MSocSc - Population Studies and Demography as a main subject
Main Subject, Second Subject
Studying for a Master of Social Sciences at Waikato challenges you to take your understanding of theoretical subject matter to an advanced level.
Population issues are among the most serious challenges that humanity faces in the 21st century. Population Studies and Demography at Waikato addresses contrasting issues among developed and developing countries, how governments are handling slowing population growth, and how others are dealing with legal and illegal migration and skill shortages. You'll explore how such issues impact on a country's environmental, economic and social patterns.
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Key information
| Years: | 1 - 1.5 |
|---|---|
| Start Dates: | Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July) |
| Estimated Fees* (Domestic): | $7,416 - $8,888 per year |
| Estimated Fees* (International): | $51,290 - $58,370 (180 pts) |
| Entry Requirements: | Postgraduate International |
| Area of Study: | |
| *Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. | |
Career opportunities
- Health Sector Analyst
- Merchant Banker
- Policy Analyst
- Social Sciences Researcher
- Teacher
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Papers
Papers available within Population Studies and Demography
Prescriptions for the PGCert(PopStud&Dem), PGDip(PopStud&Dem), BSocSc(Hons) and MSocSc
To complete a BSocSc(Hons) in Population Studies and Demography, students must gain 120 points at 500 level, including POPST509 (or equivalent) at least 30 points in research (normally POPST591) and at least 30 points from other POPST coded 500 level papers.
To be eligible to be considered for enrolment in the MSocSc in Population Studies and Demography, a student must have completed either:
a) a BSocSc and have gained at least a B average in the 300 level papers, or for a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent, or
b) a BSocSc(Hons) in Population Studies and Demography (or equivalent) with at least second class honours (second division), or a PGDip in Population Studies and Demography (or equivalent) with and have gained at least a B average, and
c) have satisfied the prerequisites for graduate study in the subject(s) being presented for the Degree, at levels considered appropriate by the Academic Board.
Completion requirements for the MSocSc in Population Studies and Demography vary according to admission criteria.
Students admitted under a) above must complete 180 points from approved 500 level papers, including POPST509 (or equivalent) and 45 points from POPST coded papers, and either a 120 point thesis, a 90 point thesis or a 60 point dissertation.
Students admitted under b) above must complete a 120 point thesis, or a 90 point thesis and a further 30 points from approved 500 level papers, or a 60 point dissertation and a further 60 points from approved 500 level papers.
500 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALPSS590 | Directed Study | 30.0 | 23X (Hamilton) |
| This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their major under the guidance of academic staff. | |||
| GEOGY520 | Human Dimensions of Environmental Change | 30.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| This paper examines the increasing risks imposed on human communities by global environmental change such as global warming and the occurrence of so-called natural disasters. The paper establishes a platform for the critical analysis of these processes by introducing students to important theoretical developments including the role... | |||
| GEOGY558 | Applied Geographic Information Systems for Research and Planning | 15.0 | 23A (Hamilton) |
| GIS is used widely in a range of industries and government agencies, and graduates competent in GIS are sort after for employment. This paper is designed as an introduction to GIS for graduate students and is co-taught with GEOGY328. It covers all aspects of GIS analysis, including remote sensing and model building. ArcGIS Pro is u... | |||
| MAORI571 | Decolonising Theory and Indigenous Studies | 30.0 | 23B (Online) |
| A seminar programme on indigenous consciousness, knowledge, values and ethics and their applications to contemporary issues such as research ethics, environmental values and cultural practices. | |||
| PACIS500 | Critical Pacific Studies | 30.0 | 23B (Hamilton) |
| This paper provides an opportunity to critically engage the foundational ideas, texts, theoretical work, methods and perspectives of Pacific studies. These will be considered in the light of the history, politics, tensions, and potential of Pacific studies as a discipline. | |||
| POLSC501 | Policy Analysis: Theory and Practice | 30.0 | 23A (Hamilton) |
| This paper introduces students to the fundamentals of policy analysis, and develops skills for higher-level research in public policy. A key focus is developing critical awareness of policy processes, of the drivers of change, and of the role of both 'evidence' and public participation in policy-making, in the pursuit of inclusive ... | |||
| POPST500 | Official Social Statistics | 15.0 | 23X (Hamilton) & 23X (Online) |
| This paper provides an overview of key areas of Official Statistics. Topics covered include data sources; legal and ethical framework of official statistics; introductory demography; collection and analysis of health, social and economic data; data visualisation; data matching and integration; the system of National Accounts. | |||
| POPST501 | Population Health and Equity | 30.0 | No occurrences |
| This paper explores population health in Aotearoa/New Zealand and internationally, emphasising the broader determinants of wellbeing and equity. It introduces aspects of epidemiology, considers historical, indigenous and contemporary perspectives of health, and explores relationships between health, community and society. | |||
| POPST507 | Family and Whānau Demography | 30.0 | No occurrences |
| This paper introduces students to key theories and contemporary debates in the field of family demography. Particular emphasis will be placed on applying a critical population lens that can be used to understand demographic phenomena. The classes are seminar style and comprise a blend of structured lectures and in-class discussions focused on weekly readings drawn from Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally. Particular attention is given to the demography of indigenous populations and ethnic racial-minorities. | |||
| POPST509 | Research Methods for Population Analysis | 15.0 | 23B (Hamilton) & 23B (Online) |
| This paper provides students with hands-on experience conducting population research, working with real world data to analyse to investigate population issues. Students will gain a sound understanding of how to access, analyse and interpret data and how to communicate their findings, skills directly applicable to a range of policy,... | |||
| POPST591 | Dissertation | 30.0 | 23A (Hamilton) & 23B (Hamilton) |
| A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation on a demographic topic. | |||
| POPST592 | Dissertation | 60.0 | 23X (Hamilton) |
| A report on the findings of a theoretical or empirical investigation on a demographic or population studies topic. | |||
| POPST593 | Population Studies and Demography Thesis | 90.0 | 23X (Hamilton) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research on a demographic or population studies topic. | |||
| POPST594 | Population Studies and Demography Thesis | 120.0 | 23X (Hamilton) |
| An externally examined piece of written work that reports on the findings of supervised research on a demographic or population studies topic. | |||
Scholarships and prizes
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Graduate study options
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Subject Requirements
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Graduate and Postgraduate Admission and Requirements
Prescriptions for the PGCert(PopStud&Dem), PGDip(PopStud&Dem), BSocSc(Hons) and MSocSc
To complete a BSocSc(Hons) in Population Studies and Demography, students must gain 120 points at 500 level, including POPST509 (or equivalent) at least 30 points in research (normally POPST591) and at least 30 points from other POPST coded 500 level papers.
To be eligible to be considered for enrolment in the MSocSc in Population Studies and Demography, a student should have completed either:
a) a BSocSc in any discipline, have included at least one undergraduate Population Studies paper and have gained at least a B average in either the best three of their 300 level papers in their undergraduate major or all of their undergraduate papers in the major, or
b) a BSocSc(Hons) in Population Studies and Demography (or equivalent) and have gained at least a B average across all 500 level papers.
Completion requirements for the MSocSc in Populations Studies and Demography vary according to admission criteria.
Students admitted under a) above must complete 180 points from approved 500 level papers, including POPST509 (or equivalent) and 45 points from POPST coded papers, and either a 120 point thesis, a 90 point thesis or a 60 point dissertation.
Students admitted under b) above must complete a 120 point thesis, a 90 point thesis and a further 30 points from approved 500 level papers, or a 60 point dissertation and a further 60 points from approved 500 level papers.
To be considered for enrolment in a dissertation or thesis, all students must have completed at least 60 points from approved 500 level papers.
Enquiries about postgraduate programmes in Population Studies and Demography should be directed to the postgraduate advisor.
Contacts
School of Social Sciences
Phone: 0800 800 145 or +64 7 838 4040
General and undergraduate email enquiries: [email protected]
Graduate and postgraduate email enquiries: [email protected]