Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Specialise in Defence Studies for your Bachelor of Arts at Massey
Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Defence Studies) offers industry input, practical experience and specialised knowledge to develop the skills employers seek.
Get a powerful combination of skills
You’ll follow a unique qualification that combines the study of modern defence studies and military history with broad and transferable critical-thinking skills.
The only major of its kind in New Zealand
The contemporary world of modern defence is the core of this specialised major. You’ll examine its impact on media, technology and conflict resolution at local and global levels. Massey is the only university in New Zealand where you can study defence studies and military history at undergraduate level.
Learn from the best
Massey has long delivered New Zealand’s only defence studies qualification. You’ll be taught by staff with academic knowledge in the area and/or military, defence and security experience.
The BA (Defence Studies) is designed in collaboration with an advisory board of New Zealand’s top defence and security officials. Our qualification partners are government agencies that contribute to national, regional and global security, as well as peace and humanitarian aid initiatives. You may have the opportunity to do an internship with one of these agencies.
You choose what to study
You can choose from a mix of military history, strategy, tactics, intelligence, command and technology courses. These courses aren’t just for people working in the defence forces, they’re for anyone interested in understanding the world of modern defence.
A Bachelor of Arts in Defence Studies is a good fit if you:
- wonder why wars start, who draws the battle-lines and why military force is used
- want to understand why war seems to be an unavoidable part of human existence
- want a career that contributes to world peace and stability.
Planning information
If you study full-time, in your first year, you’ll take eight 15-credit courses, making a total of 120 credits.
If you wish to study over two semesters, you should aim for 60 credits per semester. You may be able to take some courses at summer school. Make sure you include courses that are prerequisites for the next level of courses you wish to study.
You need to pass five courses at 300-level for your BA. One of these (230310) is in the compulsory core and three are required for your major. If you are not taking a double major or a minor, you will need to take one 300-level elective course to meet this requirement.
About this major
The Defence Studies major consists of 120 credits (eight courses).
Minors
Completing a minor is optional. Minors increase the breadth of your degree. They give you extra knowledge, attributes and capabilities.
A minor must be in a different subject from your major.
A Bachelor of Arts (Defence Studies) with a minor
You may choose a minor from the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business or Bachelor of Science. If the minor is from another degree the regulations of that qualification will apply.
A defence studies minor (for students who are studying a different degree)
If you are not studying towards a BA (Defence Studies) and wish to complete a minor in defence studies see the BA regulations for requirements.
Official regulations
To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.
You 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.
Returning students
For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.
In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may be no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
Courses you can enrol in
Course planning key
- Prerequisites
- Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
- Corequisites
- Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
- Restrictions
- Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.
Core courses for the Bachelor of Arts
As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.
Defence Studies courses
Compulsory course
Course code: 294140 Military Power 15 credits
An introduction to military operations in a joint (interservice) environment. It examines the application of military power in conventional warfare across the air, land, maritime, joint, interagency and multinational domains.
View full course detailsSubject courses
Course code: 294115 War and Society 15 credits
An examination of the nature of war and its impact on society. The course explains how contemporary armed conflict and the use of force affects the world order, people and their communities, human behaviour, culture, and the environment.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294151 History of Warfare 15 credits
An introduction to the history of warfare on land, at sea, and in the air. The course examines how armed forces and the conduct of war have evolved in response to broad military, societal, political, and technological change.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294215 Global Defence Challenges 15 credits
An examination of emerging and re-emerging defence challenges within the global environment, in particular their impact on the character of contemporary warfare and the employment of military forces.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294245 Irregular Warfare 15 credits
The theory and conduct of irregular warfare including in joint (interservice), combined (multinational) and interagency environments, and incorporating both historical and contemporary case studies.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294255 Conventional Warfare 15 credits
An examination of the theory and conduct of contemporary conventional warfare by studying the combat and non-combat use of military forces within joint (inter-service), combined (multinational) and interagency environments.
View full course detailsCourse code: 200301 Contemporary International Conflict 15 credits
An examination of contemporary international conflict drawing on case studies from around the world.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294301 Legacies of War 15 credits
This course explores the legacies of war remaining after war and violent conflict ends, using case studies to examine the social, cultural and political responses to those legacies.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294304 Cyber and Information Security 15 credits
This course examines the threats posed by Cyber Crime, Cyber Terrorism, Cyber Intelligence, Cyber Infrastructure and Cyber Warfare to individuals, organisations and government agencies. Studies include the origins of threats, the evolution of technologies, the role of the state in offensive and defensive applications, and ethical considerations.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294325 Contemporary Peace Operations 15 credits
A critical examination of the theories, concepts, evolution, and contemporary practice of peacekeeping (including peace-making, peace support, and humanitarian interventions) with application to the regional and global environments.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294350 The History of Defence and Security Intelligence 15 credits
A study of defence and security intelligence from ancient times through to today, with emphasis on the evolution of intelligence organisations and activities, the impact of technological advances, and the wider political, social and ethical issues surrounding its practice.
View full course detailsEntry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
There are no specific entry requirements for the Bachelor of Arts (Defence Studies), outside of university admission regulations.
English language requirements
To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
If you have already completed a bachelor degree
If you have already completed a bachelor degree you may replace 230111 Tū Kupu: Writing and Inquiry or 230112 Tū Arohae: Critical Thinking with courses of your choice. You will need to apply for replacement courses via a Special permission request in your portal and you will need to attach evidence of your completed degree with the request.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
Can't meet the entry requirements?
If you need to do a course before you start your qualification, there may be options for you in Summer School.
Fees and scholarships
Fees, student loans and free fees scheme
Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.
There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
Already know which courses you're going to choose?
You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.
Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme
You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.
The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.
Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student portal
Scholarship and award opportunities
Search our scholarships and awardsFees disclaimer
This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.
Careers and job opportunities
There’s increasing demand for defence professionals, both military and civilian. Employers are looking for people with the intelligence, initiative and determination to work in a wide range of complex defence environments.
You could work not just for the military, but also in areas such as public education, peacekeeping and intelligence. These roles are integral to the safety of New Zealand, and the demand for qualified people who can fill these is exceptionally strong.
Get ready for a great career in New Zealand or the international community, in a broad range of areas such as:
- civil defence and disaster relief
- diplomacy and conflict resolution
- peacekeeping and truce monitoring
- policy analysis
- education
- journalism and the media
- management and planning
- politics.
Related study options
Defence Studies – Graduate Certificate in Arts
With Massey’s Graduate Certificate in Arts (Defence Studies), you can study defence without completing a second bachelor’s degree.
Defence Studies – Diploma in Arts
Join a qualification unique to New Zealand, that combines the study of modern defence studies and military history with broad and transferable critical-thinking skills.
Defence Studies – Graduate Diploma in Arts
The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Defence Studies) will give you the equivalent of an undergraduate major in defence studies without completing a second bachelor’s degree.
Defence and Security Studies – Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
With Massey’s Bachelor of Arts with Honours (Defence and Security Studies) you can take your undergraduate study of defence and security further.
Defence and Security Studies – Postgraduate Diploma in Arts
Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Defence and Security Studies) will build upon your undergraduate interests and develop your research and critical analysis skills.
Defence and Security Studies – Master of Arts
Join Massey’s Master of Arts (Defence and Security Studies) to build an advanced understanding of security and defence. You will carry out research in an area of your choice.
History – Graduate Certificate in Arts
With Massey’s Graduate Certificate in Arts (History), you can study history without completing a second bachelor’s degree.
History – Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
With Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (History), you can take your undergraduate study of history further.
History – Bachelor of Arts
Get a new appreciation for the world around you by studying Massey's Bachelor of Arts (History).
History – Diploma in Arts
To learn about history is to learn about change in the world and in ourselves. Having a better understanding of history will make you more broad-minded as a person and citizen.
History – Postgraduate Diploma in Arts
Take your study of history to the next level with Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (History). Enhance your research skills through an investigation of a time or theme in history that interests you.
History – Master of Arts
With Massey’s Master of Arts (History) you can build on your undergraduate study and follow your passion for history. Complete advanced research of an aspect of history that interests you.
History – Graduate Diploma in Arts
The Graduate Diploma in Arts (History) will give you the equivalent of an undergraduate major in history without having to complete a second bachelor’s degree.
Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz