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For the people who want to stand out and fit in

For the people who want to stand out and fit in

Why study Social Sciences?

The social sciences provide you with the tools to add value to society and to confront the more challenging topics of the modern world.

We are an intellectually diverse community of scholars and our curriculum covers subjects that will enable you to think critically about how individuals and groups in society relate to each other.

Our international reputation in the following subjects have been ranked in the top 300 of the QS World University Rankings:

  • Geography #151-200
  • Philosophy #201-250
  • Sociology #251-300

Get extra support with our broad range of scholarships

With our flexible teaching options you can study on-campus (Hamilton, Tauranga) or online

Learn from award winning professors

Commitment to high-quality research

Explore a wide range of programmes

Our students can work alongside top-rated teachers and internationally respected scholars, across eight majors in the School of Social Sciences:

Offered by Te Ngira, Institute for Population Research:

Choose from a variety of degrees

These majors can be taken towards a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Social Sciences. The School of Social Sciences also offers the Bachelor of Environmental Planning.

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Climate Change

Bachelor of Environmental Planning

Bachelor of Social Sciences

Ready for the next level

Ready for the next level?

Enrolling in one of our postgraduate qualifications gives you the opportunity to engage in independent (but supervised) research in one or more of a wide range of subjects. Our subjects include: Anthropology, Geography, Environment & Society, Environmental Planning, History, International Relations & Security Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Public Policy, Sociology, Social Policy, Population Studies and Demography (Te Ngira, Institute for Population Research).

Master of Arts

Master of Environment and Society

Master of Environmental Planning

Master of Social Sciences

Articles

Social atlas provides valuable insights into changing population

A social atlas developed at the University of Waikato is the first of its kind in New Zealand – and researchers say it paints a unique picture of our changing demographics.

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University of Waikato partners with six international universities to launch Cyber Diplomacy Network

Dr Joe Burton from the University of Waikato is participating this week in the launch of an international cyber diplomacy network involving seven universities from around the world.

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Scholarship winner looking to the future of the environment

This year’s Artemis Scholarship recipient is keen to use her degree to help iwi mitigate negative impacts on the environment as a result of increased development.

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University of Waikato joins international Climate Alliance

The University of Waikato has joined an international coalition of around 50 of the world’s top climate research universities with a shared vision to be a global source of trusted communication of climate research.

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