Education – Bachelor of Arts

Pursue your passion for education. Gain transferable skills and strategies for learning, from the sociological to the philosophical.

Where you can study

Auckland campus
Distance and online
Manawatū campus (Palmerston North)

International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

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

Specialise in Education for your Bachelor of Arts at Massey

The Massey Bachelor of Arts (Education) delivers skills and strategies for learning, from the sociological to the philosophical. You’ll explore the developmental and cultural factors that influence approaches to learning. You’ll gain transferable skills that will serve you personally and professionally.

Expand your skillset

A BA (Education) will develop your ability to analyse, articulate and disseminate ideas that incorporate a range of viewpoints. You’ll engage with the research that examines how we learn, what we learn, and how we transform that learning into action.

Explore your interests

The range of issues in education is vast, yet you’ll be able to explore topics of your choice in depth. A major in education gives you access to a wide range of learning experiences to enable you to engage positively in any context.

Your qualification options

Please note that the Bachelor of Arts (Education) does not qualify you to be a teacher in New Zealand. If you want to be a teacher, you will also need to take a postgraduate teaching qualification.

A Bachelor of Arts in Education is a good fit if you:

  • want to understand more about social and cultural aspects of education
  • are considering teaching or developing policy
  • have a passion for a particular subject and want to explore it in depth.

Planning information

If you study full time, in the 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 if you wish. 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.

Thinking of moving into teaching?

As part of your BA (Education), we strongly recommend that you include literacy and numeracy courses, as these are requirements when applying for our Graduate Diploma of Teaching and Learning qualifications.

About this major

An Education major consists of 120 credits (eight courses). It will give you the chance to take a wide range of courses looking at the mainstays of educational policy and practice.

If you wish to progress to the Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology you must have 60 credits of psychology courses in your BA (Education).

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 (Education) 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.

An education minor (for students who are studying a different degree) 

If you are not studying towards a BA (Education) and wish to complete a minor in education 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.

Bachelor of Arts core courses

Education courses

Compulsory courses

Choose 45 credits from
Course code: 254101 An Introduction to Social and Cultural Studies in Education 15 credits

A critical examination of social, cultural, political, historical and philosophical influences on the development of education in Aotearoa/New Zealand and internationally.

Restrictions: 181101, 187101

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Course code: 264200 How People Learn 15 credits

An examination of how people learn in formal and informal settings

Restrictions: 264101

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Course code: 275102 Human Development 15 credits

An introduction to the study of lifespan human development and learning within changing social and physical contexts.

Restrictions: 208102, 209102

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Subject courses

Choose at least 15 credits from
Course code: 150201 Te Kawenata o Waitangi: The Treaty of Waitangi in New Zealand Society 15 credits

A study of the Treaty of Waitangi background, texts, principles, and application to contemporary New Zealand. There is a particular focus on land, legislation, court decisions, social policies, the environment, constitutional matters, claims to the Waitangi Tribunal and Treaty settlements. Differing perspectives of hapū/iwi/Māori and the Crown, as well as opportunities for resolution, are explored.

Restrictions: 269274

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Course code: 249286 Equity and Diversity in Education 15 credits

Explores critical issues related to equity and diversity in life-long and life-wide learning. Examines the role of education in the marginalisation and exclusion of learners, how these inequities are reproduced, and the principles and practices that promote equity.

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Course code: 254200 Learning in the Digital World 15 credits

This course is an exploration of what it means to be a learner in digital social worlds.

Restrictions: 254336

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Course code: 254201 Philosophy of Education 15 credits

This course explores the philosophical complexities of education in its personal, institutional and social dimensions. Students will be introduced to some of the major debates in philosophy of education and engage in the critical and continual practice of applying philosophy across the many contexts of education.

Restrictions: 187201

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Course code: 254203 Sociologically Imagining Education 15 credits

This course explores the sociology of education by critically inquiring into the relationship between personal experience, education and society. Students will be introduced to primary sociological concepts like race, class and gender to critically reflect on education.

Restrictions: 187203

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Course code: 263200 Teaching as an Act of Influencing Others 15 credits

An exploration of the ethics, principles, and key processes of everyday teaching and learning as a basic form of social interaction, giving students the opportunity to explore teaching and learning across the lifespan.

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Course code: 275203 Development in Childhood 15 credits

An examination of physical, cognitive and psychosocial development during infancy and childhood in diverse contexts.

Prerequisites: 275102

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Course code: 275208 Development in Adolescence 15 credits

An examination of the physical, cognitive and psychosocial development during adolescence and emerging adulthood in diverse contexts.

Prerequisites: 275102 Restrictions: 208308, 208208, 209308

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Choose at least 45 credits from
Course code: 254300 Historical Perspectives on Education 15 credits

An exploration of the ways New Zealand’s current education institutions have been influenced by evolving philosophies of education, alongside key historical, sociological, ideological, political, and economic forces.

Restrictions: 254210

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Course code: 254304 Critical Theories of Education 15 credits

Education as an everyday practice is the focus for critical theories of education. This course explores ways education has been theorized as a practice of liberation as well as a practice of oppression. Students will use these concepts to examine the role of education in shaping the social structure of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Restrictions: 187304, 278363

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Course code: 254337 Teaching and Learning with Pasifika Peoples in NZ 15 credits

An examination of the educational experiences of Pasifika peoples in New Zealand in formal and informal settings both in the past and present with a focus on effective teaching and learning practices.

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Course code: 254340 Politics of Education 15 credits

This course considers the politics of education in Aotearoa New Zealand, using current social issues and education policy reforms to examine role of education in a democracy.

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Course code: 263301 Learning and Motivation 15 credits

A study of contemporary theory and research on motivation in educational contexts with emphasis on implications for learning and for educational practice.

Prerequisites: Any 200-level course from Education

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Course code: 263315 Teaching and Learning in Everyday Settings 15 credits

A study of informal teaching and learning practices in a workplace, volunteer, leisure, cultural or community organisation setting. Focus is on the application of everyday teaching and learning theory in a real community context where access is self-negotiated by the student.

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Course code: 269332 Māori Issues in Education 15 credits

A study of relationships between cultural values and education and of the extent of Māori educational needs and aspirations.

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Course code: 275304 Development of Gender 15 credits

An in-depth study of gender development across the lifespan, including consideration of biological, sociological, and developmental perspectives of gender.

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Course code: 275320 Risk and Resilience across the Lifespan 15 credits

An applied study of human development, examining risk, protective, and promotive factors which contribute to resilience and positive developmental outcomes across the lifespan.

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Course code: 276330 Mathematics and Literacy in Society 15 credits

An exploration of the importance of being literate and numerate through an in-depth study of our engagement with mathematics and literacy in everyday life.

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Entry 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 (Education), 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.

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.

Scholarship and award opportunities

Search our scholarships and awards

Fees 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

A Bachelor of Arts (Education) provides the foundation for a range of careers in areas such as policy, professional practice, management and teaching. Our graduates can be found in many industries working as:

  • health professionals
  • professional educators/teachers
  • expert administrators
  • management executives
  • network administrators
  • sales and marketing managers.

International students

New Zealand is a great place to study. Massey University’s reputation is supported by our international rankings, accreditations and associations. We are rated five star plus by the QS World University Rankings.

Massey University has small class sizes, and our lecturers and staff are friendly and approachable.

As an international student, there are entry requirements that will apply to you. We recommend that you apply at least three months before your anticipated start date so your application can be processed in time. There are additional steps you will need to take. These include obtaining a visa and travel bookings if your study is to be in New Zealand.

Accreditations and rankings

QS Ranking - Education

Massey is ranked in the world's top 250 universities for education in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings.

Learn more

Related study options