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Quick Facts

Programme Tabs

Overview

Programme Overview

The Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences allows you to complete postgraduate taught courses in a diverse range of subjects that are related to health sciences.

Complete a generic programme or specialise in one of the following subject areas:

Advanced Nursing, Alcohol and Drug Studies, Digital Health, Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Mammography, Medical Imaging, Mental Health Nursing, Palliative Care, Pharmaceutical Science, Women's Health, Youth Health

Programme Careers

Potential Careers

This certificate programme enables health professionals to specialise in their area of practice at postgraduate level, according to the specialisation chosen. We advise that the University of Auckland is not involved in the employment of graduates and can make no guarantee of post-qualification registration or employment in New Zealand or any other country.

Student career planning services

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

We advise that the University of Auckland is not involved in the employment of graduates and can make no guarantee of post-qualification registration or employment in New Zealand or any other country.

Key Information for Students

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates

Programme Entry Requirements

For entry in to the programme, you will need:

  • A relevant Bachelors degree

OR

  • A relevant health professional qualification, and
  • a minimum of two years' relevant professional experience

OR

  • At least 5 years of relevant practical, professional or scholarly experience

If you have met the requirements for the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences for a particular specialisation, you may, with the approval of the Associate Dean Academic, meet the requirements for another specialisation also. 

Further Programme Entry Requirements

You must have completed an undergraduate degree at a recognised university (or similar institution) in a health-related discipline such as health sciences, medicine, nursing, optometry, pharmacy, psychology, or social work.The following specialisations have more specific requirements:

  • Advanced Nursing and Mental Health Nursing: you must have current registration with the Nursing Council in New Zealand and hold a current New Zealand practising certificate.
  • Alcohol and Drug Studies, Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Palliative Care, Women’s Health, and Youth Health: you must be a health professional currently working in these service areas.
  • Digital Health: you must have a background in computer science, or an undergraduate degree in a health-related discipline from a recognised university (or similar institution).
  • Medical Imaging: you must have completed a qualification in Medical Imaging (or similar) at a recognised university (or similar institution) and have registration with the Medical Radiation Technologists Board in the Medical Imaging Technologist practice; or have evidence of your right to work as a Medical Imaging Technologist in your home country.
  • Mammography: you must have completed a qualification in Medical Imaging or Radiation Therapy at a recognised university (or similar institution) and have registration with the Medical Radiation Technologists Board in Medical Imaging Technologist or Radiation Therapist practice; or have evidence of your right to work as a Medical Imaging Technologist or Radiation Therapist in your home country. You must also confirm that you have secured continuous employment in a clinical training position approved by the Programme Director for the duration of your enrolment. 
  • Pharmaceutical Science: you must have completed a degree in chemistry, medicinal chemistry, pharmacy, pharmacology, or an undergraduate degree in science at a recognised university (or similar institution) that includes advanced-level courses in chemistry.
  • Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography: you must have completed an undergraduate qualification in Medical Imaging, or an otherwise approved degree from a biomedical science-related field, or allied health profession such as nursing or physiotherapy. You must also have secured a clinical training position approved by the Programme Director for the duration of your enrolment.


English language requirements

If you are an international applicant whose first language is not English you will need to provide evidence of your English proficiency.

You will require an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 with no bands less than 6.0. See alternative English language requirements.

Postgraduate Requirements

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

Other Pathways to Study

If you are 20 on or before the first day of semester, have no formal University Entrance (UE) qualification, and are a New Zealand or Australian citizen or permanent resident you can apply for special admission.

If you do not meet the above entry requirements, but have other relevant experience and think you would be successful in postgraduate study, please contact us to discuss alternative pathways into our programmes. 

Fees and scholarships

Fees

Fees Disclaimer

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses. For more information, please see Fees and Money Matters.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

Scholarships

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Loans and Allowances

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of Living

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

Advice on Programme Limits

This is a limited entry programme: there is a limit on the number of enrolments due to staff or space capacity. For more information, please see the Programme and Course Limitations section of the University Academic and General Statutes and Regulations.

Key Dates

Application Advice

Please note: we will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Key Dates

SemesterApplication Closing DateSemester Start DateSemester End Date
2026 Semester One08 December 202502 March 202629 June 2026
2026 Semester Two08 June 202620 July 202616 November 2026

Other Important Dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

Regulations

Preamble

The regulations for this postgraduate certificate are to be read in conjunction with all other relevant statutes and regulations including the Academic Statutes and Regulations.

Admission

1 In order to be admitted to this postgraduate certificate, an applicant must have:

a completed the requirements for a relevant Bachelors degree from this University, or have equivalent prior study

or

b (i) have completed the requirements for a health professional qualification, or have equivalent prior study

and

(ii) have at least two years’ relevant professional experience

or

c at least five years of relevant, practical, professional or scholarly experience that provides a level of preparation equivalent to the requirements in Regulation 1a as approved by the Associate Dean Academic.

2 Equivalence in Regulation 1 will be determined by the University. Equivalence pertains to the standard as well as nature and level of study.

3 A student who has completed the requirements for the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences in one specialisation may, with the permission of the Associate Dean Academic, enrol for the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences in another specialisation.

4 To be admitted to the Medical Imaging specialisation an applicant must:

a have completed a qualification in Medical Imaging

and

b hold current registration with the New Zealand Medical Radiation Technologists Board in the Medical Imaging Technologist scope of practice, or provide evidence of registration or other evidence of the right to work as a Medical Imaging Technologist in their country of domicile.

5 To be admitted to the Mammography specialisation an applicant must:

a have completed a qualification in Medical Imaging or Radiation Therapy

and

b hold current registration with the New Zealand Medical Radiation Technologists Board in the Medical Imaging Technologist or Radiation Therapist scope of practice, or provide evidence of registration or other evidence of the right to work as a Medical Imaging Technologist or Radiation Therapist in their country of domicile

and

c confirm that they have secured continuous employment in a clinical training position approved by the Programme Director or nominee for the duration of their enrolment in the programme.

6 To be admitted to either of the Advanced Nursing or Mental Health Nursing specialisations an applicant must be registered with the Nursing Council of New Zealand and hold a current New Zealand practising certificate.

7 To be admitted to the Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography specialisation an applicant must:

a have completed an undergraduate qualification in Medical Imaging or Radiation Therapy

and

b hold current registration with the New Zealand Medical Radiation Technologists Board

and

c have secured a clinical training position approved by the Programme Director or nominee for the duration of their enrolment in the programme.

8 To be admitted to the Women’s Health specialisation an applicant must: 

a have completed the requirements for the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from this University or have equivalent prior study 

and 

b hold current registration either with the Medical Council of New Zealand or as a Medical Practitioner in their country of domicile 

and 

c have at least one year of relevant professional work experience. 

Note: This programme includes some specialisations that are limited entry as per the Limitation of Entry Statute 1991 and selection criteria apply. Selection criteria are available from the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences.

Duration and Total Points Value

9 A student enrolled for this postgraduate certificate must:

a pass courses with a total value of 60 points

and

b complete within the time limit specified in the General Regulations – Postgraduate Certificates.

10 The total enrolment for this postgraduate certificate must not exceed 90 points.

Structure and Content

11 Of the 60 points required for this postgraduate certificate, a student must pass:

a 60 points from courses listed in the Master of Health Sciences Schedule

or

b 60 points from courses in one of the areas of specialisation listed in the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences Schedule.

12 A student must complete the University of Auckland Academic Integrity course as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic Integrity, of the University Calendar.

13 The programme for each student must be approved by the relevant Head of School prior to enrolment.

Practical Professional and Practicum Requirements

14 A student enrolled for this postgraduate certificate who is required to carry out practical or clinical work must satisfactorily complete such work to the standard that the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences requires.

15 Where a weakness is identified in a clinical practice component of any course, students may be required to enrol in a clinical remediation course in addition to the requirements of their programme.

Variations

16 In exceptional circumstances the Programme Director may approve a variation to a student’s programme of study in accordance with the Enrolment and Programme Regulations.

Regulation Commencement or Amendment

17 These regulations and/or schedule have been amended with effect from 1 January 2026.

Schedule

Schedule Notes

The programme for each student must be approved by the relevant Head of School prior to enrolment.

Programme Schedules

Complete 60 points comprising:

  • Either:
  • 60 points from Master of Health Sciences Schedule Option, or
  • 60 points for one Specialisation from Specialisations Option, and
  • 1 item from Academic Integrity Course

Master of Health Sciences Schedule Option

Complete exactly 60 points from the following:

Academic Integrity Course

Complete exactly 1 of the following:

Graduate Profile and Programme Capabilities

Graduate Profile

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Programme Capabilities

#Programme Capability

Programme Capabilities to Graduate Profile Map