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Quick Facts

Programme Tabs

Overview

Programme Overview

This masters programme, designed with flexibility in mind, can be completed 100% online (depending on your elective choices), 100% face-to-face or 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.

With its 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.

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) that focus on leadership, systems thinking, Innovation, ethics, and evaluation.
  • Develop postgraduate expertise in one or more subject areas by completing 60 points from a wide range of elective courses across the University, including the Faculties of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arts and Education, and Science.
  • 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.

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. It suits 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 focus 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 enhance social and community leadership.

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

Programme Careers

Potential Careers

There are various career opportunities available depending on your 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, and 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

Further Study Options

Student career planning services

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

Key Information for Students

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

Experience the University

Video

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.

Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates

Programme Entry Requirements

Other qualifications

If your highest qualification was gained from another tertiary institution, view our entry requirements.


University of Auckland 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. 

Research (180 point) - 5.0 Grade Point Average

Bachelors degree

Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA)

Postgraduate Requirements

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

Find a Supervisor

Depending on the type of programme you are pursuing, you may have the opportunity to complete a unique research project. To find out more about the research carried out at the University of Auckland and to identify potential supervisors, check out our researcher profiles.

Other Pathways to Study

Alternatively, you must have:

  • a relevant Bachelors degree from this University with a GPA of 5.0 or higher in 60 points above Stage II.
  • a Bachelors degree from this University in a relevant subject with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher, or have equivalent prior study and passed 60 points towards the Postgraduate Certificate in Social and Community Leadership, provided that the Postgraduate Certificate in Social and Community Leadership has not been awarded
  • a relevant Bachelors degree from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in 60 points above Stage II and passed 60 points towards the Postgraduate Certificate in Social and Community Leadership, provided that the Postgraduate Certificate in Social and Community Leadership has not been awarded
  • a relevant professional qualification, equivalent to a Bachelors degree of at least 360 points, with at least two years of relevant professional experience and passed 60 points towards the Postgraduate Certificate in Social and Community Leadership with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher, provided that the Postgraduate Certificate in Social and Community Leadership has not been awarded.

Note: Relevant subjects may include social sciences, psychology and counselling, public policy and administration, community development and planning, education and training, public health and health promotion, non-profit management and administration, environment and sustainability, communications and media studies (including journalism), criminology and criminal law, economics, development studies, creative arts and industries (with a focus on community/social engagement)


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.

If you do not meet the above entry requirements, but have other relevant experience and think you would be successful in postgraduate study, please contact us to discuss alternative pathways into our programmes. 

Fees and scholarships

Fees

Fees Disclaimer

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. Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses. For more information, please see Fees and Money Matters.

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

Scholarships

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Loans and Allowances

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

Cost of living

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

Key Dates

Application Advice

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.

Key Dates

SemesterApplication Closing DateSemester Start DateSemester End Date
2026 Semester One08 December 202502 March 202629 June 2026
2026 Semester Two08 June 202620 July 202616 November 2026

Other Important Dates

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

Regulations

Preamble

The regulations for this degree are to be read in conjunction with all other relevant statutes and regulations including the Academic Statutes and Regulations.

Admission

1 In order to be admitted to this degree, an applicant must have:

a (i) completed the requirements for a Bachelors degree from this University in a relevant subject with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher, or have equivalent prior study

or

(ii) completed the requirements for a relevant Bachelors degree from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in 60 points above Stage II

or

b (i) (a) completed the requirements for a Bachelors degree from this University in a relevant subject with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher, or have equivalent prior study

or

(b) completed the requirements for a relevant Bachelors degree from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in 60 points above Stage II

and

(ii) passed 60 points towards the Postgraduate Certificate in Social and Community Leadership, provided that the Postgraduate Certificate in Social and Community Leadership has not been awarded

or

c (i) a relevant professional qualification, equivalent to a Bachelors degree of at least 360 points, with at least two years of relevant professional experience

and

(ii) passed 60 points towards the Postgraduate Certificate in Social and Community Leadership with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher, provided that the Postgraduate Certificate in Social and Community Leadership has not been awarded.

2 Equivalence and relevance in Regulation 1 will be determined by the University. Equivalence pertains to the standard as well as nature and level of study.

3 In exceptional circumstances the requirements in Regulation 1 may be waived by the relevant Associate Dean Academic or nominee if they determine that an applicant has at least three years of relevant practical, professional or scholarly experience that provides an equivalent level of preparation.

Note: Relevant subjects may include social sciences, psychology and counselling, public policy and administration, community development and planning, education and training, public health and health promotion, non-profit management and administration, environment and sustainability, communications and media studies (including journalism), criminology and criminal law, economics, development studies, creative arts and industries (with a focus on community/social engagement).

Duration and Total Points Value

4 A student admitted to this degree must:

a pass courses with a total value of 180 points

and

b complete within the time limit specified in the General Regulations – Masters Degrees.

5 The total enrolment for this degree must not exceed 220 points.

Structure and Content

6 a A student enrolled for this degree must complete the requirements as listed in the Master of Social and Community Leadership Schedule.

b A student may substitute an alternative course the same as, or similar to, EDUCSW 700, as approved by the Programme Director.

c A student must achieve a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in the first 60 points of taught courses taken for this degree. If this Grade Point Average is not achieved, enrolment in the Master of Social and Community Leadership cannot continue.

7 A student must complete the University of Auckland Academic Integrity course as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic Integrity, of the University Calendar.

Research Component

8 a The thesis is to be carried out under the guidance of a supervisor appointed by the relevant Academic Head.

b The thesis must be approved by the relevant Programme Director or nominee or Postgraduate Committee prior to enrolment.

c The thesis is to be completed and submitted in accordance with the General Regulations – Masters Degrees.

Credit, Cross-credit and Reassignment

9 A student who does not achieve the Grade Point Average specified in Regulation 6c may apply to reassign courses passed for the Master of Social and Community Leadership to the Postgraduate Certificate in Social and Community Leadership.

Distinction

10 This degree may be awarded with either Honours, Distinction or Merit in accordance with the General Regulations – Masters Degrees.

Variations

11 In exceptional circumstances the Programme Director may approve a variation to a student’s programme of study in accordance with the Enrolment and Programme Regulations.

Regulation Commencement or Amendment

12 These regulations and/or schedule have been amended with effect from 1 January 2025.

Schedule

Schedule Notes

A student may substitute an alternative course the same as, or similar to, EDUCSW 700, as approved by the Programme Director.

Programme Schedules

Complete 180 points comprising:

  • 1 item from Master of Social and Community Leadership Schedule, and
  • 1 item from Academic Integrity Course

Academic Integrity Course

Complete exactly 1 of the following:

Graduate Profile and Programme Capabilities

Graduate Profile

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Programme Capabilities

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Programme Capabilities to Graduate Profile Map

Programme Learning OutcomesPeople and PlaceSustainabilityKnowledge and PracticeCritical ThinkingSolution-SeekingCommunicationCollaborationEthics and Professionalism