least a C- grade in every other subject. Chemical and Biological, Environmental, Materials and Process a B- grade in Bridging Chemistry a B- grade in Bridging Physics and a B- grade in Bridging Calculus and at least a C- grade in every other subject. Software Engineering a B- grade in Bridging Calculus and at least a C- grade in every other paper. Depending on the area chosen, entry to the Bachelor of Computer Science requires: Data Analytics a B- grade in FOUND007 and at least a C- grade in every other paper. Embedded Systems a B- grade in FOUND007 and a B grade in FOUND011 and at least a C- grade in every other paper. Entry to the Bachelor of Laws requires an overall B- grade average, plus a B- grade or better in FOUND001 (Introduction to Study Skills)
New Zealand foundation programmes	Successful completion of any of the foundation certificates offered by a New Zealand university.
NCUK International Foundation Year (IFY)	Completion of NCUK International Foundation Year (IFY) with CCC or above. Some programmes have additional entry requirements. For further details, visit our dedicated NCUK information page.
NCUK International Year One (IYOne) Business and Engineering	Completion of NCUK International Year One (IYOne) Business and Engineering Streams, 120 credits with a score of 50 or above. Some programmes have additional entry requirements. For further details, visit our dedicated NCUK information page.
Other foundation programmes	The University of New South Wales Foundation Year – a minimum GPA of 6.5 (C grade) with an 8.0 in Academic English. Professional programmes such as law and engineering will require higher passes in prerequisite subjects. The University accepts applicants from a number of foundation programmes offered in New Zealand, Australia, the UK and elsewhere. Please contact the University to find out if your programme is accepted for entry to Waikato.
Advanced Placement International Diploma (APID)	Applicants must have qualified for the diploma with grades of 3 or higher in each of at least 4 subjects.
International examinations taken in New Zealand (Cambridge International and Advanced International Certificate of Education)	A minimum of 120 points on the UCAS Tariff at A or AS level other than the General Paper, including at least three subjects (other than Thinking Skills) in which no grade is lower than D. Standards apply regarding literacy and numeracy and applicants should refer to www.waikato.ac.nz/study/enrolment/undergraduate
GCE Advanced levels (outside UK)	Applicants must achieve a minimum of 6 points taken from three subjects, achieving a minimum grade of C in at least one subject. Points calculated as follows: A = 5, B = 4, C = 3, D = 2, E = 1. AS Level grades are not included.
International Baccalaureate (taken in NZ or overseas)	Completed International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma with a minimum of 24 points.
Australia	Australian Tertiary Admission Rank of 70 or higher or QLD OP of 14 or lower (if sat prior to 2020). This also applies to students studying Australian qualifications outside Australia, such as the South Australian Matriculation (SAM) and the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE).
Bangladesh	Successful completion of one year of study at a recognised institution of university standing.
Brazil	Successful completion of one year of study at a recognised institution of university standing.
Canada	Ontario Secondary School Diploma – 65% overall average grade. Quebec Grade 12 Certificate – average of 60% across six subjects (including English). British Columbia Certificate of Graduation - pass in at least five Grade 12 courses.
Chile	Successful completion of one year of study at a recognised institution of university standing
China	Tier One score in the National University Entrance Examination (Gaokao). For the required score by province, please click here; or two years' successful academic study at a recognised junior college; or successful completion of one year of study at a recognised institution of university standing.
Colombia	Successful completion of Tecnólogo Especializado at a recognised tertiary institution; or Successful completion of one year of study at a recognised institution of university standing.
Fiji	Fiji Form 7 – an aggregate over 4 subjects of 250 marks out of 400 with a minimum of 50 in English. University of the South Pacific (USP) Foundation Year in Arts, Business or Science with a grade average of B or higher and no grade lower than C in the 8 required courses.
France	Successful completion of Diplome du Baccalaureat.
Germany	Successful completion of Abitur or Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife.
Ghana	One year's successful bachelor degree level study at a recognised institution of university standing with good passing grades.
Hong Kong	Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education with a score of 15, based on aggregate of best five (5) subjects, from any combination of Core and Category A and C electives. This excludes Category B (Applied Learning) subjects.
India	Achieve an average of 75% over the best four academic subjects in the Indian School Certificate (ISC), or the All-India Senior School Certificate (AISSC), and selected state boards: Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal with a minimum of 60% in English, or: An average of 80% over the best four academic subjects in all other state boards with Minimum of 65% in English.
Indonesia	An overall average of 8.5/80% or more in SMA; or Successful completion of one year of study at a recognised institution of university standing; or Successful completion of a Diploma II from a recognised tertiary institution.
Japan	Completion of a high school diploma with a B average; or One year of successful study at a Japanese university; or Completion of a Junior College Diploma of two or three years' duration.
Korea	National College Scholastic Aptitude Test (CATS) with a minimum score of 250.
Kuwait	Successful completion of General Secondary Education Certificate with an overall average of 80% (calculated on academic subjects only).
Malaysia	Foundation Studies (Business) - KDU College, Petaling Jaya with B average. Malaysian Matrikulation Certificate (Matrikulasi) - Cumulative minimum GPA of 2.5 (Calculated on the basis that A=4.0, A-=3.67, B+=3.33, B=3.0, B-=2.67, C+=2.33, C=2.0, C-=1.67, D+=1.33, D=1.0, F=0). A minimum of 6 points obtained from at least three Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) subjects. Points calculated as follows: A = 5, A-+4, B+=4, B=3, B-=2, C+=2, C=1; or, Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) of the Malaysian independent Chinese Secondary System with a maximum of 20 points over 6 academic subjects.
Nigeria	One year's successful bachelor degree level study at a recognised institution of university standing with good passing grades. Completion of Nigerian National Diploma.
Norway	Successful completion of the Vitnemal fra den Videregaende Skole (Certificate of Upper Secondary Education).
Oman	One year of successful study at a recognised institution of university standing.
Pakistan	One year of successful study at a recognised institution of university standing.
Saudi Arabia	Successful completion of a diploma at a recognised College of Technology; or One year of successful study at bachelor’s level, at a recognised institution of university standing.
Singapore	A levels / H levels: A minimum of 3 H2 passes at C grade. (Pre-2008 = 3 A-level passes)..
South Africa	Successful completion of the National Senior Certificate with confirmation of eligibility to enrol in a bachelor’s degree at a South African university.
South Pacific countries (not individually listed)	South Pacific Form Seven Certificate (SPFSC) with a minimum of three B grades. All students must have Grade 5 or better in PSSC English and Grade 6 or better in PSSC Maths.
Sri Lanka	Sri Lankan General Certificate of Education Advanced Levels with at least three C grades achieved. At least one year of successful tertiary level study at a recognised University or Institution.
Taiwan	One year of university study; or Senior high school and a two-year Junior College Diploma; or Junior high school and a five-year Junior College Diploma.
Thailand	Mathayom 6 with a minimum GPA of 3.2
Tonga	Successful completion of Tonga National Form Seven; or South Pacific Form Seven Certificate (SPFSC) with a minimum of three B grades. All students must have Grade 5 or better in PSSC English and Grade 6 or better in PSSC Maths.
UAE	Successful completion of a Higher Diploma from a recognised Higher College of Technology; or One year of successful study at bachelor’s level at a recognised institution of university standing.
United Kingdom (GCE)	Please contact international@waikato.ac.nz for up-to-date requirements.
USA	High School Diploma plus SAT-1 (taken in grade 12) score of at least 1000 combining Critical Reading and Mathematics scores; or High School Diploma and ACT scores with at least 24 in every section.
Vietnam	Complete the National High School Graduation Examination (Kỳ Thi Tốt Nghiệp Trung Học Phổ Thông Quốc Gia) with an overall pass; and a minimum GPA of 8.0/10 in Grade 12 as shown in the High School Report (Học Bạ Trung Học Phổ Thông) OR Successfully complete at least one year of Bachelor's degree at a recognised university in Vietnam, with passing grades in all courses.

Recognised tertiary institutions and universities are those acknowledged as offering programme equivalent to those of Waikato. To find out whether your institution or university is recognised, please contact international@waikato.ac.nz

English language entry requirements

To provide flexibility to students during COVID-19 who are affected by the closure of testing centres, the University of Waikato will accept the following alternative tests for all 2021 and 2022 intakes. Please note this policy is subject to review.

IELTS Indicator (this is an online version of the regular IELTS test)
TOEFL iBT Home (Plus) (this is an online version of the regular TOEFL test)
Duolingo English Test (DET) with the following scores:
- DET score of 90 for pre-degree programmes (IELTS 5.5 equivalent)
- DET score of 100 for undergraduate programmes (excluding those listed below)
- DET score of 110 for postgraduate programmes (excluding doctoral programmes)

The University of Waikato will accept Duolingo (DET) as an alternative means of meeting the English language entry requirements for the majority of its programmes (excluding all Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes, BSW and LLB) while test centres remain closed and until further notice.

Students who are accepted into their programme using any of the three language tests named above will be issued an unconditional offer, but will be required to undertake a supplementary online language assessment. For doctoral students using DET to gain admission, you will be required to undertake a supplementary assessment prior to an offer being issued.

The University teaches in the medium of English and requires all students to demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English.

The University’s English language entry requirements are set out below. If you do not meet the English language entry requirements you can enrol in an English Language programme with our University of Waikato College.

If English was the language of instruction in the last two years of secondary/tertiary studies, an English language waiver may be considered. Students need to provide evidence of this at the time of application.

English language test	Undergraduate (all courses except those listed below)
IELTS (Academic)	6.0 overall (no band less than 5.5)
iBT (internet-based) TOEFL	80 with a score of 21 in writing
iBT (home-based) TOEFL	80 with a score of 21 in writing
C1 Advanced (formally known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE))	169 and no bands below 162
C2 Proficiency (formally known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE))	169 and no bands below 162
Language Cert International ESOL (LRWS)	C1 Expert with an overall pass and no less than pass in each skill
NCUK English for Academic Purposes	Minimum of a C grade overall and no less than D grade in each component. Some programmes have additional entry requirements. For further details, visit our dedicated NCUK information page.
New Zealand Certificate in English Language (NZCEL)	Level 4 (Academic)
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)	Minimum score of 80
Pearson PTE Academic	50 with no PTE communicative skills below 42
Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE)	II with distinction in all four components
University of Waikato College	Successful completion of Level 7 with a B grade average in the Certificate of Attainment in Academic English (CAAE) programme

English language test	Undergraduate Bachelor of Teaching Bachelor of Education Graduate Diploma in Teaching	Bachelor of Laws (LLB)	Bachelor of Social Work
IELTS (Academic)	7.0 overall (no band less than 7.0)	6.5 overall (no less than 6.0 in any band)	6.5 overall (no band less than 6.5)
iBT (internet-based) TOEFL		90 with a score of 21 in writing	85 with a score of 22 in writing
Pearson PTE Academic		58 with no PTE communicative skills below 50
University of Waikato College		Successful completion of Level 8 with a B grade average in the Certificate of Attainment in Academic English (CAAE) programme

Fees & Scholarships
Estimated Fees* (International): $27,210 - $35,420 per year
Career Prospect
- Advocate
- Central and Local Government Officer
- Foreign Affairs and Trade Worker
- Māori Development Policy Adviser
- Media Analyst
- Policy Analyst

Cost Of Studying At University of Waikato

Interest rates as low as 8.9% ^*

250K+

Students Assisted

800Cr+

Loan Amount Disbursed

5000+

Loans Sanctioned

Check Loan Eligibility

Bachelor of Arts [B.A] (Political Science) at University of Waikato