Postgraduate Certificate in Intelligence – PGCertIntel

Gain an advanced understanding of the roles, functions, and processes of intelligence to get a critical understanding of the ethical and professional issues involved in its practice.

Type of qualification

Postgraduate certificate

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.

Find out more about NZQF levels

Time to complete

1 year part-time. Not available for full-time study.

Where you can study

Distance and online

International students

International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.

Definition of New Zealand citizens and residents

Not open to international students

Study a Postgraduate Certificate in Intelligence – PGCertIntel

Massey’s Postgraduate Certificate in Intelligence offers a gateway to most security sector and non-security sector intelligence agencies in New Zealand.

Get advanced knowledge of the intelligence community

You’ll gain:

  • high-level analytical skills and an understanding of the application of intelligence-related structured analytical frameworks
  • detailed knowledge of intelligence history, policy and antecedents
  • critical thinking, writing and communication skills necessary for intelligence careers

Be connected and supported

You’ll benefit from our close relationships with partner agencies in the security sector.  Opportunities for applied learning will authenticate your study through real world application.

Students graduating with a Postgraduate Certificate in Intelligence will be employable in intelligence roles within the public sector or government such as New Zealand Police, New Zealand Customs Service, Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI), Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) and RiskNZ.

This qualification will prepare you for roles in fields such as:

  • analysing international and regional politics, conflict and threat
  • conflict resolution
  • border security
  • policy analysis
  • risk management

Further Study

Successful graduates may be eligible to continue their studies with a postgraduate diploma or a master’s degree in International Security.

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

Specific requirements

To enter the Postgraduate Certificate in Intelligence you will:

  • have been awarded or qualified for a relevant Bachelor's degree; or
  • be able to demonstrate scholarly work in conjunction with extensive relevant professional experience.

You will need to provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University. 

If you are applying on the basis of scholarly work in conjunction with extensive relevant professional experience you will need to submit a CV.

English language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

Prior learning, credit and exemptions

For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Maximum time limits for 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.

More information

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 may no 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 Postgraduate Certificate in Intelligence

The Postgraduate Certificate in Intelligence is offered part-time over two semesters.

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

60 credits

  • Courses from the Schedule – 60 credits

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.

Subject courses (Choose 60 credits from)

Choose 60 credits from
Course code: 294741 Intelligence in the International Security Environment 30 credits

An analysis of intelligence in the international security environment, focusing on key concepts and methodologies of intelligence gathering and analysis, the intelligence cycle, and analysis of applied intelligence in investigations and detection.

View full course details
Course code: 294744 Intelligence Operations 30 credits

This course provides a critical analysis of security intelligence operations, utilising research and observations from selected case studies to understand the changing nature of intelligence and critically appraise the role of intelligence in national and international security operations.

View full course details

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.

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.

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.

Scholarship and award opportunities

Search our scholarships and awards

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.

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