Economics – Diploma in Arts

Improve your economic decision-making skills and understanding with Massey’s Diploma in Arts (Economics).

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

Specialise in Economics for your Diploma in Arts at Massey

We make economic decisions every day, whether we buy that 'must have' item and blow the budget or decide to wait until the item is on sale. The study of economics can help to improve our decision making. Economics offers a way of thinking about the world that enables us to make the best of what we have yet still improve on it.

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 do not have Mathematics with Calculus at Bursary level or NCEA Level 3, we recommend you take course 160103 Methods of Mathematics. This is especially so if contemplating postgraduate studies in economics.

Not all courses will be offered in all modes or across all campuses in any given year.

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

Economics courses

Compulsory courses

Choose 45 credits from
Course code: 115113 Economics for Business 15 credits

The course examines the nature of the contemporary economic environment in which businesses operate, and considers how economics can aid in business decision-making.

Restrictions: 115106

View full course details
Course code: 178200 Macroeconomics 15 credits

The development and application of macroeconomic models to globally-oriented economies, and the assessment of real-world policy problems from a practical perspective.

Prerequisites: 178100 or 115113

View full course details
Course code: 178201 Microeconomics 15 credits

The development and application of models of consumer optimisation, producer behaviour, and competition in markets.

Prerequisites: 115113 or 115106

View full course details

Subject courses

Choose at least 15 credits from
Course code: 178300 Macroeconomic Policy and Applications 15 credits

This course incorporates financial markets into macroeconomic models and analyses government policies that address current macroeconomic events.

Prerequisites: 178200

View full course details
Course code: 178301 Competition and Industry 15 credits

The modelling of microeconomic decision-making of competing firms in industries, with application to real-world issues.

Prerequisites: 178201

View full course details

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

Economics can be the gateway to employment in many areas.

  • education
  • journalism and the media
  • management
  • planning
  • politics.

Accreditations and rankings

QS Ranking - Economics and Econometrics

Massey University is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as one of the top 350 universities for economics and econometrics.

Learn more

ShanghaiRanking – Business Administration

Massey University is ranked #2 in New Zealand for business administration by ShanghaiRanking.

Learn more

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