Fast-track your career with a 12-month Master of International Relations. This gives you Master’s-level expertise without needing an Honours degree. You can also do the shorter, coursework-only Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations.
As well as giving graduates a path into a career with a global scope, the programme gives professionals from around the world an opportunity to enhance their analytical skills and knowledge of international relations.
Learn from staff known worldwide for their research and expertise. The programme has close connections with internationally-focused government agencies in Wellington, and prestigious institutions around the world. These contacts give you the opportunity to learn from visiting researchers, politicians and policy makers and to build your own networks.
The programme attracts working professionals and graduates from around the world, giving you the chance to network with and learn from peers who bring a range of international perspectives.
Enhance your theoretical foundation with the core course, Approaches to International Relations.
Hone your ability to think critically and creatively about pressing geopolitical issues, including war and its aftermath, international migration, China and the world, identity in world politics, global political economy and the challenges to international order.
You can complement your International Relations courses with approved Political Science and Strategic Studies courses. These include the China Field Study and the Japan Field Study, which run every second year.
The MIR is in two parts—a taught and a research component.
The taught component starts with the core course and a range of approved courses.
For the research component you can choose between a 60-point dissertation and a combination of a 30-point research project and a taught course.
You may get permission from the MIR coordinator to do a 90-point thesis, in place of the part two research component and some part one courses.
You can choose to study the taught courses only and get a PGDipIR. If you later complete the research courses, you receive your MIR in place of the PGDipIR.
If you are studying full time, you can expect a workload of 40–45 hours a week for much of the year. Part-time students doing one course per trimester will need to do around 20–23 hours of work a week. Make sure you take this into account if you are working full time.
You can estimate your workload by adding up the number of points you'll be doing. One point is roughly equal to 10–12 hours work.
The MIR will usually take 12 months for full-time students and 24 months for part-time students.
The PGDipIR generally takes two trimesters full time and four trimesters part time.
If you're thinking of doing a research project you can check suggested thesis topics and staff research areas for the Political Science and International Relations programme.
You can apply for the double degree programme with Peking University in Beijing, China. This lets you combine the MIR with a one-year Master Program in Public Policy (MPP) in Beijing.
Be a force for peace in the world
Advance your security career with the Master of International Security.
The Master of International Security is a multidisciplinary course of study drawing on international relations, strategic studies, political science, religion, area studies, political and human geography, and military history.
The Master of International Security is a 180-credit course. It is right for you if you have completed an appropriate bachelor degree or equivalent and have extensive professional experience in the security sector If you want to develop skills in security management, this is the programme for you. Security management is an increasingly important dimension of government and public policy, with direct benefit to economic security and social wellbeing, so your skills will be in demand.
In the Master of International Security you will learn the principles, theory and practice of international security. You will also carry out independent research and planning in a security context. Our committed and supportive staff will encourage you to pursue your intellectual and professional interests and develop your own area of specialisation. You will also benefit from our close relationships with partner agencies in the security sector. Questions that you will consider on this programme include:
You will gain advanced knowledge in contemporary international security theory and practice; understanding of interagency perspectives; and analytical and communications skills appropriate to the security context.
With the Master of International Security you can expect to advance your career in the security sector in government and non-government agencies, and contribute to international security operations.
This programme will prepare you for a role in any of the fields below:
Develop a deep practical and theoretical understanding of the ways power is exercised. Explore how conflict is managed and security maintained across the globe.
You'll get insights into the pressing geopolitical issues of our age, such as the relationship between the US and China, cybersecurity, the South China Sea, and strategic responses to the problems of terrorism and civil conflict.
Enhance your policy, analytical and research skills and accelerate your career with a globally connected Strategic Studies programme.
Studying with the School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations, you’ll join a fully integrated Political Science and International Relations programme, giving you access to a broad range of relevant courses and expertise.
The MSS is in two parts—a taught and a research component.
The taught component starts with a core course and a range of approved courses.
As well as Strategic Studies courses, you can choose from selected International Relations and Political Science courses.
For the research component you can choose between a 60-point dissertation and a combination of a 30-point research essay or project and approved taught courses.
You may get permission from the head of school to do a 90-point thesis in place of the part two research component and some part one courses.
You can choose to study only the taught courses and get a PGDipSS. If you later complete the research courses you’ll receive your MSS in place of the PGDipSS.
If you are studying full time you can expect a workload of 40–45 hours a week for much of the year. Part-time students doing two courses per trimester will need to do around 20–23 hours of work a week. Make sure you take this into account if you are working.
You can estimate your workload by adding up the number of points you'll be doing. One point is roughly equal to 10–12 hours work.
The MSS will usually take 12 months for full-time students and 24 months for part-time students.
The PGDipSS generally takes two trimesters full time or four trimesters part time.
Take advantage of the programme’s location in the nation’s capital and close relationship with the policy, diplomatic and security communities. You’ll develop connections and get practical expertise through seminars, roundtables and guest lectures.
Work with internationally recognised staff who are prominent researchers, teachers and commentators on strategic and security issues.
You’ll study alongside the Centre for Strategic Studies, ranked number two in the region by the University of Pennsylvania 2015 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report, and 39th worldwide among university think tanks.
You can complete either qualification in a year, giving you a fast-track to specialist expertise in Strategic Studies.
You can also study part time while you work, with courses commonly available in the late afternoon or early evening.
Join a school with a focus on fostering its postgraduate community. Enjoy the benefits of strong relationships with staff, a thriving research culture and practical support through postgraduate seminars and events. You’ll get to hear leading speakers from overseas including the annual lecture by the Kippenberger Visiting Professor in Strategic Studies.
Gain the expertise needed to work in the wider security community, including government, research organisations and think tanks, civil society and the private sector.
You might work in policy, research, assessment or analysis jobs in organisations with a foreign affairs, defence or intelligence role.
The programme has a successful track record of getting internships in New Zealand and overseas—a good way to set up your career here or further afield.
The Postgraduate Students' Association can give you information and provides a voice for you on campus.
The Master of Peace and Conflict Studies is an inter-disciplinary programme providing students with an advanced qualification in peace and conflict studies, development and peacebuilding. Drawing upon national and international expertise in the field, this programme will position graduates for a wide range of career options in the public and private sectors as academic researchers and as practitioners and policy makers in fields such as conflict analysis and resolution, peace-building, and post-conflict transformation.
This programme (which replaces the Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (PGDipArts) in Peace and Conflict Studies) combines theory and practice with a solid research component and is regionally focused on Asia and the Pacific.
PEAC 501 Theories of Peace and Conflict
PEAC 502 Conflict Analysis and Conflict Resolution Theory
PEAC 590 Research Dissertation or PEAC 595 Practicum and Research Report
and two of
Help solve the world’s development problems
Broaden your knowledge of the world’s key development issues to shape a positive future for those in need.
Development studies at Massey is ranked in the top 100 in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2017.
The Master of International Development is a 180-credit course that can follow on immediately from your bachelor’s degree.
You will gain an advanced understanding of how global economic, social, political and environmental forces affect people and shape different parts of the world. These insights will allow you to recognise where inequalities lie and identify strategies to help overcome poverty and enhance human wellbeing.
Massey University was, in 1989, the first university in New Zealand to offer postgraduate qualifications in development studies. We’ve built on that reputation by developing world-class courses in international development.
Our professors and lecturers are scholars and active researchers, but are also people with experience in development policy and practice in diverse contexts including the Pacific, Asia and Africa.
Graduates of the Master of International Development will be able to:
A career in international development means providing others with the tools they need to enhance their quality of life, bringing happiness to communities in poverty.
Graduates work all over the world for organisations like Red Cross, World Vision and Caritas to provide humanitarian assistance, sustainable development, and peacekeeping. You could work as a development officer, foreign diplomat, development policy analyst, advisor in tourism, health, education, or agriculture, community affairs officer, monitoring and evaluation officer, human rights advisor or advocacy officer.
Postgraduate education will give you the skills you need for a satisfying and rewarding career.
A Ministry of Education report found that:
