- 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 Security Studies for your Graduate Certificate in Arts at Massey
The Graduate Certificate in Arts (Security Studies) is a bridging tool for graduates in other subjects to gain knowledge of security studies. You can use it to study another subject area without completing a second bachelor’s degree.
Our world provides numerous complex and multifaceted challenges to security. These include traditional interstate conflict and the threat of the spread of nuclear weapons. They include disputes linked to religious differences and control and exploitation of scarce resources and the impact of globalisation and environmental change.
Get prepared for a career in security
Management of threats to security is an important dimension of government and public policy. If you‘re interested in local and global security issues, Massey’s Graduate Certificate in Arts will give you knowledge in this area.
Security studies is a fast-growing field, and entry-level positions increasingly require a qualification. This qualification will prepare you for roles that are integral to the safety of New Zealand and the globe.
Unique in New Zealand
Massey offers New Zealand’s only specialist education in security studies. It examines security challenges such as biosecurity. It also looks at conflict resolution and cyber-crime at community and government levels. You’ll develop broad and transferable critical thinking skills. You may also have the opportunity to do an internship with government agencies such as Customs or the New Zealand Police.
Learn from the best
Our lecturers have professional and academic experience. Our courses are respected, scholarly and career-focussed, and well-connected with potential employers. The qualification is designed in collaboration with an advisory board of New Zealand’s top defence and security officials.
A Graduate Certificate in Arts in Security Studies is a good fit if you:
- want to help keep New Zealand safe
- want to make a difference in your community
- can look for solutions in tough situations.
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
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: 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: 294215 Global Defence and Security Challenges 15 credits
An examination of emerging and re-emerging defence and security challenges within the global environment, from strategic competition and conflict, to threats posed by emerging technologies, to the security implications of climate change. The increasingly interconnected nature of these challenges will be a central focus of the course.
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: 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: 294304 Cyber Security and Emerging Technologies 15 credits
This course provides a multidisciplinary examination of the security challenges posed by threats in the cyber environment. It includes an exploration of the evolution of cyber security; the role of various actors, including the state, in cyberspace; the key threats to cyber security along with the impact of these threats; and the impact of emerging technology on cyber security.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294310 The Future of Security and Warfare 15 credits
This course provides an exploration of the key global trends that are shaping the future of security and warfare and examines how these trends interact to impact at the individual, societal, state, and international level.
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 Transnational Crime 15 credits
This course critically explores the interconnected phenomena of terrorism and transnational crime. New Zealand’s understanding of and responses to these phenomena will be a key aspect of the course. The course will also address such substantive issues as how terrorist organisations 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 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 (Security Studies) 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, we have English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses and qualifications that may help.
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
With a Graduate Certificate in Arts (Security Studies) you’ll be in high demand after you graduate.
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 law
- intelligence
- border protection
- law enforcement.
Related study options
Border and Biosecurity – Postgraduate Diploma in International Security
Gain government-ready skills for a career in border management or biosecurity.
Border and Biosecurity – Master of International Security
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Certificate in Border and Biosecurity – CertBBiosec
Massey University’s Certificate in Border and Biosecurity will give you a credible and contemporary qualification to enhance your career prospects in border, biosecurity, or primary industries.
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Counter-Terrorism – Master of International Security
Gain in-demand skills with Massey’s Master of International Security (Counter-Terrorism). Understand the theories, concepts, and typologies of terrorism, violent extremism, and radicalisation.
Diploma in Border and Biosecurity – DipBBiosec
Massey University’s Diploma in Border and Biosecurity will give you a credible and contemporary qualification to enhance your career prospects in border, biosecurity, or primary industries.
Master of International Development – MIntDev
Help solve the world’s development problems. Our postgraduate students come from a wide range of academic, cultural, and professional backgrounds, and our qualification is enriched by this diversity.
Politics and International Relations – Graduate Certificate in Arts
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Want to know how and why decisions that affect society are made? Become equipped with the concepts, theories, and facts you need to make sense of the world around you.
Politics and International Relations – Diploma in Arts
Politics and International Relations – Graduate Diploma in Arts
Be informed about how decisions are made in society. This Graduate Diploma in Arts will give you the equivalent of an undergraduate major in politics without completing a second bachelor’s degree.
Postgraduate Certificate in International Development – PGCertIntDev
Massey's Postgraduate Certificate in International Development will broaden your knowledge of the world’s key development issues to shape a positive future for those in need.
Security Studies – Bachelor of Arts
Gain a powerful combination of critical thinking skills and knowledge of global security issues.
Security Studies – Diploma in Arts
Massey’s Diploma in Arts (Security Studies) will give you 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.
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