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Contents

Quick Facts

Programme Tabs

Overview

Programme Overview

This diploma provides an advanced understanding of theoretical and practical issues, along with the skills to apply this understanding in the workplace, research and day-to-day life.

It covers a range of disciplines, including epidemiology, demography, sociology, health statistics, health economics, health promotion, health management, environmental health, health protection, health services, and policy.

Opportunity to specialise in: Māori Health.

Programme Structure

  • 120 point programme
  • Advanced taught course topics that cover principles of public health, epidemiology and research methods (45 points)
  • A selection of courses worth at least 60 points from other courses listed in the Master of Public Health Schedule
  • Up to 15 points from other 700 level courses offered at this University.
  • One year full-time or up to four years part-time
  • You can complete a generic programme or specialise in Māori Health.

Programme Careers

Potential Careers

Graduates with a public health qualification find employment in diverse areas within the health sector, including: public health research; disease surveillance and monitoring; public health management; health planning and policy making at a government level; and management positions within health care organisations. 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.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Public health researcher
  • Health planner

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

Taught 120 points

Entry into this postgraduate diploma is limited to 65 students per year, with selection by academic merit based on your Grade Point Average (GPA) or Grade Point Equivalent (GPE) .

You must have completed an undergraduate degree in a health-related discipline such as dentistry, health sciences, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physiotherapy, psychology, public health, or social work. Your study must have been at a recognised university (or similar institution). You will typically need a GPA or GPE of at least 3.0. You must also have at least two years' relevant work experience.

In exceptional circumstances, these requirements may be waived by the relevant Associate Dean Academic, or nominee, if they determine that you have at least three years of relevant practical, professional or scholarly experience. 

Alternatively, you must have completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health.

Further Programme Entry Requirements

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 diploma 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 diploma, an applicant must have:

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

or

b (i) completed the requirements for a health professional qualification that is deemed appropriate by the Programme Director

and

(ii) have at least two years’ relevant work experience.

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

3 In exceptional circumstances the requirements in Regulation 1 may be waived by the relevant Associate Dean Academic or nominee if they determine an applicant has at least three years of relevant practical, professional or scholarly experience that provides an equivalent level of preparation.

4 A student who has completed the requirements of the Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health or its equivalent, may on the recommendation of the Programme Director, and with the approval of the Associate Dean Academic, credit to this postgraduate diploma, the courses passed for the Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health.

Note: This is a limited entry programme 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

5 A student enrolled for this postgraduate diploma must:

a pass courses with a total value of 120 points

and

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

6 The total enrolment for this postgraduate diploma must not exceed 160 points.

Structure and Content

7 Of the 120 points required for this postgraduate diploma, a student must pass:

either

a (i) 45 points: MAORIHTH 701, POPLHLTH 760, 776

(ii) 15 points from POPLHLTH 708, 709

(iii) 15 points from POPLHLTH 701–706, 767

(iv) 45 points from DIGIHLTH 701–706, HLTHMGT 721–723, 726–754, MAORIHTH 701, 705–711, MEDSCI 709, PAEDS 708, POPLHLTH 700–716, 718–737, 739, 751, 752, 760, 761, 763, 765, 767, 769–772, 774, 776, POPLPRAC 712, 759

or

b the specialisation listed in the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Schedule.

8 A student enrolled for this postgraduate diploma who has completed the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Health Sciences from this University, or an equivalent qualification, cannot enrol in POPLHLTH 760 and must select an alternative course from Regulation 7a(iv).

9 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.

10 The programme for each student must be approved by the Programme Director prior to enrolment.

Distinction

11 This postgraduate diploma may be awarded with Distinction or Merit as specified in the General Regulations – Postgraduate Diplomas.

Variations

12 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

13 These regulations and/or schedule have been amended with effect from 1 January 2025.

Schedule

Schedule Notes

The programme for each student must be approved by the Programme Director prior to enrolment.

Programme Schedules

Complete 120 points comprising:

  • 120 points for one Specialisation from Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Schedule, and
  • 1 item from Academic Integrity Course

Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Schedule

Complete one Specialisation 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