Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Specialise in Security Studies for your Diploma in Arts at Massey
If you are interested in local and global security issues, Massey’s Diploma in Arts (Security Studies) will give you knowledge in this area.
The world has numerous complex and multi-faceted challenges to security including:
- traditional interstate conflict
- the threat of the spread of nuclear weapons
- disputes linked to religious differences
- control and exploitation of scarce resources
- the impact of globalisation and environmental change.
Management of threats to security is an important dimension of government and public policy.
Unique in New Zealand
Massey offers New Zealand’s only specialist education in security studies. You’ll examine security challenges such as biosecurity and conflict resolution. You’ll also look at cyber-crime at community and government levels, and develop broad and transferable critical thinking skills. You’ll also have the opportunity to do an internship with government agencies such as the New Zealand Customs Service or the New Zealand Police.
Learn from the best
Our lecturers have professional and academic experience. Our courses are respected, scholarly and career-focused and our people are well-connected with potential employers. The qualification is designed in collaboration with an advisory board of New Zealand’s top defence and security officials.
You choose what to study
The security studies qualification is highly interdisciplinary. Your education will draw on the academic knowledge and professional experience of staff from across the University.
A Diploma in Arts in Security Studies is a good fit if you:
- are keen to develop academic knowledge of security studies
- have a personal interest in security issues
- want to help keep New Zealand safe.
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.
Security Studies courses
Compulsory course
Course code: 294180 Introduction to Security Studies 15 credits
An introduction to contemporary security studies focusing on traditional and non-traditional security challenges and the ways in which security is understood and conceptualized in security studies discourse.
View full course detailsSubject courses
Course code: 175304 The Psychology of Security 15 credits
An exploration of how psychology can be utilised to improve our understanding of, and responses to, the various security challenges posed by the contemporary environment.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294201 States, Borders and Resource Security 15 credits
This course examines the dynamics of states seeking to secure resources for their own requirements, alongside the need to sustain and protect global resources such as oceans and the poles.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294202 Human Security 15 credits
This course explores the theory and practice of security from multiple perspectives including individual, community, social, economic and environmental.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294272 Intelligence in the Security Environment 15 credits
This course provides a critical examination of intelligence focusing on the security environment. It looks at contemporary global and New Zealand-specific security risks, the intelligence cycle, and intelligence models that collect and analyse information to produce intelligence products that inform decision making.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294280 Security and Diplomacy 15 credits
This course examines the nexus of security and diplomacy and the related theoretical and explanatory approaches with a particular emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294304 Cyber and Information Security 15 credits
This course examines the threats posed by Cyber Crime, Cyber Terrorism, Cyber Intelligence, Cyber Infrastructure and Cyber Warfare to individuals, organisations and government agencies. Studies include the origins of threats, the evolution of technologies, the role of the state in offensive and defensive applications, and ethical considerations.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294350 The History of Defence and Security Intelligence 15 credits
A study of defence and security intelligence from ancient times through to today, with emphasis on the evolution of intelligence organisations and activities, the impact of technological advances, and the wider political, social and ethical issues surrounding its practice.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294381 Terrorism and Political Violence 15 credits
This course critically explores the concept of `Terrorism’ and related forms of political conflict and violence. New Zealand’s understanding and responses to the phenomena labelled as `terrorism’ will be a key aspect of the course. The course will also address such substantive issues as the how non-state actors engaged in political conflict and violence fund their activities.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294382 Advanced Biosecurity 15 credits
This course provides an advanced exploration of biosecurity from a social science perspective and exposes students to a range of contemporary biosecurity issues and their management.
View full course detailsSubject qualification course electives
Course code: 294101 Introduction to Biosecurity 15 credits
This course exposes students to a range of contemporary biosecurity issues and practices and incorporates a preliminary understanding of conceptual approaches to the management of pest and diseases.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294170 Introduction to Border Security 15 credits
An introduction to the concept of border security. It will explore security challenges and the implications of these to border security both internationally and for New Zealand. It will also look at the various border security agencies and their responses to managing border security risks with a focus on interagency collaboration, risk management and the impact of policy.
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.
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
With a Diploma in Arts (Security Studies) you’ll graduate in high demand.
By learning how people, property and information are protected, you can prepare for a career that’s challenging, rewarding and will help make the world a safer place. Knowledge of security can be applied to a range of professions and vocations such as:
- government or non-government agencies
- commercial companies
- security
- business
- foreign affairs
- trade or law
- intelligence
- border protection
- law enforcement.
This diploma also offers early to mid-career professional development in public and private organisations where security is important.
Related study options
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Certificate in Border and Biosecurity – CertBBiosec
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Security Studies – Graduate Certificate in Arts
The Graduate Certificate in Arts (Security Studies) will prepare you for roles that are integral to the safety of New Zealand and the globe.
Security Studies – Bachelor of Arts
Gain a powerful combination of critical thinking skills and knowledge of global security issues.
Security Studies – Graduate Diploma in Arts
Gain knowledge about local and global security issues. The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Security Studies) will give you the equivalent of an undergraduate major in security studies 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