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International students
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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 one 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
This qualification may be completed in one 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 one 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 using the Special Request function in Course Enrolment in your student portal 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
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: 148217 Victoria's World 15 credits
A study of the economic, social and cultural history of Britain and its empire from about 1830 to World War I.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148218 The Vikings 15 credits
A study of Viking contacts in Europe during the 8th-11th centuries, with a focus on the political, economic, social and religious contexts of the migrations to and settlements in the north-eastern Atlantic (France, England, Ireland, Scotland and Iceland).
View full course detailsCourse code: 148220 The Second World War 15 credits
A survey of the Second World War which is both thematic and chronological.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148221 The Black Death and Other Plagues, 1300-1700 15 credits
A study of epidemic disease and its effects in medieval and early modern Europe.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148241 Revolution, Rights and the Atlantic World 15 credits
This course explores issues of civic and political rights in the Revolutionary Era,1763-1848.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148242 The Age of Chivalry and Crusades 15 credits
A study of the cultural, political, and religious dimensions of crusading and chivalry, and their impact on medieval Christian-Jewish-Muslim relations.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148243 The Sixties: Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll? 15 credits
This course assesses ‘myths and legends’ that surround the 1960s; most notably the ideas that the decade witnessed a fundamental shift in social and moral attitudes, witnessed a youth rebellion and ushered in a ‘permissive society’. The course will place the origin and legacy of these changes within the larger context of twentieth century history.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148244 The Great War 1914-1918: a Military and Social History 15 credits
This course examines the social and military history of the First World War. It focuses on the tactics and technology used during the conflict and on the war's impact on society, culture, politics and economics.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148245 Māori and Colonisation 15 credits
A study of Māori efforts to retain and enhance tino rangatiratanga and mana motuhake since colonisation.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148246 Iwi History 15 credits
A study of iwi histories, their sources, role in maintaining tribal identity and well-being and use before the Waitangi Tribunal and in Treaty Settlements.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148248 Reformers, Radicals & Revolutionaries: Protest in New Zealand 15 credits
This course explores protest in New Zealand from 1900 until the present. It examines the role of protest in challenging New Zealand's prevailing values, political elites and policies.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148308 New Zealand Military History: 1899 to 2001 15 credits
An investigation of New Zealand’s military history in the period 1899 to 2001. The various wars and conflicts are examined in detail as is their impact on New Zealand’s politics, society and culture.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148309 The New Zealand Wars 15 credits
A study of the New Zealand Wars, focusing on the causes, campaigns, historiographical interpretations and consequences, including the investigations of the Waitangi Tribunal and Treaty Settlements.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148310 The Tudors and the Reformation 15 credits
A study of religious, political and cultural issues related to the Tudor administrations and the Reformation of the English Church during the sixteenth century.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148316 New Zealand Between the Wars 15 credits
A study of developments in the period between the two World Wars.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148333 The Napoleonic Wars 15 credits
An analysis of the Napoleonic Wars, 1799-1815, and their impact on politics and society.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148334 Sports History 15 credits
An analysis of the relationship between sport and society, commencing with the development of sport in Britain during the second half of the nineteenth century, with particular reference to sport and empire, women in sport and commercialism and nationalism in sport.
View full course detailsCourse code: 148339 Court Culture in Late Medieval Europe 15 credits
The course examines the power, splendour and art of European courts in the Northern Renaissance, focusing on the most splendid of them all: the court of the dukes of Burgundy and its urban context.
View full course detailsEntry 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, 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, including how much could be covered and your eligibility on the Fees Free 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
Massey’s Graduate Certificate in Arts (History) prepares you for many career options, including:
- archiving
- editing
- journalism
- policy analysis
- teaching
- research management
- administration.
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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