Population StudiesSubject regulations

Population Studies explores some of the most serious societal 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. The undergraduate programme complements and supports other subjects in the university that are concerned with population by providing training in core concepts, methods and issues.

Population Studies is available as a first major for the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and the Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc). Population Studies may also be taken as a second major or minor in other undergraduate degrees, subject to approval of the Division in which the student is enrolled.

To complete Population Studies as a single major for the BA or BSocSc, students must gain 135 points from papers listed for Population Studies, including 105 points above 100 level, and 60 points above 200 level. Students must include 30 points from the 100 level papers listed, POPST201, and at least 30 points from POPST coded papers at 300 level.

To complete Population Studies as part of a double major for the BA, BSocSc or other undergraduate degree, students must gain 120 points from papers listed for Population Studies, including 90 points above 100 level, and 45 points above 200 level. Students must include POPST201, and at least 30 points from POPST coded papers at 300 level.

To complete a minor in Population Studies, students must complete at least 60 points from the papers listed for Population Studies, including at least 30 points above 100 level. Students must complete POPST201, and at least one POPST coded 300 level paper.

Enquiries about undergraduate programmes in Population Studies should be directed to the undergraduate advisor.

Note:

Students are encouraged to contact the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences Office for programme advice.

Other qualifications

Prescriptions for:

A Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma are available to graduates who have not included Population Studies at an advanced level in their first degree.
For further details, contact the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology and Social Sciences Office.
The Master of Philosophy is a one year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.
The Doctor of Philosophy is a three year research-based degree in which students undertake a programme of approved and supervised research that leads to a thesis which critically investigates an approved topic of substance and significance, demonstrates expertise in the methods of research and scholarship, displays intellectual independence and makes a substantial original contribution to the subject area concerned, and is of publishable quality.

Population Studies papers

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
DATAX121Introduction to Statistical Methods An introductory paper in statistics that uses R. Topics include the collection and presentation of data, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Secondary School - Unistart) & 25G (Online) & 25X (Hainan University, Haikou China)
GEOGY101Sustainable Geographies An introduction to the rich field of social and cultural geography with links to the UNDP Sustainable Development Goals. A foundation paper for...	15	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Online) & 25B (Tauranga)
MAORI150Te Tiriti o Waitangi: An Introduction to the Treaty of Waitangi This paper seeks to provide a sound understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It reviews historical and contemporary interpretations and takes into...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga) & 25B (Hamilton) & 25I (Hamilton) & 25X (Hamilton)
PSYCH101Social Psychology, Health and Well-being This paper will introduce major issues in psychology particularly as they relate to health, wellbeing, mental illness, forensic psychology, lifespan...	15	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
SOCIO101Introduction to Sociology This paper prepares students for further study in a range of social science subjects. It introduces the main sociological theories, concepts and...	15	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Secondary School - Unistart) & 25B (Tauranga)
SOCPY100Introduction to Social Policy This paper examines the values behind social policy and introduces students to some of the important issues and debates in New Zealand and other...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Secondary School - Unistart) & 25A (Tauranga)

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
GEOGY209Health, People, Place This paper draws on critical analysis of health, people and place to introduce contemporary developments in socio-cultural geography. Attention is...	15	25B (Online)
HELTH201Epidemiology and Bio-statistics This course provides students with basic understanding of the techniques and uses of epidemiology in preventing poor health, health planning and...	15	25B (Hamilton)
POLSC212Public Policy Analysis This paper introduces students to public policy analysis. Students focus on the role of politics, public participation and policy in addressing...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Online)
POPST201Population Studies This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the multidisciplinary field of Population Studies. Students will develop a sound understanding...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Online)
PSYCH211Understanding Psychological Research This paper will cover the basic methodological approaches relevant to psychological and social science research, including research design, data...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
SOCPY200Social Policy and Social Issues 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...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Online)

Code and paper title	Points	Occurrence/Location The study locations.
ALPSS390Directed Study This paper allows students from the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology, and Social Sciences to undertake research on a specific topic related to their...	15	25X (Hamilton)
GEOGY309Social and Cultural Geographies of Difference This paper is a forum for debate in critical geographies of difference. Key concerns are intersections between gender, ethnicity, nationality and...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Tauranga)
GEOGY328Geographical Information Systems 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...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Online)
GNSEX303Intersectionalities: Identities and Inequalities This paper provides a comprehensive review of the historical context for understanding contemporary issues of race, gender, sexuality, and social...	15	25A (Hamilton)
POPST300Population Studies Work-related Project This work-related project is mostly a university-based project with a focus on a workplace or community organisation relevant to population studies...	15	25X (Hamilton)
POPST302Exploring Population Change This paper applies methods for measuring population size, composition and change, which are used extensively for understanding population issues in...	15	25A (Hamilton) & 25A (Online)
PSYCH302Community, Culture and Diversity The focus of this paper is the study of social justice, intersectionality, transformative interventions, and social change strategies that are...	15	25B (Hamilton) & 25B (Tauranga)
SOCIO303Big Tech, Big Data, Algorithms and Society Thinking sociologically about digital technologies: algorithms in social life, surveillance, disinformation, the gig economy and precarity. What does...	15	25A (Online)
SOCPY300Applied Social Policy This paper provides students with experience of the ways in which policy is formulated and enacted. Theoretical perspectives are consolidated and...	15	25B (Online)
SOCPY301Health, Wellbeing and Policy This paper provides a critical introduction to key issues in the formation of health policy at both a national and international level.	15	25A (Online)

2025 Catalogue of Papers information current as of 5 Apr 2025 01:00am

Population StudiesSubject regulations

Other qualifications

GradCert(PopSt) and GradDip(PopSt)

MPhil

PhD

Population Studies papers