The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science is a 120 credit programme (one year full-time or up to four years part-time) that provides the opportunity for qualified nurses, health professionals and health service managers to develop advanced practice knowledge and critical analysis skills.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science is characterised by advanced study in a specific nursing or health science discipline.
The programme requires a foundation of undergraduate knowledge and skills achieved through previous tertiary qualifications or equivalent professional experience.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science offers two pathways, one for nurses and one for interdisciplinary health professionals. The diploma offers a selection of online and blended courses designed to meet the needs of health practitioners and other professionals whose practice has a focus on health. The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science may be completed with or without a specialty option.
Nursing specialty endorsement options available are:
Advanced Nursing Practice
Registered Nurse Prescribing (approved by the Nursing Council of New Zealand)
Your future career and study opportunities
Pending successful completion of the required academic entry requirements you may have the following further study options:
Health Science graduates may pathway to the Master of Health Science.
Registered Nurse graduates may credit their courses to the Master of Nursing Science programme or the Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner Pathway) programme.
Possible career outcomes include a role in:
Advanced nursing
Allied health
Research
Project management
Expected February 2025
Hawke's Bay Campus
501 Gloucester Street,
NAPIER,
Taradale,
4112, New Zealand
Expected July 2025
Hawke's Bay Campus
501 Gloucester Street,
NAPIER,
Taradale,
4112, New Zealand
The academic entry requirement for the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science is one of the following:
A NZQF-listed undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a health-related field with a minimum of the equivalent to a B average as per the EIT | Te Pūkenga-specified 11-point achievement-based grading system; or
A degree or equivalent professional qualification in a different field if the applicant can supply evidence of work experience at degree level or above within a health related field, subject to an interview and/or the submission of a portfolio of evidence to establish the status and relevance of the applicant’s prior learning and experience; or
At the discretion of EIT | Te Pūkenga, where an applicant’s situation is compelling but not covered by the requirements listed above.
An interview may be part of the application process.
Additional entry requirements for the specified nursing practice endorsements may be required, including:
Registered Nurse
Current annual practising certificate from the Nursing Council of New Zealand
Applicants from countries in which English is not the primary spoken language must demonstrate an acceptable level of English language fluency prior to acceptance in the programme. Ways in which English language fluency may be demonstrated include:
Completion of a programme of study in which English was the language of instruction (conditions apply*)
Approved scores on IELTS tests, namely an Academic score of 6.5 with no band lower than 6 (or accepted international equivalents)
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.