- Where you can study
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Distance and online
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International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
- Not open to international students
Specialise in Linguistics for your Graduate Certificate in Arts at Massey
The Graduate Certificate in Arts (Linguistics) allows graduates from other disciplines to gain specialist knowledge in language and communication. It can also provide a pathway into postgraduate study in linguistics or applied linguistics, including TESOL.
Cultivate your personal and professional development
Linguistics is the study of language, including:
- its structure and meaning
- how it is learnt and used
- what our language says about who we are and where we come from
- how it shapes relationships, communities and the world
From interacting with friends to communicating with colleagues, language plays a key role in both our private and working lives. It shapes how we express identity, build relationships, exercise power and construct meaning. Our lecturers will encourage you to think critically about language, communication and social interactions to help you develop vital personal and career skills.
A powerful tool in a rapidly changing world
Language helps us understand people whose experiences, cultures and ways of seeing the world may differ from our own. It shapes how communities express identity, maintain traditions, negotiate meaning and connect across cultural boundaries. Studying linguistics encourages you to think beyond your own language and cultural perspective, preparing you to engage thoughtfully and confidently with the challenges of an increasingly diverse and interconnected world.
Specialist language studies and options available
We have a variety of courses on offer. You could find out more about the role of language in:
- multilingualism
- language and identity
- discourse and power
- social media and digital communication
- intercultural communication and digital communities
- mother-tongue maintenance
- second-language learning
- forensic linguistics.
Our courses are taught by lecturers with expertise in these areas.
Further study
Once you have completed your Graduate Certificate in Arts (Linguistics) you can go on to postgraduate study if you wish.
A Graduate Certificate in Arts in Linguistics is a good fit if you:
- are interested in language, culture, communication and multilingualism
- work in areas such as education, media, communication, languages, public service or community engagement
- are considering postgraduate study in linguistics, applied linguistics or TESOL
- want to better understand communication in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world.
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 in all modes or across all campuses in any 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
Courses you can enrol in
Subject courses
Course code: 172232 Language and Society in New Zealand 15 credits
An introduction to sociolinguistics with particular reference to New Zealand: focussing on language and social interaction, regional and social variation in language use, bilingualism and the status of minority languages, and the sociolinguistics of te Reo Māori.
View full course detailsCourse code: 172233 Language Learning Processes 15 credits
An introduction to approaches and theories in applied linguistics with particular focus on language learning processes.
View full course detailsCourse code: 172234 Phonetics 15 credits
A study of the sounds of language and an introduction to the acoustic analysis of speech.
View full course detailsCourse code: 172235 Linguistic Analysis of the English Language 15 credits
An introductory course in linguistic analysis of the English language covering the fundamental concepts of morphology, phonetics, phonology, and syntax.
View full course detailsCourse code: 172236 Forensic Linguistics 15 credits
An introduction to the study of forensic linguistics, focussing on a variety of business and legal contexts and related ethical issues.
View full course detailsCourse code: 172237 Language, Discourse and Power 15 credits
An introduction to critical discourse analysis, exploring how language is used in the reproduction of social inequalities.
View full course detailsCourse code: 172239 Language and Culture 15 credits
An examination of the interrelationship between/of language and culture through a study of various elements of language, language use and language acquisition in a wide range of cultural contexts.
View full course detailsCourse code: 172330 Sounds and Structures 15 credits
Introduces theoretical approaches to phonology and syntactic/grammatical structures and their interfaces.
View full course detailsCourse code: 172333 Discourse and Institutions 15 credits
A critical examination of public and private-sphere discourses in institutional contexts through linguistic theories and methods.
View full course detailsCourse code: 172335 Language and Identity 15 credits
An advanced sociolinguistic study of how language is used to represent and construct aspects of identity relevant to particular social interactions, including the individual’s ability to negotiate multiple forms of identity and belonging.
View full course detailsCourse code: 172336 Languages of the Pacific 15 credits
An examination of the three major language subgroups spoken in the Pacific, focussing on their formal elements, the relationship between language and society, and the linguistic consequences of the encounter between Pacific peoples and speakers of non-Pacific languages.
View full course detailsCourse code: 172337 Historical and Comparative Linguistics 15 credits
An advanced study of historical language change and language relationships. The course examines reasons for and types of language change, and methods for reconstructing earlier language forms.
View full course detailsCourse code: 172338 Language, Diversity and Mediated Communication 15 credits
An examination of one-to-many communication in the Web and mediated contexts, focussing on globalised and transcultural communication of linguistic perspectives.
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 (Linguistics) 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's English language competency requirements.
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.
Scholarships and awards
Search our scholarships and awardsCareers and job opportunities
Careers and job opportunities
Linguistics graduates develop strong skills in communication, critical thinking, intercultural understanding and language analysis. These skills are valued across a wide range of industries and professions.
Our graduates work in areas including:
- Education and language teaching: teacher, ESOL teacher, language teacher, literacy adviser, university lecturer
- Communication, business, and law: communications adviser, interpreter/translator, forensic document analyst
- Government and public services: policy analyst, researcher, cultural adviser, immigration officer
- Media, publishing, and creative industries: writer, editor, journalist, advertising consultant
- Language and digital technologies: language technologies, AI and digital communication, user experience and content design.
Related study options
Linguistics – Bachelor of Arts
Learn about how language works and how people use it. Use that understanding to shape your future and drive positive change in your community and career.
Linguistics – Diploma in Arts
Explore how language works and how it shapes communication, culture and human connection across diverse communities.
Linguistics – Bachelor of Communication
If you love language and want to broaden your career options in communication, the Bachelor of Communication (Linguistics) offers the best of both worlds.
Linguistics – Graduate Diploma in Arts
Use language to shape your career. The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Linguistics) gives you the equivalent of an undergraduate major in linguistics without completing a second bachelor’s degree.
Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Linguistics – PGCertAppLing
Open new professional and academic opportunities through the study of language learning, multilingualism, and applied language issues in diverse global contexts.
Without Specialisation – Master of Applied Linguistics
Take your career to the next level with Massey’s Master of Applied Linguistics. Develop advanced knowledge of real-world language issues, multilingualism, and contemporary approaches to language learning and teaching.
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