- Te Kura Aro Whakamuri, Rapunga Whakaaro, Matai Tōrangapū me te Ao / School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations
- About the School
- History
- Philosophy
- Political Science and International Relations
- Staff
- Courses
- Undergraduate study
- Postgraduate study
- Postgraduate students
- Prizes and scholarships
- Parliamentary Internship Programme 2023
- Parliamentary Internship Programme 2022
- Research
- Careers
- Strategic Studies
- Centres, groups, and institutes
- School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations
- About the School
- History
- Philosophy
- Political Science and International Relations
- Strategic Studies
- Centres, groups, and institutes
- Welcome
- Kaimahi Staff
- News
- Events
- Student equity and support
- Contact us
- Become a tutor
About the School
- Staff
- Courses
- Undergraduate History
- Postgraduate History
- Postgraduate students
- Prizes and scholarships
- History outreach programme
- Research
- Careers in History
History
- Staff
- Courses
- Undergraduate Philosophy
- Postgraduate Philosophy
- Postgraduate students
- Prizes and scholarships
- Equity and Philosophy
- Research
- Careers in Philosophy
Philosophy
- Staff
- Courses
- Undergraduate study
- Postgraduate study
- Postgraduate students
- Prizes and scholarships
- Parliamentary Internship Programme 2023
- Parliamentary Internship Programme 2022
- Research
- Careers
Political Science and International Relations

The School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations offers world-class, research-based programmes across its four disciplines.
The programmes are taught by academic staff who are recognised, both locally and globally, as leaders in their respective fields.
Our graduates are able to think critically and creatively, and communicate and lead effectively.
Our staff
Learn about the roles and research interests of academic staff in the School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations. And find contact details for all of our academic and administrative staff.
Pacific Islands Political Studies Association Conference Held at VUW
For the first time since its establishment nearly 40 years ago, the Pacific Islands Political Studies Association (PIPSA) held its conference here in Wellington.
Read more

Studying Aotearoa New Zealand's parliament from inside the House
Dr David Wilson completed his PhD in Political Science at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, but it’s his unique role in parliament that offered a new perspective for his research.
Read moreNo place like home for eminent alumna Dr Jeya Wilson
"She has achieved things that should give her a place in the pantheon of New Zealand's most inspirational figures," said Spinoff writer Matt Hayes in 2019. Yet you probably haven't heard of Dr Jeya Wilson,
Read more
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Communication
Subjects
Intercultural Communication, Language Sciences, Literary and Creative Communication, Marketing Communication, Media Studies, Political Communication, Science Communication, Intercultural Communication and Applied Translation
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Global Studies
Subjects
Area and Cultural Studies, Cultures and Identities, Environment and Sustainability, Ethical Leadership and Intercultural Communication, Global Health and Wellbeing, Globalisation, Movement and Change, Human Rights, Justice and Peace, World Affairs and Organisations
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History
Subjects
History, New Zealand Studies, Text Technologies
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Philosophy
Subjects
Philosophy
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Politics and International Relations
Subjects
International Relations, Migration Studies, Political Science, Strategic Studies
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Bachelor of Arts
BA
3 years
360 points
Kelburn, Wellington.
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Bachelor of Communication
BC
3 years
360 points
Kelburn, Wellington
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Bachelor of Global Studies
BGS
3 years
360 points
Kelburn, Pipitea, and Te Aro campuses
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Graduate Diploma in Arts
GDipArts
2 trimesters of full-time study. Or normally 4 trimesters for part-time domestic students.
120 points
Kelburn, Wellington
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Graduate Diploma in Arts
GDipArts
Duration: 2 trimesters of full-time study. Or normally 4 trimesters for part-time domestic students.
Points: 120
Type: Coursework
Schedule: Daytime lectures
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Bachelor of Arts with Honours
BA(Hons)
Duration: 2 trimesters of full-time study. Or normally 4 trimesters for part-time domestic students.
Points: 120
Type: Coursework
Schedule: Daytime lectures
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Postgraduate Diploma in Arts
PGDipArts
Duration: 2 trimesters of full-time study. Or normally 4 trimesters for part-time domestic students.
Points: 120
Type: Coursework
Schedule: Daytime lectures
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Master of Arts
MA
Duration: 3-4 trimesters of full-time study. Or normally 6–8 trimesters for part-time domestic students.
Points: 120
Type: Research
Schedule: Self-directed research
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Postgraduate Certificate in Migration Studies
PGCertMigS
Duration: 1 trimesters of full-time study. Or normally 2 trimesters for part-time domestic students.
Points: 60
Type: Coursework
Schedule: Lectures
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Postgraduate Diploma in Migration Studies
PGDipMigS
Duration: 2 trimesters of full-time study. Or normally 4 trimesters for part-time domestic students.
Points: 120
Type: Coursework
Schedule: Lectures
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Master of Migration Studies
MMigS
Duration: 3 trimesters of full-time study. Or normally 6 trimesters for part-time domestic students.
Points: 180
Type: Coursework, research or practicum
Schedule: Lectures
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Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations
PGDipIR
Duration: 2 trimesters of full-time study, Or normally 4 trimesters for part-time domestic students.
Points: 120
Type: Coursework
Schedule: Daytime lectures
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Master of International Relations
MIR
Duration: 3 trimesters of full-time study. Or normally 6 trimesters for part-time domestic students.
Points: 180
Type: Coursework and research
Schedule: Daytime lectures
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Master of Philosophy, Politics and Economics
MPPE
Duration: 3–4 trimesters of full-time study. Or normally 6–8 trimesters for part-time domestic students.
Points: 180
Type: Coursework, research and internship
Schedule: Daytime lectures
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Postgraduate Diploma in Political Science
PGDipPols
Duration: 2 trimesters of full-time study. Or normally 4 trimesters for part-time domestic students.
Points: 120
Type: Coursework
Schedule: Daytime lectures
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Master of Political Science
MPols
Duration: 3 trimesters of full-time study. Or normally 6 trimesters for part-time domestic students.
Points: 180
Type: Coursework and research
Schedule: Daytime lectures
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Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Studies
PGDipSS
Duration: 2 trimesters of full-time study. Or normally 4 trimesters for part-time domestic students.
Points: 120
Type: Coursework
Schedule: Daytime lectures
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Master of Strategic Studies
MSS
Duration: 3 trimesters of full-time study. Or normally 6 trimesters for part-time domestic students.
Points: 180
Type: Coursework and research
Schedule: Daytime lectures
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Doctor of Philosophy
PhD
Duration: Minimum 3 years full-time study, or at least 6 years if studied part time
Points: 360
Type: Research
Schedule: Self-directed research
Our stories

Queer activism in Aotearoa
Will Hansen is a PhD candidate in History, researching the histories of queer activism in Aotearoa from the 1960s through to the 2010s.

Migration and political participation
Laura Veronica Moreno-Duran is researching the relationship between international migration and the political participation of Latin American immigrants.

How migration shapes our society
Dr Ayca Arkilic examines the causes and consequences of international migration and equips her students with a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Newly elected Ngā Ahurei a Te Apārangi Fellows
Professor Simon Keller, Professor of Philosophy and head of school in HPPI named in the Society’s list of newly elected Ngā Ahurei a Te Apārangi Fellows.
Read morePhilosophy graduate Meredith Ross-James named a Rhodes Scholar
Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington alumna Meredith Ross-James has received a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship.
Read more
Speaker’s welcome to the 2021 Parliamentary internship class
The 2021 Parliamentary internship class had the traditional annual welcome from the Speaker Rt Hon Trevor Mallard on 16 March. Two of our interns, Samuel Day and Sofia Morrell, joined him for his live TV briefing.
View the videoHistory Master’s Scholarship Fund
Support scholarships that will help talented students to complete a one-year Master’s degree in History.
Find out more
Latest news
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