Mathematics – Graduate Certificate in Arts

Be a sought-after graduate with the Graduate Certificate in Arts (Mathematics). You can study mathematics without completing a second bachelor’s degree.

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

Not open to international students
Note: Not all courses are at all campuses or each year.

Specialise in Mathematics for your Graduate Certificate in Arts at Massey

The Graduate Certificate in Arts (Mathematics) is a bridging tool for graduates in other subjects to gain knowledge of maths.

Open up a world of opportunities

A Graduate Certificate in Arts (Mathematics) opens up a world of opportunities. Maths is a product of human ingenuity that allows our modern world to exist. Examples of its use include securing sensitive communications using cryptography and calculating the geostationary orbit of a satellite. You’ll learn appropriate analytic and numerical methods for problem-solving which can be applied in a range of contexts and industries.

Get the skills you’ll need

Your mathematics qualification will help you develop a wide variety of skills and techniques, especially in calculus and algebra. You’ll learn to formulate, solve, restate and resolve problems, and interpret results. You’ll also build your knowledge of computational and digital simulation techniques. You’ll learn to communicate and explain concepts effectively with non-mathematical colleagues. This is a crucial skill, as many careers will take you into a team environment.

Learn from the leaders

Studying maths at Massey will give you access to some of the world’s top mathematical minds. Massey lecturers and postgraduate students are researching areas such as the modelling of geothermal processes, epidemiology, celestial mechanics, neuroscience, industrial mathematics, number theory, geometry and analysis. These projects show the generality, versatility and variety of problems offered. Your maths qualification will help you build up the skills and techniques you’ll need to be part of projects like these.

Further study

Once you have completed your Graduate Certificate in Arts (Mathematics) you can go on to postgraduate study if you wish.

A Graduate Certificate in Arts in Mathematics is a good fit if you:

  • like to think things through logically and analytically
  • enjoy mathematics
  • seek new solutions to problems.

Planning information

This qualification may be completed in one semester of full-time study (depending on sequencing of courses) or over a longer period of part-time study.

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

Prerequisite courses

Make sure you include courses that are prerequisites for the next level of courses you wish to study.

The GCertArts(Mathematics) schedule includes some courses which have specific 100-level courses required as prerequisites which must be passed before enrolling in a 200-level course. Meeting prerequisite requirements may require you to study courses in addition to those specified for the GCertArts.

Check the requirements for your courses before you enrol. 

Please note: No 100-level credits can be included in the GCertArts. Any 100-level prerequisite course that you need to pass before you start the Graduate Certificate in Arts should be taken under the Certificate of Proficiency Undergraduate.

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 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.
Course code: 160203 Multivariable Calculus 15 credits

The techniques of 100-level calculus are applied and extended in the study of infinite series, vector-valued functions and functions of two or more variables. Topics include convergence of power series, partial derivatives, double and triple integrals with applications to surface area and volumes, line and surface integrals.

Prerequisites: One of 160101, 160112, 160133 or 228172

View full course details
Course code: 160204 Differential Equations I 15 credits

An intermediate level course in the analytical and numerical study of ordinary differential equations, with an emphasis on their applications to the real world. Exact solution methods for ordinary differential equations. Systems of differential equations, matrix methods, phase plane techniques. Applications of differential equations. Numerical methods for differential equations.

Prerequisites: 160101 or 160112 or 160133 or 228172

View full course details
Course code: 160211 Linear Algebra 15 credits

Vector spaces, linear transformation, matrix representation, inner product spaces, isometries, least squares, generalised inverse, eigen theory, quadratic forms, norms, numerical methods.

Prerequisites: 160102, 160112, 160133 or 228172

View full course details
Course code: 160212 Discrete Mathematics 15 credits

Sets, logic, mathematical induction, functions and equivalence relations. Partial orderings, algebraic structures and morphisms. Error correcting codes and public key cryptography. Graph theory.

Prerequisites: One of (160101, 160102, 160103, 160105, 160111, 160112, 160132, 160133, 228171 or 228172) and one of (159101, 159171 or 230112)

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Course code: 160301 Real and Complex Analysis 15 credits

Real analysis: inequalities, the continuum property, induction, sequences, functions and limits, continuity, contraction mappings and fixed points, differentiation, mean value theorems and Taylor's theorem. Complex analysis: geometry in the complex plane, limits and continuity, holomorphic functions, line integrals, Cauchy's theorem and some elementary consequences, singularities and Laurent's theorem, the calculus of residues and some applications.

Prerequisites: 160203

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Course code: 160302 Modern Algebra 15 credits

Group theory - basic properties, permutation groups, finite Abelian groups, cosets, normal subgroups, homomorphism theorems, representation. Ring theory - integral domains and fields, ideals, homomorphism theorems, factorisation, extension fields.

Prerequisites: 160211 or 160212

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Course code: 160314 Combinatorics 15 credits

Permutations and combinations, binomial coefficients, the inclusion-exclusion principle, generating functions, recurrence relations, Polya’s theorem, topics in graph theory.

Prerequisites: 160212

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Course code: 160318 Differential Equations II 15 credits

An advanced course in the analytical and numerical study of ordinary and partial differential equations, building on techniques developed in Differential Equations I. Ordinary differential equations: power series and Frobenius series solutions, special functions, Fourier series, Sturm-Liouville problems, qualitative analysis of nonlinear systems. Partial differential equations: classification of second-order equations, separation of variables, Fourier transforms, explicit and implicit numerical schemes.

Prerequisites: 160204

View full course details

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

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

Specific requirements

To enter the Graduate Certificate in Arts (Mathematics) you will have been awarded or qualified for a bachelor's degree.

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.

This qualification is classified as NZQF Level 7 and requires the same English language standard as most undergraduate bachelor degrees, diplomas and certificates.

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

As a graduate of the Graduate Certificate in Arts (Mathematics), you’ll have the analytical and problem-solving skills that employers are looking for. This could lead to a number of career options in areas including:

  • finance and banking
  • market research and big data
  • public and private consultancies
  • government departments
  • research and development agencies
  • manufacturing
  • teaching.

Accreditations and rankings

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