Philosophy – Bachelor of Arts

Massey University

New Zealand, Palmerston North

University RankQS Ranking

240

Apply Now!

Go to Official Website

Home/New Zealand/Palmerston North /Massey University/Philosophy – Bachelor of Arts

Massey University

New Zealand , Palmerston North

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

Online

Campuses

Distance and online

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesMay-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 3 year(s)

Tuition Fee

NZD 32,280 / year

Next Intake May-2026

Philosophy – Bachelor of Arts

About

Specialise in Philosophy for your Bachelor of Arts at Massey

Think deeply about the big questions

If you are fascinated by the big questions of what kind of beings we are and how we interact with the world in which we live, then Massey’s Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy) is the degree for you.

Make your point and influence people

Philosophy isn’t just about abstract thinking. Massey’s BA (Philosophy) offers you the chance to learn highly applicable and useful skills. Studying philosophy develops your critical thinking skills: your ability to assess whether arguments are rationally compelling and to make your arguments compelling to others.

You will learn how to:

express your thoughts concisely and clearly
how to engage constructively in debate
how to deal with unusual and difficult ideas
how to look at problems in new ways.

Benefit at work and at home

The intellectual skill of critical thinking is important in the workplace. It is consistently ranked by employers amongst the most desirable attributes in an employee. It helps you in your day-to-day life too, such as when watching the news or reading stories on the internet. Through your study of philosophy you will learn how to understand and evaluate what you read rather than just remembering it. You’ll become more aware of the reasons why you hold the views you do. A major in philosophy will challenge your thinking and encourage you to continue asking questions.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Admission to Massey

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

Massey University entry requirements

Specific requirements

There are no specific entry requirements for the Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy) outside of university admission regulations.

English language requirements

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

Massey University English language requirements

If you have already completed a bachelor degree

If you have already completed a bachelor degree you may replace 230111 Tū Kupu: Writing and Inquiry or 230112 Tū Arohae: Critical Thinking with courses of your choice. You will need to apply for replacement courses via a Special permission request in your portal and you will need to attach evidence of your completed degree with the request.

English language skills

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

English Program Requirements

English Evidence Academic IELTS^: 6.0 overall and minimum 5.5 in each band

English Evidence TOEFL iBT: Overall score 80, minimum 19 in Writing

English Evidence Pearson Test of English (PTE): 50 overall and minimum 42 in each communicative skills

Career

A Massey BA (Philosophy) gives you experience in handling unusual and difficult ideas and communicating your thinking with clarity. You’ll be aware of the reasons for your views, while being flexible and adaptive. You will cope with new challenges as the needs of your work change. That adaptability and the ability to think on your feet will be a big advantage in careers in advertising, journalism, management, policy analysis, research and many more.

These skills are highly prized by employers and this means you can explore a wide range of career options. Recent graduates in philosophy have gone into job areas as diverse as: