Master and PG Diploma in Health Sciences in New Zealand

Health Sciences is the field of study that deals with the well-being of human beings. Health care professionals study the well-being of humans, the health and medical care of human beings, or those human beings who are unhealthy or sick. Health Sciences experts have become a necessity in the modern world. Keeping our lifestyle in mind, we tend to get sick more often. Thus, we need professionals who can take care of our health and guide us in order to stay healthy.

The ultimate wealth is health, and without a healthy body, we can’t stay active and won’t be able to work effectively and efficiently. Our body can perform well when it is fit and healthy. There are several Master’s and PG Diploma courses in New Zealand that can help Indian students make a career there. The wide range of facilities and career opportunities that are offered by the universities of New Zealand to Indian students attracts their attention.

Master of Health Sciences courses are well-designed by the universities of New Zealand and will help you examine a lot of health sciences and clinical issues, which will certainly help you improve your professional practice. A wide range of health disciplines and research experience (research, thesis, and project) is also available in the student’s areas of specialization. Students can also choose from various specialty pathways like primary and rural healthcare, mental health, acute care, older person health and rehabilitation, and many more. The duration of the Master of Health Sciences is between 1-2 years; it depends upon the programs offered by different universities.

Postgraduate Diplomas in Health Sciences are also offered by the various universities in New Zealand. The duration of this program is 1 year, and the Indian students who enroll themselves in this course will learn more about health and wellness.

In this article:

  • Difference between a postgraduate diploma and a master’s degree
  • Master and PG Diploma programs offered by different universities in New Zealand
  • Eligibility Criteria for Admission to the Master of Health Sciences
  • Eligibility Criteria for Getting Admission to Postgraduate Diploma programs
  • Fee Structure for Master of Health Sciences and PG Diploma Courses
  • Career Opportunities
  • New Zealand Visa Process

A list of universities that offer Master of Health Sciences degrees in New Zealand-

  • University of Auckland
  • University of Canterbury
  • University of Otago
  • University of Waikato
  • Southern Institute of Technology

A list of universities that offer Post Graduate Diplomas in Health Sciences in New Zealand-

  • University of Waikato
  • Southern Institute of Technology
  • University of Auckland
  • University of Canterbury
  • University of Otago

Difference between a postgraduate diploma and a master’s degree

A postgraduate diploma is a program that requires no research and less coursework. It tries to impart practical skills and the specific skill set of the chosen field. It is more affordable than the degree programs. The duration of postgraduate diploma programs are less than that of a master’s degree, and their fee is also comparatively less than that of master’s degrees. Postgraduate diplomas offer a flexible schedule to the students who have opted for this course.

Master’s degrees are research-based, which helps to give a broader view of the chosen subject. The duration of a master’s degree is comparatively longer than that of degree programs.

The University of Auckland is one of the best universities in New Zealand that offers a Master of Health Sciences. This is a postgraduate degree, and several options, like teaching and research, are available at this university. The program is available at the Grafton campus of the university. The Master of Health Sciences at this university offers two options for international students: Taught and Research. 

The students who are taking admission in this course directly after their undergraduate degree will enter the 240-point programme, and those who have already done their master’s will enter the 120-point program. Those Indian students who are interested in the fields of health services and health systems, research, and clinical practice should definitely choose this program.

Indian students who choose this course will become specialists in skills that will definitely unlock a lot of opportunities in various fields, like-

  • Quality Assurance
  • Research
  • Health Promotion
  • Health Services Manager
  • Health Educator
  • Health Promotion
  • Consultancy and advisory

The university offers two subjects in the program which are-

  • Health Sciences
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

The fee for this course is approximately $48,386.

Eligibility Criteria-

  • Indian students who want to take admission to the Master of Health Sciences at the University of Auckland should have at least an undergraduate degree.
  • An IELTS score of 6 bands with no band less than 5.5 in each module (writing, speaking, reading, and listening) is required for admission to the MHSc in Health Sciences.

The University of Auckland also offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences, which is designed for current health professionals who have a relevant degree in this field and want to pursue further study in this field. This is a 1-year-long course that will cover a broad range of Health Science subjects. The study will help you achieve various career benefits like a high starting salary and progression rate, enhanced knowledge, specialized skills, research capability, and high academic attainment. The fee for this program is approximately $48,386 for international students.

Eligibility Criteria-

  • Indian students must have an undergraduate degree in one of the various health related disciplines, which are medicine, nursing, pharmacy, psychology, health sciences, and optometry.
  • An IELTS score of 6.5 bands, no less than 6 in each module (writing, listening, reading, and speaking).

The University of Canterbury is one of the best universities in New Zealand that offers a Master of Health Sciences. The program is for those who are health professionals and non-clinical members of the health workforce and will help you critically learn about a range of important issues in health services and improve your professional practice. The program will make you learn various health-related disciplines, such as the management of health information and the functioning of health systems. The program is a research-inclusive qualification. You can specialise in the following fields:

  • Nursing
  • Palliative Care
  • Health and Community
  • Health Behavior Change
  • Health and Community
  • Environment and Health

   Eligibility Criteria-

  • A relevant bachelor’s degree is required for Indian students who want to take admission to this program.
  • An IELTS score of 6.5 bands is required, no less than 6 in each module (listening, reading, speaking, and writing).
  • A TOEFL score is also accepted as proof of English Language Proficiency at the university. A total minimum score of 90 (Overall) is required by international students.

University of Canterbury also offers a postgraduate diploma in health sciences in New Zealand. Those students who are currently employed or seeking jobs in social services and health related services should definitely check this course out. The course will help you get specialization in the following subjects:

  • Health and Community
  • Health Behavior Change
  • Health and Community
  • Environment and Health

The fee for this course is approximately $28,000.

Eligibility Criteria-

  • Indian students must have completed a bachelor’s degree or health professional qualification.
  • An IELTS score of 6.5 bands is required, no less than 6 in each module (listening, reading, speaking, and writing).
  • A TOEFL score is also accepted as proof of English Language Proficiency at the university. A total minimum score of 90 (Overall) is required by international students.

The University of Otago is another good university in New Zealand that offers a Master of Health Sciences. The university allows the students to study at a postgraduate level across a range of health disciplines and gain research experience.

The University of Otago also offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences with a paper value of 120 points. A full-time student of this course will have to complete the program in two years.

Eligibility Criteria-

  • An IELTS score of 6.5 bands is required, no less than 6 in each module (listening, reading, speaking, and writing).

The University of Waikato is another university that offers a Master of Health Sciences. It is a 2-year full-time program at Hamilton Campus. The students who enroll themselves in this program will help you choose from several specialty pathways:

  • Primary and rural healthcare
  • Mental Health
  • Acute Care
  • Older Person Health and Rehabilitation

The program will also help you choose papers that are aligned with other areas of interest like cancer care, death and dying, and child health. The real healthcare settings and unique programs of the University of Waikato help students in their professional development.

Eligibility Criteria-

  • You must have a bachelor’s degree in learning. Bachelor of Learning or equivalent.

The University of Waikato also offers a one year postgraduate diploma in Health Sciences. The program will help you gain a pathway into advanced clinical practice or leadership and management roles. The focus of the program is on the healthcare of Māori, Pacific, mental health and addiction, and primary and community health. The programs in this particular course are customizable. The university sets high academic standards with real academic standards. The program is designed to improve the skillset of healthcare professionals who can meet the needs of people in the Midland region. You can choose from a variety of pathways that will influence which papers you take as part of your Postgraduate diploma; some of them are:

  • Clinical Pathway
  • Education Pathway
  • Gerontology pathway
  • Leadership and Health Management Pathway
  • Māori, Pacific, and Indigenous pathway
  • Mental Health pathway
  • Primary Care Pathway
  • Registered Nurse-Prescriber Pathway

Southern Institute of Technology is one of the best universities that offers a Master of Applied Health Sciences (Wellness and Rehabilitation). The course is 18 months long, which will definitely polish and enhance the passion for health, rehabilitation, and wealth. The main areas that are the focus of this degree are:

  • Holistic wellness
  • Health and wellness
  • Nutrition for wellness
  • Pain Management
  • Completing health, wellness, and rehabilitation research
  • Female health and wellness
  • Wellness for the older population
  • Musculoskeletal and Neurological Rehabilitation
  • Cardiovascular, Pulmonary, and Metabolic Health
  • Massage therapy for wellness and rehabilitation

Eligibility Criteria-

  • The approximate fee for this course is a bachelor’s degree or a graduate diploma in a relevant field.
  • An IELTS score of 6.5 bands, no less than 6 in each module (writing, reading, listening, and speaking).
  • An overall TOEFL score that is accepted by the university is 79.
  • A PTE score of 58 with no band score less than 50 is accepted at the university.

Southern Institute of Technology also offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences, which is a 1-year full-time course. The program is designed for those who have recently graduated as wellness and rehabilitation practitioners in fields such as health sciences, massage therapy, naturopathy, medicine, osteopathy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, naturopathy, and nursing. The program will help you be eligible for courses like

  • Holistic wellness
  • Health and wellness
  • Nutrition for wellness
  • Pain Management
  • Completing health, wellness, and rehabilitation research
  • Female health and wellness
  • Wellness for the older population
  • Musculoskeletal and Neurological Rehabilitation
  • Cardiovascular, Pulmonary, and Metabolic Health
  • Massage therapy for wellness and rehabilitation

Eligibility Criteria-

  • The approximate fee for this course is a bachelor’s degree or a graduate diploma in a relevant field.
  • An IELTS score of 6.5 bands, no less than 6 in each module (writing, reading, listening, and speaking).
  • An overall TOEFL score that is accepted by the university is 79.
  • A PTE score of 58 with no band score less than 50 is accepted at the university.

Career opportunities after a Master’s and PG Diploma in Health Sciences-

  • Community Addictions Specialist
  • Health Service Manager
  • Business Development Manager
  • Health Economist
  • Population Nutrition Specialist
  • Health Protection Officer
  • Health Promoter
  • Health Economist

New Zealand Visa Process-

  • The first step of the visa process is to choose a program that has some relevance to the previous study. The program that you select must have some relevance to your previous academic qualifications. The initial step of the program is to choose a program that is relevant to your previous academic qualifications.
  • The second step is to gather all the necessary documents and send your application to the college you need to get admission into. The following documents are required by Indian students if they are sending their application to the College of New Zealand. The documents that are required by the colleges in New Zealand with your academic qualifications are:
  1. Proof of English language proficiency test
  2. Passport copy as an identity proof
  3. Documents showing work experience (if any)
  4. Statement of purpose (SOP)
  • The important documents that Indian students must prepare before applying for a student visa. A list of the important documents that are required is given below:
  1. Academic documents
  2. Passport copies
  3. Work Experience Document Proofs
  4. English language test proof (IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL)
  5. Proof of funds (tuition fee and cost of living) for the full duration of the program
  6. Family Income proofs
  7. Statement of purpose
  8. Medical documents
  9. PCC (Police Clearance Certificate)
  • Submit New Zealand Study Visa Application- After completing the above mentioned steps and completing the necessary paperwork the study in New Zealand aspirants must submit their New Zealand study visa application. The consultant would be able to do this on the applicant’s behalf. The applicants are also required to pay visa fee at this point.
  • Applicants for New Zealand student visas must send their passports to TT Services for verification after submitting their application, and they must then wait for Immigration New Zealand to make a final determination.
  • Later, the AIP, which is approval, is given to the overseas students. It is a letter that students have received from Immigration New Zealand informing them that their visa application has been approved, subject to certain requirements.
  • After getting approval from AIP, the students need to mention the conditions in the same. Indian students must pay the tuition fees for the full year after receiving AIP. There might also be a condition to pay the cost of living in the New Zealand account under the Funds transfer scheme.
  • After fulfilling all these conditions, students can get their visa successfully.