Political Science and International Relations department
Mātai Tōrangapū, Hononga Tāwāhi
If you are interested in the world around you and how to make a difference in your community, locally, nationally, or internationally, then Political Science and International Relations at UC is the course for you.
If you are interested in the world around you and how to make a difference in your community, locally, nationally, or internationally, then Political Science and International Relations at UC is the course for you.
The UC Political Science and International Relations department is ranked first in New Zealand in the 2018 Performance-based Research Fund (PBRF) ranking and top 200 globally in the 2023 QS Subject rankings.
Our team of international staff provide insights into decision making from the neighbourhood to the global scale and their cutting-edge research informs real-world teaching contexts. Studying POLS helps you address complex social problems like health and environment policy, peace, security or human rights.
Graduates gain skills in analysis and problem solving as citizens and community leaders, for work in a wide range of exciting careers in international, national or local political institutions including the UN, aid organisations, human security or urban planning.
Many students also study POLS with Law, Business, Geography or Journalism.
Research groups and collaborations
The department has a strong research focus with a number of areas of expertise. Explore our research interests.