Duration
Full-time: 18 months
Part-time: Varies
Next start date
2025 Semester One – 3 March
2025 Semester Two – 21 July
Available locations
City, Online
Points
180
Programme type
Postgraduate
Taught & research options available

Programme overview

This masters programme, designed with flexibility in mind, is able to be completed 100% online (depending on elective selections), as well as face-to-face and a mixture of both.

Meaningful social change is only possible when we prioritise the experiences of people at the centre of the issues. Equally, leadership skills are more critical than ever for driving social transformation, especially in a complex world where it can be difficult to identify and respond to the root causes of issues.

On a strong foundation of leadership training, this programme will teach you how to implement solutions that respond to social and community contexts, opportunities and complexities. By learning about evaluation and research, you will gain the knowledge and abilities to produce more sustainable and scalable change in a complex world.

These will help you to lead, innovate and evaluate for social change.

This 180-point programme is flexibly designed to suit those working full-time or part-time in community, government, not-for-profit and social good sectors, as well as graduates from a range of disciplines aspiring to work in this area.

Programme structure

Taught Masters 180 points

  • Take four core advanced taught courses (120 points total) in the programme that focus on leadership, systems thinking, Innovation, ethics, and Evaluation.
  • Develop postgraduate expertise in one or more subject area by taking 60 points from a wide range of elective courses across the University, including the Faculties of Education and Social Work, Medicine and Health Sciences, Arts, Science, Creative Arts and Industries.
  • You have the option to combine face-to-face and online courses
  • Students typically complete the programme in 1.5 years full-time or two years part-time.

You can view an example programme structure below. Please note that this is an example only, for all elective courses you can choose from, visit the University Calendar.

You can see the courses required to complete your programme through the University Calendar. Please note that not all courses are offered each year. Visit the calendar regulations for the Master of Social and Community Leadership.

Research Masters 180 points

  • Two core courses (30 points total): Innovation, Design and Evaluation (SOCCLEAD 706) and Leadership, Ethics, Systems (SOCCLEAD 703)*
  • A Research Methods course (30 points): Research Methodologies (EDUCSW 700) or Māori and Indigenous Research (EDUC 787)
  • Thesis (90 points)

This programme is designed for flexibility, to suit those working full-time or part-time.

It comprises the core courses from the Postgraduate Certificate in Social and Community Leadership, plus a research methods course and a 90-point research thesis project. The thesis project can be focused on a need or opportunity within the community or something relevant to your workplace. The project will give you real-life, in-depth experience as you build strong research, investigative and evaluative abilities. You will learn how to use research to increase and improve social and community leadership.

You will have the guidance and support of an experienced supervisor throughout your research.

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 masters FULL TIME (18 months). THIS IS AN EXAMPLE ONLY

Sem 1 2024 60 points

  • Code:
    SOCCLEAD 706
    Name:
    Innovation, Design and Evaluation
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    30 pts
  • Code:
    MAORI 743
    Name:
    Tōrangapū / Issues in Māori Politics and Policy
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    30 pts

Sem 2 2024 60 points

  • Code:
    SOCCLEAD 703
    Name:
    Leadership, Ethics, Systems
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    30 pts
  • Code:
    SOCCLEAD 707
    Name:
    Programme Evaluation
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    30 pts

Sem 1 2025 60 points

  • Code:
    SOCCLEAD 708
    Name:
    Enacting Social Change
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    30 pts
  • Code:
    SOCHLTH 700
    Name:
    Health, Social Justice and Social Work
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    30 pts

Sample programme structure

Research masters FULL TIME (18 months). THIS IS AN EXAMPLE ONLY

Sem 1 2024 60 points

  • Code:
    SOCCLEAD 706
    Name:
    Innovation, Design, Evaluation
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    30 pts
  • Code:
    EDUCSW 700
    Name:
    Research Methodologies
    Type:
    Elective course
    Points:
    30 pts

Sem 2 2024 60 points

  • Code:
    SOCCLEAD 703
    Name:
    Leadership, Ethics, Systems
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    30 pts
  • Code:
    SOCCLEAD 794A
    Name:
    Thesis
    Type:
    Compulsory degree component
    Points:
    30 pts

Sem 1 2025 60 points

  • Code:
    SOCCLEAD 794B or SOCCLEAD 795
    Name:
    Thesis
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    60 pts

2024 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
    Research 180 points
    Grade required
    GPA Grade Point Average 5.0

    Bachelors degree

Further programme requirements

Research 180 points

You must have completed a bachelors degree with at least 60 points in social science subjects and have a GPA of 5.0 or higher in 75 points above Stage II.

Other pathways to study

If you don’t meet the GPA requirement you can still gain entry by passing 60 points towards the Postgraduate Certificate in Social and Community Leadership with a GPA of 5 or higher.

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
    Research 180 points
    Grade required
    GPE Grade Point Equivalent 5.0

    An undergraduate degree

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

Further programme requirements

Research 180 points

You must have completed an undergraduate degree at a recognised university (or similar institution) with courses in social science subjects comprising at least 15-20% of your degree. You will need a GPE of 5.0 in the most advanced courses taken in your degree.

Other pathways to study

If you don’t meet the GPE requirement you can still gain entry by passing 60 points towards the Postgraduate Certificate in Social and Community Leadership with a GPA of 5 or higher.

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 Social and Community Leadership cost per year?

2025 fees

Domestic students
NZ$9,033.60*
International students
NZ$39,995 – $41,594*

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 $8.88 per point, estimated at $1,065.60 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.

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

Summer School 2025
1 December 2024
Semester One 2025
8 December 2024
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.

View our study pathways guide to help you decide whether this programme is right for you

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your study options please contact Student Hubs.

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?

There are various career opportunities available based on prior experience, expertise and elective specialisation within the MSCL. Common themes include leadership, project management, research, evaluation, programme design, social innovation and development, consultation, policy development, social change, community and health development.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Community and social organisation leader
  • Social and community facilitator/advocate
  • Social and community educator
  • Learning designer
  • Community developer and designer
  • Programme designer/project manager
  • Policy analyst
  • Social innovator/consultant

“The programme aligned with my job and organisation; it’s forward-thinking, community-minded and designed to better equip people to live their best lives."

Read David's story

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

Video of postgraduate student Moira Clunie

Lead social and community change

"I really appreciated how the programme is designed quite well around work," not-for-profit leader and full-time employee Moira Clunie says.

Do you need help?

AskAuckland

Your online help and support centre. Search our frequently asked questions.

Can’t find the answer in AskAuckland?

Our student support team is here to help. Use our online contact form.

Need to speak to someone?

You can phone us directly.

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