Course details

Summary

Pathway to masters

A postgraduate diploma is the stepping stone to a research-based degree such as a masters or PhD.

What is it Like?

Massey University’s Postgraduate Diploma in Science (Geography) gives you the opportunity to join the pathway to in-depth research at a masters level. The programme consists of 90 credits of taught programmes and 30 credits of research.

The programme gives you the opportunity to show your analytical thinking and high-level research capability. If you complete the programme at a satisfactory level you may be able to proceed to the Masters of Science (Geography). If so, credits you have gained through this qualification may be credited to the masters programme.

Globally-renowned expertise

Let our experts help you develop your own expertise. Massey’s geography lecturers have an extensive range of experience and expertise. The ratio of staff to students is high. Your lecturers will be your mentors, working alongside you to fully engage you in the practical and theoretical aspects of advanced physical geography study, to prepare you for life in the workplace in a specialist sense or preparing you for research at a higher level.

Gain expertise in an area of your choice

The physical geography team at Massey research and have expertise in fluvial processes, coastal processes, slope processes, palynology, biogeography, palaeoecology and river solutions. During the course of your studies you can choose to further your knowledge and apply your learning on an exciting research project like:

• Monitoring active landslides in glaciated valleys
• Age estimation of ancient glaciated rockslides
• Refining understanding of marine terrace development
• Reconstructing the evolution of estuaries and coastal Environments Statistical analyses of earthquake-induced landslides
• 3D soil mapping
• Pollen-based vegetation and climate reconstructions
• Applications of automated palynology systems
• Mapping floodplain geomorphology
• Flood series extension

Why postgraduate study?

Postgraduate study is hard work but hugely rewarding and empowering. The Postgraduate Diploma in Science’s workload replicates the high-pressure environment of senior workplace roles. Our experts are there to guide but if you have come from undergraduate study, you will find that postgraduate study demands more in-depth and independent study.

Careers

Sought after by employers

International trends are for employers to reward postgraduate study well, especially in larger enterprises. The skills you learn are increasingly recognised as setting you apart from other potential employees.

Postgraduate Diploma in Science and Technology (Geography) structure

You will follow a flexible course of study, which shall consist of courses totalling at least 120 credits of courses at 700-level or above from the Schedule and may include attending field trips, studios, workshops, tutorials, and laboratories as required.

Entry criteria

Admission to the Postgraduate Diploma in Science (Geography) requires you to have either

• a bachelor’s degree majoring in Geography, or equivalent, with a minimum B- average in the majoring 300 level courses, or
• a bachelor’s degree followed by a Graduate Diploma endorsed in Geography, or equivalent, with a minimum B- average in the 300 level courses

English language requirements:

• IELTS score of 6.5 (no band less than 6.0)
• TOEFL iBT score of 90 overall (min 20 in Writing)
• PTE Academic score of 58 Overall (min 50 in communicative skills)
• Cambridge English score of 180