Master of Professional Studies

in International Relations and

Human Rights
Study in one of the top 40 politics programmes in the world*
The Master of Professional Studies in International Relations and Human Rights at the University of Auckland is a one-year
full-time graduate programme, usually begun after four years of university study. Students undertake specialised study of
key issues and institutions of world politics and international human rights protection. The programme includes both taught
courses and a dissertation.
The degree can equip students with the
following skills, all of which can be
advantageous for careers in the field:
Understanding of how the United Nations
and international courts promote human
rights, and how governments and other
actors can help or obstruct this.
Knowledge of the powers and limitations of
the UN Human Rights Commission, Human
Rights Council, Human Rights Committee,
and the High Commissioner for Human
Rights.
Understanding of the Just War Doctrine and
case studies of humanitarian intervention.
Political analysis and research skills.
Presentation and communication skills.
Acquaintance with staff and students with
similar interests.

Degree structure
The degree programme is currently structured
around a core course (POLITICS 750
International Relations and Human Rights), a
10,000 word dissertation, and usually five
additional courses chosen mainly from Political
Studies but also from relevant offerings from
Development Studies, Sociology, Law, Economics,
Philosophy, and International Business.

Core courses
POLITICS 750 International Relations and
Human Rights
Traces the evolution of human rights concepts
and how they inspire the negotiation of
intergovernmental treaties and the
establishment of international institutions and
courts to protect human rights.

2013 QS World University Rankings.

Photo credit: Patrick Gruban

POLITICS 755 Dissertation in International

Relations and Human Rights
This 10,000 word dissertation is to be written
on a topic combining international relations
and human rights issues and institutions. It is
equivalent to two courses and may be taken in
one semester or over two semesters. The topic
and supervisor are to be chosen by the student
with the advice of the degree coordinator.

Elective courses (Political Studies)

POLITICS 705 Rights: History, Theory, and
Practice (political philosophy background
recommended)
POLITICS 707 Politics of Global Protest
POLITICS 746 Global Organisations and
Governance
POLITICS 768 Economic Statecraft
POLITICS 770 Intra-State Conflict and Human
Rights
POLITICS 771 Special Topic: Democratisation
and International Relations (special permission
is required to include this course)

POLITICS 772 Comparative Political Economy

POLITICS 773 Special Topic: The Ethics of War
(special permission is required to include this
course)

Elective Courses (other subjects)

DEVELOP 709 Early Theories of International
Development
DEVELOP 710 Contemporary Theories of
International Development
ECON 741 Topics in International Trade
ECON 742 Trade Policy
ECON 771 Economics of Development
INTBUS 706 Globalization
PHIL 767 Global Justice
SOCIOL 713 Sociology of Law: Human Rights
(30 points)
Plus a variety of Law courses.

Career opportunities for graduates

The programme has attracted students from Australia, Canada, China, Timor-Leste, France,
Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Kosovo, Norway, Philippines, South Africa,
Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, The Netherlands, Tonga, United Arab Emirates, and United States. Our
graduates have careers in NGOs, government service, media, university teaching and law firms.
The Auckland IRHR programme enabled me to learn from leading academics in the field, study with peers who
challenged my thinking, and enjoy a broad range of elective courses; and I was able to study part-time so I could
continue my NGO career.
Lindsey Ruffolo (New Zealand), Partnerships Advisor, World Vision.
This programme exceeded my expectations in its availability of varied interdisciplinary courses on offer... .and it
gave me the political knowledge and professional skills I needed to secure a job in the area of international
relations and human rights.
Bram Lauwers (Belgium), Policy Officer, New Zealand Immigration Service.
Studying at the University of Auckland helped me secure an internship, then a consultancy, with a UN agency.
The quality of teaching, engagement and support from the staff, and their flexibility so I could complete my
graduate degree part-time, were impressive, as were the academic facilities on offer.
Andrea Egan (United States), International Consultant to UNDP on Climate Change Adaptation.
My year at Auckland University was a life changing experience. The competency, professionalism, and
helpfulness of the professors were exceptional. I was able to meet and made friends from all over the world:
Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa. The IRHR degree prepared me well for work with my government and
international NGOs.
Januario Soares (Timor-Leste) Senior Program Officer, The Asia Foundation, Dili.

Admission requirements
and duration
Requirements for entry are either a four-year
bachelors degree, or a bachelors (honours)
degree, or a bachelors degree combined with
either a professional qualification equivalent to
one years advanced study or at least three
years relevant professional experience.
Students with weak international relations
study backgrounds may be required to take
appropriate international affairs courses prior
to entry, such as a one-semester Transitional
Certificate (TRANC) of four undergraduate
courses at the University of Auckland or
another tertiary institution.
Students can begin in either Semester One or
Semester Two. The Master of Professional
Studies in IRHR can be completed in one year
of full-time study or up to four years of
part-time study.

Fees and scholarships

Fees are published on the University website.
For information visit www.auckland.ac.nz/fees
A range of scholarships and funding
opportunities are available for postgraduate
students at the University of Auckland,
although there are no dedicated scholarships
or tuition waivers for this degree. For more
information visit www.auckland.ac.nz/
scholarships
www.arts.auckland.ac.nz/politics

Associate Professor Stephen Hoadley and a graduate of the MProfStuds IRHR, Januario Soares from Timor-Leste.

For more information

For more information about the degree
requirements and courses, visit: www.arts.
auckland.ac.nz/international-relations
Contact:
Associate Professor Stephen Hoadley
Coordinator of Master of Professional Studies
in International Relations and Human Rights
(MProfStuds IRHR)
Email: s.hoadley@auckland.ac.nz
Phone: +64 9 373 7599 ext 87031

For enrolment and general enquiries

contact:
The Arts Students Centre
Room 416-418, Human Science Building,
10 Symonds Street
Phone: 923 5060 (within Auckland)
0800 61 62 65 (outside Auckland)
+64 9 373 7513 (overseas)
www.arts.auckland.ac.nz/asc
International students can also contact:
The International Office
Phone: +64 9 373 7513
Email: int-questions@auckland.ac.nz
www.auckland.ac.nz/international