Massey University

What you'll study

The Graduate Diploma in Arts offers a flexible programme of advanced coursework across Massey’s arts and social science disciplines. You will select modules from areas such as cultural and media studies, history, geography, politics and international relations, sociology, languages, Māori and Pacific Studies, and creative writing. Typical course components include disciplinary seminars, topic-based units (for example, contemporary cultural theory, environmental policy, or migration studies) and a research methods course that introduces qualitative and quantitative techniques and project design. Students can tailor their programme as a single-subject extension to build depth in one area or combine units from different fields to create an interdisciplinary pathway. The diploma is available full-time or part-time, and many units are offered on-campus and by distance learning to suit working students.

Entry requirements

Admission is normally granted to applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent tertiary qualification. Applicants are expected to demonstrate sufficient academic achievement in their prior study; where recent academic performance is not available, relevant professional experience may be considered. Some specialised units may have prerequisites or require approval from the programme coordinator. International applicants must meet Massey’s general English-language requirements if their previous study was not in English.

Career prospects

The GDArt prepares graduates for a variety of roles that value critical thinking, research skills and effective communication. Common career destinations include policy and analysis roles in government and NGOs, research assistant and programme support positions, communications and media roles, heritage and museum work, and community development. The diploma is also a common route into postgraduate research or taught master’s programmes in the arts and social sciences; students who wish to become secondary teachers typically combine it with a professional teaching qualification afterwards.

Why study at Massey University

Massey offers a strong combination of disciplinary expertise, flexible study delivery and research-led teaching across its campuses and online. The university has established centres and research groups in areas such as cultural studies, environmental policy, indigenous and Pacific research, and applied social sciences, providing opportunities for supervision and internship connections. The GDArt’s flexible structure supports study across multiple disciplines and modes, making it suitable for career changers, part-time learners and those preparing for further postgraduate study. Students benefit from Massey’s student support services, writing and research skills programmes, and an active academic community in the humanities and social sciences.