Step into the world of international politics and diplomacy. Understand how countries and organisations interact on the global stage, preparing you for a career in foreign affairs and beyond. This major explores the global challenges facing states and citizens in the 21st century. Do you wonder how the world works? Or why it often doesn’t work? And do you wonder if, and how, we can find collective responses to urgent issues such as climate change, economic inequality, and the threat of nuclear weapons? If so, then the International Relations major is the degree for you. As an International Relations student, you will learn how to look behind news headlines and understand the forces that shape today’s world. You will examine the complex relationships between states, the role of non-state actors, and how global politics affect our daily lives. The major will empower you to assess some of the most pressing challenges of our time and equip you with the skills to pursue a career in which you can help make a difference in addressing these challenges.

International Relations is available as a first major for the Bachelor of Global Studies (BGS). International Relations may also be included as a second major or minor in undergraduate degrees, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.

To complete International Relations as a single major for the BGS, students must gain 135 points from papers listed for International Relations, including 105 points above 100 level, and 60 points above 200 level. Students must complete 30 points at 100 level from any INTRL coded paper, 30 points at 200 level from any INTRL coded paper, 15 points at 200 level from any POLSC coded paper, 30 points at 300 level from any INTRL coded papers, and 30 points at 300 level from any POLSC coded papers.

To complete International Relations as part of a double major for the BGS or other undergraduate degree, students must gain 120 points from papers listed for International Relations, including 90 points above 100 level, and a further 45 points above 200 level. Students must complete 30 points at 100 level from any INTRL coded paper, 30 points at 200 level from any INTRL coded paper, 15 points at 200 level from any POLSC coded paper, 30 points at 300 level from any INTRL coded paper, and 15 points at 300 level from any POLSC coded paper. For students studying towards a double major in International Relations and Political Science, 15 points of the required 90 points above 100 level may come from any paper listed for the International Relations major.

To complete a minor in International Relations, students must complete 60 points from INTRL coded papers, including at least 30 points above 100 level. Students must include at least one 100 level INTRL coded paper and one 200 level INTRL coded paper.

Other qualifications

Prescriptions for:

International Relations papers

100 Level 200 Level 300 Level 500 Level
Code and paper title Points
INTRL100 International Relations of the Indo-Pacific right arrow

The paper introduces international relations theories and concepts related to the Indo-Pacific region. It guides students through the region's...

15 25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Online)
INTRL103 Introduction to International Relations right arrow

This paper provides an introduction to the study of international relations in an era of globalisation. It covers the historical background, key...

15 25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Online)
POLSC103 Introduction to Political Psychology right arrow

Politics affects every aspect of our lives. This paper is an introduction to understanding political behaviour, helping you become more critically...

15 25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
Code and paper title Points
ANTHY201 Patriots, Racists, and Foreigners: Ethnicity and Identity in Global Perspective right arrow

This paper focuses on ethnicity and related categories of division such as "race" and nation. It explores how these concepts link to identity in...

15 25A (Hamilton)
ANTHY208 Protest Movements in the Asia-Pacific right arrow

This paper is about how people across the Asia-Pacific region act collectively to challenge the status quo of powerful political, social, economic...

15 25B (Hamilton)
INTRL206 International Relations: The Security Agenda right arrow

This paper introduces students to International Relations' dynamic and evolving security agenda and covers some of the most urgent contemporary...

15 25A (Online)
POLSC200 Politics and the Media right arrow

This course provides an introduction to the complex relationships between mass media, politics, and democratic society. It examines the power of the...

15 25B (Online) & 25B (Tauranga)
POLSC211 Political Systems around the World right arrow

The paper introduces the comparative study of political institutions, the study of the politics of a number of countries, their similarities and...

15 25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Online)
Code and paper title Points
ANTHY300 Culture and Power in the Pacific right arrow

This paper examines the cultural logics of different systems of political action, leadership and ideology in Pacific Island societies.

15 25B (Hamilton)
INTRL301 Geopolitics in the New World Disorder right arrow

This course delivers a comprehensive historical overview of New Zealand foreign policy from the beginning of the 20th century, and considers the role...

15 25A (Hamilton)
POLSC305 Memory Politics: Uses and Abuses of the Past right arrow

Students learn about the ways in which collective memories of the historical past matter in the present and explore how political actors seek to...

15 25B (Hamilton)
POLSC318 Global Environmental Politics and Policy right arrow

This paper explores contemporary debates on environmental politics, sustainability, justice, and environmental governance. It examines the political...

15 25A (Hamilton)
Code and paper title Points
ALPSS590 Directed Study right arrow

This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their...

30 25X (Hamilton)
ALPSS591 Research Project right arrow

A research report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical or practice-led investigation (up to 12,500 words maximum).

30 25X (Hamilton) & 25X (Tauranga)
ALPSS592 Dissertation right arrow

A research report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical or practice-led investigation (up to 25,000 words maximum).

60 25X (Hamilton) & 25X (Tauranga)
INTRL500 Diplomacy and Politics in Asia: Advanced Study right arrow

This paper provides a theoretical and empirical research foundation for analysing Asian politics and diplomatic practices.

30 25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Online)
INTRL506 Geopolitics in the New World Disorder: Advanced Study right arrow

This paper teaches and utilises major international relations theories to consider pressing global issues. This includes the causes of war and...

30 25A (Hamilton)
POLSC505 Memory Politics: Advanced Study right arrow

Students learn about the ways in which collective memories of the historical past matter in the present and explore how political actors seek to...

30 25B (Hamilton)
POLSC537 Environmental Politics and Public Policy right arrow

This paper introduces students to the complexities and challenges of environmental policy processes, and develops skills in scholarly research on...

30 25A (Hamilton)
POLSC593 Political Science Thesis right arrow

An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research.

90 25X (Hamilton)
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2025 Catalogue of Papers information current as of 1 Sep 2024 01:00am