Duration
Full-time: Varies
Part-time: Varies
Next start date
2025 Semester Two – 21 July
2026 Semester One – 2 March
Available locations
City
Points
120 or 180
Programme type
Postgraduate
Taught & research options available

Programme overview

Make sense of conflict, help build safer communities and make the world a more secure place.

In this interdisciplinary programme you can advance your knowledge through the study of war, ethnic and religious conflict, cybercrime, terrorism and radicalisation.

You can learn from researchers who have worked for international institutions such as the United Nations and World Bank.

If you would like to know more about the MCTS, please contact Dr Chris Wilson at chris.wilson@auckland.ac.nz.

Programme structure

There are different ways to structure your programme, depending on the qualifications you already have, and whether you would like to write a thesis.

Taught (180 point)

  • Enter from an undergraduate qualification
  • Three core courses in the causes, dynamics and resolution of violent conflict and terrorism, and the ethics of war (45 points)
  • Elective courses (90 points or 75 points)
  • Dissertation (45 points or 60 points)

Research (120 point)

  • Enter from a postgraduate qualification
  • Two core courses in the causes, dynamics and resolution of violent conflict and terrorism, and the ethics of war (30 points)
  • Thesis (90 points)

Taught (120 point)

  • Enter from a postgraduate qualification
  • Three core courses in the causes, dynamics and resolution of violent conflict and terrorism, and the ethics of war (45 points)
  • Elective courses (30 points or 15 points)
  • Dissertation (45 points or 60 points)

You can find the requirements for your study in the MCTS Schedule, and take a look at our postgraduate courses in Conflict and Terrorism Studies.

Postgraduate pathway

Download the Arts postgraduate pathway (14KB, PDF)

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Sample programme structure

Taught (180pt)

Year one 120 points

  • Code:
    POLITICS 770
    Name:
    Ethnic Conflict and Civil War
    Type:
    Core taught
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    POLITICS 773
    Name:
    From Dresden to Drones: The Ethics of War
    Type:
    Core taught
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    POLITICS 701
    Name:
    Research Design in Empirical Political Inquiry
    Type:
    Core taught
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    Stage VII course
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    Stage VII course
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    Stage VII course
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    POLITICS 793A
    Name:
    Dissertation
    Type:
    Dissertation
    Points:
    30 pts

Year two 60 points

  • Code:
    Stage VII course
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    Stage VII course
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    POLITICS 793B
    Name:
    Dissertation
    Type:
    Dissertation
    Points:
    30 pts

Sample programme structure

Research (120 point)

Year one 120 points

  • Code:
    POLITICS 770
    Name:
    Ethnic Conflict and Civil War
    Type:
    Core taught
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    POLITICS 773
    Name:
    From Dresden to Drones: The Ethics of War
    Type:
    Core taught
    Points:
    15 pts
  • Code:
    POLITICS 794
    Name:
    Thesis
    Type:
    Thesis
    Points:
    90 pts

Subjects available in this programme

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

2025 entry requirements

My highest qualification is from:

Programme requirements

Minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

  • Study option
    Taught 120 points
    Grade required
    GPA Grade Point Average 5.0

    Bachelor of Arts (Honours) or Postgraduate Diploma in Arts

  • Study option
    Taught 180 points
    Grade required
    GPA Grade Point Average 5.0

    Bachelors degree

  • Study option
    Research 120 points
    Grade required
    GPA Grade Point Average 5.0

    Bachelor of Arts (Honours) or Postgraduate Diploma in Arts

Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA)

Further programme requirements

Select your study option:

You must have completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree, or Postgraduate Diploma in Arts in a relevant subject with a GPA of 5.0, or have equivalent prior study. 

In exceptional circumstances, these you may be eligible for this programme if the relevant Associate Dean Academic, or nominee, determines that you have a Bachelors degree and relevant practical, professional, or scholarly experience that is equivalent to one year of postgraduate study. 

You must have completed either

  • a Bachelors degree with a GPA of 5.0 or higher in a relevant subject, or equivalent prior study
  • a Bachelors degree with a GPA of 5.0 or higher in 60 points above stage II in a relevant subject
  • a Bachelors degree in a relevant subject, or have equivalent prior study, and passed 60 points of relevant courses towards the Postgraduate Certificate in Arts with a GPA of 5.0 or higher (provided that the postgraduate certificate has not been awarded)

In exceptional circumstances these requirements may be waived by the relevant Associate Dean Academic, or nominee, if they determine you have at least three years of relevant practical, professional, or scholarly experience. 

You must have completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree or Postgraduate Diploma in Arts in a relevant discipline with a GPA of 5.0. This programme draws upon multiple disciplines to study conflict and terrorism, so a wide range of backgrounds will be considered.

Programme requirements

Minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

  • Study option
    Taught 120 points
    Grade required
    GPE Grade Point Equivalent 5.0

    One year of postgraduate study or a four-year undergraduate degree

  • Study option
    Taught 180 points
    Grade required
    GPE Grade Point Equivalent 5.0

    An undergraduate degree

  • Study option
    Research 120 points
    Grade required
    GPE Grade Point Equivalent 5.0

    One year of postgraduate study or a four-year undergraduate degree

  • Qualification
    IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System
    Score required
    6.5

    No bands less than 6.0

    See alternative English language requirements

Calculate your Grade Point Equivalent (GPE)

Further programme requirements

Select your study option:

You must have completed a one-year postgraduate qualification following an undergraduate degree, or an equivalent four-year undergraduate degree, in a relevant discipline at a recognised university (or similar institution). You will need a GPE of 5.0.

This programme draws upon multiple disciplines to study conflict and terrorism, so a wide range of backgrounds will be considered.

You must have completed an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline at a recognised university (or similar institution) with a GPE of 5.0. This programme draws upon multiple disciplines to study conflict and terrorism, so a wide range of backgrounds will be considered.

You must have completed a one-year postgraduate qualification following an undergraduate degree, or an equivalent four-year undergraduate degree, in a relevant discipline at a recognised university (or similar institution). You will need a GPE of 5.0.

This programme draws upon multiple disciplines to study conflict and terrorism, so a wide range of backgrounds will be considered.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

How much does a Master of Conflict and Terrorism Studies cost per year?

2025 fees

Domestic students
NZ$9,862.80*
International students
NZ$42,828*

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Amounts shown are indicative only. In addition to the tuition fees, there is a Student Services Fee of $9.24 per point, estimated at $1,108.80 for full-time study (120 points). Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

See course fees for each faculty

Find out about financial support information

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Key dates

Note: For international applicants, the application closing date for Semester Two 2024 is 24 May 2024.

Please note: We will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Application closing dates

Semester One 2024
8 December 2023
Semester Two 2024
4 July 2024

Start dates

Here are the start dates for the programme.

Other important dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Where could this programme take you?

Develop the specialist knowledge and skills for careers in government and security, international organisations, policy making, peacekeeping and post-conflict development. Our graduates in this field have careers in government agencies, non-governmental and corporate organisations in a number of countries.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Conflict analyst
  • Counterterrorism analyst
  • Development consultant
  • Disaster management specialist
  • Humanitarian worker
  • Intelligence analyst
  • Peace and reconciliation advisor
  • Policy advisor

Further study options

See all study options

Student career planning service

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

Experience the University

Studying conflict and terrorism

Hear from our Programme Director and student to find out more about Master of Conflict and Terrorism Studies.

Do you need help?

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923 5025
Outside Auckland
0800 61 62 63
International
+64 9 373 7513