Political scientist career

Kaipūtaiao tōrangapū

Political scientists study political systems. They research and analyse political ideas, governments, policies, political trends and related issues.

Political scientists study political systems. They research and analyse political ideas, governments, policies, political trends and related issues.

What would you do as a Political scientist?

Political scientists

  • usually work regular business hours
  • usually work in offices and may travel
  • need to be logical, communicate well and identify and solve problems

Tasks

  • study and develop political systems
  • research social issues
  • predict economic, political and social changes
  • check projects and public policies
  • advise people on government policy and rules
  • interpret research information and data
  • prepare reports and presentations
  • teach tertiary students

How can you become a Political scientist?

You usually need a qualification to become a political scientist.

You may need

  • a bachelor's degree in political science and policy or similar area
  • a postgraduate certificate or diploma in political science and policy or similar area
  • a master's degree in political science and policy or similar area
  • a doctoral degree in political science and policy or similar area

If you're in school

You usually need University Entrance to do the study or training for this job.

Qualifications

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Study a Political Science major in our Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Social Sciences or Bachelor of Climate Change. You'll explore how power, government and policy shape societies, and like all our undergraduate degrees, each includes work-integrated learning.

To specialise further, you can continue with postgraduate study in Political Science, all the way through to a PhD.

View all qualifications

Where a Political Science degree can take you

Political Science is a highly flexible programme, opening job opportunities across local and national government, media, education, industry, business, labour organisations, and social services.

Political scientist FAQs

Scholarships

A range of scholarships are available to help with the cost of studying at Waikato. Options are available across a wide range of subjects and study levels, including scholarships for new students, current students and specific areas of study.

Find a scholarship

QS rankings

QS World University Rankings 2027

Waikato is ranked equal 293rd globally, placing us in the top 1.5% of universities worldwide, and 2nd in New Zealand by citations per faculty.

QS Ranking - Social Sciences & Management

Waikato is ranked 287th in the world by QS for Social Sciences & Management in the QS World University Rankings.

Contact us

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