Learn a language
Massey teaches Chinese Mandarin, French, Japanese, Spanish, and te reo M膩ori 鈥 and English language skills.
Make a contribution
Make sense of the world from different perspectives through Massey. Contribute to education, defence, sustainability and more.
World-wide recognition
Be work-ready on a global scale. Many Massey qualifications are recognised around the world, as well as in New Zealand.
The heart of the matter
Humanities and Social Sciences at Massey. Explore what it means to be human, why we act like we do and the ways we create meaning.
Overview
Language is at the heart of communication 鈥撀燼 tool we use to connect with each other. Linguistics is the study of language 鈥撀爐he mechanics of how we communicate.
Learn from world-class lecturers with deep experience of different languages and cultures. Discover new ideas with researchers specialising in areas such as language learning or Mandarin in New Zealand's workforce. Practise new languages in supportive shared environments. Develop your communication skills and cross-cultural understanding.
Languages and linguistics are a good fit if you:
- enjoy school subjects such as English or languages
- want to understand how we use, learn and teach languages
- like thinking analytically and communicating clearly.
Languages and linguistics courses may cover:
- languages such as Chinese, Spanish or te reo M膩ori
- discourse studies 鈥 expression and meaning in the language of conversation, media and more
- phonetics 鈥 how words are pronounced according to language-specific rules
- semantics 鈥 the analysis of word meanings
- syntax 鈥 how words are put together to make sentences
- teaching techniques, including online language learning and TESOL (teaching English to speakers of other languages).
And for speech-language therapy students, courses may cover:
- childhood communication development
- communication disorders caused by brain injury
- swallowing disorders.
Popular languages to study at Massey
Massey teaches Chinese, French, Japanese, Spanish, and te reo M膩ori 鈥 and English language skills for international students.
Learning a language helps you engage with different people and cultures. It can also give you a competitive edge in industries such as:
- business, including finance and exporting
- diplomacy and foreign affairs
- tourism.
As language learning deepens with cultural context, our highly interactive programmes include history, literature, music and popular culture. Massey students can also apply for exchanges at our partner universities in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America.
What is linguistics?
Linguistics delves into the science of language. It includes:
- how our brains process language
- how languages evolve
- how culture and social groups affect language use
- how people communicate with and influence others in different settings.
How to study languages and linguistics
Discover what we offer if you鈥檙e interested in languages and linguistics 鈥 whether you鈥檙e coming to university for the first time, changing direction or returning to advance your study or career.
Undergraduate study
Bachelor's degrees
Bachelor of Arts 鈥 BA
With Massey's BA, you can study subjects that you enjoy while learning to be a creative, critical and independent thinker. You鈥檒l get transferable skills that employers are looking for in a rapidly changing world.
Chinese 鈥 Bachelor of Arts
Want to be a leader in the world鈥檚 global marketplace? Understand the language and culture of China to unlock the door to a lifetime of exciting careers.
Japanese 鈥 Bachelor of Arts
Let your love of the Japanese language give you an edge in the international job market. Gain fascinating insights into Japan鈥檚 rich language, culture, and society.
Linguistics 鈥 Bachelor of Arts
Equip yourself with the knowledge and empathy to lead cross-cultural interactions. Through the study of linguistics, you鈥檒l grow your ability to drive social change and shape the future of our nation.
Spanish 鈥 Bachelor of Arts
Keen to boost your career prospects while learning about a new culture? Massey鈥檚 Bachelor of Arts (Spanish) will help you stand out in the international job market.
Te Reo M膩ori 鈥 Bachelor of Arts
He taonga te reo M膩ori - M膩ori language is a treasure in Aotearoa New Zealand. Become a part of it.
Bachelor of Communication 鈥 BC
Become a well-rounded, innovative communication specialist, who is sought-after by employers with Massey鈥檚 Bachelor of Communication.
Linguistics 鈥 Bachelor of Communication
If you love language and want to broaden your career options, the Bachelor of Communication (Linguistics) offers the best of both worlds.
Undergraduate bachelor's degrees with honours
Bachelor of Speech and Language Therapy with Honours 鈥 BSpchLngThHons
Massey鈥檚 Bachelor of Speech and Language Therapy with Honours will set you up for a rewarding career working alongside people of all ages with speech, language, communication, and swallowing difficulties.
Undergraduate certificates
Certificate in Arts 鈥 CertArts
With Massey鈥檚 Certificate in Arts, you can study what you enjoy and explore subjects within history, beliefs, societies, languages, and cultures.
Graduate certificates
Chinese 鈥 Graduate Certificate in Arts
Develop your oral and written Chinese with the Graduate Certificate in Arts (Chinese). You can study Chinese without having to complete a second bachelor鈥檚 degree.
Japanese 鈥 Graduate Certificate in Arts
Develop your oral and written Japanese with Massey鈥檚 Graduate Certificate in Arts (Japanese). You can study Japanese without having to complete a second bachelor鈥檚 degree.
Linguistics 鈥 Graduate Certificate in Arts
Use language to drive your career. With Massey鈥檚 Graduate Certificate in Arts (Linguistics), you can study linguistics without completing a second bachelor鈥檚 degree.
Spanish 鈥 Graduate Certificate in Arts
Boost your career while learning a new language. The Graduate Certificate in Arts (Spanish) will give you the equivalent of an undergraduate major in Spanish without having to complete a second bachelor鈥檚 degree.
Undergraduate diplomas
Chinese 鈥 Diploma in Arts
Are you interested in Chinese culture? The Diploma in Arts (Chinese) will develop your skills in oral and written Chinese.
French 鈥 Diploma in Arts
Are you interested in French culture and history? The Diploma in Arts (French) will develop your skills in oral and written French.
Japanese 鈥 Diploma in Arts
Gain fascinating insights into Japan鈥檚 rich language, culture, and society. The Diploma in Arts (Japanese) will give you an edge in the international job market.
Linguistics 鈥 Diploma in Arts
Build on your understanding of how language works. Massey鈥檚 Diploma in Arts (Linguistics) will teach you聽the聽concepts and structures in languages and cultures around the world.
Spanish 鈥 Diploma in Arts
Prepare for the global marketplace. With over 400 million speakers, Spanish is one of the most widely spoken native languages in the world and continues to grow as a popular second language.
Te Reo M膩ori 鈥 Diploma in Arts
With a Massey Diploma in Arts (Te Reo M膩ori) you鈥檒l be able to use New Zealand鈥檚 indigenous language and participate in a M膩ori language community in ways that reinforce the everyday use of te reo.
Graduate diplomas
Graduate Diploma in Arts 鈥 GradDipArts
Learn to be a critical thinker, problem-solver, and inspire people with Massey's Graduate Diploma in Arts.
Chinese 鈥 Graduate Diploma in Arts
The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Chinese) will give you the equivalent of an undergraduate major in Chinese without completing a second bachelor鈥檚 degree.
Japanese 鈥 Graduate Diploma in Arts
The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Japanese) will give you the equivalent of an undergraduate major in Japanese without completing a second bachelor鈥檚 degree.
Linguistics 鈥 Graduate Diploma in Arts
Use language to drive聽your career. The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Linguistics) will give you the equivalent of an undergraduate major in linguistics without completing a second bachelor鈥檚 degree.
Spanish 鈥 Graduate Diploma in Arts
Learn Spanish, one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. The Graduate Diploma in Arts (Spanish) will give you the equivalent of an undergraduate major in Spanish without completing a second bachelor鈥檚 degree.
Relevant undergraduate subjects to major or specialise in
When you apply to study at Massey, for some undergraduate qualifications you can choose what subject you鈥檇 like to specialise in. You can usually change your mind after you get to university, depending on the courses you enrol in.
- Chinese
- French
- Japanese
- Linguistics within the arts
- Linguistics within communications
- Spanish
- Te reo M膩ori
Postgraduate study
Master's degrees
Master of Applied Linguistics 鈥 MAppLing
With Massey鈥檚 Master of Applied Linguistics, you鈥檒l help make second-language teaching more accessible in a multilingual world.
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages 鈥 Master of Applied Linguistics
Massey鈥檚 Master of Applied Linguistics (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) provides in-service development for practising teachers of English as a second language.
Master of Speech and Language Therapy 鈥 MSpchLangTher
Develop your research and clinical expertise and become a specialist in your field of speech and language therapy.
Postgraduate certificates
Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Linguistics 鈥 PGCertAppLing
Opening opportunities for work and research in language teaching.
Postgraduate diplomas
Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics 鈥 PGDipAppLing
Massey鈥檚 Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics will meet your professional and research needs. You will use theories, methods and problem-based approaches that address real-world language issues.
PhD and other doctoral degrees
Doctor of Philosophy 鈥 PhD
A prestigious research qualification that demonstrates your ability to carry out independent and original research in your chosen field.
What our students say
鈥淵oung people are contributing to the future of the language and making it relevant to their lives. If any generation is likely to show the future of te reo M膩ori it鈥檒l be those who can speak M膩ori, and it鈥檒l be the younger generation who鈥檝e been raised through M膩ori medium education.鈥

Ng膩ti Rangi, Te 膧ti Haunui a P膩p膩rangi, Ng膩ti Maniapoto
鈥淭eachers were very available and so encouraging. The four years at Massey equipped me well to become a language teacher.鈥

鈥淚 ended up with my dream job working with adults who have speech, language or swallowing difficulties mainly as a result of brain injury.鈥

Our facilities
You鈥檒l have access to a wide range of first-class facilities when you study with us.

Speech-language Therapy Clinic
A teaching clinic offering therapy for children and adults who experience communication and eating difficulties. Supervised by specialist staff, students provide assessment and intervention support at the clinic and in the community.
Location: Auckland campus

Te P奴tahi-a-Toi
Te P奴tahi-a-Toi - School of M膩ori Knowledge has a r奴nanga room and a wharekai 鈥 Toi Te Ora 鈥 where we can manaaki visitors, students and staff.
Location: Manawat奴 campus

Te Rau Karamu Marae
Te Rau Karamu Marae provides stunning art-filled learning and teaching spaces and sits at the heart of the Wellington campus.

Te Whare Taupua
The M膩ori space on our Auckland campus. Te Whare Taupua is home to Te Rau Tauawhi, the M膩ori student support centre. While it's mostly a student space, it's also used for M膩ori events.
English language courses
New to university, or keen to improve your English language skills? Our courses include:
- short courses before you start university, such as English for academic purposes
- courses to help with areas such as academic English writing, note-taking and seminar presentations.
Jobs in languages and linguistics
Many jobs rely on the strong communication skills gained while studying languages or linguistics.
Careers can be in all sorts of industries 鈥 from business to government agencies, education to healthcare, charities to non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Then there are specialist language careers, such as translating, research or teaching.
Languages and linguistics careers include:
- communications roles in government or businesses
- diplomats
- intelligence officers in the military or security agencies
- interpreters and translators
- policy analysts, who advise government or businesses
- speech-language therapists, who work with people with communication or swallowing disorders
- teachers, including teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL).
Annual salary ranges for jobs
- 鈥 $42,000 to $250,000
- 鈥 $63,000 to $150,000
- 鈥 $42,000 to $118,000
- 鈥 hourly rate of $35 to $140
- 鈥 $47,000 to $150,000
- 鈥 $52,000 to $100,000
- 鈥 $46,000 to $75,000
- 鈥 pay rates vary
Salary ranges disclaimer
Indicative pay rates are:
- in New Zealand dollars
- based on data.
Which languages and linguistics qualification?
Examples of where our qualifications may take you.
Jobs | What you could study |
---|---|
Communications professional for business or government |
Bachelor of Arts (Linguistics) Bachelor of Communication |
Diplomat | Bachelor of Arts specialising in your chosen language |
Interpreter or translator | Bachelor of Arts specialising in your chosen language |
Policy analyst | Bachelor of Arts (Linguistics) |
Speech-language therapist | Master of Speech and Language Therapy |
TESOL teacher |
Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Linguistics Master of Applied Linguistics (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) |
Technical writer | Bachelor of Communication |
Get an information guide
Download our guide to find out more about studying languages and linguistics at Massey.