Why Study / Key Benefits

• Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in International Security is designed to develop advanced knowledge of contemporary international security theory and practice, together with analytical and communication skills relevant to the security sector.
• Students gain an understanding of interagency perspectives, which is relevant to security environments involving government, law enforcement, intelligence and other agencies.
• The programme covers both traditional and emerging international-security challenges, including state and non-state actors, international organisations and changing geopolitical conditions.
• Massey states that it has close relationships with partner agencies in the security sector, giving students exposure to perspectives relevant to professional security practice.
• The flexible course structure allows students taking the qualification without an endorsement to select 90 credits from a range of security-related subjects.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The Without Specialisation pathway consists of 120 credits:

1. Compulsory course – 30 credits

• 294720 International Security – 30 credits
  Covers foundational concepts, institutional frameworks and emerging global challenges in international security, including traditional and non-traditional threats, state and non-state actors, international organisations and geopolitical change.

2. Select 90 credits from the approved courses

• 294701 New Zealand National Security – 30 credits
  Security theory and domestic/international factors affecting New Zealand's strategic environment.
• 294709 Terrorism – 30 credits
  Terrorism, violent extremism and radicalisation, including theories, concepts, typologies and response options.
• 294710 Intelligence-led Policing – 30 credits
  Intelligence-led policing and related intelligence practices in policing and policy/enforcement environments.
• 294713 Counter-Terrorism – 30 credits
  International counter-terrorism policy, strategy and operations, including implementation and policy analysis in the New Zealand context.
• 294715 Asia-Pacific Security Environment – 30 credits
  Security theory and domestic/international factors affecting the Asia-Pacific security environment, with emphasis on strategic, national-security and defence policy.
• 294741 Intelligence in the International Security Environment – 30 credits
  Intelligence gathering and analysis, the intelligence cycle, investigations and detection within an international-security environment.
• 294744 Intelligence Operations – 30 credits
  Security intelligence operations, selected case studies and the role of intelligence in national and international security operations. 

Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme can be completed without an endorsement, which is the pathway requested here.

Massey also provides three endorsement options within the Postgraduate Diploma in International Security:

• Border and Biosecurity – 60 credits.
• Counter-Terrorism – 60 credits.
• Intelligence – 60 credits.

Programme Highlights

• NZQF Level 8 postgraduate qualification.
• 120-credit qualification that can normally be completed in 1 year full-time.
• Flexible Without Specialisation pathway.
• Strong focus on international security theory and practice.
• Course choices covering national security, terrorism, counter-terrorism, intelligence, policing and Asia-Pacific security.
• Distance and online delivery.
• International students can study online from outside New Zealand.
• Possible progression to Massey’s Master of International Security. The master's programme accepts a completed Postgraduate Diploma in International Security with at least a B- grade average for entry, subject to its requirements.
• Massey also states that the programme benefits from relationships with partner agencies in the security sector.

Career Outcomes

Massey states that graduates can advance careers in the security sector across government and non-government agencies and contribute to international security operations.

Potential career areas listed by Massey include:

• Regional politics analysis
• Conflict resolution
• Customs
• Police work
• Defence forces
• Peacekeeping
• Policy analysis
• Truce monitoring
• Management
• Planning
• Politics
• Risk management.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The current Massey programme page confirms that the qualification is open to international students studying online from outside New Zealand.
• The current qualification regulations specify that the diploma can be awarded with or without an endorsement.
• The Border and Biosecurity endorsement is marked “No new enrolments” in the current regulations.
• Some courses have restrictions against other courses with similar content, so final course selection should be confirmed during enrolment.
• Depending on the course, students may be required to attend contact workshops, block courses, field trips, tutorials or other learning activities.
• Massey states that students studying online from outside New Zealand can undertake this qualification without being New Zealand-based. 

International Student Visa Requirements

For international students studying this qualification online from outside New Zealand, Massey explicitly identifies the programme as available for online international study. Therefore, a New Zealand student visa is generally not required merely to study the programme from outside New Zealand.

If an international student instead needs to study in New Zealand in a way that requires physical presence, Immigration New Zealand's Fee Paying Student Visa requirements apply. Key current conditions include:

• Visa: Fee Paying Student Visa.
• Cost: from NZD $850.
• Maximum length: up to 4 years.
• Processing: 80% within 8 weeks.
• Applicants need an offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of tuition-fee payment or ability to pay is required.
• Applicants must demonstrate sufficient living funds or acceptable sponsorship.
• Medical/travel insurance must cover the relevant period.
• Applicants must meet health and character requirements and demonstrate a genuine reason for study.
• Applicants must show that they can leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.