Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Master of Public Health (MPH) is a professionally focused postgraduate qualification designed to develop knowledge and practical skills for improving population health and addressing public-health challenges in New Zealand and internationally.
• The programme has an applied focus, with students choosing either a work-integrated practicum or a community-based research project as the final capstone.
• UC states that the programme is grounded in equity, community engagement and culturally responsive practice, with Te Tiriti o Waitangi integrated across the curriculum.
• The curriculum is designed around public-health competencies from the New Zealand Public Health Association and international public-health competency benchmarks.
• The programme can suit graduates from health sciences as well as backgrounds such as psychology, data science, geography, politics, sociology, economics and other relevant disciplines. 

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The 180-point MPH is coursework-based and follows a three-semester structure.

Semester 1 includes:

• PUBH420 – Public Health Essentials: Building Blocks for Impact – 15 points
• PUBH422 – Health Systems in Action: Policy, Innovation and Equity – 15 points
• Two further approved courses from the available options.

Semester 2 includes:

• PUBH421 – Hauora M?ori – 15 points
• HLTH470 – Qualitative Research Methods for Health – 15 points
• PUBH424 – Social and Political Epidemiology OR HLTH460 – Epidemiology and Critical Appraisal – 15 points
• One additional approved course.

Semester 3 includes:

• PUBH623 – Healthy Societies: Empowering Change through Health Promotion – 15 points.
• Students then complete one 45-point final capstone:
  • PUBH630 – Public Health Practice: Experiential Learning Practicum, or
  • PUBH631 – Public Health Research: Community-Based Project.

Disciplines / Specialisations

• Main discipline: Public Health.
• The MPH does not have formal majors, minors or endorsements.
• Students instead build their academic focus through elective choices.
• Potential areas represented in the approved course schedules include:
  • Epidemiology
  • Health promotion
  • M?ori health
  • Environmental health
  • Health systems
  • Qualitative and quantitative health research
  • Health behaviour change
  • Data science/data analytics
  • Geographic information systems
  • Disaster risk and resilience
  • Policy and governance
  • Political economy
  • Health leadership and management.

Programme Highlights

• New UC qualification introduced in 2026.
• 180-point professional master's degree.
• 18-month full-time structure.
• February and July intake availability.
• Strong focus on population health and real-world public-health problems.
• Curriculum incorporates equity, community engagement and culturally responsive practice.
• Te Tiriti o Waitangi is integrated into the curriculum.
• Students can choose an applied internship/practicum or community-based research project for the final 45 points.
• Opportunities to incorporate data science, epidemiology, environmental health, policy, health systems and other interdisciplinary subjects through approved electives.
• Graduates can progress to doctoral study, including the PhD in Health Sciences or Doctor of Health Sciences at UC.

Career Outcomes

UC identifies career opportunities in areas including:

• Health promotion
• Environmental health
• Policy analysis
• Epidemiology
• Advocacy
• Government health agencies
• Primary health organisations
• Universities and research institutes
• NGOs
• Humanitarian organisations.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The MPH is a new UC qualification, first offered in 2026.
• The current programme page is already advertising the qualification for 2027 study.
• Admission requires Executive Dean of Health/delegate approval in addition to the academic criteria.
• There are no formal majors, minors or endorsements.
• Up to 60 points of relevant and equivalent postgraduate-level courses from another UC school/faculty or another tertiary institution may potentially be credited, but this requires prior approval from the Executive Dean of Health or delegate.
• Students must complete at least 120 points of MPH coursework before entering either 45-point capstone option, subject to approval.
• The programme may be awarded with Merit or Distinction.
• The 2026 regulations allow students who complete the MPH to apply for admission to the Master of Health Sciences and have their MPH credits transferred/subsumed, subject to the relevant approval and regulations.

International Student Visa Requirements

For a normal self-funded international student, the relevant visa is generally the New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa.

Current Immigration New Zealand information states:

• Visa cost: from NZD 850.
• Maximum stay: up to 4 years.
• Processing: 80% within 8 weeks according to the current INZ page.
• The applicant must have an offer of place from an approved education provider.
• The applicant must demonstrate sufficient tuition funding or an applicable scholarship.
• The applicant must demonstrate sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable health/travel insurance is required.
• The applicant must meet health, character and genuine-intention requirements.