Where you can study
International students
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Specialise in Philosophy for your Diploma in Arts at Massey
Pretty well everything in philosophy is open to challenge. That is what drives what we do in philosophy: we ask questions and challenge ordinary assumptions.
Philosophy is about the development of strategies to achieve greater clarity and consistency in our thinking. It emphasises the reasons for ideas. You will learn how to understand what you read rather than just to remember it. You’ll also learn how to engage constructively in debate and to think in new ways.
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.
If you have questions, contact us through the Get advice button on this page.
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.
Philosophy courses
Subject courses
Course code: 134101 Knowledge and Reality 15 credits
An introduction to questions about existence, perception and the mind.
View full course detailsCourse code: 134102 Great Thinkers 15 credits
This course examines the ideas of some of the 'greats' in Western philosophy, including Socrates, Plato, Descartes, Mill and many others.
View full course detailsCourse code: 134104 Practical Ethics 15 credits
An examination of ethical issues that arise in everyday life.
View full course detailsCourse code: 134105 Philosophy of Religion: God, Freedom and Evil 15 credits
An introduction to selected topics from philosophy of religion.
View full course detailsCourse code: 134106 Justice and Equality 15 credits
An introduction to central issues in political and social philosophy with a focus on theories of justice and equality.
View full course detailsCourse code: 134201 Philosophy of Mind, Consciousness and Cognition 15 credits
An investigation of many philosophical questions concerning minds, consciousness and language.
View full course detailsCourse code: 134203 Ethics 15 credits
This course examines the theories that underpin our ethical thinking, developing an understanding of the nature of ethical thinking in general, and the advantages and disadvantages of major ethical theories.
View full course detailsCourse code: 134204 Philosophy of Art and Music 15 credits
An examination of topics in metaphysics, epistemology, logic, and ethics which arise in aesthetics and the philosophy of art.
View full course detailsCourse code: 134205 Logic 15 credits
An introduction to modern formal logic using propositional logic and first-order predicate logic. Formal logic provides an important link between the humanities and maths and sciences, particularly computer and information sciences.
View full course detailsCourse code: 134207 Rights and Reconciliation 15 credits
A study of themes from international political and social philosophy with a focus on the moral status of state boundaries and the moral status of war.
View full course detailsCourse code: 134213 Resistance, Rebellion and Revolution 15 credits
A philosophical examination of when disagreement with, and opposition to, governmental authority is justified. Using the tools of political philosophy and assessing real-world cases, we discuss the nature, demands, and limits of various types of insubordinate political activity, including (but not limited to) conscientious objection, civil disobedience, secession, and revolution.
View full course detailsCourse code: 134214 Knowledge as a Social Phenomenon 15 credits
A philosophical examination of the way our social environment influences how we can come to know about the world.
View full course detailsCourse code: 134216 Modern Philosophy 15 credits
This course will investigate metaphysical and epistemological views of the 17th - 18th centuries, focussing on Descartes, Leibniz, Locke, Berkeley and Hume. It will pay particular attention to early modern notions of causation.
View full course detailsCourse code: 134218 Environmental Philosophy 15 credits
This course uses philosophy to explore contemporary environmental issues, such as whether our concern for environmental well-being can be adequately grounded in a concern for human well-being, and responses to global conversations around sustainability and ‘the rights of nature'.
View full course detailsCourse code: 134220 Business and Professional Ethics 15 credits
An examination of the practice of ethical reasoning with special concern for issues that arise in business and professions.
View full course detailsCourse code: 134221 Great Asian Thinkers 15 credits
A detailed investigation and analysis of the major philosophical systems which have developed within East Asia since the first millennium Before Common Era.
View full course detailsCourse code: 134305 Advanced Ethics 15 credits
The course will investigate issues to do with moral psychology, practical reason, moral language, and moral ontology.
View full course detailsCourse code: 134308 Philosophy of Science 15 credits
An investigation of fact and theory, explanation and discovery, and of modern attempts to improve on naïve empiricist accounts of science.
View full course detailsCourse code: 134309 Ancient Philosophy 15 credits
An examination of ancient philosophies, particularly those of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle.
View full course detailsCourse code: 134311 Global Justice 15 credits
Exploring contemporary philosophical issues of justice as they arise within and between communities globally, including indigenous philosophies and communities.
View full course detailsCourse code: 134317 Philosophical Investigations 15 credits
A consideration of some of the most influential philosophers from Kant to the present.
View full course detailsEntry 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.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
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.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student portal
Scholarship and award opportunities
Search our scholarships and awardsFees 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
In this qualification you’ll gain experience in handling unusual and difficult ideas, communicating your thinking with clarity, being aware of the reasons for your views but also being flexible and adaptive, enabling you to cope with new challenges as the needs of your work change.
These skills are highly prized by employers and the skills enable you to slot into a wide range of career options including:
- administration
- advertising
- journalism
- management
- policy analysis
- research.
Related study options
Philosophy – Graduate Certificate in Arts
Your inquisitive mind can make you highly employable. With Massey’s Graduate Certificate in Arts (Philosophy), you can study philosophy without completing a second bachelor’s degree.
Philosophy – Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
With Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Philosophy) you’ll develop highly applicable and useful critical thinking skills that are in demand.
Philosophy – Bachelor of Arts
Develop your ability to think and reason, to express your thoughts clearly and concisely, and to critically evaluate complex ideas. These skills will make you a highly employable graduate.
Philosophy – Postgraduate Diploma in Arts
Build on your undergraduate interests and enhance your research and critical analysis skills. With Massey’s PGDipArts (Philosophy) you’ll develop highly applicable and useful skills that are in demand.
Philosophy – Master of Arts
Tackle the questions that have always gripped humanity. With Massey’s Master of Arts (Philosophy), you can build on your undergraduate study and complete advanced research of an aspect of philosophy that interests you.
Philosophy – Graduate Diploma in Arts
The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Philosophy) will give you the equivalent of an undergraduate major in philosophy without completing a second bachelor’s degree.
Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz