Defence Studies – Diploma in Arts

Join a qualification unique to New Zealand, that combines the study of modern defence studies and military history with broad and transferable critical-thinking skills.

Where you can study

Distance and online

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

Specialise in Defence Studies for your Diploma in Arts at Massey

The Diploma in Arts (Defence Studies) is a unique qualification that combines the study of modern defence studies and military history with broad and transferable critical-thinking skills.

Unique in New Zealand

You’ll examine the contemporary world of modern defence. This includes its impact on media, technology and conflict resolution at both local and global levels. Massey is the only university in New Zealand where you can study defence studies and military history at undergraduate level.

Learn from the best

You’ll be taught by staff with academic knowledge of defence studies and/or military, defence and security experience. The programme is designed in collaboration with an advisory board of New Zealand’s top defence and security officials. Our programme partners are government agencies that contribute to national, regional and global security, as well as peace and humanitarian aid initiatives.

You choose what to study

You can choose from a mix of military history, strategy, tactics, intelligence, command and technology courses. Defence Studies is not just for people employed in the military, it is for anyone with an interest in the various aspects of defence, for example, command, logistics, tactics, policy, or strategy.

A Diploma in Arts in Defence Studies is a good fit if you:

  • wonder why wars start
  • want to understand why war seems to be an unavoidable part of human existence
  • want a career that contributes to world peace and stability.

Planning information

If you study full-time you’ll take eight 15-credit courses (120 credits) in one year, or 60 credits per semester. You may be able to take some courses at summer school.

If you later proceed to the Bachelor of Arts degree, all of the courses in your Diploma of Arts can be transferred to the Bachelor of Arts.

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 Diploma in Arts

As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.

Diploma in Arts core courses

Defence Studies courses

Compulsory course

Course code: 294140 Military Power 15 credits

An introduction to military operations in a joint (interservice) environment. It examines the application of military power in conventional warfare across the air, land, maritime, joint, interagency and multinational domains.

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Subject courses

Course code: 200301 Contemporary International Conflict 15 credits

An examination of contemporary international conflict drawing on case studies from around the world.

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Course code: 294215 Global Defence Challenges 15 credits

An examination of emerging and re-emerging defence challenges within the global environment, in particular their impact on the character of contemporary warfare and the employment of military forces.

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Course code: 294245 Irregular Warfare 15 credits

The theory and conduct of irregular warfare including in joint (interservice), combined (multinational) and interagency environments, and incorporating both historical and contemporary case studies.

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Course code: 294255 Conventional Warfare 15 credits

An examination of the theory and conduct of contemporary conventional warfare by studying the combat and non-combat use of military forces within joint (inter-service), combined (multinational) and interagency environments.

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Course code: 294301 Legacies of War 15 credits

This course explores the legacies of war remaining after war and violent conflict ends, using case studies to examine the social, cultural and political responses to those legacies.

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Course code: 294304 Cyber and Information Security 15 credits

This course examines the threats posed by Cyber Crime, Cyber Terrorism, Cyber Intelligence, Cyber Infrastructure and Cyber Warfare to individuals, organisations and government agencies. Studies include the origins of threats, the evolution of technologies, the role of the state in offensive and defensive applications, and ethical considerations.

Restrictions: 149295

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Course code: 294325 Contemporary Peace Operations 15 credits

A critical examination of the theories, concepts, evolution, and contemporary practice of peacekeeping (including peace-making, peace support, and humanitarian interventions) with application to the regional and global environments.

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Course code: 294350 The History of Defence and Security Intelligence 15 credits

A study of defence and security intelligence from ancient times through to today, with emphasis on the evolution of intelligence organisations and activities, the impact of technological advances, and the wider political, social and ethical issues surrounding its practice.

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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 this qualification, 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

With a Diploma in Arts (Defence Studies) you’ll graduate in high demand.

There’s an increasing need for defence professionals, both military and civilian. Employers are looking for people with the intelligence, initiative and determination to work in a wide range of complex defence environments. These roles are integral to the safety of New Zealand, and the demand for qualified people who can fill these is exceptionally strong.

Our graduates are employed in a broad range of areas such as border control, law, policing, management, defence, immigration, intelligence, foreign affairs and trade, business, and international relations.

Defence studies is a great choice for a career in:

  • civil defence and disaster relief
  • diplomacy and conflict resolution
  • peacekeeping and truce monitoring
  • policy analysis
  • education
  • journalism and the media
  • management and planning
  • politics.

This diploma also offers early- to mid-career professional development in public and private organisations where security is important.

Related study options