History – Graduate Diploma in Arts

The Graduate Diploma in Arts (History) will give you the equivalent of an undergraduate major in history without having to complete a second bachelor’s degree.

Where you can study

Distance and online

International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

Open to international students on campus in New Zealand, or studying online outside New Zealand

Specialise in History for your Graduate Diploma in Arts at Massey

The Graduate Diploma in Arts (History) is a bridging tool for graduates in other subjects to get the equivalent of a major in history.

Understand the present by studying the past

History is a subject as large as our recorded past. Our cultural heritage, literature, arts, religions, politics, economics, social behaviours, buildings and landscapes all derive from past influences.

Studying history gives you an understanding of where we have been and how the world has changed. You’ll get an appreciation of how people have faced challenges at different times, with the benefit of hindsight.

Loads of choices - pick what interests you

You can study one particular area, such as New Zealand and the Pacific. Or you could study a particular era, such as the medieval period or the 20th century. You could also focus on themes, such as politics, or social history.

Relevant to the past, present and future of New Zealand

Through history, we can understand our past, explain our present and be better equipped to predict the future. We have the strongest focus on New Zealand history of any university in the world and New Zealand themes are central to our academics’ research. This combination means you will graduate ready to shape the future of New Zealand.

Uncover your own historical stories

Our expertise expands across a variety of fields including medieval, military, British and European history. So, no matter what you’re interested in, you’ll get the tools to tell the stories you want told.

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 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

If you study full-time you’ll take eight 15-credit courses (120 credits) in one year, or 60 credits per semester. You may be able to take some courses at summer school.

Not all courses are available at all campuses or in any one 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

Choose no more than 30 credits from
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.

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Course 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).

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Course code: 148220 The Second World War 15 credits

A survey of the Second World War which is both thematic and chronological.

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Course 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.

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Course 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.

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Course 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.

Restrictions: 148212, 148223, 135211

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Course 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.

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Course 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.

Restrictions: 148251, 148335

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Course code: 148245 Māori and Colonisation 15 credits

A study of Māori efforts to retain and enhance tino rangatiratanga and mana motuhake since colonisation.

Restrictions: 148337

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Course 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.

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Course 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.

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Choose at least 60 credits from
Course 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.

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Course 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.

Restrictions: 148204

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Course 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.

Restrictions: 148216

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Course code: 148316 New Zealand Between the Wars 15 credits

A study of developments in the period between the two World Wars.

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Course code: 148333 The Napoleonic Wars 15 credits

An analysis of the Napoleonic Wars, 1799-1815, and their impact on politics and society.

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Course 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.

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Course 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.

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Entry 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 (History) 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.

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 awards

Fees 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

A Graduate Diploma in Arts (History) prepares you for many careers, including:

  • archiving
  • editing
  • journalism
  • policy analysis
  • teaching
  • research management
  • administration
  • media research.

International students

New Zealand is a great place to study. Massey University’s reputation is supported by our international rankings, accreditations and associations. We are rated five star plus by the QS World University Rankings.

Massey University has small class sizes, and our lecturers and staff are friendly and approachable.

As an international student, there are entry requirements that will apply to you. We recommend that you apply at least three months before your anticipated start date so your application can be processed in time. There are additional steps you will need to take. These include obtaining a visa and travel bookings if your study is to be in New Zealand.

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