Why Study / Key Benefits

The Postgraduate Diploma of Health Science (PGDipHSc) is designed for health professionals who want to advance their clinical knowledge, specialist practice, leadership capability or health-sector expertise.

Key benefits include:

• A pathway into advanced clinical practice and health leadership/management roles.
• Flexible study options allowing students to select papers that align with their professional goals.
• Development of advanced clinical reasoning, critical thinking and specialist clinical skills.
• Opportunities to study areas including mental health and addiction, primary and community health, M?ori, Pacific and Indigenous health, education, gerontology and health leadership.
• A strong focus on equity in healthcare and the needs of M?ori and Pacific communities.
• The programme combines academic study with healthcare practice and is designed around the needs of health professionals in the Midlands region.
• Students can study full-time or part-time, allowing the programme to be combined with professional and personal commitments.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The PGDipHSc is flexible rather than a single fixed sequence of papers. Students choose papers according to their selected pathway and professional objectives, subject to the programme regulations and prerequisites.

The 2027 Health Science regulations list the following 500-level papers:

• HLTSC501 – Health Assessment and Clinical Decision-Making for Registered Nurses
• HLTSC502 – Applied Science
• HLTSC503 – Specialty Knowledge in Nursing Practice
• HLTSC506 – Special Project
• HLTSC507 – Pharmacological Therapy
• HLTSC508 – Prescribing Practicum
• HLTSC509 – Advanced Clinical Practicum
• HLTSC510 – Advanced Practice Role Development
• HLTSC511 – M?tanga Tapuhi (Nurse Practitioner) Prescribing Practicum
• HLTSC512 – New Entry To Practice: Clinical Reasoning and Population Responsiveness
• HLTSC513 – Specialty Knowledge in Nursing Practice – Critical Care
• HLTSC521 – Psychological Interventions
• HLTSC530 – Gerontological Studies
• HLTSC531 – Biological Ageing
• HLTSC534 – Health Leadership
• HLTSC537 – Leading and Managing Innovation in Health
• HLTSC540 – Education and Development for Practice
• HLTSC541 – Supervision and Mentorship
• HLTSC547 – Youth Health
• HLTSC550 – M?ori, Pacific and Indigenous Professional Health Practice
• HLTSC560 – Improving Health Outcomes for People with Long-term Health Conditions
• HLTSC561 – Primary Healthcare Practice
• HLTSC563 – Advanced Diabetes Management

Disciplines / Specialisations

The University identifies eight PGDipHSc pathways:

1. Clinical
2. Education
3. Gerontology
4. Leadership and Health Management
5. M?ori, Pacific and Indigenous
6. Mental Health
7. Primary Care
8. Registered Nurse Prescriber

The Registered Nurse Prescriber pathway is particularly structured. Students must complete:

• HLTSC501
• HLTSC502
• HLTSC507
• HLTSC508 Prescribing Practicum

Programme Highlights

• 120-point postgraduate qualification.
• Normally completed in 1 year full-time.
• Hamilton-based.
• March and July intakes.
• Full-time and part-time study available.
• Flexible pathway structure.
• Eight specialist pathway options.
• Focus on advanced clinical practice, professional leadership and health management.
• Strong emphasis on equity and culturally responsive healthcare.
• M?ori, Pacific and Indigenous health perspectives are incorporated into the programme.
• Selected papers are delivered in hybrid or online formats.
• Registered Nurse Prescriber pathway available for appropriately qualified registered nurses.
• Opportunity to progress to the Master of Health Science.

Career Outcomes

The programme is intended to support career development rather than function as a general entry-level healthcare qualification.

Potential professional directions include:

• Advanced clinical practice
• Clinical leadership
• Health leadership and management
• Primary healthcare
• Mental health practice
• Gerontology and older-person health
• Health education and professional development
• Specialist nursing practice
• M?ori, Pacific and Indigenous health practice
• Registered Nurse Prescriber pathway

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The latest 2027 Health Science regulations confirm that the PGDipHSc remains an active qualification and that Health Science is available within the PGCertHSc, PGDipHSc and Master of Health Science.

Important special requirements include:

• The qualification is designed primarily for health professionals.
• Applicants normally need a Bachelor of Nursing or an equivalent qualification accepted by the Academic Board.
• Applicants normally need relevant professional training/experience.
• Individual papers can have additional prerequisites.
• The Registered Nurse Prescriber pathway requires Nursing Council eligibility and employer support.
• Some advanced-practice papers require New Zealand registration, a current Annual Practising Certificate and substantial professional experience.
• The mode of delivery varies by paper; students should not assume every paper is fully online.
• The University recommends contacting the Division of Health for advice on selecting the most appropriate programme/pathway. 

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying the PGDipHSc in New Zealand will normally need a Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently requires applicants to:

• Have an offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Have sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or an acceptable scholarship.
• Demonstrate sufficient funds for living expenses or have an acceptable sponsor.
• Have acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Meet health requirements.
• Meet character requirements.
• Demonstrate genuine intentions to study.
• Show that they can leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.
• Provide any medical, police or other evidence required for their circumstances.