Population Studies
Learn about Population Studies through the Te Ngira Institute for Population Research at Waikato and gain a solid, research-led understanding of the population issues facing developed and developing countries, with a particular emphasis on the South Pacific.
Te Ngira Institute for Population Research is a research institute based in the University's School of Social Sciences. It is New Zealand's sole national institute of demographic and population-focused research, and the only such unit to generate and coordinate New Zealand research in population studies.
Population problems are among the most serious challenges we face for the 21st Century. Population issues have implications for the environment, employment, families, health, urbanisation, migration, security in old age and refugee movements. It is vital that research develops integrated approaches to these issues, and policy makers and planners pay serious attention to population trends, their causes and effects.
At Waikato, our Population Studies programme takes a particular look at trends in New Zealand and the broader South Pacific region. You will learn about, and be involved in, research into Māori demography, population health, family structures and formation, fertility, the labour force and employment relating to New Zealand, as well as work on India, Africa, Europe, the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific. You will become familiar with themes such as mortality, social policy, fertility, migration, families and households, labour force and income, and will understand the contrasting population problems faced by developed and developing countries.
The institute's researchers are internationally and locally recognised. Your study will provide unique insights into how population studies research is being used to shape New Zealand's future, an understanding you can carry with you into careers in the health, finance, environmental and social science sectors.
Key information
| Study Locations: | Hamilton, Tauranga, Online Papers offered differ by location. The Catalogue of Papers has full location info. |
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| Area of Study: |
Study Population Studies in these qualifications
Study Population Studies as a specialisation of
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Communication
- Bachelor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences with Honours
- Bachelor of Laws
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Science (Technology)
- Bachelor of Social Sciences
- Bachelor of Sport and Human Performance
- Certificate
- Diploma
- Graduate Certificate
- Graduate Diploma
- Master of Arts (Applied)
- Master of Philosophy
Career opportunities
- Health Sector Analyst
- Merchant Banker
- Policy Analyst
- Social Sciences Researcher
Papers
Available Population Studies papers
100 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSMAX101 | The World of Data | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
| This paper introduces students to tools used in analysing datasets, focusing on health science applications and publicly available data on New Zealand. Students will learn how to use these tools to generate the appropriate results and be able to critically evaluate results presented in the media as well as scientific articles. Stud... | |||
| DATAX121 | Introduction to Statistical Methods | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton), 24A (Secondary School - Unistart) & 24X (Hainan University, Haikou, China) |
| An introduction to statistical data collection and analysis. Topics include general principles for statistical problem solving; some practical examples of statistical inference; and the study of relationships between variables using regression analysis. | |||
| GEOGY101 | Sustainable Geographies | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton), 24B (Online) & 24B (Tauranga) |
| An introduction to the rich field of social and cultural geography with links to the UNDP Sustainable Development Goals. A foundation paper for second year papers on contemporary cultural geographies, health geographies, and Maori geographies. | |||
| MAORI150 | Te Tiriti o Waitangi: An Introduction to the Treaty of Waitangi | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton), 24B (Hamilton), 24I (Hamilton) & 24X (Hamilton) |
| This paper seeks to provide a sound understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It reviews historical and contemporary interpretations and takes into account the interplay of contextual issues of the time. | |||
| PSYCH101 | Social Psychology, Health and Well-being | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) & 24B (Tauranga) |
| This paper will introduce major issues in psychology particularly as they relate to health, wellbeing, mental illness, forensic psychology, lifespan development, and social factors in a range of contexts. | |||
| SOCIO101 | Introduction to Sociology | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) & 24B (Tauranga) |
| This paper prepares students for further study in a range of social science subjects. It introduces the main sociological theories, concepts and practices that enable an understanding of contemporary societies. | |||
| SOCPY100 | Introduction to Social Policy | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) & 24A (Tauranga) |
| This paper examines the values behind social policy and introduces students to some of the important issues and debates in New Zealand and other democratic societies. | |||
200 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEOGY209 | Health, People, Place | 0.0 | 24B (Online) |
| This paper draws on critical analysis of health, people and place to introduce contemporary developments in socio-cultural geography. Attention is paid to spatial well-being at a range of scales. | |||
| HELTH201 | Epidemiology and Bio-statistics | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) |
| This course provides students with basic understanding of the techniques and uses of epidemiology in preventing poor health, health planning and evaluation. | |||
| POLCY212 | Public Policy Analysis | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
| This paper introduces students to public policy analysis. Students focus on the role of politics, public participation and policy in addressing society's big problems, how they are framed and defined, and how solutions are developed and implemented within the context of the policy process. | |||
| POPST201 | Population Studies | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) & 24A (Online) |
| This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the multidisciplinary field of Population Studies. Students will develop a sound understanding of the demographic drivers of population change and composition, while exploring some of the rich theories and methodological approaches which comprise Population Studies. | |||
| PSYCH211 | Understanding Psychological Research | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) & 24A (Tauranga) |
| This paper will cover the basic methodological approaches relevant to psychological and social science research, including research design, data collection, data analysis, and the dissemination of research. | |||
| SOCPY200 | Social Policy and Social Issues | 15.0 | 24A (Online) & 24A (Tauranga) |
| The paper continues the study of social policy at 200 level. The focus of this paper is on the welfare state, the policy cycle as well as social problems, such as poverty. | |||
| SOCPY201 | Child Poverty & Social Policy | 15.0 | 24A (Online) |
| This paper develops students' theoretical understanding of social policy, focusing on the effects of child poverty. We examine how policy shapes and responds to poverty experienced by children and families. | |||
300 Level
| Code | Paper Title | Points | Occurrence / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALPSS390 | Directed Study | 15.0 | 24X (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 or minor under the guidance of academic staff. | |||
| GEOGY309 | Social and Cultural Geographies of Difference | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) & 24A (Tauranga) |
| This paper is a forum for debate in critical geographies of difference. Key concerns are intersections between gender, ethnicity, nationality and other social divisions in relation to place and environment. | |||
| GEOGY328 | Geographical Information Systems | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) & 24A (Online) |
| 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 compulsory for the GIS minor and covers all aspects of GIS analysis, including remote sensing and model building. ArcGIS Pro is used in the labs and students have the opportunity to instal... | |||
| GNSEX303 | Intersectionalities: Identities and Inequalities | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) |
| This paper provides a comprehensive review of the historical context for understanding contemporary issues of race, gender, sexuality, and social class. It investigates micro and macro level experiences and the social construction of identities. In doing so, this paper looks at how power is distributed in society, the theories that... | |||
| POPST300 | Population Studies Work-related Project | 15.0 | 24X (Hamilton) |
| This work-related project is mostly a university-based project with a focus on a workplace or community organisation relevant to population studies and research. Projects provide an opportunity to students utilise population studies skills and techniques and to reflect on the relevance of disciplinary knowledge in a professional se... | |||
| POPST302 | Exploring Population Change | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) & 24B (Online) |
| This paper applies methods for measuring population size, composition and change, which are used extensively for understanding population issues in public policy, human resource planning, forecasting and business planning. | |||
| POPST305 | Migration, Mobilities and Displacement | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton) |
| An examination of contemporary international migration with a particular focus on the drivers of migration, the social and structural forces that influence migration and the implications of different modes of governance. | |||
| PSYCH302 | Community, Culture and Diversity | 15.0 | 24B (Hamilton) & 24B (Tauranga) |
| The focus of this paper is the study of social justice, intersectionality, transformative interventions, and social change strategies that are central to community, indigenous and liberation psychologies. Issues covered include inequalities, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class and (dis)ability. Key considerations are the broader co... | |||
| SOCIO303 | Big Tech, Big Data, Algorithms and Society | 15.0 | 24A (Online) |
| Thinking sociologically about digital technologies: algorithms in social life, surveillance, disinformation, the gig economy and precarity. What does it mean to do sociology in the age of big tech? | |||
| SOCPY300 | Applied Social Policy | 15.0 | 24B (Online) |
| This paper provides students with experience of the ways in which policy is formulated and enacted. Theoretical perspectives are consolidated and extended to enhance opportunities for employment in the social policy field. | |||
| SOCPY301 | Health, Wellbeing and Policy | 15.0 | 24A (Hamilton), 24A (Online) & 24A (Tauranga) |
| This paper provides a critical introduction to key issues in the formation of health policy at both a national and international level. | |||
Scholarships and prizes
New to Waikato? The International Excellence Scholarship is worth up to $10,000.
Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships
Subject links
Subject Requirements
Full requirements for Population Studies as a single major, part of a double major, or a minor subject are available in the Catalogue of Papers.
Contacts
School of Social Sciences
Phone: 0800 800 145 or +64 7 838 4040
General and Undergraduate Email Enquiries: [email protected]