Why Study/Key Benefits

The Without Specialisation – Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology (PGDipScTech) at Massey University is a Level 8 postgraduate qualification for students who want advanced, predominantly taught study in science and technology without completing one formal endorsement.

The programme is particularly suited to graduates who already have a relevant science background but want to strengthen subject knowledge, analytical ability and preparation for further postgraduate research. Massey states that successful students may be able to progress to a Master of Science, with credits from the diploma potentially credited towards the master's qualification.

Key benefits include:

• 120-credit Level 8 postgraduate qualification.
• Normally completed in one year full-time.
• Part-time study is available.
• Broad choice of 700-level science and technology subjects.
• No formal specialisation/endorsement is required.
• Allows students to build a coherent programme around their academic interests, subject to College of Sciences approval.
• Can provide a pathway towards further study at master's level.
• Available to international students both on campus in New Zealand and online from outside New Zealand.
• Provides access to science disciplines including biological and agricultural sciences, chemistry, mathematics, statistics, information sciences, technology and engineering, environmental sciences and other College of Sciences subjects.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The Without Specialisation pathway requires 120 credits:

• 90 credits from Schedule A subject courses.
• 30 credits of elective study.
• The proposed combination must form a coherent programme approved by the College of Sciences.

The current Schedule A and elective material covers a very broad range of science and technology subjects. Examples include:

Agricultural and animal sciences

Subject areas include:

• Agricultural Science
• Animal Science
• Agriculture and Horticulture
• Agronomy
• Equine
• Horticulture
• Plant Health
• Plant Breeding
• Veterinary Science

Representative postgraduate topics include animal reproduction, lactation and fertility, nutrition and meat science, genetics and breeding, animal behaviour, biometrics, research methods and advanced studies in animal science.

Biological and molecular sciences

Available subject areas include:

• Biological Sciences
• Biology
• Biochemistry
• Genetics
• Microbiology
• Plant Biology
• Physiology
• Zoology
• Ecology
• Molecular biosciences

Examples include Advanced Studies in Molecular Biosciences, Advanced Topics in Biochemistry, Statistical Genetics and Research Methods and Communication in the Biosciences.

Chemistry and nanoscience

The current elective schedule includes:

• Research Methods in Chemistry and Nanoscience – 30 credits
• Advanced Chemical Synthesis – 30 credits
• Special Topic courses – 15 or 30 credits.

Research Methods in Chemistry and Nanoscience includes research-project development, computational methods and selected advanced research techniques. Advanced Chemical Synthesis can cover synthetic chemistry, peptides, drug design and delivery, modified nucleic acids and activation of small molecules.

Environmental and earth sciences

Relevant subject areas include:

• Earth Science
• Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Ecology and Conservation
• Geography
• Natural Resource Management
• Soil Science
• Maori Resource and Environmental Management.

Mathematics and statistics

The science and technology schedules include:

• Mathematics
• Statistics
• Applied statistics and statistical methods
• Statistical genetics
• Quantitative research methods.

Information and technology

The broader approved postgraduate subject prefixes include:

• Information Systems
• Information Technology
• Computer Science
• Technology and Engineering
• Electronics and Information Engineering
• Mechatronics and Automation Engineering
• Process and Environmental Technology
• Industrial Innovation.

Health, nutrition and related sciences

The approved science and technology subject areas also include:

• Health Sciences
• Nutritional Science
• Sport and Exercise Science
• Physiology
• Occupational Health and Safety.

Workplace-based and special-topic study

The current elective schedule includes:

• 119791 Special Topic – 15 credits
• 119792 Special Topic – 15 credits
• 119797 Special Topic – 30 credits
• 247782 Special Topic – 15 credits
• 247783 Special Topic – 15 credits
• 247792 Special Topic – 15 credits
• 247793 Special Topic – 15 credits
• 502701 Workplace-based Learning in the Sciences – 60 credits
• 502702 Extended Workplace-based Learning in the Sciences – 60 credits.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The requested programme is formally Without Specialisation, meaning the student does not graduate with one named endorsement.

The current qualification regulations list the available endorsement areas as:

• Agricultural Science
• Animal Science
• Biological Sciences
• Conservation Biology
• Earth Science
• Ecology and Conservation
• Horticultural Science
• Plant Breeding
• Psychology
• Zoology.

Programme Highlights

• NZQF Level 8.
• 120 credits.
• 1 year full-time.
• Part-time available.
• Auckland, Manawat? and distance/online options.
• International students can study on campus in New Zealand or online from outside New Zealand.
• 90 credits of Schedule A subject study plus 30 elective credits.
• Coherent programme approval required from the College of Sciences.
• Broad choice of science, technology and related disciplines.
• Predominantly taught postgraduate qualification.
• Potential progression to the Master of Science, subject to satisfactory performance and master's entry requirements.
• Some credits may be transferable to the master's degree.
• Possible Distinction or Merit award where the applicable academic and completion requirements are met.

Career Outcomes

Because the qualification has no single specialisation, career outcomes depend heavily on the student's selected subjects and previous academic/professional background.

Potential areas of application include:

• Scientific and laboratory roles
• Agricultural and animal science
• Environmental and conservation work
• Horticulture and plant science
• Biotechnology and molecular science
• Chemistry
• Data, statistics and quantitative analysis
• Information technology and technology-related roles
• Engineering and technical fields
• Health and nutrition-related science
• Scientific research and technical support
• Government and research organisations
• Further postgraduate research.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

The latest official information indicates several important points for prospective international students:

• The current 2026 international tuition estimate for the specific Without Specialisation pathway is NZ$46,590.
• The broader PGDipScTech qualification has an international tuition range of NZ$46,590–NZ$51,180 because fees vary according to subject/course selection.
• The Without Specialisation pathway requires prior approval of a coherent programme of study from the College of Sciences.
• A relevant bachelor's major with a minimum B- average in 300-level majoring courses is required, or an appropriate postgraduate certificate containing 30 credits from the PGDipScTech schedule.
• Official transcripts from all non-Massey universities must be supplied.
• Not all listed courses are offered every year.
• Some courses are delivered in block mode.
• Some distance courses can have compulsory contact workshops.
• Transitional endorsements shown in the regulations should not be assumed to be open to new students; several are explicitly marked “No new enrolments.”
• Massey recommends international applicants apply at least three months before their anticipated start date.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students who study the PGDipScTech physically in New Zealand will generally need a Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently states that the Fee Paying Student Visa:

• Costs from NZD $850.
• Allows a stay of up to 4 years, depending on the circumstances and approved study.
• Has a published processing timeframe of 80% within 8 weeks.
• Requires an offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Requires evidence of sufficient tuition funding or an applicable scholarship.
• Requires evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Requires acceptable insurance.
• Requires applicants to meet health and character requirements.
• Requires a genuine intention to study.
• Requires evidence of arrangements/funds to leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.

Living funds

For tertiary study, current Immigration New Zealand requirements are:

• NZD $20,000 for each year if the study is for one year or more.
• NZD $1,667 per month if the study is shorter than one year.

As the PGDipScTech is normally a one-year full-time qualification, an onshore student planning to study for the full year should generally budget against the NZD $20,000 annual living-funds requirement, in addition to tuition and other expenses.

Work rights

A Fee Paying Student Visa may allow eligible students to work:

• up to 25 hours per week while studying; and
• full-time during scheduled holidays where the visa conditions permit.

The exact work rights are determined by the conditions attached to the individual visa.

Insurance

Students must declare that they will hold medical and travel insurance acceptable to their education provider.