- Duration
- Full-time: 1 year
- Part-time: Varies
- Next start date
- 2026 Semester One – 2 March
- 2026 Semester Two – 20 July
- Available locations
- Grafton, Off-campus
- Points
- 120
- Programme type
- Postgraduate
Programme overview
The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science covers a broad range of subjects. Complete a generic programme or specialise in one subject area. The programme involves one year of full-time study or up to four years of part-time study.
Advanced Nursing, Alcohol and Drug Studies, Digital Health, Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Medical Imaging, Mental Health Nursing, Nuclear Medicine, Palliative Care, Pharmaceutical Science, Ultrasound, Youth Health.
Programme structure
- 120-point programme
- Students can choose between a generic PGDipHSc or one of the specialisations on offer.
Generic Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences
- One course from the approved research method courses list (15 points)
- Advanced level courses covering various fields in health sciences, listed in the Master of Health Sciences Schedule (105 points)
Alternatively, you can complete a specialisation. Each specialisation has different requirements and courses; see the Specialisations tab for more information.
You must complete the programme in one year if enrolled full-time or four years if enrolled part-time
You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.
2025 entry requirements
Programme requirements
You must have completed either a relevant undergraduate degree, or health professional qualification at a recognised university (or similar institution), or at least five years of relevant practical, professional, or scholarly experience and complete an interview with the Associate Dean Academic.
If you have completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences, you may, with approval, credit the courses passed in that programme to the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences.
If your GPA or GPE is below a 3.0 it is recommended that you start in a Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences as a pathway towards a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences.
Further programme requirements
The following specialisations have more specific eligibility requirements:
- Advanced Nursing and Mental Health Nursing: you must have current registration with the Nursing Council in New Zealand, and hold a current New Zealand practising certificate.
- Alcohol and Drug Studies, Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Palliative Care, and Youth Health: you must be a health professional currently working in these service areas.
- Digital Health: you must have a background in computer science, or an undergraduate degree in health sciences from a recognised university (or similar institution).
- Cardiac Sonography, Nuclear Medicine, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Ultrasound: you must have completed an undergraduate degree in medical imaging (or similar qualification) in a biomedical science related field, or allied health profession. You must also confirm that you have secured continuous employment in a clinical training position for the duration of your enrolment.
- Medical Imaging: you must have completed an undergraduate degree in Medical Imaging and hold current registration with the New Zealand Medical Radiation Technologists Board, or hold evidence of the right to work as a Medical Imaging Technologist in your home country.
- Pharmaceutical Science: you must have completed a degree in chemistry, medicinal chemistry, pharmacy, pharmacology, or an undergraduate degree in science at a recognised university (or similar institution) that includes advanced-level courses in chemistry.
Other pathways to study
- If you are 20 on or before the first day of semester, have no formal University Entrance (UE) qualification, and are a New Zealand or Australian citizen or permanent resident you can apply for special admission.
How much does a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences cost per year?
2025 fees
- Domestic students
- NZ$10,892.40*
- International students
- NZ$52,585 – $52,585.20*
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 $9.24 per point, estimated at $1,108.80 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.
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 2024
- Semester Two 2025
- 4 July 2025
Start dates
Here are the start dates for the programme.
| Semester One | Starts – 3 March |
|---|---|
| Ends – 30 June | |
| Semester Two | Starts – 21 July |
| Ends – 17 November |
| Semester One | Starts – 2 March |
|---|---|
| Ends – 29 June | |
| Semester Two | Starts – 20 July |
| Ends – 16 November |
Other important dates
See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.
In this programme, you can either complete a generic Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences or enrol in a specialisation.
A specialisation is a programme of related courses normally comprising more than 50 percent of a qualification. There are 15 specialisations within the PGDipHSc, some of which lead to registration within a certain field.
- Advanced Nursing
- Alcohol and Drug Studies
- Cardiac Ultrasound
- Digital Health
- Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Medical Imaging
- Mental Health Nursing
- Nuclear Medicine
- Palliative Care
- Pharmaceutical Science
- Ultrasound
- Youth Health
Where could this programme take you?
Many graduates continue to work within their health profession while others work in health-related fields, social services, or local or central government. Postgraduate study can bring many career benefits, e.g. specialist skills and enhanced knowledge, entry into specific occupations, higher starting salary/progression rates, research capability/achievement and evidence of high academic attainment/self-discipline. 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.
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.
Key Information for Students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.
Do you need help?
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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