Where you can study
International students
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Specialise in Development Studies for your Graduate Diploma in Arts at Massey
The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Development Studies) is a bridging tool for graduates in other subjects to get the equivalent of a major in development studies. You can then go on to a postgraduate qualification in development studies if you wish.
Help transform lives
In this qualification you’ll analyse and gain an understanding of the processes transforming people's lives throughout the world.
Development studies seeks to understand differences. It examines key development issues and ideas. It also introduces skills to help solve development problems.
You’ll study a number of subjects. That will help you understand the complexities involved in understanding the differences countries face in solving development problems.
Further study
If you successfully complete your Graduate Diploma in Arts, you could go on to study a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts or a Master of Arts.
A Graduate Diploma in Arts in Development Studies is a good fit if you:
- have a bachelor’s degree and want to expand your horizons
- wish to develop your interest in development studies
- are interested in pursuing postgraduate study.
Planning information
If you study full-time you’ll take eight 15-credit courses (120 credits) in 1 year, or 60 credits per semester. You may be able to take some courses at summer school.
Not all courses are available 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
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.
Compulsory courses
Course code: 131221 Global Development Issues 15 credits
This interdisciplinary course investigates contemporary global development. This course will explain different approaches to development and will explore a choice of topical themes that highlight problems and some of the strategies involved in addressing global concerns.
View full course detailsCourse code: 131321 Strategies for Sustainable Development 15 credits
A consideration of concepts, processes, practices, and possible strategies for sustainable development at global, national and community levels. Special attention is paid to examples of strategies that seek more sustainable livelihoods.
View full course detailsSubject courses
Course code: 145203 Geographies of Inequality 15 credits
This course will consider how economic and social inequality is reproduced across space.
View full course detailsCourse code: 146205 Environmental Anthropology 15 credits
An exploration of contemporary approaches in environmental anthropology.
View full course detailsCourse code: 176216 Globalisation in a digital world 15 credits
This course examines the intersecting material, social, and digital complexities of late capitalism in the context of increasing conditions of globalisation and glocalisation. Using a variety of sociological optics, the course aims to assist students to develop critical understandings that will enable them to be constructive contributors to their future worlds.
View full course detailsCourse code: 176218 Race, Nation and Modernity 15 credits
A review of the development of ideas of race and nation from the early modern era in Europe through to their world-wide crisis of the twentieth century including contemporary attempts to move beyond race via the concepts of ethnicity and indigeneity in Aotearoa New Zealand.
View full course detailsCourse code: 176223 Social Inequality and Justice 15 credits
An examination of how social structures create inequalities with a focus on gender, class, and ethnic diversities and identities and how claims for social transformation are made.
View full course detailsCourse code: 294202 Human Security 15 credits
This course explores the theory and practice of security from multiple perspectives including individual, community, social, economic and environmental.
View full course detailsCourse code: 145311 Geographies of Globalisation 15 credits
The course explores processes of globalisation emphasising spaces and agents of global change, and global-local connections across a variety of topics.
View full course detailsCourse code: 176308 Sociology of the Environment 15 credits
An advanced examination of the interconnections between society and the environment with a particular emphasis on the roles of science and politics in the creation of environmental knowledge and practice.
View full course detailsCourse code: 178370 Development Economics 15 credits
An examination of major development problems and issues, both domestic and international, from a combined economic theory, empirical and policy-oriented perspective.
View full course detailsCourse code: 179320 Community Development 15 credits
An examination of the fundamental theories, principles and definitions of community development. Individual, group and community action is examined with emphasis on the relationship between individual and social change.
View full course detailsCourse code: 200301 Contemporary International Conflict 15 credits
An examination of contemporary international conflict drawing on case studies from around the world.
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 Diploma in Arts (Development Studies) you will have been awarded or qualified for a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
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
You’ll gain the skills and experience to begin your career in a wide range of government, non-government, multilateral and private sector spheres. That could be in organisations such as Red Cross, World Vision, the New Zealand Aid Programme, United Nations Development Programme and Caritas.
- adviser in tourism, health, education or agriculture
- advocacy officer
- community affairs officer
- development officer
- diplomat
- human rights adviser
- policy analyst.
Related study options
Development Studies – Graduate Certificate in Arts
Analyse and gain an understanding of the processes transforming people's lives throughout the world.
Development Studies – Diploma in Arts
Gain useful skills to help solve development problems, with Massey’s Diploma in Arts (Development Studies).
Global Development – Master of Sustainable Development Goals
Massey’s Master of Sustainable Development Goals (Global Development) will give you an advanced grounding in the theory, practice, and application of the UN Sustainable Development Goals related to global development.
Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz