Why Study/Key Benefits

The Postgraduate Certificate in International Development (PGCertIntDev) at Massey University is a focused postgraduate qualification for students and professionals who want to strengthen their understanding of international development theory, policy and practice. Massey states that the qualification develops the ability to apply knowledge and skills to policy and strategy development, manage and evaluate international development programmes, assess contemporary development theories and approaches, and interpret research for development practice.

Key benefits include:

• Develops advanced knowledge of international development issues and approaches.
• Builds skills relevant to development policy, strategy and programme management.
• Covers contemporary themes such as gender, sustainability, globalisation and development.
• Provides exposure to development practice and social-science research.
• Suitable for students from diverse academic and professional backgrounds.
• Can be studied full-time in six months or part-time.
• Available both on the Manawat? campus and through distance/online study.
• Massey has offered recognised development-studies qualifications since 1989 and states that its academic staff include researchers and practitioners with experience across diverse development contexts.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The 60-credit qualification consists of:

• 30 credits selected from the qualification schedule, including at least 30 credits from the designated compulsory-course options.
• 30 credits from subject courses.

Core/schedule options

Students choose at least 30 credits from:

• 131701 Rethinking Development – 30 credits. Examines the evolution of development thinking, the meaning and origins of development, major paradigmatic approaches and contemporary development practice.
• 131702 Development Management – 30 credits. Focuses on planning, implementation and evaluation of development programmes and projects, including management processes and analytical tools linking policy frameworks with operational practice.

Subject-course options

The current programme lists:

• 131703 Gender and Development – 30 credits. Covers gender differences, development planning and social change, including empowerment, human rights, masculinities, households, work, education and health.
• 131704 Sustainable Development – 30 credits. Examines economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development and the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, including Indigenous understandings of sustainability and sustainable livelihoods.
• 131706 Globalisation and Development – 30 credits. Examines conflict and post-conflict situations, migration and tourism in relation to globalisation and development.
• 131708 Development Practicum – 30 credits. Advanced development-practice study involving 260 hours of professional work in an approved development agency, together with academic reflection.
• 230707 Social Science Research Design and Practice – 30 credits. Covers critical social-science methodology, epistemology, data generation, analysis and research ethics in and beyond Aotearoa New Zealand.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The PGCertIntDev is awarded without a specialisation.

The main academic areas covered through the available courses include:

• International development theory
• Development management
• Gender and development
• Sustainable development
• Sustainable Development Goals
• Globalisation and development
• Conflict and post-conflict development
• Migration and tourism
• Development practice
• Social-science research methodology.

Programme Highlights

• NZQF Level 8 postgraduate qualification.
• 60 credits.
• Six months full-time.
• Part-time study available.
• Manawat? campus and distance/online delivery.
• International students can study on campus in New Zealand or online from outside New Zealand.
• Flexible course selection.
• Strong focus on contemporary international development theory and practice.
• Options covering gender, sustainability, globalisation, development management and research.
• Development Practicum provides an opportunity for approved professional development-agency experience.
• Massey states that it was the first New Zealand university to offer courses leading to recognised development-studies qualifications, beginning in 1989.
• Massey currently reports a QS ranking of number 1 in New Zealand and top 100 globally for Development Studies.

Career Outcomes

The PGCertIntDev provides skills relevant to international development policy, programme management, research and development practice. Massey's wider Development Studies information identifies career areas including:

• International aid and humanitarian work
• Development agencies
• Government and public policy
• Non-government organisations
• Community affairs
• Education
• Healthcare
• Agriculture
• Tourism
• Advocacy
• Human rights
• Foreign policy and diplomacy.

Potential job functions include:

• Development officer
• Advocacy officer
• Community affairs officer
• Policy analyst
• Human rights adviser
• Foreign policy officer or diplomat
• Development-programme roles
• Research and monitoring/evaluation-related work.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• The current qualification is NZQF Level 8 and requires 60 credits.
• International students can currently study on campus in New Zealand or online from outside New Zealand.
• Admission can be based either on a relevant bachelor's degree or on any bachelor's degree plus relevant field/industry experience.
• A CV and official transcripts are specifically required as part of the programme's entry information.
• The qualification has no named specialisation.
• The Development Practicum requires 260 hours of professional work in an approved development agency and has prerequisite requirements.
• Course offerings, prerequisites and restrictions should be checked before enrolment.
• The current programme page does not identify a separate programme-specific GMAT, work-experience minimum, interview or portfolio requirement.

International Student Visa Requirements

There are two different situations for international students:

1. Online study from outside New Zealand

Massey explicitly states that international students can study this qualification online from outside New Zealand. In that situation, a New Zealand student visa is generally not required simply to undertake the online qualification while remaining overseas.

2. On-campus study in New Zealand

An international student travelling to New Zealand to study the PGCertIntDev would generally need a Fee Paying Student Visa, subject to their individual circumstances.

Immigration New Zealand currently requires applicants to:

• Have an offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Have enough funds to pay tuition fees or have an acceptable scholarship.
• Have enough money for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Have acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Meet health and character requirements.
• Demonstrate a genuine reason for coming to New Zealand to study.
• Show that they can leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.
• Apply online.
• Meet any applicable work conditions attached to the visa.