Develop the expertise needed for senior roles in policy, governance, and public leadership.
Why study postgraduate Politics?
Postgraduate study in Politics is a strategic investment in your future, giving you a competitive edge and empowering you to make a difference.
Employers increasingly look for graduates who can think independently, work with complexity, and make well-reasoned decisions. Postgraduate Politics at Otago develops exactly these capabilities. As well as examining the ideas, institutions, and movements that influence public life, you will also learn how to identify problems, analyse evidence, and place issues within broader intellectual and social contexts. These skills are transferable across sectors and highly valued in roles that involve policy, strategy, research, and leadership.
By the time you graduate, you will be confident navigating uncertainty, communicating clearly, and contributing insight rather than opinion. Whether you’re interested in political theory or comparative studies, New Zealand politics or international relations, Politics at postgraduate level primes you to stand out, adapt, and make an impact wherever your career takes you.
Career opportunities
Postgraduate study in Politics builds versatile skills that are highly valued, including critical analysis, research, writing, and strategic thinking.
Graduates pursue careers such as:
- Policy analyst or adviser in government agencies
- Media, journalism or public affairs roles
- Political researcher
- Advocacy or consulting in business, non-profits or community organisations
- Diplomatic service, international relations, or global NGOs
What it’s like to study at this level
Postgraduate Politics at Otago offers flexible pathways that support both advanced coursework and independent research.
In a taught master’s degree, you will complete four advanced papers alongside a research dissertation, building strong analytical and research skills in a structured, supportive environment. Politics offers two taught masters’ programmes that can be completed full time in one year, the Master of Politics (MPol) and the Master of International Studies (MIntSt). These programmes suit students who enjoy focused discussion, guided learning, and applying theory to contemporary political issues.
Research degrees offer the opportunity to pursue an in-depth original project. The Master of Arts by thesis normally requires at least one year of full-time study and centres on independent research under expert supervision. PhD study involves a substantial thesis that meets rigorous academic standards and requires intellectual independence, commitment, and perseverance.
This is for you if ...
Postgraduate Politics welcomes students from a range of academic backgrounds.
An interest in public issues, strong reading and writing skills, and a willingness to engage with complex ideas will help you succeed, along with curiosity about how political systems operate in practice.
Are you just starting uni?
Learn about studying Politics as an undergraduate at Otago.
Empower yourself with Politics
At Otago, postgraduate Politics connects rigorous research with purposeful learning.
You will work alongside academics who are active researchers and recognised contributors to debates in political theory, public policy, New Zealand politics, and international studies. Their leadership shapes your development as a researcher and thinker, guiding you to refine your ideas, strengthen your arguments, and pursue questions that matter. Through close supervision and intellectual mentorship, you gain a deeper understanding of how power operates and how it can be exercised responsibly.
Politics at Otago is practical in the sense that it equips you to analyse decisions, weigh consequences, and contribute thoughtfully to public life. You graduate with insight, confidence, and the ability to use knowledge in ways that benefit your career, your community, and the wider world.
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, masters’, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Master of Arts (Thesis) (MA(Thesis))
A one- or two-year degree entailing a major research project, culminating in a thesis
Master of Politics (MPols)
A one-year (full-time) degree that encompasses both coursework and research
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Engage in original research leading to a doctoral thesis, supported by comprehensive academic and social networks
Graduate qualifications
Our graduate qualifications are crafted to transition students from foundational studies to advanced, specialised knowledge.
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
| Thesis |
|---|
|
| Research Dissertation Pathway Requirements | Points |
|---|---|
| POLS 501 The 'Political': Theory and Practice | 30 |
| Three further 500-level POLS papers | 90 |
| POLS 590 Research Dissertation | 60 |
| Papers-Only Pathway Requirements | Points |
|---|---|
| POLS 501 The 'Political': Theory and Practice | 30 |
| Five further 500-level POLS papers | 150 |
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
POLS papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POLS102 | 2026 | Aotearoa New Zealand Politics – Introduction | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS104 | 2026 | International Relations - Introduction | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS105 | 2026 | Comparative Politics - Introduction | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS110 | 2026 | Political Ideas in Action | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS202 | 2026 | Theories of Justice | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS208 | 2026 | Democracy | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| POLS210 | 2026 | Politics of the Middle East | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| POLS213 | 2026 | New Zealand Foreign Policy | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| POLS216 | 2026 | Politics of the European Union | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS218 | 2026 | Interventions, Peacekeeping and the Global South | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS224 | 2026 | Current Issues in Environmental Politics | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS230 | 2026 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| POLS237 | 2026 | New Zealand Government and Constitution | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS242 | 2026 | Settler State Politics in Aotearoa and Australia | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS244 | 2026 | Political Theory: Basic Problems | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| POLS250 | 2026 | International Security | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS303 | 2026 | New Zealand's Political Economy | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS307 | 2026 | Nature, Conflict, and the State | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS308 | 2026 | United States Foreign Policy since 1945 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS310 | 2026 | Turkey and Its Neighbours | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS315 | 2026 | Nationalism and Identity | 18 points | Summer School |
| POLS318 | 2026 | Chinese Foreign Policy | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS319 | 2026 | Te Tiriti/Treaty Politics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS321 | 2026 | Public Policy in New Zealand | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| POLS323 | 2026 | Marxism: Classical and Contemporary | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| POLS324 | 2026 | Current Issues in Environmental Politics (Advanced) | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS325 | 2026 | International Relations: Concepts and Theories | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| POLS326 | 2026 | Politics of the Arabian Peninsula | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| POLS330 | 2026 | Special Topic | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| POLS337 | 2026 | New Zealand Government and Constitution | 18 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| POLS340 | 2026 | Contemporary Issues in Global Politics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS390 | 2026 | Research Project | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS413 | 2026 | Political Theory for the Environment | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS475 | 2026 | The Ethics and Politics of Resistance | 20 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| POLS490 | 2026 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year |
| POLS501 | 2026 | The 'Political': Theory and Practice | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS512 | 2026 | The Ethics and Politics of Resistance | 30 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| POLS513 | 2026 | Political Theory for the Environment | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS520 | 2026 | New Zealand Government and Politics | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS521 | 2026 | Politics and Society | 30 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| POLS540 | 2026 | International Relations Theory | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| POLS541 | 2026 | International Relations and the Global South | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS550 | 2026 | Comparative Regional Conflicts | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| POLS590 | 2026 | Research Dissertation | 60 points | 1st Non standard period (27 February 2026 - 19 February 2027), 2nd Non standard period (17 July 2026 - 9 July 2027) |
Contacts
Email politics@otago.ac.nz
Website otago.ac.nz/politics
This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.
Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.
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