- Where you can study
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Distance and online
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International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
- Open to international students studying online from outside New Zealand
Specialise in History for your Bachelor of Arts at Massey
History is a subject as large as our recorded past. Our cultural heritage, literature, arts, religions, politics, economics, social behaviours, buildings and landscapes all derive from past influences.
Studying history gives an understanding of where we have been and how the world has changed over time. It gives an appreciation of how people have faced challenges at different times, and all with the benefit of hindsight.
Choices - pick what interests you
With a history major you can shape your degree around your interests. You can make your history major specific to one particular area, like New Zealand and the Pacific, or study a particular era, like the medieval period, or the 20th century. You could focus on a specific theme, such as politics, sport or social history, or just pick what takes your fancy.
Relevant to the past, present and future of New Zealand
Through history we can understand our past, explain our present and be better equipped to predict the future. At Massey, our history qualifications are focused on New Zealand and European history and New Zealand’s place in the world. We have the strongest focus on New Zealand history of any university in the world and New Zealand themes are central to our academics’ research.
A Bachelor of Arts in History is a good fit if you:
- are interested in learning about how the past affects the way we live now
- enjoy subjects like English, history and social studies at school
- are keen to know more about the history of a specific area or region.
Planning information
Planning information
If you study full time, in the first year you’ll take eight 15-credit courses, making a total of 120 credits.
If you wish to study over two semesters, you should aim for 60 credits per semester. You may be able to take some courses at summer school if you wish. Make sure you include courses that are prerequisites for the next level of courses you wish to study.
You need to pass five courses at 300-level for your BA. One of these (230310) is in the compulsory core and three are required for your major. If you are not taking a double major or a minor, you will need to take one 300-level elective course to meet this requirement.
About this major
A History major consists of 120 credits (eight courses).
Minors
Completing a minor is optional. Minors increase the breadth of your degree. They give you extra knowledge, attributes and capabilities.
A minor must be in a different subject from your major.
A Bachelor of Arts (History) with a minor
You may choose a minor from the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business or Bachelor of Science. If the minor is from another degree the regulations of that qualification will apply.
All BA majors can be taken as minors and there are also some additional minor-only subjects.
- See the BA page for a list of BA minors.
- More on minors.
A History minor
If you wish to complete a History minor see the regulations for details.
- Regulations.
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
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 Bachelor of Arts
As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.
History courses
Subject courses
Course code: 148102 Making History 15 credits
An introduction to the multiple ways the past has been imagined, represented, used and misused in different societies, from medieval to modern, "Western" to Māori.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148116 The Medieval World and its Legacy 15 credits
An introduction to the history of Medieval Europe examining the nature and long-term influence of its culture, society and institutions of power.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148141 The Histories of Aotearoa New Zealand 15 credits
This course is an introduction to Aotearoa New Zealand history, and debates about its history, from Māori and iwi perspectives to ideas of "New Zealand-ness".
View full course detailsCourse code: 148143 The Past as Entertainment: History Through Movies, Mini-series and Games 15 credits
The ways in which popular culture shapes our understanding of the past are examined through recent movies, mini-series and games. The course explores the different ways historians and the makers of popular cultures interpret the past.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148201 Shaping the Modern World: Global History Since 1945 15 credits
This course develops an understanding of the contemporary world by examining the people, events, ideas and forces that have shaped the world since 1945.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148202 Voyages of Ancestors: Atlantic and Pacific Journeys 800-1800 15 credits
The course compares reasons and effects of maritime journeys by Polynesians with those of Europeans, from the Vikings onwards. It deals with encounters with other peoples in the Americas, and with colonialism.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148209 Te Tiriti in History 15 credits
This course explores Te Tiriti in the context of nineteenth-century wars, raupatu, continuing conflict over land, and decolonial historical scholarship in the present.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148302 A World at War, 1900-1945 15 credits
This course focuses on the origins, courses, and legacies of the First and Second World Wars. It adopts a broad perspective on the conflicts, considering their military, political, and social aspects.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148334 Histories of Sport, Leisure and Recreation 15 credits
The course explores ideas of recreation and leisure from the medieval period onwards, and particularly the emergence of organised sports in the modern era, with reference to empire, colonisation, women and commercialism.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148339 The Art of Power: Medieval and Renaissance Courts 15 credits
The course examines the power, propaganda and art of European states, focusing on the courts of Burgundian, Valois and Tudor rulers in the late medieval era.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148346 Te Pouhere Kōrero: Māori and Indigenous Histories 15 credits
This course focuses on methods, theories, tikanga and ethics at the forefront in the mahi and research of iwi/Māori and other Indigenous historians.
View full course detailsEntry requirements
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 the Bachelor of Arts (History), 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 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.
Fees and scholarships
Fees and scholarships
2026 tuition fees
- Domestic students: $7,415
- International students: $34,220
Tuition fees are estimates only. The exact fees charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment. The estimates are for full-time study (120 credits). Fees are in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax (GST).
The estimates do not include the Student Services Fee. This fee is $1,164 for on-campus students and $948 for distance students for full-time study (120 credits). For more information about this fee and other fees you may need to pay, see non-tuition fees.
There may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
Course fees
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, including how much could be covered and your eligibility on the Inland Revenue website.
Scholarship and award opportunities
Find more 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
Careers and job opportunities
A history major prepares you for many career options, including:
- archiving
- editing
- journalism
- policy analysis
- teaching
- research management
- administration.
International students
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.
Plan your courses
View your course options and plan your study using our course planner.
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