Overview
Understand more about yourself and others
The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Psychology) will give you the equivalent of an undergraduate major in psychology without completing a second bachelor’s degree.
Level
- Graduate, NZQF Level 7
Campus
- Auckland, Manawatū
Distance learning
- Available
Duration
- 1 year(s) full-time. Available part-time.
International
- Available for international students studying in NZ or via distance learning
Other
- Not all courses are available on all campuses.
A Massey Graduate Diploma in Arts (Psychology) is a bridging tool for graduates in other subjects to get the equivalent of a major in psychology.
Get a broad understanding of psychology
You’ll explore the thoughts, feelings and actions of individuals and groups in a social and cultural context. Psychology will help you make sense of the human impact on the world. You’ll learn about the natural, social and biological sides of psychology. You’ll also gain skills in research methods and applications of psychology.
You’ll ask questions such as:
- how do people perceive, learn, think, develop, behave and relate to each other?
- how does the structure of the brain affect behaviour?
- what makes people different from each other?
- how does being in groups affect people’s behaviours; how do social groups affect what we do?
- how do factors like culture, gender, poverty and mental illness affect the way we think and behave?
A graduate diploma in psychology will equip you with valuable transferable skills. This includes research, analysis, communication, problem-solving and interpersonal skills.
Internationally recognised and market-leading in New Zealand
Massey graduates more researchers and clinical psychologists than any other university in New Zealand. We’re connected to a wide range of community and statutory organisations. We produce unique and applied psychology research and training that’s recognised nationally and internationally. This expertise enhances the reputation of your degree and ensures your knowledge is relevant to today’s society.
Careers and further study
Careers
A Graduate Diploma in Arts (Psychology) can provide knowledge and skills relevant to a broad selection of applied psychology areas including clinical, health, education, community, industrial and organisational psychology. These diverse options mean you can study what you are most passionate about and carry that passion forward into your career.
The knowledge of human behaviour and interactions that you’ll gain from psychology will be useful in many careers including:
- human services
- communication
- social services
- business
- counselling
- human resources
- public health
- youth support
- policy
- rehabilitation
- scientific research
- special education.
Explore your psychology options
If you want to be a registered psychologist, you can explore your qualification options in our psychology pathways tool.
Further study
Once you have completed your Graduate Diploma in Arts (Psychology) you can then apply for postgraduate studies in psychology if you wish.
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.
Entry requirements
University admission
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Programme admission
Required
To enter the Graduate Diploma in Arts (Psychology) you will have been awarded or qualified for a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
You will need to provide verified copies of all academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.
English language requirements
To study this programme you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
Prior learning, credit and exemptions
For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:
- review the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations
- contact us through the Enquire button on this page.
If you do not have the entry requirements
English language and foundation courses
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, we have courses and programmes that may help.
- English Language Proficiency
- Foundation Certificate in Academic English
- Foundation Certificate in Advanced Academic English
- Full Foundation - Certificate in Foundation Studies
Summer School
If you need to do a course before you start your programme, there may be options for you in Summer School.
Courses and planning
Credit summary
120 credits
from the Schedule to the Diploma including:
Endorsement courses (including at least 60 credits at 300 level)
From the Schedule at 200 (or 300) level
(at least) from the Schedule at 300 level
See ‘Courses for this programme’ below for schedules of courses.
Courses for this specialisation
Compulsory course
| 175203 | Introduction to Psychological Research | 15 |
Subject courses
| 175201 | Social Psychology | 15 |
| 175205 | Brain and Behaviour | 15 |
| 175206 | Memory and Cognition | 15 |
| 175210 | Ngā Tirohanga Rua o te Taha Hinengaro: Bicultural Perspectives in Psychology | 15 |
| 175301 | Community Psychology | 15 |
| 175302 | Abnormal and Therapeutic Psychology | 15 |
| 175303 | The Practice of Psychological Research | 15 |
| 175304 | The Psychology of Security | 15 |
| 175306 | Assessment of Individual Differences | 15 |
| 175309 | Forensic Psychology | 15 |
| 175311 | Psychology of Women | 15 |
| 175313 | Gender and Violence | 15 |
| 175316 | Evolution, Culture and Mind | 15 |
| 175317 | Health Psychology | 15 |
| 175318 | Experimental Psychology | 15 |
| 175343 | Personnel Psychology and Career Development | 15 |
| 175345 | Organisational Psychology | 15 |
Planning your programme
Planning overview
Full-time study comprises eight 15-credit courses for a total of 120 credits in one year. We recommend you aim for 60 credits per semester.
When you are granted entry to the programme, you are not required to pass 175.102 which is the 100-level prerequisite course for 175.203.
You may apply for a maximum of two 200-level Psychology courses in addition to 175.203 in Semester one if you are studying full-time. You can add 175.203 in the normal way but you will need to add any additional 200-level courses using the Special Request function.
Progression to postgraduate study
If you plan to progress onto postgraduate study in psychology it is recommended that you take all eight courses in psychology, including your electives.
Fees and scholarships
Fees and finance
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?
If you already know which courses you are going to take, you can use our fees calculator to get an estimate of your fees.
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 will find their National Student Number on their student homepage.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student homepage login
A good fit if you:
- are interested in the psychology of why people do the things they do
- want a career where you can make a difference
- want to understand what is going on in the wider world.
Accreditations and rankings
Massey is ranked in the world's top 250 universities for psychology by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS).
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.
Regulations
Review this important information before you apply for this programme. This gives you full details of the rules and regulations about what you need to study and what you must achieve in order to graduate with this qualification. That includes structure, courses and requirements. These regulations should be read in conjunction with all other Statutes and Regulations of the University including the below.
Undergraduate programmes
Applying and enrolling
Applying for the programme
Check you are ready
If you are ready to apply, have a look at our application checklist. It will help you get prepared with what you need. Please also check the entry requirements carefully before you apply.
Choose your programme and click on Apply now
You will apply for the programme using the Apply now button on this page. You’ll also choose your specialisation (major, subject or endorsement) if applicable.
Some programmes have additional requirements such as the submission of a portfolio or CV. Click on Apply now and you will be able to submit those documents as part of the application process.
Receive and accept an Admission Offer of Place
You will receive an Admission Offer of Place when you have been accepted into the programme. You need to accept this before you can enrol in your courses. International students also need to pay their fees at this point.
Enrolling in courses
You’ll then get access to your own student homepage (also known as the student portal). This is where you can enrol in courses. Any updates on your application or enrolments will also be on your student homepage. Make sure you check this regularly.
When you choose courses, ensure you check for any requirements that apply including:
- prerequisites (courses you have to do before the one you are enrolling in)
- corequisites (courses you have to do at the same time as the one you are enrolling in)
- restrictions (courses that you cannot enrol in if you are completing or have completed another identified similar course)
- location – for instance some distance-based courses still have an on-campus element, so double check that the way the course is taught is suitable for your situation.
Each of our courses has its own webpage where you can find this information. You can use our course search to find course pages.
More information on courses is in the ‘Courses for this programme’ section on this page.
You can find information on application due dates and semester dates on the key dates page.
We look forward to welcoming you to Massey!
If you have any questions, contact us through the Enquire button on this page.
What are courses and credits?
What are courses and credits?
Each Massey programme is made up of courses (in some tertiary institutions they are called ‘papers’).
You will have some compulsory courses and some you can choose from.
Each course is worth a certain amount of credits (often 15 credits, but this does vary). You must gain a set number of credits to be able to graduate from this programme.
There may also be some rules about which courses you need to pass to progress to the next year, or stage, of your study (known as progression). There are also courses you must pass to graduate with a specialisation.
- See the ‘Courses for this programme’ section for the list of courses.
- Courses search
Understanding course numbers
The first three digits of our course numbers show you which subject the course is about.
The second three digits show you the level and course ID number. For instance:
- sub-degree courses are '0' (i.e. xxx.0xx)
- undergraduate study begins at 100-level, (i.e. xxx.1xx)
- as you progress through 200- and 300-level courses this number changes to 2 and 3 respectively. The higher the number that starts the second three digits, the higher the level of study.
| 1 | 6 | 2 | . | 3 | 0 | 1 | |
| Subject area | Level | Course ID number | |||||
About electives
Electives are courses that are not compulsory. Certain guidelines are usually provided on courses you may take. Elective courses contribute to the programme, but not to your major or specialisation.
Workload and time management
Use this tool to help determine how much time you will need each week to complete your studies.
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 programme or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these programmes go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Enquire button on this page if you have any questions.
Scholarships and awards
There are a number of scholarships available for new and current students. They could relate to your situation, achievement or interest.