Duration
Full-time: Varies
Part-time: Varies
Next start date
2025 Semester One – 3 March
2025 Semester Two – 21 July
Available locations
City, Grafton
Points
120 or 180
Programme type
Postgraduate
Taught options available

Programme overview

Health leadership is a varied and complex field. If you are interested in a career where you can play a part in helping to improve the experiences of patients, the health of communities and the operations of health services, this is the ideal programme for you.

Study a wide range of topics from quality in health care to health care economics, public health principles and health informatics principles.

Health leadership opens doors in careers such as health management, health care quality improvement, international health management and more in this exciting challenging field.

Programme structure

The MHlthLd can be completed as a 120-point or 180-point taught masters degree, depending on the level of study you have completed.

You can choose one of two specialisations:

  • Health Management
  • Clinical Quality and Safety
Your programme will include a number of core courses, as well as courses specific to your chosen specialisation. You will also complete a 45-point project in health leadership.   

The 180-point programme can be completed in three semesters (18 months) full-time or up to 12 semesters (6 years) part-time. The 120-point programme can be completed in two semesters (1 year) full-time or up to eight semesters (4 years) part-time.

The preferred start date is Semester One (late February/early March); however, it is possible to start the Health Management specialisation in Semester Two (July). The Clinical Quality and Safety specialisation may only be commenced in Semester One.

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Subjects available in this programme

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

2024 entry requirements

My highest qualification is from:

Programme requirements

Minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

  • Study option
    Taught 120 points
    Grade required
    GPA Grade Point Average 5.0

    Bachelors (honours) degree or postgraduate diploma

  • Study option
    Taught 180 points
    Grade required
    GPA Grade Point Average 5.0

    Bachelors degree

Further programme requirements

Select your study option:

Within the past five years, you must have completed a bachelors (honours) degree or postgraduate diploma with a GPA of 5.0.

Your study must be in a relevant discipline and have included courses in population health, public health, health management, health informatics and/or Māori health.

You must have completed a bachelors degree in a relevant discipline with a GPA of 5.0 in 90 points of the most advanced courses in the degree.

Relevant disciplines include all health professional degrees, and non-clinical degrees in approved subjects including public health, health sciences, health social sciences, commerce and law.

A minimum amount of study in a relevant discipline is required - this would be at least a major, field of study or approximately 30% of programme content including a mix of introductory and advanced courses.

Other pathways to study

If you do not meet the requirements for the 120-point masters we will consider you for entry to the 180-point masters if you have an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.

Alternatively, you can transfer to the MHlthLd after completing the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences with a GPA of 5.0.

Programme requirements

Minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

  • Study option
    Taught 120 points
    Grade required
    GPE Grade Point Equivalent 5.0

    One year of postgraduate study

  • Study option
    Taught 180 points
    Grade required
    GPE Grade Point Equivalent 5.0

    An undergraduate degree

  • Qualification
    IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System
    Score required
    6.5

Further programme requirements

Select your study option:

Within the past five years you must have completed one year of postgraduate study, following an undergraduate degree, at a recognised university (or similar institution) with a GPE of 5.0.

Your study must be in a relevant discipline and have included courses in population health, health management, health informatics and/or Māori health.

If you are applying for the Clinical Quality and Safety specialisation you will need a clinical background. Relevant disciplines include all health professional degrees, and non-clinical degrees in approved subjects including public health, health sciences, health social sciences, commerce and law.

A minimum amount of study in a relevant discipline is required - this would be at least a major, field of study or approximately 30% of programme content including a mix of introductory and advanced courses.

You must have completed an undergraduate degree at a recognised university (or similar institution) in a relevant discipline with a GPE of 5.0.

Relevant disciplines include all health professional degrees, and non-clinical degrees in approved subjects including public health, health sciences, health social sciences, commerce and law.

A minimum amount of study in a relevant discipline is required - this would be at least a major, field of study or approximately 30% of programme content including a mix of introductory and advanced courses.

Other pathways to study

If you do not meet the requirements for the 120-point masters we will consider you for entry to the 180-point masters if you have an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.

Alternatively, you can transfer to the MHlthLd after completing the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences with a GPA of 5.0.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

How much does a Master of Health Leadership cost per year?

2025 fees

Domestic students
NZ$10,892.40*
International students
NZ$52,585*

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Amounts shown are indicative only. In addition to the tuition fees, there is a Student Services Fee of $8.88 per point, estimated at $1,065.60 for full-time study (120 points). Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

Find out about financial support information

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Key dates

Please note: We will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Application closing dates

Semester One 2025
8 December 2025
Semester Two 2025
4 July 2025

Start dates

Here are the start dates for the programme.

Other important dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Where could this programme take you?

The programme has been developed to meet the demand in health leadership and management in international and domestic markets. We advise that the University of Auckland is not involved in the employment of graduates and can make no guarantee of post-qualification registration or employment in New Zealand or any other country.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Health management
  • Health care quality improvement
  • International health management
  • NGOs

Student career planning service

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

We advise that the University of Auckland is not involved in the employment of graduates and can make no guarantee of post-qualification registration or employment in New Zealand or any other country.

Do you need help?

AskAuckland

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Can’t find the answer in AskAuckland?

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Need to speak to someone?

You can phone us directly.

Auckland
923 5025
Outside Auckland
0800 61 62 63
International
+64 9 373 7513