Social Anthropology – Postgraduate Diploma in Arts

Take your study of social anthropology to the next level. By understanding human behaviour and interactions, you’ll have skills that will be useful in almost every career path, all over the world.

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 Social Anthropology for your Postgraduate Diploma in Arts at Massey

The Massey PGDipArts (Social Anthropology) gives you a different perspective on world affairs.

Studying social anthropology develops your understanding of other cultures and ethnic groups. You’ll discover how your way of life is just one of many possible ways of being human. Learn to challenge your existing beliefs and put yourself in others’ shoes.

Follow your passion

Take an issue in social anthropology that grabbed your attention as an undergraduate student and develop it fully through independent study.

Get into the field

Discover how anthropologists study cultural differences through fieldwork that examines societies across the globe, from hunter-gatherers to industrial nation-states. Massey staff and students are researching in Asia, the Pacific, Europe, Africa and New Zealand and you could join them.

Further study

When you have completed your diploma you may have the opportunity to study for a master’s degree such as a Master of Arts.

A Postgraduate Diploma in Arts in Social Anthropology is a good fit if you:

  • are considering a Master of Arts (Social Anthropology)
  • wish to keep up with current debates in social anthropology
  • want to investigate a particular aspect of social anthropology.

Planning information

Completing an endorsement is compulsory. A Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Social Anthropology) requires 120 credits.

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

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 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.

Subject courses

Course code: 146701 Contemporary Approaches in Anthropological Theory 30 credits

A study of current theoretical issues and debates in social anthropology.

View full course details
Course code: 146703 The Practice of Anthropology 30 credits

A study of the methodological and ethical dimensions of anthropological research.

View full course details
Course code: 146707 Reading and Writing Ethnography 30 credits

Students in this course will examine contemporary exemplary ethnographies and develop their own ethnographic writing practices.

View full course details
Course code: 146708 Anthropology Today: Current Issues 30 credits

Based on a close reading of an issue of a contemporary social anthropology journal, students in this course will explore current issues, topics and debates in social anthropology.

View full course details
Course code: 146798 Research Report (60) 60 credits
Course code: 146799 Research Report (30) 30 credits

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 Arts (Social Anthropology) you will have been awarded or qualified for the Bachelor of Arts degree, with a major in the intended postgraduate subject, or equivalent.

You will need to have achieved a grade average in your bachelor degree that demonstrates an adequate level of preparation for the postgraduate qualification. This normally means that a B- grade average or above is required.

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.

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.

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

The knowledge of human behaviour and interactions you’ll gain from a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Social Anthropology) will be useful in almost any career path, anywhere in the world. Popular career destinations for social anthropology graduates include:

  • human rights and social justice
  • social work
  • social and commercial research
  • education
  • business and industry
  • government, diplomacy and policy
  • foreign affairs
  • overseas aid and development agencies
  • health care
  • non-profit management
  • marketing
  • publishing
  • environmental issues
  • museum curation
  • art and heritage work
  • tourism.

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.

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