Massey University
Palmerston North, New Zealand • Founded 1963 • World Rank #850
Updated May 2026
Overview
Established in 1963, the Massey University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Palmerston North (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Manawatu-Wanganui.
This institution also has a branch campus in Auckland and Wellington. Officially recognized by the Ministry of Education of New Zealand, Massey University is a large-sized coeducational New Zealand higher education institution.
Massey University offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees in several areas of study. This 60-year-old New Zealand higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations.
International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
Massey University also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Massey University's coordinates, postal address, and the contact channels admissions teams respond on. Campus tour bookings often have their own page distinct from general contact channels.
Academic Details
Institutional vitals for Massey University: how big, how staffed, and how recognised it is. Campus setting (urban, suburban, rural) interacts with these metrics in shaping the daily academic experience.
Degrees
Also MBA, Executive MBA
Bachelor's 36 programs
Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.
- Anthropology
- Arts and Humanities
- Bioengineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Cinema and Television
- Communication Arts
- Computer Engineering
- Design
- Display and Stage Design
- Economics
- Education
- Electronic Engineering
- Engineering
- English
- Fashion Design
- Fine Arts
- Food Technology
- Geography (Human)
- Graphic Design
- History
- Indigenous Studies
- Industrial Design
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Mechatronics
- Media Studies
- Music
- Natives Education
- Philosophy
- Photography
- Political Sciences
- Protective Services
- Psychology
- Social Studies
- Sociology
- Speech Therapy and Audiology
- Textile Design
Master's 103 programs
Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.
- Accountancy
- Agricultural Business
- Agricultural Management
- Agriculture
- Air Transport
- Animal Husbandry
- Anthropology
- Applied Linguistics
- Architecture and Planning
- Arts and Humanities
- Behavioural Sciences
- Bilingual and Bicultural Education
- Bioengineering
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Biology
- Business Administration
- Business Computing
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Clinical Psychology
- Communication Studies
- Computer Engineering
- Construction Engineering
- Dairy
- Design
- Development Studies
- Developmental Psychology
- Dietetics
- Display and Stage Design
- Earth Sciences
- Ecology
- Economics
- Education
- Education of the Gifted
- Education of the Handicapped
- Educational Administration
- Educational Psychology
- Educational Technology
- Educational and Student Counselling
- Electronic Engineering
- Engineering
- English
- Entrepreneurship
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Studies
- Epidemiology
- Finance
- Fine Arts
- Food Technology
- Foreign Languages Education
- Geography (Human)
- Health Administration
- Health Education
- Health Sciences
- Higher Education Teacher Training
- History
- Horticulture
- Human Resources
- Industrial Design
- Information Sciences
- International Business
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Journalism
- Laboratory Techniques
- Leadership
- Literacy Education
- Logistics Management
- Management
- Marketing
- Mathematics
- Mathematics Education
- Mechatronics
- Media Studies
- Museum Studies
- Natives Education
- Natural Sciences
- Nursing
- Nutrition
- Occupational Health
- Peace and Disarmament
- Philosophy
- Photography
- Political Sciences
- Preschool Education
- Primary Education
- Protective Services
- Psychiatry and Mental Health
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Safety Engineering
- Secondary Education
- Social Studies
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Special Education
- Speech Therapy and Audiology
- Sports
- Surveying and Mapping
- Sustainable Development
- Veterinary Science
- Visual Arts
- Writing
- Zoology
Doctoral 8 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Arts and Humanities
- Business Administration
- Clinical Psychology
- Fine Arts
- Health Sciences
- Natural Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Social Work
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Ministry of Education of New Zealand.
Auckland (Campus) 15 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Arts and Humanities
- Business Administration
- Communication Studies
- Construction Engineering
- Dietetics
- Engineering
- Food Technology
- Information Sciences
- Natural Sciences
- Nursing
- Nutrition
- Social Work
- Speech Therapy and Audiology
- Sports Management
Manawatū (Campus) 22 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Agricultural Business
- Agriculture
- Air Transport
- Animal Husbandry
- Arts and Humanities
- Business Administration
- Communication Studies
- Engineering
- Environmental Management
- Food Technology
- Health Sciences
- Horticulture
- Information Sciences
- Natural Resources
- Natural Sciences
- Nursing
- Social Work
- Sports
- Transport Management
- Veterinary Science
- Visual Arts
Wellington (Campus) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Cinema and Television
- Communication Studies
- Design
- Fine Arts
- Music
- Nursing
Health (College) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Health Sciences
- Nursing
- Nutrition
- Social Work
- Sports
Humanities and Social Sciences (College) 9 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Architecture and Planning
- Arts and Humanities
- Communication Studies
- Demography and Population
- Education
- Environmental Studies
- Indigenous Studies
- Media Studies
- Psychology
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Policy Analyst
- Social Worker
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Sciences (College) 8 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Agriculture
- Building Technologies
- Environmental Studies
- Food Technology
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Natural Sciences
- Technology
- Veterinary Science
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Creative Arts (Faculty) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Design
- Fine Arts
- Mass Communication
- Performing Arts
Business (School) 9 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Air Transport
- Business Administration
- Communication Studies
- Economics
- Finance
- Journalism
- Management
- Marketing
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
Find a programme at Massey University by filter, or browse by degree level. Online and on-campus delivery modes differ in tuition, time commitment, and credential recognition — confirm which mode each programme runs in.
167 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in New Zealand
Bachelor's Degree 26 programmes
Showing 10 of 26.
Honours Degree 9 programmes
Master's Degree 47 programmes
Showing 10 of 47.
Doctorate 2 programmes
Diploma 15 programmes
Showing 10 of 15.
Postgraduate Certificate 18 programmes
Showing 10 of 18.
Postgraduate Diploma 50 programmes
Showing 10 of 50.
How to apply to Massey University
How to apply to Massey University — a five-step structure with notes on documents, channels, and timing for each phase.
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1
Identify the right programme
Massey University's catalogue includes 167 programmes. Browse by level, identify candidates matching your prior qualifications, and note their entry requirements for the next step.
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2
Check entry requirements
Entry requirements vary by programme and degree level. Verify academic minimums, language tests (if international), and any additional documents required for Massey University's admissions process.
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3
Prepare your application documents
Typical documents include academic transcripts, identity proof (passport or national ID), language proficiency test scores, a personal statement or motivation letter, and recommendation letters. International applicants should account for translation and notarisation time.
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4
Submit via the institution
Submit your completed application through Massey University's official website at www.massey.ac.nz. Most institutions use an online portal — register an account, complete the application form, and upload your prepared documents. Keep copies of all submissions and confirmation receipts.
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5
Get in touch with admissions
Follow up to confirm your application was received and is being processed. You can reach the institution by email at [email protected] or by phone at +64 (6) 350 5701. Admissions teams may request interviews or additional documents — respond promptly to keep your application active.
Frequently Asked Questions about Massey University
Short Q&A on the institutional facts that matter most when shortlisting Massey University as a study destination.
In what year was Massey University established?
Massey University was founded in 1963 (approximately 63 years ago).
Where can I find Massey University?
The institution is located in Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Is Massey University public or private?
It is a public higher-education institution.
How many students does Massey University have?
The institution has a student body of 15,000-19,999.
How is Massey University ranked?
Massey University holds rank #850 globally and #3 in New Zealand.
What degrees does Massey University offer?
Programmes at Massey University cover bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
Is Massey University officially recognised?
The institution holds recognition from New Zealand Qualifications Authority.
What is Massey University's official website?
The institution's website is www.massey.ac.nz.
Members of Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
Universities sharing Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) affiliation with Massey University offer comparable mobility and recognition benefits. Affiliated institutions often coordinate on academic standards and credit-transfer pathways.
Faculties at nearby universities
Cost of living varies meaningfully across cities and towns hosting the universities below. Even within a single region, accommodation and transit costs can differ by 30–50%.
Universities Compared with Massey University
The institutions below sit at a comparable academic standing to Massey University, often shortlisted together. Same-tier comparison helps when you have a target level but want to weigh non-ranking factors like culture or specialism.
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