The MPPE degree at the University is an interdisciplinary Master’s degree designed for those interested in a career in government, politics or public service.

There is no better place in the world to take this programme of study. Victoria University of Wellington gives students real connections with politicians and government officials in Wellington—New Zealand’s seat of government—and across the globe. Students will undertake a targeted course of study over one year that culminates in an internship and an associated research project.

Graduated return

I was looking to return to study after completing an undergraduate degree in 2013. The MPPE offered a streamlined way to come back to university with a clear goal of upskilling myself while being able to study the things that I originally loved.

Flexibility

The internship and research proposal aspects of the degree have assured me that I've made the right decision with my direction of studies. The degree is flexible enough for me to rejoin the workforce ready to critically engage with contemporary problems, as well as providing a sound academic basis to pursue my areas of interest exclusively if I choose.

Easy choice

Aside from it being one of the only places to study an MPPE in the country, Victoria University of Wellington is right in the heart of the city, campus life is colourful and diverse, and there are so many great opportunities catering to a variety of interests. I'm biased because I'm a Wellingtonian, but Wellington truly is a great city to live, work and study.

Now I’m back…

I’ve had the chance to contribute to Salient (one of the longest-running student magazines), listen to the many visiting academics in weekly philosophy seminars and visiting speakers to the Hub, and I've been able to reconnect with like-minded people after being away from the university for five years.

I chose to study an MPPE at Victoria University of Wellington because of the faculty and programme—there were several lecturers who I was interested in learning from and working with. Victoria University of Wellington is also one of the only universities in New Zealand that offers a graduate programme in philosophy, politics and economics, which is a globally recognised degree with a long history, which I had really wanted to study.

Philosophy, politics and economics as a field of study has always appealed to me because it recognises the commonalities between the three disciplines. While the methods used by each are different, many of the ideas and core questions are the same. It’s been a great way to develop my understanding of interdisciplinary areas, such as political economy, and the lecturers recognise the fact that people coming into the degree have different levels of knowledge regarding the three disciplines.

We’ve learned a great deal about the respective theories of philosophy, politics and economics, but we’ve also spent a lot of time connecting the three and applying theory to policy. In philosophy we’ve been taught logical reasoning and political philosophy, in politics we have studied comparative government and institutions, and in economics we have looked at the motivations of individuals and the operations of the market. At the same time, we’ve concentrated on addressing real world issues such as inequality, climate change and the future of work.

The MPPE is a great degree for people who have completed undergraduate study and want to fill in their knowledge gaps, but are also looking to gain practical experience to take into the workforce. There can be a large transitional gap between being a student and what is expected of you as an employee in the public sector for example, and this degree goes a long way towards mitigating that gap.