Study politics where it happens
Study for Aotearoa New Zealand’s only Bachelor of Politics—in Wellington, where New Zealand politics happens.
This flexible degree focuses on policy to give you a broad perspective of the political, social, and cultural issues facing us. You’ll learn how power, governance, and justice influence the decisions that shape society, and you’ll develop skills invaluable to employers.
By taking the Bachelor of Politics, you’re making a commitment to understanding our nation’s political landscape through both Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti perspectives. You’ll be introduced to mātauranga Māori and gain a solid understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi—essential for anyone working in New Zealand’s public sector.
For me the most valuable part of my degree is being in the capital. The opportunity for lecturers to bring in politicians, ambassadors, and public servants has been wonderful. It lets me see politics not just in theory, but in action, in real time.
Why Wellington
As New Zealand’s political capital, Wellington is the seat of power. That makes it perhaps the best place in the country to study politics.
Here you can visit the Beehive, have lunch in Parliament grounds, attend Question Time, and see the rough and tumble of politics-in-the-making. The University's Wellington location and strong ties with the public sector make it easier to build networks through collaborative projects, policy seminars, and internships with policy agencies.
You’ll have the chance to listen to guest lectures from leaders in the public service, policy professionals, and government ministers.
What you’ll learn
The Bachelor of Politics (BPols) explores how ideas about power, governance, and justice shape our society. It explores politics from different perspectives, to help you gain a broad understanding of key political issues across different areas.
Your studies combine political theory with the study of how political decisions are made, and how those decisions shape society—here and around the world.
For example, you’ll learn to think about:
- political systems and policy-making processes
- how power and resources are distributed around the world, and the short- and long-term effects of political decisions on societies.
To help you think about these questions, we’ll ask you to combine insights from related disciplines like international relations, strategic studies, public policy, and political philosophy.
In your lectures and tutorials, you’ll be encouraged to discuss, debate, and think critically about political questions. In this way, you’ll learn the communication and analysis skills that will serve you in your future career.
You can also study Politics within a Bachelor of Arts
Another way to study Politics is through a Bachelor of Arts (BA) majoring in Political Science. A BA is our most flexible degree—it’s a good choice if you want to study Politics from the perspectives of other subjects and fields of study.
With a BA in Politics, you can integrate political ideas with other disciplines, which will help you look at political themes and events from other perspectives.
Year breakdown
First year
The first year of your BPols covers the mandatory courses that will support your majors and minors later in your degree:
- Politics—an introduction to Politics as a field of study
- Māori Studies—engaging with Māori in professional practice
- Political Science—the systematic study of government systems, and the analysis of political activities, political thoughts, and political behaviour
- International Relations—the study of power on the world stage, including the complex political relationships between countries and how these are formed and maintained.
You’ll also take courses from at least one major and at least one minor.
If you’re not taking the Politics, Philosophy, and Economics major, you can also take two extra courses that can count towards an ‘outside’ major or minor—a second major or minor from a different undergraduate degree.
Second year
In your second year, you’ll move into your 200-level major courses, exploring key issues in your discipline through research and practical projects.
Third year
In your final year, you’ll finish your 300-level major courses and prepare to graduate with the skills you need for your career, or for further postgraduate study.
Degree support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
If you’re a new student, talk to a Future Student Adviser.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
How our degrees work
Flexible, or structured? Learn more about the different types of undergraduate degrees at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for domestic students
- Requirements for students who completed secondary school in:
If you live in New Zealand and are a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand or Australia, you're considered a domestic student.
Some citizens of the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau may automatically hold New Zealand citizenship.
Diplomatic residents living in New Zealand are also regarded as domestic students.
To be accepted into this qualification, you need:
A New Zealand university entrance qualification or equivalent.
Degree requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the BPols.
For this degree, you'll need to complete at least 360 points, including:
- at least 180 points above 100 level
- at least 75 points at 300 level
At 100 level, complete the following courses:
- Politics and People (POLI 101)
- One course from INTP 100–199
- One course from POLS 100–199
- He Herenga Tāngata / Engaging with Māori in Professional Practice (MAOR 126)
Also complete the requirements for at least one major and at least one minor subject.
Major requirements
Majors are the subjects you focus your degree on.
Explore more degree options by adding an optional second major or minor. How our flexible degrees work.
Major subjects and requirements
Explore your major options below.
BPols subjects
International Relations
Political Communication
Political Science
Politics of Aotearoa NZ
Politics Philosophy Economics
Public Policy
No matching majors found.
Second major subjects
You can choose to add an optional second major from within the BPols or from another degree. Explore your options for a second major below.
Architecture History and Theory
Criminology
Economics
International Relations
Kaitiakitanga
Political Communication
Political Science
Politics of Aotearoa NZ
Politics Philosophy Economics
Psychological Science
Public Policy
Spanish
No matching majors found.
Minor requirements
Add another dimension to your degree by choosing an optional minor. Most major BSc subjects are available as minors.
Some subjects are only available as minors. While most minors require 60 points at 200- and 300-level, there are a few minors with specific requirements.
Minor subjects and requirements
Start planning your study
Use the tiles to find out how you could include the selected minor in your degree. Not all major and minor combinations are available, so talk to us before you lock down your plan of study.
BPols minor subjects
Asian Politics
Civic Engagement
Environmental Politics
Human Rights Justice and Peace
International Relations
Internationl Political Economy
Māori Politics
Pacific Politics
Political Communication
Political Science
Politics of Aotearoa NZ
Politics of Migration
Politics Philosophy Economics
Public Policy
Science and Politics
No matching minors found.
Build your degree
The Bachelor of Politics has six majors, three specialisations, and 11 minors to choose from. You can tailor your study to match your interests and career goals.
You'll choose at least one major and one minor subject.
Add a major from another degree
You can also do an ‘outside major’—a major subject from another undergraduate degree—as your second major subject. For example, you could choose a major from the:
Future careers
The BPols gives you the broad, interdisciplinary foundation for a range of fields and employers.
The skills you develop through the BPols will prepare you for a career in fields like:
- government
- public service and policy analysis
- international relations and diplomacy
- academic research or teaching
- roles in NGOs and global organisations
- journalism.
Government organisations, for example, employ graduates in roles that feature:
- policy
- stakeholder relations
- communications
- research analysis or advising.
Your first role after graduating could be in an administrative or coordination role, before progressing to an adviser or senior adviser role in a policy team.
More career information
Find out more about careers in politics.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have first-year and school-leaver scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It’s a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Humanities and Social Sciences
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The Brian Murray Fox Scholarship in History offers an opportunity to students who are intending to undertake their second, third or Honours year of their degree at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington in the year following application.
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The Brian Murray Fox Scholarship in English Literature offers an opportunity to students who are intending to undertake their second, third or Honours year of their degree at Te Herenga Waka Victoria—University of Wellington in the year following application.
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This scholarship was established in 1980 by the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Rt. Hon. Sir John Marshall, GBE, CH, BA, LLM, Hon. LLD, to encourage the study of Political Science at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. The Scholarship was extended to include International Relations.
Scholarships for international students
We are currently offering a NZ$15,000 VUW Undergraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Bachelor’s degree.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
We also have specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.
Scholarships for Humanities and Social Sciences
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This scholarship was established in 1980 by the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Rt. Hon. Sir John Marshall, GBE, CH, BA, LLM, Hon. LLD, to encourage the study of Political Science at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. The Scholarship was extended to include International Relations.
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This scholarship was established to encourage students to complete a major in Language Sciences at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, and continue to further study or careers in this field.
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This scholarship is to assist students in the last year of their first Bachelors degree at Victoria University of Wellington. The scholarship fund will be awarded equally between male and female students.
Globally ranked
Our Political Science and International Relations subjects are ranked in the top 150 worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
The QS World University Rankings is an annual global publication that gives overall rankings and subject rankings for more than 1,500 universities worldwide.
Postgraduate study
We offer several ways to continue your studies at an advanced level after completing your BPols.
An Honour’s degree in politics
If you do well in your BPols, you could take a Bachelor of Arts with Honours with a major in either Political Science or International Relations.
Master’s level study
The BPols is also good preparation for postgraduate study in the following Master’s degrees:
Accommodation
Live in accommodation close to campus at one of our:
- catered halls of residence
- self-catered apartments or flats
- self-catered studios.
We provide care and support across our halls and flatting communities.
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
And if you're ever having trouble with money, talk with us. You could be eligible for government or community support, and we have a hardship fund for financial emergencies.
Apply for a New Zealand study visa
You’ll need to apply for a study visa if you plan to study with us as an international student.
You should apply for your visa after you’ve received your Offer of Place, and before you come to New Zealand.
Wellington Global Exchange
If you're a current student at Victoria University of Wellington, you can complete part of your degree overseas. Choose from our 140 partner universities worldwide.
Study Abroad and Exchange Programme
If you're an overseas student, you can spend a trimester or a year at Victoria University of Wellington. You'll earn credits at your home university while you study here.