Why Study/Key Benefits

• The Master of Advanced Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) is a specialist clinical master's pathway for registered nurses who want to progress towards nurse practitioner practice in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• UC describes the programme as a Nursing Council-approved pathway for registered nurses to advance their knowledge and skills and apply to become a m?tanga tapuhi (nurse practitioner).
• The programme combines advanced nursing theory with clinical learning and prescribing preparation.
• Students develop advanced knowledge in pathophysiology, health assessment, pharmacology, evidence-based clinical practice and advanced professional practice.
• The programme includes a substantial Nurse Practitioner Practicum designed around the competencies required by the Nursing Council.
• UC delivers the programme online through Tuihono UC | UC Online, making it particularly suitable for registered nurses who are working while studying, although compulsory onsite components apply to some courses.
• The Nursing Council of New Zealand confirms that UC is an accredited provider of the Master of Advanced Nursing (Nurse Practitioner).

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The 240 points are divided into Part I and Part II.

Part I – 120 points

• HLTH661 – Advanced Pathophysiology – 30 points
• HLTH662 – Advanced Health Assessment – 30 points
• HLTH663 – Advanced Pharmacology – 30 points
• NURS664 – RN Prescribing Practicum – 30 points

Key topics include:

• Advanced pathophysiology.
• Advanced health assessment.
• Advanced pharmacology.
• Clinical assessment and diagnostic reasoning.
• Medication and prescribing practice.
• Registered nurse prescribing.
• Clinical decision-making.

Part II – 120 points

• HLTH673 – Advanced Professional Practice – 30 points
• HLTH692 – Evidence for Clinical Practice – 30 points
• NURS694 – Nurse Practitioner Practicum – 60 points.

The 2026 NURS694 learning outcomes include:

• Autonomous clinical decision-making for consumers, wh?nau and population groups with complex needs.
• Multidisciplinary collaboration.
• Critical evaluation of evidence affecting clinical decisions.
• Professional leadership.
• Development of advanced-practice knowledge.
• Meeting the Nursing Council competencies for Nurse Practitioner.

Disciplines/Specialisations

There are no formal majors, minors or endorsements in this qualification.

The programme is specifically focused on:

• Advanced nursing practice.
• Nurse practitioner practice.
• Clinical assessment.
• Diagnostic reasoning.
• Pharmacology.
• Prescribing.
• Evidence-based clinical practice.
• Professional leadership.
• Autonomous clinical decision-making.

Programme Highlights

• 240-point master's degree.
• 2 years full-time or 4 years part-time.
• February and July intakes.
• Delivered exclusively online through Tuihono UC | UC Online.
• Up to 20 days of onsite intensives for some courses.
• Clinical placement requirement.
• Registered Nurse prescribing component.
• Advanced pathophysiology, health assessment and pharmacology.
• Evidence-based clinical practice.
• Advanced professional practice.
• Nurse Practitioner Practicum.
• Nursing Council-approved pathway.
• No formal majors, minors or endorsements.
• Designed for experienced registered nurses.
• Opportunity to progress towards application for nurse-practitioner registration, subject to Nursing Council requirements.

Career Outcomes

The principal career outcome is progression toward practice as a m?tanga tapuhi / Nurse Practitioner.

Potential professional environments include:

• Primary healthcare.
• Community healthcare.
• Hospitals.
• Specialist clinical services.
• Rural and regional healthcare.
• Other approved healthcare settings where nurse practitioners practise.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

Several points are especially important for international applicants.

1. UC's current programme is Nursing Council approved.

The Nursing Council's current list identifies University of Canterbury as an accredited provider of the Master of Advanced Nursing (Nurse Practitioner).

2. The programme is relatively new.

The current UC regulations state that the degree was first offered in 2025, with the current regulations coming into force on 1 January 2025.

3. New Zealand RN registration is a prerequisite.

An applicant must hold a current Registered Nurse practising certificate from the Nursing Council of New Zealand.

4. New Zealand nursing experience is specifically required.

UC's current regulations require three years' equivalent full-time RN practice in the intended prescribing area, including at least one year of practice in New Zealand.

5. Clinical placement and mentorship are mandatory.

Students need an approved clinical placement with mentorship from an authorised prescriber.

6. Nursing Council requirements have recently been updated.

The Nursing Council's new RN standards of competence took effect for most purposes from 1 January 2026, with implementation involving changes to education curricula, accreditation and assessment.

7. The Nursing Council's current nurse-practitioner education standards require extensive clinical learning.

The 2025 standards specify a minimum of 500 clinical-learning hours, including 100 hours of relevant clinical simulation and 400 hours in a relevant clinical setting.

8. The programme is not suitable as a simple offshore-to-NP conversion.

The Nursing Council states that international nurse practitioners seeking New Zealand NP registration generally need to first register in the New Zealand RN scope and develop practice and portfolio evidence relevant to New Zealand.

International Student Visa Requirements

The normal immigration route for an eligible international student studying in New Zealand is the Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently states that this visa:

• Costs from NZD $850.
• Can allow a stay of up to 4 years.
• Has 80% of applications processed within 8 weeks.
• Requires an offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Requires sufficient money to pay tuition fees, or an applicable scholarship.
• Requires sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Requires acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Requires applicants to meet health and character requirements.
• Requires a genuine reason for coming to New Zealand.
• Requires evidence that the applicant can leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.