Massey University offers the Graduate Certificate in Arts (GCertArts) as a flexible, short postgraduate-level qualification designed for skill-building, subject upskilling, or pathway into higher studies.

It is especially useful for international students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and want to:

• Change academic field

• Gain NZ-recognised subject knowledge

• Prepare for postgraduate study (Diploma/Master’s)

Programme Structure & Subjects

The Graduate Certificate allows you to specialise in one Arts discipline.

Geography (Example Specialisation)

For students choosing Geography, topics may include:

• Human Geography (cities, migration, society)
• Environmental Geography
• Globalisation & Development
• Sustainability studies
• GIS & spatial analysis basics
• Resource management
• Cultural & political geography

Other Arts Specialisations include:

You can choose from many subjects such as:

• Geography
• Development Studies
• Politics & International Relations
• Sociology
• Psychology
• Education
• Media Studies
• History
• Linguistics
• M?ori Studies
• Statistics
• Creative Writing

Disciplines / Specialisations

Students may study:

Geography / Environment pathway:

• Human & Physical Geography
• Environmental systems
• Spatial analysis
• GIS introduction
• Urban & regional studies

Broader Arts pathways:

• Social sciences
• Cultural studies
• Political systems
• Psychology & behaviour
• Language studies

Highlights of the Programme

• Fast postgraduate qualification (6–12 months)
• Entry pathway into Master’s degree
• Flexible online study (ideal for international students)
• Choose from 20+ Arts disciplines
• Strong research & analytical skill development
• No need for second bachelor’s degree
• Recognised NZ university qualification

Career Outcomes

Graduates can move into roles such as:

Geography / Social Science careers:

• Environmental assistant / analyst
• GIS support roles (entry level)
• Urban planning support
• Policy research assistant
• NGO / development project support
• Data & research roles

General Arts careers:

• Education support roles
• Media & communication
• Government administration
• Community development
• Research & analysis roles

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• Some subjects require 100-level prerequisites (especially languages or maths-based papers)
• No 100-level credits can be included in the qualification
• Students may need to take extra prerequisite papers separately if switching fields
• Courses vary by semester and availability
• Strong recommendation: plan subject selection carefully before enrolment

Visa Requirements (International Students)

If studying in New Zealand:

You will need:

• Offer of Place from Massey University
• Valid Student Visa (Immigration New Zealand)
• Proof of tuition fee payment
• Proof of funds for living costs
• Medical + travel insurance
• Passport validity for full study duration

Final Insight (Student-Friendly)

The GCertArts at Massey University is best seen as a fast academic upgrade tool. For Geography students, it gives:

• Strong foundation in environmental and human systems
• Flexible learning from anywhere in the world
• A direct pathway into postgraduate Geography, GIS, or Environmental Studies