Program Overview

Master of Policy and Governance

The Master of Policy and Governance (MPAG) is a professional qualification in public policy and strategic decision making. This Master's programme provides advanced interdisciplinary training in just one year for those wishing to progress in local, regional, national, and third sector
ot-for-profit roles in policy and governance.

Introduction

Drawing on UC's teaching and research strengths in Political Science and International Relations, graduates can obtain a professional qualification in public policy and strategic decision making. This programme will provide advanced interdisciplinary training in just one year for those wishing to progress in local, regional, national, and third sector
ot-for-profit roles in policy and governance.

Why Study a Master of Policy and Governance at UC?

• Advanced academic principles are investigated through applied tasks such as case studies and field trips.
• In collaboration with strategic partners, a panel of experts from outside the University will provide real-world informed mentoring of participants. Mentors will come from organisations such as the New Zealand Parliament and Business Trust, Local Government New Zealand, Te Tari o te Pirimia me te Komiti Matua | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Kaitohutohu Kaupapa Rawa | Treasury, and the McGuinness Institute NZ.
• UC's Mātai Tōrangapū, Hononga Tāwāhi | Department of Political Science and International Relations has attained national and international visibility for the strength of its teaching and academic research.
• UC has particular expertise in policy processes and community leadership in Aotearoa New Zealand–Pacific contexts, in East and Southeast Asia, and in science, environment, and technology policy.

Entry Requirements

To enrol, you will need a bachelor's degree in any subject, normally with at least a B Grade Point Average in 60 points of 300-level courses in the majoring subject, or other equivalent qualifications. All students also need approval to enrol.

• If you are an international student and need help meeting these requirements, study one of UC's International Pre-Master's pathways to gain entry into this degree.
• If you are a domestic student and need help meeting these requirements, study UC's Diploma in Advancing University Studies to gain entry into this degree.
• If English is not your first language, you are also required to meet UC's Postgraduate language requirements.

Degree Structure

The Master of Policy and Governance (MPAG) comprises 180 points. You can decide on the level of research that makes up your programme, choosing one of two options:

• 120 points of coursework plus a 60-point dissertation, or
• 90 points of coursework plus a 90-point thesis Note: This is normally only open to students with a GPA of 7.5 or with the approval of the Head of Programme. You will start studies in February, and the normal duration would be full-time for 1 year. However, with approval, you can study part-time up to a maximum of 3 years.

Subjects and Courses

Compulsory Course

• POLS440 Principles and Practice of Policy and Governance

Elective Courses

• 60 points of courses chosen from these options
• 30 points from relevant 400-level courses that will support your research course (eg, Geography, History, Māori and Indigenous Studies, Pacific Studies, Sociology, etc) with approval of the MPAG Programme Coordinator.

Research Course

Choose one of:

• POLS688 Dissertation (60 points)
• POLS689 Thesis (90 points) To complete POLS689 you will need approval from the MPAG Programme Director and an A- grade average or higher in 300-level courses.

Field Trips

Te Whanga-nui-a-Tara Wellington field trip is a two-day trip, which includes meetings with senior figures in Government and Opposition, a variety of senior ministers, policy advisors, the Parliamentary Research library, and senior leaders, including the Prime Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition. The field trip also includes a formal networking and senior peer mentoring event with UC alumni now working in Te Whanga-nui-a-Tara Wellington.

Fees

Domestic Students

2025 tuition fee estimate: $12,570 - $12,718 (180 points)
2026 tuition fee estimate: $13,325 - $13,481 (180 points)

International Students

2025 Special Programme Fee: $48,600 (180 points)
2026 Special Programme Fee: $51,000 (180 points)
2027 Special Programme Fee: $54,000 (180 points)

Student Services Levy (SSL)

2025 SSL: $9.72 per point ($1,166.40 per 120 points)
2026 SSL: $10.30 per point ($1,236.00 per 120 points)

Further Study

You can study a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Political Science and International Relations.

Career Opportunities

The MPAG caters perfectly for students interested in policy and governance careers in local, regional, and national government, and not-for-profit/volunteer sectors. Graduates will leave UC having:

• built their knowledge in a chosen area
• engaged with senior staff and leading professional mentors
• conducted field-based learning
• conducted independent specialist policy research.