- Where you can study
-
Distance and online
-
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
- Open to international students studying online from outside New Zealand
Specialise in Development Studies for your Diploma in Arts at Massey
Development Studies is concerned with the understanding and analysis of processes which are transforming people's lives throughout the world.
Development Studies seeks to understand differences and examine key development issues and ideas. It will teach you the skills to help solve development problems.
In Development Studies, you study a number of different subjects. These will enable you to grasp the complexities involved in understanding the differences countries face in solving development problems.
Planning information
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
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.
Development Studies courses
Compulsory courses
Course code: 131121 Rich World, Poor World 15 credits
This course introduces students to the field of Development Studies and to some of the Big Issues facing people living in the Global South or ‘developing’ countries. We talk about the Big Ideas that influence the approaches taken to try and solve these issues and we illustrate these with case-studies from many parts of the world. The key Big Issues we focus on in this course are Food Security and Hunger and Migration/Refugees.
View full course detailsCourse code: 131221 Global Development Issues 15 credits
This interdisciplinary course investigates contemporary global development. This course will explain different approaches to development and will explore a choice of topical themes that highlight problems and some of the strategies involved in addressing global concerns.
View full course detailsCourse code: 131321 Strategies for Sustainable Development 15 credits
A consideration of concepts, processes, practices, and possible strategies for sustainable development at global, national and community levels. Special attention is paid to examples of strategies that seek more sustainable livelihoods.
View full course detailsSubject courses
Course code: 145203 Geographies of Inequality 15 credits
This course will consider how economic and social inequality is reproduced across space.
View full course detailsCourse code: 145311 Geographies of Globalisation 15 credits
The course explores processes of globalisation emphasising spaces and agents of global change, and global-local connections across a variety of topics.
View full course detailsCourse code: 176216 Globalisation in a digital world 15 credits
This course examines the intersecting material, social, and digital complexities of late capitalism in the context of increasing conditions of globalisation and glocalisation. Using a variety of sociological optics, the course aims to assist students to develop critical understandings that will enable them to be constructive contributors to their future worlds.
View full course detailsCourse code: 176218 Racism and Colonisation 15 credits
A review of the development of ideas of race and nation from the early modern era in Europe through to their world-wide crisis of the twentieth century including contemporary attempts to move beyond race via the concepts of ethnicity and indigeneity in Aotearoa New Zealand.
View full course detailsCourse code: 176223 Social Inequality and Justice 15 credits
An examination of how social structures create inequalities with a focus on gender, class, and ethnic diversities and identities and how claims for social transformation are made.
View full course detailsCourse code: 176308 Society, Climate Change and the Environment 15 credits
This course examines the interconnections between society and the environment from a social sciences perspective, emphasising the roles of science and politics in the creation of environmental knowledge and practice. We examine the causes and consequences of environmental problems, including climate change. We also consider possibilities for transformative change through activism, Te Ao Māori and other Indigenous perspectives, markets, government, and community-led initiatives.
View full course detailsCourse code: 179320 Community Development 15 credits
An examination of the fundamental theories, principles and definitions of community development. Individual, group and community action is examined with emphasis on the relationship between individual and social change.
View full course detailsCourse code: 200301 Contemporary International Conflict 15 credits
An examination of contemporary international conflict drawing on case studies from around the world.
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 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 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
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.
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.
Massey University has small class sizes, and our lecturers and staff are friendly and approachable.
As an international student, there are entry requirements that will apply to you. We recommend that you apply at least three months before your anticipated start date so your application can be processed in time. There are additional steps you will need to take. These include obtaining a visa and travel bookings if your study is to be in New Zealand.
Related study options
Development Studies – Graduate Certificate in Arts
Analyse and gain an understanding of the processes transforming people's lives throughout the world.
Development Studies – Graduate Diploma in Arts
Transform lives with development studies. The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Development Studies) will give you the equivalent of an undergraduate major in development studies without completing a second bachelor’s degree.
Global Development – Master of Sustainable Development Goals
Massey’s Master of Sustainable Development Goals (Global Development) will give you an advanced grounding in the theory, practice, and application of the UN Sustainable Development Goals related to global development.
Related content
