Program Overview

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Graduate Diploma in Arts – GradDipArts

The Graduate Diploma in Arts enables students to study another subject without completing a second bachelor’s degree. This graduate diploma is a bridging tool to gain the equivalent of an undergraduate major in a specific area, allowing students to pursue postgraduate study.

Type of Qualification

• Graduate diploma

Level of Study

• Graduate study
• NZQF level 7

Time to Complete

• 1 year full-time (120 credits)
• Part-time available

International Students

• Open to international students on campus in New Zealand, or studying online outside New Zealand

Key Dates

• Admission application due dates
• Course enrolment dates for accepted students
• Semester dates

Study a Graduate Diploma in Arts – GradDipArts

The Graduate Diploma in Arts is suitable for students who:

• Already have a bachelor’s degree and want to expand their horizons
• Have an interest in pursuing postgraduate study in the humanities and social sciences

Further Study

If students successfully complete their Graduate Diploma in Arts, they could go on to study a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts or a Master of Arts.

Entry Requirements

Admission to Massey

• All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University
• Massey University entry requirements

Specific Requirements

• To enter the Graduate Diploma in Arts, students must have been awarded or qualified for a bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Students must provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University

English Language Requirements

• To study this qualification, students must meet Massey University's English language standards
• This qualification is classified as NZQF Level 7 and requires the same English language standard as most undergraduate bachelor degrees, diplomas, and certificates

Prior Learning, Credit, and Exemptions

• For information on prior learning, exemptions, and transfer of credit or other questions, students should review the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations or contact the university

English Language Skills

• If students need help with their English language skills before starting university, they can take English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses

Official Regulations

• To understand what students need to study and must complete to graduate, they should read the official rules and regulations for this qualification
• Students should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University, including the General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, and Graduate Certificates

Structure of the Graduate Diploma in Arts

• If students study full-time, they will take eight 15-credit courses (120 credits) in 1 year, or 60 credits per semester
• Students may be able to take some courses at summer school

Prerequisite Courses

• Students must include courses that are prerequisites for the next level of courses they wish to study, where required
• Some GradDipArts specializations (Chinese, Economics, Japanese, Mathematics, Spanish, Statistics) include courses that have specific 100-level courses required as prerequisites, which must be passed before enrolling in a 200-level course

Courses and Specializations

• Courses and specializations are available in various subjects, including:
  • Chinese
  • Classical Studies
  • Creative Writing
  • Development Studies
  • Economics
  • Educational Psychology
  • Education
  • English
  • Environmental Studies
  • Geography
  • History
  • Japanese
  • Linguistics
  • Māori Studies
  • Mathematics
  • Media Studies
  • Philosophy
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Security Studies
  • Social Anthropology
  • Sociology
  • Spanish
  • Statistics
  • Without Specialization

Credit Summary

• 120 credits
  • Endorsement courses from the Schedule – 90 credits
  • Electives from the Schedule – 30 credits

Endorsements

• Students can filter endorsements by location (All locations, Distance and online, Auckland campus, Manawatū campus, Wellington campus)
• Endorsements are available in various subjects, including those listed above

Elective Courses

• Elective courses may be selected from any endorsement schedule and/or from a list of available courses
• Examples of elective courses include:
  • Incident Command Systems
  • Issues in Rehabilitation
  • Mental Health Promotion
  • Alcohol, Other Drugs and Addiction
  • Gender and Violence
  • Tū Rangaranga: Global Encounters
  • Tū Tira Mai: Practising Engagement
  • Intermediate French Language I
  • Intermediate French Language II
  • Advanced French Language
  • Contemporary French Popular Culture
  • Advanced Biosecurity

Fees and Scholarships

2026 Tuition Fees

• Domestic students: $7,415 – $8,785
• International students: $34,220 – $42,300

Course Fees

• Students can view fees for the courses that make up their qualification on the course details pages

Student Loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free Scheme

• Students may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying their fees
• The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students

Scholarship and Award Opportunities

• Students can search for scholarship and award opportunities

Fees Disclaimer

• This information is for estimation purposes only
• Actual fees payable will be finalized on confirmation of enrollment

Careers and Job Opportunities

• Graduates who choose to study the humanities and social sciences come from a broad range of disciplines and have diverse backgrounds
• They include managers, researchers, educators, and leaders looking for personal and professional development