Why Study / Key Benefits

The Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc) is a flexible postgraduate qualification for health professionals, members of the wider health workforce, and others interested in health-sector issues.

Key benefits include:

• Critically examine significant contemporary issues in health sciences.
• Apply postgraduate health-science knowledge to professional practice where relevant.
• Choose courses from UC's approved Health Sciences course offerings rather than following one fixed subject sequence.
• Study health topics from an interdisciplinary perspective.
• Use the certificate as an introduction to postgraduate Health Sciences study.
• Potentially continue into longer postgraduate qualifications at UC.
• Suitable for both health professionals and non-clinical members of the health workforce.
• UC's postgraduate Health Sciences offerings include campus, distance and block-course delivery options, depending on the individual course.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The PGCertHealSc is not built around two permanently fixed compulsory papers.

Instead, students complete 60 points from the approved Health Sciences course schedule. UC's current Health Sciences information describes the 60-point certificate as a two-course pathway.

The qualification regulations specify that the courses must be selected from the courses listed in the relevant schedule for the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences.

Depending on the approved study plan and course availability, Health Sciences postgraduate study can cover areas such as:

• Health and community.
• Health behaviour change.
• Health information management.
• Environment and health.
• Palliative care.
• Health promotion.
• Public health.
• Health leadership and management.
• Health research and evidence.
• Maori and Indigenous health.
• Other approved Health Sciences topics.

Disciplines / Specialisations

There are no formal majors, minors or endorsements within the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences.

However, students can develop a particular area of interest through their selection of approved courses.

Relevant Health Sciences areas at UC include:

• Health and Community.
• Environment and Health.
• Health Behaviour Change.
• Health Information Management.
• Palliative Care.
• Public Health.
• Health promotion.
• Health leadership and management.
• Maori and Indigenous health.
• Health research.

Programme Highlights

• Postgraduate Certificate qualification.
• 60 points.
• 6 months full-time.
• Up to 2 years part-time.
• February and July starts.
• Flexible course selection.
• Interdisciplinary Health Sciences focus.
• Suitable for health professionals and other members of the health workforce.
• Campus, distance and block-course delivery may be available depending on the chosen courses.
• No formal majors, minors or endorsements.
• Potential pathway to further postgraduate Health Sciences study.

UC specifically identifies the following possible further-study pathways:

• Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences.
• Master of Health Sciences.
• Doctor of Health Sciences.

Career Outcomes

UC states that many graduates continue working within their existing health profession, while others work in:

• Health-related fields.
• Social services.
• Local government.
• Central government.
• Other health-sector and non-clinical settings.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current UC programme page confirms that the PGCertHealSc remains a 60-point qualification with February and July starts and a 6-month full-time or up-to-2-year part-time structure.

Important special considerations include:

• The programme requires an appropriate health-related academic or professional background.
• Prior qualifications and experience are considered when UC approves the student's programme of study.
• There are no formal majors, minors or endorsements.
• The exact course combination requires selection from the approved Health Sciences course schedule.
• Some individual courses may require vaccinations.
• Students must check individual course pages for vaccination, attendance, placement or other course-specific requirements.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students who need a New Zealand student visa can generally consider the Fee Paying Student Visa where the study arrangement meets the visa requirements.

Immigration New Zealand currently states:

• Visa cost: from NZ$850.
• Maximum stay: up to 4 years.
• 80% processing timeframe: within 8 weeks.
• An offer of place from an approved education provider is required.
• The student must have sufficient funds for tuition fees or an appropriate scholarship.
• The student must demonstrate sufficient living funds or have an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance is required.
• Health and character requirements must be met.
• The applicant must have a genuine reason for studying in New Zealand.
• The applicant must demonstrate that they can leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.