- 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.
- Not open to international students
- Note:
- Note: Not all courses offered at all campuses or in any 1 year.
Specialise in History for your Graduate Certificate in Arts at Massey
The Graduate Certificate in Arts (History) is a bridging tool for graduates in other subjects to gain knowledge of history. You can then apply for a postgraduate qualification in history if you wish.
Understand the present by studying the past
History is a subject as large as our recorded past. Our cultural heritages, literature, arts, religions, politics, economics, social behaviours, buildings and landscapes all derive from past influences.
Through history, we can understand our past, explain our present and be better equipped to predict the future. There are lots of choices - pick what interests you.
Shape your graduate certificate around your interests. You can study 1 particular area, such as New Zealand and the Pacific, or a particular era, such as the medieval period or the 20th century. You could focus on some themes, such as politics, social history. Or you could explore your own particular interests.
Relevant to the past, present and future of New Zealand
At Massey, our history qualification is focused on New Zealand’s place in the world. We have the strongest focus on New Zealand history of any university in the world and these themes are central to our academics’ research. You will graduate ready to shape the future of New Zealand.
Have access to top resources
Whether you study on campus or by distance, you’ll have the best resources at your fingertips. Your reading materials are engaging and available online 24/7. Class sizes are small to ensure you benefit from the wealth of knowledge that our academics have to offer.
A Graduate Certificate in 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 such as English, history and social studies
- are keen to know more about the history of a specific area or region.
Planning information
Planning information
This qualification may be completed in 1 semester of full-time study (depending on sequencing of courses) or over a longer period of part-time study.
Not all courses will be offered at all campuses or in any 1 given year.
100-level prerequisites
When you are granted entry to the qualification, you are not required to pass any 100-level prerequisite course/s for the specialisation. You may need to apply for 200-level courses via a Special Request if your previous study was not completed at Massey. If you plan to take any electives in subjects such as Languages, Economics, Mathematics or Statistics, you will need to meet the 100-level prerequisite requirements.
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.
Subject courses
Course 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
To enter the Graduate Certificate in Arts (History) you will have been awarded or qualified for a bachelor's degree.
You will need to provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.
English language requirements
To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
This qualification is classified as NZQF Level 7 and requires the same English language standard as most undergraduate bachelor degrees, diplomas and certificates.
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: $3,707
- International students: Not applicable
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 (60 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 $582 for on-campus students and $474 for distance students for full-time study (60 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. Students who are eligible for final-year fees free can normally receive up to 120 credits of fees free. However, if you choose to study this certificate you will only receive up to 60 credits fees free. You will not be able to claim the remaining 60 credits of fees free for future qualifications. For further information see 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.
Careers and job opportunities
Careers and job opportunities
Massey’s Graduate Certificate in Arts (History) prepares you for many career options, including:
- archiving
- editing
- journalism
- policy analysis
- teaching
- research management
- administration.
Related study options
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With Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (History), you can take your undergraduate study of history further.
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Get a new appreciation for the world around you by studying Massey's Bachelor of Arts (History).
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To learn about history is to learn about change in the world and in ourselves. Having a better understanding of history will make you more broad-minded as a person and citizen.
History – Postgraduate Diploma in Arts
Take your study of history to the next level with Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (History). Enhance your research skills through an investigation of a time or theme in history that interests you.
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History – Graduate Diploma in Arts
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