- Where you can study
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Auckland campusDistance and onlineManawatū campus (Palmerston North)
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International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
- Open to international students on campus in New Zealand, or studying online outside New Zealand
Specialise in Without Specialisation for your Diploma in Arts at Massey
Explore tertiary study with a Diploma in Arts. For many students, this is the first step towards taking a full Bachelor of Arts. The Diploma in Arts consists of eight courses (120 credits) from the Bachelor of Arts schedule.
You choose what you study
Completing the diploma without endorsement lets you sample different subjects and build a qualification that reflects your own particular interests.
Massey’s Diploma in Arts is extremely flexible and you can include courses from many disciplines, including some from outside the humanities and social sciences.
Why study arts at Massey?
Massey offers passionate and friendly lecturers, world-class distance learning and access to multi-media learning materials.
The arts – in other words, the subjects of the humanities and social sciences – are the study of humanity: our history, beliefs, societies, languages and cultures. They ask questions about how we think, how we communicate, how we live, and how we interact with our environment. They teach us to analyse the meaning behind what we are, what we do, and how we came to be that way.
Massey will prepare you to be a free and original thinker who will lead New Zealand into the future and help solve some of our big problems.
A Diploma in Arts in Without Specialisation is a good fit if you:
- want to take the first step towards a Bachelor of Arts
- want the flexibility to follow your passions
- have wide-ranging interests.
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.
For a list of appropriate Schedule B, C and D courses, see the Calendar regulations.
Schedule A: core courses
Course code: 230111 Tū Kupu: Writing and Inquiry 15 credits
This course introduces students to cultures of writing and inquiry in the Humanities and Social Sciences. It is designed to help students write effectively at undergraduate level by practising a variety of writing tasks, including analytical, persuasive, and research-based writing and argumentation. Students will learn practices of writing, research, peer-review and revision that have application in the university and broader contexts.
View full course detailsCourse code: 230112 Tū Arohae: Critical Thinking 15 credits
This course develops students’ foundational analytical and critical thinking skills. It is designed to provide students in any discipline with the ability to describe, evaluate, and generate reasoning / arguments effectively, appropriately, and sympathetically, alongside an understanding of the hidden complexities inherent in this approach and its limits when employed as a form of persuasion.
View full course detailsAt least 60 credits from Schedule B, C and/or D. See the Diploma in Arts qualification regulations for course details
Entry 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
Certificate in Foundation Studies – CertFoundStud
Successful completion of this qualification will give you admission to New Zealand universities and prepare you for undergraduate study.
Certificate of University Preparation – CertUniPrep
The Certificate of University Preparation will give you admission to Massey University and prepare you for undergraduate study.
Foundation Certificate (International - Accelerated) – FCert(IntAcc)
The Foundation Certificate (International – Accelerated) will help you prepare for undergraduate study by helping to increase your English and academic skills.
Foundation Certificate (International) – FCert(Int)
This qualification will help you prepare for undergraduate study by improving your English and academic skills.
Postgraduate Certificate in Intelligence – PGCertIntel
Gain an advanced understanding of the roles, functions, and processes of intelligence to get a critical understanding of the ethical and professional issues involved in its practice.
Postgraduate Certificate in International Security – PGCertIntlSy
Study key topics in international security with Massey's Postgraduate Certificate in International Security.
Without Specialisation – Graduate Certificate in Arts
Inspire people, shape policy, solve problems, create new ways of thinking, and transform the world. You can study Massey’s Graduate Certificate in Arts without completing a second bachelor’s degree.
Without Specialisation – Graduate Diploma in Arts
Learn to be a critical thinker, problem-solver, and inspire people with Massey's Graduate Diploma in Arts.
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