Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Intelligence specialisation develops advanced knowledge of historical, theoretical and empirical approaches used in intelligence studies.
• Students learn to apply intelligence-related knowledge in contemporary security environments.
• The programme examines intelligence from both operational and international-security perspectives.
• It is relevant to students seeking careers or further study in intelligence, policing, defence, security, government, risk and policy.
• The wider qualification develops knowledge of contemporary international security theory and practice, interagency perspectives, analytical skills and communication skills relevant to security environments.
• Successful graduates may progress to Massey’s Master of International Security, subject to the master's entry requirements.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The 120-credit qualification is structured as:

• 30 credits: compulsory International Security course
• 60 credits: Intelligence endorsement
• 30 credits: approved elective/schedule course.

Compulsory course:

• 294720 International Security – 30 credits
• Covers foundational concepts and institutional frameworks of international security, traditional and non-traditional security threats, state and non-state actors, international organisations and geopolitical developments.

Intelligence endorsement:

Students choose 60 credits from the following courses:

• 294710 Intelligence-led Policing – 30 credits
  • Examines the theory and practice of intelligence-led policing and related intelligence practices used in policing and other policy and enforcement areas.
• 294741 Intelligence in the International Security Environment – 30 credits
  • Covers intelligence concepts and methodologies, intelligence gathering and analysis, the intelligence cycle, investigations and detection.
• 294744 Intelligence Operations – 30 credits
  • Examines security intelligence operations through selected case studies and considers the role of intelligence in national and international security operations

Disciplines / Specialisations

The Postgraduate Diploma in International Security can be completed with an endorsement or without an endorsement.

Current endorsement options shown by Massey include:

• Intelligence
• Counter-Terrorism
• Border and Biosecurity.

The Intelligence endorsement specifically focuses on:

• Intelligence analysis
• Intelligence gathering
• Intelligence cycles
• Intelligence-led policing
• Intelligence operations
• International security intelligence
• Investigations and detection
• National and international security operations.

Programme Highlights

• NZQF Level 8 postgraduate qualification.
• 120-credit programme.
• Normally completed in one year full-time.
• Distance and online delivery.
• International students can study online from outside New Zealand.
• Dedicated Intelligence endorsement requiring 60 credits.
• Focus on both theoretical and applied intelligence.
• Covers intelligence-led policing, intelligence in the international security environment and intelligence operations.
• Can provide a pathway towards the Master of International Security, subject to the master's admission requirements.

Career Outcomes

Massey states that the Postgraduate Diploma in International Security can support career development in government and non-government security agencies and international security operations.

Relevant career areas identified by Massey include:

• Intelligence and security analysis
• Regional and international political analysis
• Policy analysis
• Risk management
• Police and law-enforcement work
• Customs and border-related work
• Defence
• Peacekeeping
• Conflict resolution
• Security management
• Strategic planning
• Security-sector roles in government and non-government organisations.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The current programme page confirms Intelligence as an active specialisation/endorsement within the Postgraduate Diploma in International Security.
• The current qualification regulations specify that an endorsement requires at least 60 credits in that endorsement.
• The current Intelligence schedule includes 294710, 294741 and 294744, from which 60 credits are selected.
• Massey's current programme page contains a wording inconsistency in its planning-information section: it says “Postgraduate Diploma in International Security (Defence)” while the page itself is the Intelligence specialisation. The detailed Intelligence course list and current qualification structure confirm that the page is for the Intelligence endorsement.
• Students should check course availability for their intended semester because individual courses may not necessarily be offered every semester.
• Any required contact workshops or other attendance requirements must be checked against the individual courses selected.

International Student Visa Requirements

There is an important distinction for this programme: Massey explicitly states that international students can study the Intelligence PGDip online from outside New Zealand.

Therefore, an international student who remains outside New Zealand and completes the qualification online does not need a New Zealand student visa solely for that online study.

If the student's study arrangement instead requires them to physically study in New Zealand, the applicable immigration requirements should be checked with Immigration New Zealand before travel.

For a Fee Paying Student Visa, Immigration New Zealand currently requires applicants to:

• Have an offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Have sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or an appropriate scholarship.
• Have sufficient funds for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Meet health and character requirements.
• Have a genuine reason for studying in New Zealand.
• Have acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Demonstrate that they can leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.
• Maintain satisfactory attendance and academic progress where the visa requires it.