Why Study / Key Benefits

The University of Canterbury (UC) Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) is an advanced, interdisciplinary postgraduate qualification for people working in, or seeking careers in, health-related fields, social services, and local or central government.

Key benefits include:

• Develop advanced knowledge across health sciences and related disciplines.
• Choose a general/unendorsed pathway or specialise through an endorsed pathway.
• Study topics relevant to current health-sector challenges and professional practice.
• Combine health sciences with areas such as environmental health, community health, behaviour change, health information management, palliative care and health/wellbeing practice.
• Apply postgraduate knowledge to professional practice and health-sector roles.
• Use the diploma as Part I of the Master of Health Sciences.
• Potentially progress to the Master of Health Sciences Professional Practice, Master of Health Sciences, Doctor of Health Sciences or PhD, subject to the relevant entry requirements.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

There are two broad ways to complete the qualification:

• Unendorsed/general PGDipHealSc.
• Endorsed/specialist PGDipHealSc.

Examples of current 2026 Health Sciences courses include:

• HLTH402 Health Information Management.
• HLTH403 Environmental Health.
• HLTH430 Motivating Behaviour Change I.
• HLTH431 Motivating Behaviour Change II.
• HLTH448 The Foundation of Hospice Palliative Care.
• HLTH449 Praxis in Hospice Palliative Care.
• HLTH450 Palliative Care: Advanced Theory and Practice.
• HLTH460 Epidemiology and Critical Appraisal.
• HLTH463 Wh?nau and Community Health.
• HLTH464 Research Approaches for Health.
• PUBH420 Public Health Essentials: Building Blocks for Impact.
• PUBH421 Hauora M?ori.
• COUN682 Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
• SOWK612 Tino Rangatiratanga and Mana Motuhake in Practice.

Disciplines / Specialisations

UC currently identifies the following PGDipHealSc endorsement options on its programme page:

• Environment and Health.
• Health and Community.
• Health Behaviour Change.
• Health Information Management.
• Health Leadership and Management.
• Palliative Care.
• Taha Hinengaro – Health and Wellbeing Practice.

Programme Highlights

• 120-point postgraduate qualification.
• Advanced interdisciplinary Health Sciences study.
• February or July commencement.
• 1–2 years full-time.
• Up to 4 years part-time.
• General/unendorsed pathway available.
• Specialist endorsement pathways available.
• Flexible delivery through campus, distance and block-course options depending on selected courses.
• Suitable for health professionals and other people working in health-related sectors.
• Can be used as Part I of the Master of Health Sciences.
• Potential progression to research-based or professional-practice master's study.

Career Outcomes

UC does not restrict graduates to one specific occupation because the qualification is interdisciplinary and students can choose different health-science areas.

Potential career directions include:

• Health-sector professional roles.
• Health programme and service development.
• Community health.
• Public health.
• Health information management.
• Environmental health.
• Health behaviour-change work.
• Palliative care.
• Health and wellbeing practice.
• Social services.
• Local government.
• Central government.
• Health-sector leadership and professional development.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

Several changes are particularly important for applicants considering this programme in 2026–2027:

• UC continues to offer the PGDipHealSc as a 120-point qualification.
• The programme page currently lists seven endorsement options, but Health Leadership and Management has been replaced by a separate new Health Leadership and Management qualification.
• Current postgraduate Health Sciences delivery includes campus, distance and block-course options.
• Individual courses can have additional prerequisites or approval requirements.
• One or more courses may require vaccinations.
• Students planning to progress to the research-based Master of Health Sciences must complete 30 points of research methods before enrolling in the thesis and normally need a B GPA, an agreed supervisor and an approved research topic.
• Students completing the PGDipHealSc may apply to progress to the Master of Health Sciences or Master of Health Sciences Professional Practice, subject to the relevant entry requirements.
• UC's current postgraduate Health Sciences information describes the programme as suitable for people already working in health and related sectors, so applicants should carefully match their previous qualification and professional background to their proposed course plan.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students normally require a New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa for full-time study in New Zealand.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• An offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient tuition-fee funding or an eligible scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Meeting applicable health and character requirements.
• Genuine intention to study.
• Evidence of arrangements/funds for outward travel where required.

Current Fee Paying Student Visa information:

• Cost: from NZ$850.
• Maximum duration: up to 4 years.
• Current processing information: 80% within 8 weeks.
• Applications are submitted online.
• INZ strongly encourages international students to apply around 3 months before intended travel.