Massey University

Massey University is New Zealand's defining university, with three major campuses in Auckland, Palmerston North and Wellington. Massey is characterized by the applied nature of its teaching and research programmes and by its special expertise in the fields of Sciences, Food Technology, Creative Arts, Social Sciences, Education and Business.

Academic staff in many fields are internationally renowned, and leading-edge research is undertaken across our colleges, often in collaboration with other universities, research institutions and industry. Massey has a proud record of using this expertise to work with developing countries, and our focus on technology and business means our students continue to meet international demands.

To learn more about the university, check out Massey University.

Auckland Campus:

Auckland is an international city built around a stunning harbor. It is New Zealand's largest urban area with a diverse multi-cultural population and world-class features and facilities. The Auckland Campus is part of the North Shore, which is just 20 minutes drive from the center of Auckland. The North Shore City region covers 120 km of coastline and includes more than 30 sandy swimming beaches. The area in which the campus is located has a wide range of amenities, numerous cafes, shopping centers, cinema complexes, art galleries, libraries, a Theatre of the Arts, and extensive leisure and sport facilities. A motorway links the North Shore with Auckland's CBD and the International Airport. City bus services are efficient, well developed and relatively inexpensive.

Palmerston North Campus:

One-third of the people living in Palmerston North are between the ages of fifteen and thirty. Many are students, making Palmerston North a young person's city with a lively social scene. The city center is vibrant with its many cafes, pubs, live theatre and live music. Sport and off-campus adventure are also part of the city's attraction. Minutes from campus are some of the best mountain bike tracks anywhere. Further afield you will find bungy jumping, river kayaking, rafting, trout fishing, horseback riding and tramping. It's only two hours' drive to the capital city of Wellington, to vineyards and beaches in Hawke's Bay, or to snow-covered ski slopes at Mount Ruapehu in wintertime.

Wellington Campus:

Resting on the edge of a spectacular harbor, encircled by green, towering hills, Wellington is a stunning and compact city. Vibrant, exciting and cultured, the nation's capital combines the stimulation and sophistication of a big city with the quirkiness of a charming village. Extending just two kilometers in diameter, Wellington is a truly "walking city." Here you'll find a unique blend of national treasures, arts and culture, gastronomic delights, shopping sensations and scenic beauty, all conveniently located at the bottom of the North Island.

Students typically earn 12 to 15 KU credit hours during one semester abroad.

Students are encouraged to use the following resources to research available courses at Massey University and to determine if these courses will meet their academic requirements at KU.

To see the classes available, view the Massey University Online Course Catalog. You can also research Massey University courses at Massey University's Course Search page.

KU Course Equivalency Database

The KU Course Equivalency Database is a list of:

• Courses that are currently pre-approved for KU credit (approved equivalency)
• Courses that students have had approved for KU credit in the past (possible equivalency)

Credit Approval Process

The Credit Approval Process is the procedure for obtaining KU course equivalency approval for courses you plan to take abroad.

All courses taken and grades earned while abroad must be posted as KU equivalents on a student’s KU transcript and grades will figure into a student’s KU GPA. The relevant KU academic department will make the final decision regarding posting of credit, and their application toward graduation.

Keep in Mind:

•  Massey University has three campus locations (Palmerston North, Auckland, and Wellington). You cannot take courses at more than one campus.
•  You should search for courses at the 100, 200 and 300 levels. 
• You are allowed to take only one distance course if you enrolled in three internal (on-campus courses) at Massey university.
• Semester 1 courses at Massey are offered during KU's Spring Semester and Semester 2 courses are offered during KU's Fall semester/
• Credit Conversion is as follows: 15 Points at Massey = 4 U.S. semester credit hours

All three Massey Campuses have great accommodation options. You can choose to live in a Halls of Residence, or an apartment or studio unit. Read more about the Massey University Accommodations Options.

A mandatory orientation programme is organized and run by the Massey International Student Support team. Activities typically include a traditional New Zealand BBQ and dinner, city tour and advice sessions designed to assimilate international students into university study within the next of wider New Zealand culture. During the orientation week, students need to confirm their final paper (class) enrolment for the semester. Students are able to make adjustments to their pre-approved selection of papers by visiting the relevant College administrators.

Arrival Details

Airport pickup is available and differs for each campus. Additional information will be provided by the ISEP Coordinator at Massey.

Student Activities

Auckland Campus:

Massey University offers a wide range of extra-curricular student activities available for all students, from basketball, to boxing or surfing, to cultural activities. Clubs Day, during the first week of the semester, is a great opportunity for students to peruse what’s on offer, for more information, check out the Massey - Auckland Campus University Clubs. Massey also has excellent recreation center facilities available.

Palmerston North Campus:

Massey University offers a wide range of extra-curricular student activities available for all students, from the Alpine club, to Fire-Spinning, to Water polo. Clubs Day, during the first week of the semester, is a great opportunity for students to peruse what’s on offer, for more information, check out the Massey - Palmerston North Campus University Clubs. Massey also has excellent recreation center facilities available.

Wellington Campus:

Massey University offers a wide range of extra-curricular student activities available for all students, from the Alpine club, to Fire-Spinning, to Water polo. For more information, check out Sport and Recreation at Massey Wellington. The International Student Support team organizes a trip to Queen Charlotte Sounds for dolphin watching and a Martinborough winery tour every semester.

Community Engagement (Internships, Service-Learning, Volunteering, etc.)

Communication internships for academic credit are offered at the Palmerston North and Wellington campuses. The internship is worth 15 credits (= 4 U.S. credits) and is available to students who have successfully completed a junior-year communications class in the U.S. This option is at no additional cost, but will be part of the four-course load for the semester. Please see here for more information.

SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Study abroad is achievable for students of all identities including our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students, students with disabilities, and students with religious/non-religious viewpoints. Before selecting a program, consider how your identities may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process.

Check our Identity Abroad page and resources listed below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.

• Sexual and Gender Diversity
• Students of Color Abroad
• Visible and Invisible Disabilities
• Religious, Spiritual, and Non-Religious Students
• Adult Learners and Non-Traditional Students
• First Generation Students
• Students with Children
• Students with Financial Need
• Veterans, Active Duty, and ROTC

Program Cost for Fall Semester at Massey University

Program Cost for Spring Semester at Massey University

Useful Information:

Massey University Guidebook (.pdf)