Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
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
Full-time study comprises eight 15-credit courses for a total of 120 credits in one year. We recommend you aim for 60 credits per semester.
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 do not have Mathematics with Calculus at Bursary level or NCEA Level 3, we recommend you take course 160103 Introductory University 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.
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.
Compulsory courses
Course code: 115113 Economics for Business credits 15
The course examines the nature of the contemporary economic environment in which businesses operate, and considers how economics can aid in business decision-making.
View full course detailsCourse code: 178200 Macroeconomics credits 15
The development and application of macroeconomic models to globally-oriented economies, and the assessment of real-world policy problems from a practical perspective.
View full course detailsCourse code: 178201 Microeconomics credits 15
The development and application of models of consumer optimisation, producer behaviour, and competition in markets.
View full course detailsSubject courses
Course code: 178300 Macroeconomic Policy and Applications credits 15
This course incorporates financial markets into macroeconomic models and analyses government policies that address current macroeconomic events.
View full course detailsCourse code: 178301 Microeconomic Theory and Applications credits 15
The modelling of microeconomic decision-making, with application to real-world issues.
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.
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
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
Related study options
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The Bachelor of Business (Economics) is a versatile degree where you will learn how the world of business works, and gain the skills to interpret global information and events.
Economics – Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
With Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Economics) you can take your undergraduate study of economics further.
Economics – Master of Business Studies
Massey’s Master of Business Studies (Economics) will give you the business and economics skills to take your career to the next level. Specialising in economics will give you many career options.
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Succeed as a professional in the private, not-for-profit or public sector. Learn how the economy affects our everyday life, culture, and environment.
Economics – Postgraduate Diploma in Arts
With Massey's Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Economics) you’ll build on your undergraduate interests and further investigate topics in economics that have taken your interest.
Economics – Master of Arts
Open up a world of employment options. With Massey’s Master of Arts (Economics) you’ll build on your undergraduate interests and develop your analysis and research skills.
Economics – Graduate Diploma in Arts
The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Economics) will give you the equivalent of an undergraduate major in economics without having to complete a second bachelor’s degree.
Economics for Sustainability – Master of Sustainable Development Goals
Gain the knowledge, skills, and tools to enable a shift towards sustainable development from the perspective of environmental sustainability, good governance, and institutions.
Financial Economics – Master of Management
The Master of Management will increase your business knowledge to help move your career in a new direction. You don’t have to have a qualification in business to undertake this master’s.
Graduate Diploma in Facilities Management – GradDipFM
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Useful planning information

Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz