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International students
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Specialise in History for your Bachelor of Arts at Massey
History is a subject as large as our recorded past. Our cultural heritage, literature, arts, religions, politics, economics, social behaviours, buildings and landscapes all derive from past influences.
Studying history gives an understanding of where we have been and how the world has changed over time. It gives an appreciation of how people have faced challenges at different times, and all with the benefit of hindsight.
Loads of choices - pick what interests you
With a history major you can shape your degree around your interests. You can make your history major specific to one particular area, like New Zealand and the Pacific, or study a particular era, like the medieval period, or the 20th century. You could focus on a specific theme, such as politics, sport or social history, or just pick what takes your fancy.
Relevant to the past, present and future of New Zealand
Through history we can understand our past, explain our present and be better equipped to predict the future. At Massey, our history qualifications are focused on New Zealand and European history and New Zealand’s place in the world. We have the strongest focus on New Zealand history of any university in the world and New Zealand themes are central to our academics’ research.
A Bachelor of Arts in History is a good fit if you:
- are interested in learning about how the past affects the way we live now
- enjoy subjects like English, history and social studies at school
- are keen to know more about the history of a specific area or region.
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.
About this major
A History 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 (History) 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.
All BA majors can be taken as minors and there are also some additional minor-only subjects.
- See the BA page for a list of BA minors.
- More on minors.
A History minor
If you wish to complete a History minor see the regulations for details.
- Regulations.
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.
History courses
Subject courses
Course code: 148116 The Medieval World and its Legacy 15 credits
An introductory survey course on the history of Medieval Europe examining the development and long term influence of its political institutions, society and culture.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148141 A History of New Zealand's Peoples 15 credits
This course explores the historical background of the different migrant communities which have made up New Zealand society and their relationships with each other. Students will consider the different experiences and perspectives of iwi, English, Scots, Welsh and Irish migrants and those from Europe and Asia arriving before the 1980s, and of new migrants since that time.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148142 The American Century 15 credits
This course explores the political, economic and cultural influence of the US on world history from the presidencies of Teddy Roosevelt to George W. Bush, as the United States emerged from two world wars and the Cold War as the globe’s dominant political, economic, cultural and military power.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148143 The Past as Entertainment: History Through Movies, Mini-series and Games 15 credits
The ways in which popular culture shapes our understanding of the past are examined through recent movies, mini-series and games. The course explores the different ways historians and the makers of popular cultures interpret the past.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148217 Victoria's World 15 credits
A study of the economic, social and cultural history of Britain and its empire from about 1830 to World War I.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148218 The Vikings 15 credits
A study of Viking contacts in Europe during the 8th-11th centuries, with a focus on the political, economic, social and religious contexts of the migrations to and settlements in the north-eastern Atlantic (France, England, Ireland, Scotland and Iceland).
View full course detailsCourse code: 148220 The Second World War 15 credits
A survey of the Second World War which is both thematic and chronological.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148221 The Black Death and Other Plagues, 1300-1700 15 credits
A study of epidemic disease and its effects in medieval and early modern Europe.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148241 Revolution, Rights and the Atlantic World 15 credits
This course explores issues of civic and political rights in the Revolutionary Era,1763-1848.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148242 The Age of Chivalry and Crusades 15 credits
A study of the cultural, political, and religious dimensions of crusading and chivalry, and their impact on medieval Christian-Jewish-Muslim relations.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148243 The Sixties: Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll? 15 credits
This course assesses ‘myths and legends’ that surround the 1960s; most notably the ideas that the decade witnessed a fundamental shift in social and moral attitudes, witnessed a youth rebellion and ushered in a ‘permissive society’. The course will place the origin and legacy of these changes within the larger context of twentieth century history.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148244 The Great War 1914-1918: a Military and Social History 15 credits
This course examines the social and military history of the First World War. It focuses on the tactics and technology used during the conflict and on the war's impact on society, culture, politics and economics.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148245 Māori and Colonisation 15 credits
A study of Māori efforts to retain and enhance tino rangatiratanga and mana motuhake since colonisation.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148246 Iwi History 15 credits
A study of iwi histories, their sources, role in maintaining tribal identity and well-being and use before the Waitangi Tribunal and in Treaty Settlements.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148248 Reformers, Radicals & Revolutionaries: Protest in New Zealand 15 credits
This course explores protest in New Zealand from 1900 until the present. It examines the role of protest in challenging New Zealand's prevailing values, political elites and policies.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148308 New Zealand Military History: 1899 to 2001 15 credits
An investigation of New Zealand’s military history in the period 1899 to 2001. The various wars and conflicts are examined in detail as is their impact on New Zealand’s politics, society and culture.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148309 The New Zealand Wars 15 credits
A study of the New Zealand Wars, focusing on the causes, campaigns, historiographical interpretations and consequences, including the investigations of the Waitangi Tribunal and Treaty Settlements.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148310 The Tudors and the Reformation 15 credits
A study of religious, political and cultural issues related to the Tudor administrations and the Reformation of the English Church during the sixteenth century.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148316 New Zealand Between the Wars 15 credits
A study of developments in the period between the two World Wars.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148333 The Napoleonic Wars 15 credits
An analysis of the Napoleonic Wars, 1799-1815, and their impact on politics and society.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148334 Sports History 15 credits
An analysis of the relationship between sport and society, commencing with the development of sport in Britain during the second half of the nineteenth century, with particular reference to sport and empire, women in sport and commercialism and nationalism in sport.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148339 Court Culture in Late Medieval Europe 15 credits
The course examines the power, splendour and art of European courts in the Northern Renaissance, focusing on the most splendid of them all: the court of the dukes of Burgundy and its urban context.
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 (History), 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.
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
A history major prepares you for many career options, including:
- archiving
- editing
- journalism
- policy analysis
- teaching
- research management
- administration.
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.
Plan your courses
View your course options and plan your study using our course planner.
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Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz