Type of qualification
Bachelor's degree with honours
Level of study
Postgraduate study Once you’ve graduated with a bachelor’s degree – or have equal experience – you can study at the postgraduate level. Doctoral qualifications require additional entry requirements. More about study levels
NZQF level 8
Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.
Time to complete
1 year full-time (120 credits)
Up to 3 years part-time
Part-time available
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents. Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents
Open to international students on campus in New Zealand, or studying on-line outside New Zealand
Key dates
Admission application due dates
Course enrolment dates for accepted students
Semester dates
Not what you're looking for?Find a different course or qualification
Study a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) – BA(Hons)
Delve deeper
With a BA (Hons) you will take advanced courses and research in either the subject you studied for your BA, GCertArts or GradDipArts.
An honours degree is a highly regarded qualification, showing your in-depth understanding of the arts and their application to the real world.
Why do your BA (Hons) at Massey?
Massey offers passionate and friendly lecturers, a world-class distance learning qualification and access to multi-media learning materials.
Further study
After your honours qualification you could go on to a Master of Arts (120 credits).
A BA(Hons) is a good fit if you:
- want the flexibility to follow your passions
- have wide-ranging interests
- seek new solutions to world problems.
Entry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
- Massey University entry requirements
Specific requirements
To enter the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) you will have been awarded or qualified for a:
- Bachelor of Arts degree or equivalent qualification with a major in the intended postgraduate subject with at least a B grade average over the 200 and 300-level specialisation courses, or close equivalent, or
- Bachelor of Arts degree with a minor in the intended postgraduate subject, followed by a Graduate Certificate in Arts endorsed in the intended postgraduate subject with at least a B grade average over the 200 and 300-level specialisation courses, or close equivalent, or
- Bachelor of Arts degree followed by a Graduate Diploma of Arts in the intended postgraduate subject with at least a B grade average over the 200 and 300-level specialisation courses, or close equivalent.
To enter the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Psychology) you will have been awarded or qualified for a:
- Bachelor degree with a major in Psychology with at least a B+ grade average inthe 300-level Psychology specialisation courses, or equivalent.
You will need to provideverified copies of all academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language and your qualifying degree was not completed at a University where English is the medium of instruction, to enter this qualification you must have achieved an IELTS of 7.0 with no band less than 6.5.
- Massey University English language requirements.
Prior learning, credit and exemptions
For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:
- review the Recognition of Prior Learningregulations
- contact us through the Get advice button on this page.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
Maximumtime limitsfor completion
There are maximum time limits to complete postgraduate qualifications. If you do not complete within the maximum time, you may be required to re-apply for the qualification if you wish to continue your studies.
Time limits forHonours, Distinction and Merit
Where your qualification is completed within the statedtime limit and to a high standard, you may be able to graduate with a class of Honours, Distinction or Merit.
- Look for information under ‘Student Progression’ in the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates.
- Contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
Official regulations
To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.
You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.
Returning students
For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.
In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in mayno longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
Structure of the Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Ifyoustudyfull-time,you’lltake 120creditsperyearor 60creditspersemester.
Not all courses are available in each semester.
Courses and specialisations
Key terms
- Courses
- Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
- Course code
- Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
- Credits
- Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
- Specialisations
- Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.
Credit summary
120credits
- Subject courses (including any compulsory courses) – Upto90credits
- Research report – Atleast30credits
Course planning key
- Prerequisites
- Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
- Corequisites
- Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
- Restrictions
- Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.
Subjects
Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.
Completing a subject is compulsory. A subject requires 120 credits. Find out more about subject requirements in the regulations for this qualification.
Defence and Security Studies
Specialisation
- Location
- Distance and online
With Massey’s Bachelor of Arts with Honours (Defence and Security Studies) you can take your undergraduate study of defence and security further.
View courses for this specialisation
Economics
Specialisation
- Location
- Auckland campus, Distance and online, Manawatū campus (Palmerston North)
With Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Economics) you can take your undergraduate study of economics further.
View courses for this specialisation
Education
Specialisation
- Location
- Distance and online
Enhance your decision-making skills, and get a better understanding of developments in education and society with Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Education).
View courses for this specialisation
English
Specialisation
- Location
- Distance and online
With Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (English), you can take your undergraduate study of English further.
View courses for this specialisation
Geography
Specialisation
- Location
- Distance and online, Manawatū campus (Palmerston North)
With Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Geography) you can take your study of geography further.
View courses for this specialisation
History
Specialisation
- Location
- Distance and online
With Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (History), you can take your undergraduate study of history further.
View courses for this specialisation
Māori Knowledge
Specialisation
- Location
- Distance and online
With Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Māori Knowledge), you can take yourMāori studies to the next level.
View courses for this specialisation
Media Studies
Specialisation
- Location
- Distance and online
With Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Media Studies), you’ll develop versatile skills that will make you highly sought-after in many careers.
View courses for this specialisation
Philosophy
Specialisation
- Location
- Distance and online
With Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Philosophy) you’ll develop highly applicable and useful critical thinking skills that are in demand.
View courses for this specialisation
Politics and International Relations
Specialisation
- Location
- Distance and online, Manawatū campus (Palmerston North)
With Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Politics and International Relations) you can take your study of politics further.
View courses for this specialisation
Psychology
Specialisation
- Location
- Distance and online, Manawatū campus (Palmerston North)
With Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Psychology), you can take your undergraduate study of psychology further.
View courses for this specialisation
Social Anthropology
Specialisation
- Location
- Auckland campus, Distance and online, Manawatū campus (Palmerston North)
With Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Social Anthropology) you can take your undergraduate study of social anthropology further.
View courses for this specialisation
Social Policy
Specialisation
- Location
- Distance and online
Take your social policy study to the next level with Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Social Policy). Investigate and develop a deeper understanding of an area in social policy that has taken your interest.
View courses for this specialisation
Sociology
Specialisation
- Location
- Auckland campus, Distance and online, Manawatū campus (Palmerston North)
Take your study of sociology to the next level. Show your in-depth understanding of sociology and its application to the real world with Massey's Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Sociology).
View courses for this specialisation
Fees and scholarships
Fees, student loans and free fees scheme
Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.
There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
Already know which courses you're going to choose?
You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.
- Course search
Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme
You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.
The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.
Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.
Fees disclaimer
This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.
Careers and job opportunities
Follow your passion into a profession where critical thinking and communication skills, fresh perspectives and new ideas will be highly valued.
The BA (Hons) can be a stepping-off point for any number of disciplines and careers. Employers appreciate this flexibility. They also appreciate the ability of BA (Hons) graduates to reason, research, analyse, criticise, communicate and think laterally.
The world needs people who can thrive in rapidly changing employment, political and social circumstances, and who are able to effectively challenge and critique established ways of thinking and acting. Our BA (Hons) will develop your interpersonal, communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills to ensure you remain agile and able to take on the opportunities the future holds.
Careers of some of our graduates:
- advertising
- aid and disaster relief workers
- business managers
- communications
- conflict resolution
- customs/immigration officers
- defence force
- disaster relief
- education
- family therapists
- foreign affairs
- human resources
- international business
- media production
- mental health practitioners
- novelists
- peacekeeping
- policy development and analysis
- politics
- project management
- public relations
- research managers
- risk management
- school principals
- sign language interpreters
- special education needs
- specialist teachers
- speechwriters
- teaching English overseas
- translation
- travel and hospitality.