Policy analyst career

Kaitātari kaupapahere

Policy analysts do research and analyse information to develop or provide advice on government or industrial policies.

Policy analysts do research and analyse information to develop or provide advice on government or industrial policies.

What would you do as a Policy analyst?

Policy analysts

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

Tasks

  • research policy
  • analyse information
  • develop and review laws and policies
  • provide guidance to government
  • exchange information
  • draft documents
  • write reports
  • present research results

How can you become a Policy analyst?

You usually need a qualification to become a policy analyst and experience may be useful.

You may need

  • a bachelor's degree in political science and policy or similar area
  • a Master of Public Policy or similar
  • a postgraduate certificate or diploma in public policy
  • experience in similar work

If you're in school

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

Policy analyst 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.

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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.

THE Ratings by Subject 2026

Times Higher Education Impact Ratings by Subject 2026

Rated in NZ’s top two for three subjects: Social Sciences (176–200), Business & Economics (201–250), and Physical Sciences (301–400) globally.

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