Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology – PGDipScTech

A postgraduate diploma is a stepping stone to a research-based qualification such as a master’s degree.

Type of qualification

Postgraduate diploma

Level of study

Postgraduate study

Once you’ve graduated with a bachelor’s degree – or have equal experience – you can study at the postgraduate level. Doctoral qualifications require additional entry requirements.

More about study levels

NZQF level 8

Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.

Find out more about NZQF levels

Time to complete

1 year full-time (120 credits)
Up to 4 years part-time
Part-time available

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
Note: Not all listed subject course options are on offer every year. Some courses are offered in block mode. Some distance courses contain compulsory contact workshops.

Study a Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology – PGDipScTech

Massey University’s Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology gives you the opportunity to join the pathway to in-depth research at a master’s level. 

Why postgraduate study?

Postgraduate study is hard work but hugely rewarding and empowering. The workload of the postgraduate diploma replicates the high-pressure environment of senior workplace roles.

Further study

If you are successful in this qualification, you may have the opportunity of proceeding to a master’s such as the Master of Science.

A PGDipScTech is a good fit if you:

  • have an undergraduate science degree
  • are interested in postgraduate study, but do not have a research background
  • would like to undertake a predominantly taught postgraduate qualification.

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

To enter the Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology you will have been awarded or qualified for:

  • a Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, with a major in the intended postgraduate subject, or equivalent, with a minimum B- average in the majoring 300-level courses, or
  • a postgraduate certificate that includes 30 credits of courses from the schedule to the Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology, or equivalent.

You will need to provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.

English language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

Time limits for Honours, Distinction and Merit

Where your qualification is completed within the stated time limit and to a high standard, you may be able to graduate with Distinction or Merit. 

Prior learning, credit and exemptions

For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Maximum time limits for completion

There are maximum time limits to complete postgraduate qualifications. If you do not complete within the maximum time, you may be required to re-apply for the qualification if you wish to continue your studies.

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 Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate 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.

Structure of the Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology

If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester. 

The Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology is available part-time.

Courses and specialisations

Key terms

Courses
Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
Course code
Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
Credits
Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
Specialisations
Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.

Credit summary

120 credits

Endorsement option

  • Courses from one Endorsement – 75 credits
  • Course from the Schedule – 15 credits
  • Elective courses – 30 credits

No endorsement option

  • Course from the Schedule – 90 credits
  • Elective courses – 30 credits

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.

Schedule A: Endorsements

Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.

You may enrol in this qualification with or without a specialisation.

You may study the PGDipScTech without endorsement only with prior approval of a coherent programme of study from the College of Sciences.  

Schedule B: Electives

Course code: 119791 Special Topic 15 credits
Course code: 119792 Special Topic 15 credits
Course code: 119797 Special Topic 30 credits
Course code: 123711 Research Methods in Chemistry and Nanoscience 30 credits

Four compulsory modules covering research project development and computational methods in science; two modules selected from: statistical methods for data acquisition/handling, BioNMR, single molecule techniques and polymer physics and/or a relevant topic to be negotiated.

View full course details
Course code: 123713 Advanced Chemical Synthesis 30 credits

A selection of modules (6 maximum) covering topics in advanced synthetic chemistry, peptides for biological applications, drug design and delivery, modified nucleic acids as probes in life sciences, activation of small molecules in chemistry and biological chemistry AND/OR a topic to be negotiated with the lecturer.

View full course details
Course code: 247782 Special Topic 15 credits

A course of study which will be designed to either meet the individual requirements of a student in a special circumstance or be used to facilitate development of a new course.

View full course details
Course code: 247783 Special Topic 15 credits

A course of study which will be designed to either meet the individual requirements of a student in a special circumstance or be used to facilitate development of a new course.

View full course details
Course code: 247792 Special Topic 15 credits

A course of study which will be designed to either meet the individual requirements of a student in a special circumstance or be used to facilitate development of a new course.

View full course details
Course code: 247793 Special Topic 15 credits

A course of study which will be designed to either meet the individual requirements of a student in a special circumstance or be used to facilitate development of a new course.

View full course details
Course code: 502701 Workplace-based Learning in the Sciences 60 credits

Portfolio of study using technical and clinical experiences in the sciences

Prerequisites: Appropriate College approval (Director Academic)

View full course details
Course code: 502702 Extended Workplace-based Learning in the Sciences 60 credits

Portfolio of study using technical and clinical experiences in the sciences

Prerequisites: 502701 Appropriate College approval (Director Academic)

View full course details

700 level from 151 prefix

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.

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 2017 Ministry of Education publication, The post-study earnings and destinations of young domestic graduates, found that, in New Zealand, earnings and employment rates increase with the level of qualification completed.