- Type of qualification
- Postgraduate diploma
- Level of study
-
Postgraduate 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.
NZQF level 8Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.
- Time to complete
-
1 year full-time (120 credits)Part-time available
- Where you can study
-
Distance and online
-
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
- Open to international students studying online from outside New Zealand
Study a Postgraduate Diploma in Planning – PGDipPlan
Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Planning will give you perspectives on managing both the natural and urban environment. You will become a well-rounded professional capable of working anywhere. The qualification has a strong emphasis on developing critical skills. This will ensure you can respond to the rapid change in our political, urban and resource environments. The knowledge and skills you develop will help future-proof your career.
Take your study to the next level
The ultimate goal for many students is the internationally recognised professional qualification, the Master of Resource and Environmental Planning. The Postgraduate Diploma in Planning provides a pathway towards this qualification.
Flexible learning
You can study in distance learning mode using Massey’s online learning platform. You can complete your studies while still working, which can reduce the financial strain of making a career change.
Further study
The Postgraduate Diploma in Planning provides a pathway towards the Master of Resource and Environmental Planning.
A PGDipPlan is a good fit if you:
- would like to change career while still in the workplace
- want to develop critical planning skills and knowledge
- are interested in progressing to the Master of Resource and Environmental Planning.
Entry requirements
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 Planning 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
If English is not your first language and your bachelor's degree was not completed at a university where English is the medium of instruction, you must have achieved an IELTS score of at least 7 with no band less than 6 within the last 5 years.
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 Planning
Structure of the Postgraduate Diploma in Planning
If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Planning must be completed within a maximum of 4 years.
Courses and specialisations
Courses and specialisations
Credit summary
Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
120 credits
- Compulsory course(s) from Schedule A – At least 30 credits
- Elective courses from Schedule B – Up to 90 credits
Schedule A: Compulsory course selection (Choose at least 30 credits from)
Course code: 132731 Planning Law 30 credits
An overview of planning law in the Aotearoa New Zealand context. Sources of law, key influences that shape it, and practical legal skills to understand, analyse and apply it in practice.
View full course detailsCourse code: 132732 Planning Theory 30 credits
An advanced study of the philosophically, ethically and theoretically unsettled foundations of planning.
View full course detailsCourse code: 132736 Planning Practice 30 credits
This course provides students with an understanding of planning ethics, planning processes/planning practice (including plan and policy development, plan evaluation, development control, and/or strategic/spatial planning), and it provides experiential opportunities to apply this knowledge in a practice-like setting using emerging/topical planning issue(s).
View full course detailsSchedule B: Elective courses
Course code: 132729 Mana Taiao: Advanced Māori Planning 30 credits
An exploration of the Māori Planning world extending from pre-contact to today. Students are encouraged to position themselves in relationship to this world, as tangata whenua and as allies, and to critically assess how they might be of service to the people and the whenua.
View full course detailsCourse code: 132730 Policy Analysis and Evaluation: Foundations and Practice 30 credits
This course develops advanced knowledge and applied capability in public policy analysis, design, and evaluation within planning and governance. Students develop professional judgement in policy analysis and evaluation through engagement with orthodox and alternative methods suited to complexity, uncertainty, and decolonising governance.
View full course detailsCourse code: 132734 Transport & Urban Planning 30 credits
This course introduces advanced professional practices in transport and urban planning. The course applies a broad understanding of the principles, policies and practices of urban planning in analysing development proposals for promoting sustainable transport. The course encourages students to analyse and visualise low-carbon and inclusive urban development in decolonised cities.
View full course detailsCourse code: 132735 Reframing Human-Nature Relationships in Environmental Planning 30 credits
An advanced, Te Tiriti-led transdisciplinary approach to the cultural, philosophical, institutional, and practical issues involved in understanding human-nature relationships and managing natural resources in Aotearoa-New Zealand including analysis of appropriate local and international case-studies.
View full course detailsCourse code: 132742 Planning History: From Town Planning to Resource Management 30 credits
An advanced exploration of the historical development of planning as a discipline and profession in New Zealand.
View full course detailsCourse code: 132751 Planning for Natural Hazards and Climate Resilient Development 30 credits
Advanced study of natural hazards planning to build hazard- and climate-resilient communities that have just, sustainable and flourishing futures. Understand and apply planning processes and tools to assess hazard exposure and vulnerability, reduce hazard and climate risks, improve disaster readiness, develop effective response capabilities, facilitate recovery, and enable climate resilient development.
View full course detailsCourse code: 145739 GIS Principles and Applications 30 credits
A conceptual and operational understanding of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This course provides a postgraduate-level introduction to fundamentals of spatial data creation, manipulation, management, visualisation and analysis.
View full course detailsFees and scholarships
Fees and scholarships
2026 tuition fees
- Domestic students: $11,645
- International students: $50,190
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 (120 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 $1,164 for on-campus students and $948 for distance students for full-time study (120 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. Find out more about the scheme, including how much could be covered and your eligibility on the Inland Revenue website.
Scholarships and awards
Find more scholarships and awardsCareers and job opportunities
Careers and job opportunities
With a Postgraduate Diploma in Planning, you could work in fields as diverse as planning, policy making, economic development, nature conservation or international development. You’ll be able to apply your training locally or overseas in a variety of professional and applied environments such as:
- city/district councils
- regional councils
- central government (eg Ministry for the Environment, Department of Conservation, Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency)
- private consulting firms
- international humanitarian and aid organisations.
- NGOs (non-governmental organisations).
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Master of Resource and Environmental Planning – MRP
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