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Overview

Programme Overview

There is a growing demand for stroke services and specialised stroke care in Aotearoa New Zealand, as the population ages.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Stroke Care is for those who want to gain advanced and specialised knowledge and skills in stroke clinical practice.

This evidence-based programme is aligned with contemporary clinical guidelines and practices. It incorporates emerging challenges and solutions to prepare students for the future of stroke care.

It is highly relevant and interprofessional, with content coherently integrated across medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech language therapy, optometry, clinical exercise physiology, and psychology.

It has real-world impact by equipping students to provide specialised stroke care for the benefit of the thousands of people who experience stroke in Aotearoa New Zealand every year.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Stroke Care delivers specialised training in all aspects of stroke treatment from pre-hospital care through to rehabilitation, return to the community, and research.

As the first interprofessional stroke-specific tertiary qualification in Aotearoa New Zealand, this programme is for healthcare professionals engaged in the care of people and whānau with stroke, such as nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech language therapists, clinical exercise physiologists, counsellors, dietitians, medical doctors, optometrists, paramedics, pharmacists, psychologists, and social workers.

Throughout this programme, you will learn how to apply and communicate the principles, evidence and practices that constitute evidence-based stroke care at every stage of the patient journey.

If you want to learn how to work as a culturally safe, reflective practitioner within an interprofessional team and contribute to improvements in the quality and safety of stroke care, this programme is for you!

Programme Structure

The Postgraduate Diploma in Stroke Care comprises 4 courses. Each course runs over a 12-week teaching period, allowing you to complete this programme in as little as 18-months part-time, one course at a time.

Taught by experts in the field of stroke care, the courses are delivered in a specific order that will build advanced knowledge and skills in stroke clinical practice. The programme follows the patient journey, from the onset of stroke symptoms to living with the long-term consequences of stroke.

Case studies are threaded throughout all four taught courses, to illustrate the diverse experiences of people and whānau with stroke, and the roles and responsibilities of all members of the interdisciplinary stroke team.

As students in this programme, you will ‘walk alongside’ these example patients as the timeline of the patient journey is mapped onto the timeline of this programme of study.

Programme Careers

Potential Careers

As a graduate of the Postgraduate Diploma in Stroke Care, you will be able to:

  • Apply an advanced understanding of contemporary research, theory and practice of interprofessional stroke care at all stages of the patient journey.
  • Apply guidelines and knowledge to find culturally safe and practical responses to real-life challenges faced by people and their whānau with stroke
  • Identify gaps between best practice and current practice, and potential solutions for improving the quality and safety of stroke care
  • Understand the factors underlying inequities in patient experience and outcomes of stroke care.

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.

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

Minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place. 

Taught (120 point) - 3.0 Grade Point Average 

A relevant Bachelor's degree

Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA)

Postgraduate Requirements

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

Other Pathways to Study

A Bachelors degree from this University in a relevant subject with a Grade Point Average of 3.0 or higher in 60 points above Stage II.

A PGCertStrokeCare - Postgraduate Certificate in Stroke Care is also available for those seeking a shorter qualification.

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.

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 One16 February 202602 March 202629 June 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 Bachelors degree from this University in a relevant subject with a programme Grade Point Average of 3.0 or higher, or have equivalent prior study

or

b completed the requirements for a Bachelors degree from this University in a relevant subject with a Grade Point Average of 3.0 or higher in 60 points above Stage II.

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.

Note: Relevant subjects may include clinical exercise physiology, counselling, dietetics, medicine, nursing, nutrition, occupational therapy, optometry, paramedicine, pharmacy, physiotherapy, psychology, social work and speech language therapy.

Duration and Total Points Value

4 A student admitted to 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

and

c not exceed 160 points for the total enrolment for this postgraduate diploma.

Structure and Content

5 A student enrolled for this postgraduate diploma must complete the requirements as listed in the Postgraduate Diploma in Stroke Care Schedule.

6 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.

Transfer from Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma

7 A student who has passed courses towards the Postgraduate Certificate in Stroke Care may apply to reassign those courses to this postgraduate diploma provided that the postgraduate certificate has not been awarded.

Distinction

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

Variations

9 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

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

Schedule

Programme Schedules

Complete 120 points comprising:

  • 120 points for all Compulsory Courses, and
  • 1 item from Academic Integrity Course

Compulsory Courses

Complete 120 points for ALL of 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