Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) is a research-inclusive postgraduate qualification designed for health professionals, non-clinical health-sector workers and others interested in health issues.
• It provides flexibility to build a programme across health-related disciplines according to your interests, current employment and career goals.
• Students can follow a general/unendorsed pathway or focus their studies through a specialist endorsement.
• The programme combines advanced health-science coursework with independent research and thesis work.
• Students are supervised by researchers in Te Kura M?tai Hauora | School of Health Sciences.
• The programme can support career development within health professions as well as health-related roles, social services and local or central government.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The MHealSc has a flexible structure.

Part I is equivalent to the 120-point Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences. Students select approved Health Sciences courses, normally including 30 points of research methods before progressing to the thesis.

Part II consists primarily of independent research.

The principal thesis options are:

• HLTH690 MHealSc Thesis: 120 points; or
• HLTH697 Health Sciences Thesis: 90 points, together with 30 points of approved Health Sciences courses.

For Nursing, a different thesis arrangement applies.

Depending on the pathway, subject areas can include:

• Environmental health
• Epidemiology
• Health and community
• Health behaviour change
• Health information management
• Nursing
• Palliative care
• Research methods
• Health policy and related health-sector topics.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The current UC international prospectus identifies the following MHealSc areas:

• Environment and Health
• Health and Community
• Health Behaviour Change
• Health Information Management
• Health Leadership and Management
• Nursing
• Palliative Care.

Programme Highlights

• 240-point research-inclusive master's degree
• At least 2 years full-time
• Up to 4 years part-time
• February and July starts
• Flexible health-related course selection
• Unendorsed and endorsed pathways
• Independent research/thesis component
• Opportunity to study through campus and/or distance delivery depending on course
• Seven areas are identified in UC's current international prospectus, with Health Leadership and Management now separated into its own master's programme
• Access to the School of Health Sciences research environment
• Potential progression to doctoral-level study.

Programme Highlights

• 240-point research-inclusive master's degree
• At least 2 years full-time
• Up to 4 years part-time
• February and July starts
• Flexible health-related course selection
• Unendorsed and endorsed pathways
• Independent research/thesis component
• Opportunity to study through campus and/or distance delivery depending on course
• Seven areas are identified in UC's current international prospectus, with Health Leadership and Management now separated into its own master's programme
• Access to the School of Health Sciences research environment
• Potential progression to doctoral-level study.

Career Outcomes

UC states that many Health Sciences graduates:

• Continue working within their existing health profession
• Move into health-related fields
• Work in social services
• Work in local government
• Work in central government.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The most important current updates are:

• The MHealSc remains a 240-point qualification with February and July starts.
• The Health Leadership and Management endorsement has been replaced by the new Master of Health Leadership and Management.
• The current 2027 UC International Prospectus still presents the MHealSc as a research-inclusive master's qualification.
• Research-methods study is required before thesis enrolment.
• A B or above GPA, approved supervisor and approved research topic are required before progressing to Part II.
• Some individual Health Sciences courses may require vaccinations or health screening.
• Health-sector clinical/research/work-integrated learning can involve additional Ministry of Health or agency requirements.
• The 2027 HLTH690 MHealSc Thesis is approved as a distance course.

International Student Visa Requirements

An international student physically studying in New Zealand would normally apply for a Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently states that this visa:

• Costs from NZ$850
• Can allow a stay of up to 4 years
• Requires an offer of place from an approved education provider
• Requires evidence of tuition-fee funding/payment or an applicable scholarship
• Requires sufficient living funds
• Requires acceptable medical and travel insurance
• Requires evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the stay
• Requires the applicant to meet applicable health, character and genuine-intention requirements.