Type of qualification
Level of study
Once you’ve graduated with a bachelor’s degree – or have equal experience – you can study at the postgraduate level. Doctoral qualifications require additional entry requirements.
Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.
Time to complete
Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Study a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics – PGDipAppLing
The Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics will provide you with a qualification that meets your professional and research needs. If you’re a professional in second language teaching, including Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), this qualification is for you.
Get real-world skills
You’ll use theories, methods and problem-based approaches that address real-world language issues. The qualification focuses on second language acquisition, teaching and language use in an increasingly globalised and digitally mediated world.
You’ll explore areas such as contextually relevant teaching of languages, and reflective practices to enhance teaching and learning. You’ll also learn about the sociocultural demands of language learning and teaching.
Learn from the experts
You’ll be taught by distinguished educators who have researched in areas such as:
- online second language communities
- distance/online language learning
- sociocultural adjustment of international students and their teachers to their presence in New Zealand universities
- language learning and emotion
- bi/multilingualism
- oral proficiency
- heritage language learning
- mother tongue maintenance.
Further study
If you want to take on the challenge of master’s study, you can apply for a Master of Applied Linguistics.
A PGDipAppLing is a good fit if you:
- work in second language teaching, including TESOL
- are passionate about teaching and learning languages
- are curious about how we learn languages and how we teach them.
Entry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
To enter the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics you will have been awarded or qualified for a relevant 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.
Time limits for Honours, Distinction and Merit
Where your qualification is completed within the stated time limit and to a high standard, you may be able to graduate with Distinction or Merit.
- Look for information under ‘Student Progression’ in the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates.
- Contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
Prior learning, credit and exemptions
For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:
- review the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations
- contact us through the Get advice button on this page.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
Maximum time limits for completion
There are maximum time limits to complete postgraduate qualifications. If you do not complete within the maximum time, you may be required to re-apply for the qualification if you wish to continue your studies.
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 Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate 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.
Structure of the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics
If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.
Courses and specialisations
Key terms
- Courses
- Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
- Course code
- Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
- Credits
- Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
- Specialisations
- Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.
Credit summary
120 credits
- Courses from the Schedule – 120 credits
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.
Course code: 272702 Second Language Learning Theories and Processes 30 credits
A critical examination of theoretical perspectives accounting for second language learning processes.
View full course detailsCourse code: 272703 Contemporary Approaches to Language Teaching Methodology 30 credits
A critical survey of different approaches and methods used to develop language skills.
View full course detailsCourse code: 272704 Contextualising Curriculum and Materials Design 30 credits
A study of the principles, practice and contextualised nature of curriculum and materials design.
View full course detailsCourse code: 272705 Advanced TESOL for diverse learners and contexts 30 credits
An advanced and critical survey of current trends, policy, theory, and practice for diverse learners and contexts.
View full course detailsCourse code: 272706 Discourse Analysis 30 credits
An advanced exploration of key theoretical and analytical frameworks in discourse analysis and how to apply these to empirical data in a range of discourse genres.
View full course detailsCourse code: 272707 Language Documentation 30 credits
A practical introduction to language documentation to support language community goals, foregrounding the ethical responsibilities of researchers, while critically reflecting on how language documentation outcomes are communicated to community, academic and general audiences.
View full course detailsCourse code: 272715 Current Issues in Applied Linguistics 30 credits
A critical examination of current issues in applied linguistics research from both theoretical and practical perspectives.
View full course detailsFees 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 and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.
Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student portal
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
The Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics will prepare you for a career in areas such as language teaching, research or practice in national or international multilingual contexts.
You’ll be supporting those who operate in multilingual contexts, such as migrants and former refugees, and international students in New Zealand. Our graduates are employed as educators, consultants and practitioners.
Related study options
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages – Master of Applied Linguistics
Massey’s Master of Applied Linguistics (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) provides in-service development for practising teachers of English as a second language.
Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz