Political Science and International Relations

Study Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) in Wellington, New Zealand's seat of politics and government.

Politics defines the world and drives our lives. Almost every aspect of our lives requires political activity of one sort or another.

Political activity is about the exercise of power. Political Science and International Relations asks fundamental questions about how power and resources are distributed around the world and what impact political decisions have on societies.

Political Science and International Relations are complementary and inter-related disciplines that pull the political dimension into focus. They provide language and concepts with which to explain, justify, and criticise the modern world.

The Political Science programme at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington was the first of its kind in New Zealand. What’s more, we are the only university in the country offering an undergraduate degree in International Relations.

Based in Wellington, the heart of New Zealand's government, the University is the ideal place to study politics. Our country may be on the edge of world affairs, but that gives us a unique vantage point from which to examine international relations.

Studying in New Zealand’s political centre

Situated in New Zealand’s capital city, we are especially well placed to give you the chance to study the nation’s politics, the institutions of government, and the manner in which foreign affairs are conducted. Here you can see the rough and tumble of politics-in-the-making. Being on the periphery of world affairs gives Wellington a unique vantage point from which to examine international relations.

Non-partisan analysis

Our courses are not designed to promote any specific ideological point of view or the policies of a particular political party or government. Rather, you will be exposed to the complexity and variety of political phenomena, both in the past and in the contemporary world.

You’ll be given the necessary tools to understand and critically analyse what you see happening around you. And you’ll be encouraged to evaluate the merits of leadership changes, governmental decisions, regimes, international treaties, foreign policy initiatives, armed interventions, and peace settlements.