- 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.
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
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 optionResearch 180 pointsGrade requiredGPA 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 optionResearch 180 pointsGrade requiredGPE Grade Point Equivalent 5.0
An undergraduate degree
-
QualificationIELTS Academic International English Language Testing SystemScore required6.5
No bands less than 6.0
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.
How much does a Master of Social and Community Leadership cost per year?
2025 fees
- Domestic students
- NZ$9,033.60*
- International students
- NZ$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.
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.
| Summer School | Starts – 4 January |
|---|---|
| Ends – 14 February | |
| Semester One | Starts – 26 February |
| Ends – 24 June | |
| Semester Two | Starts – 15 July |
| Ends – 11 November |
| Summer School | Starts – 6 January |
|---|---|
| Ends – 19 February | |
| Semester One | Starts – 3 March |
| Ends – 30 June | |
| Semester Two | Starts – 21 July |
| Ends – 17 November |
Other important dates
See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.
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.
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 storyStudent 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
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.
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- 0800 61 62 63
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