Public Policy and Government –
Learn how government works and how to make it work better. Find out how and why policy decisions are made, who they're made for, and how they can be most effective.
Study how policy is made—do a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy or Social Policy. Working professionals can also do postgraduate programmes in Public Management and Public Policy and a graduate programme in Restorative Justice Practice.
Understand public policy from the inside out.
Public policy is the set of decisions that shape how a country is run. Look at how governments make these decisions, how the public sector works, the political side of policy-making and how policies can be improved.
Tools for change
Get the analytical skills to understand issues, use your creativity to propose solutions and learn how to make the case for the solutions you identify. Use the University's links with the public sector to connect with government agencies and gain real-world experience.
My studies led me to my current role as a Policy Analyst at the Ministry for the Environment. Part of my Honours year involved an internship at a government department. This introduced me to the realities of policy-making in a real-world context.
Full storyCarly Soo
Bachelor of Commerce with Honours in Public Policy and Economics, and Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies
International recognition
Wellington School of Business and Government is among a small group of business schools worldwide that hold the 'Triple Crown' of international business education accreditations. You can be confident your qualification will stand up against the best around the world.
Find out more about accreditations and what they mean for you.
Whether you want to work in government or just get a better idea of how government works, Public Policy is for you.
Undergraduate degrees
Here are some of the undergraduate degrees you can look at studying.
Bachelor of Commerce – BCom
- Duration 3 years
- Complete 360 points
- Location Wellington campuses and online
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Next starting dates 7 Jul 2025, 17 Nov 2025, 23 Feb 2026 (+ 0 more) - Entry University Entrance or alternative admission type.
Study Public Policy in a Bachelor of Commerce if you're interested in how it relates to economics or the business world.
Bachelor of Arts – BA
- Duration 3 years
- Complete 360 points
- Location Kelburn, Wellington.
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Next starting dates 7 Jul 2025, 17 Nov 2025, 23 Feb 2026 (+ 0 more) - Entry University Entrance or alternative admission type.
If your interests lie in fields like the social sciences, politics, development and the media then study Public Policy in a Bachelor of Arts.
Graduate qualifications
Graduate Certificate in Commerce – GCertCom
- Duration 1 trimester
- Complete 60 points
- Location Wellington campuses
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Next starting dates 7 Jul 2025, 17 Nov 2025, 23 Feb 2026 (+ 0 more) - Entry Bachelor of Commerce degree, to be accepted by the appropriate Head of School or Associate Dean (Students) at Wellington School of Business and Government as being capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study
Graduate Diploma in Commerce – GDipCom
- Duration 2 trimesters
- Complete 120 points
- Location Wellington campuses
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Next starting dates 7 Jul 2025, 17 Nov 2025, 23 Feb 2026 (+ 0 more) - Entry Bachelor of Commerce degree, to be accepted by the appropriate Head of School or Associate Dean (Students) at Wellington School of Business and Government as being capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study.
Graduate Diploma in Arts – GDipArts
- Duration 2 trimesters
- Complete 120 points
- Location Kelburn, Wellington
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Next starting dates 7 Jul 2025, 17 Nov 2025, 23 Feb 2026 (+ 0 more) - Entry Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
Postgraduate study
Find out about this subject at postgraduate level and what your qualification options are.
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