Shape the future of practice, policy, and wellbeing
Extend beyond your existing skills as a professional working in the health sector. Develop your expertise in research and evaluation, and professional and reflective practice. Become a leader in practice, policy, education, and management.
Engage in high-quality, independent research and inquiry into your practice. You’ll contribute original knowledge to improving health-related practice, systems, and policy. Link theory and research to questions of health system professional practice and management.
The Doctor of Health (DHlth) approaches health and wellbeing holistically. It considers how we can improve the health and wellbeing of individuals and society—physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. You’ll be able to innovate and make a significant impact on health outcomes in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally.
Who can study for this qualification
- a Bachelor’s degree with Honours
- a Master’s degree, or postgraduate diploma in Health or equivalent
- a minimum of five years’ experience in a relevant professional role.
How you'll study
Part 1
Part 2
Part-time study options
Part 1 is a part-time programme that takes two years to complete.
Part 2 can be taken full or part time. For par -time candidates, the Doctor of Health is expected to take up to six years maximum to complete.
As the on-campus teaching is limited to block lectures, you can continue to work while you study and stay connected through online forums.
You can estimate your workload by adding up the number of points you’ll be doing. One point is roughly equal to 10 to 12 hours work.
Professional doctorate or PhD?
If you're aiming for an academic research career, our three-year Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) may suit you better than a professional doctorate.
Both professional doctorates and the PhD are research degrees, but they differ in focus:
- Professional doctorates centre your research on your own professional practice.
- The PhD gives you the freedom to explore an academic perspective, across a much wider range of topics, themes, and subject areas.
Qualification support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
If you’re a new student, talk to a Future Student Adviser through our enquiry form.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
For the research portion of your study, you’ll need a supervisor to help guide your research. Your programme coordinator will work with you to find the right person.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for domestic students
- Requirements for students who completed university in:
If you live in New Zealand and are a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand or Australia, you're considered a domestic student.
Some citizens of the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau may automatically hold New Zealand citizenship.
Diplomatic residents living in New Zealand are also regarded as domestic students.
To be accepted into this qualification, you need:
1. Before enrolment, a candidate for the DHlth degree shall have:
(a) completed an Honours or Master’s degree or postgraduate diploma with a minimum GPA of 5 (letter grade B), or other postgraduate qualification at an equivalent standard in a discipline relevant to health; and
(b) provided evidence of appropriate and significant professional experience, normally of at least five years; and
(c) established to the satisfaction of the Associate Dean (Postgraduate Research) that they are capable of proceeding with the qualification.
Qualification requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the DHlth
2. The course of study for the DHlth shall consist of at least 360 points comprising:
Part 1: Critical Analysis of a Health Issue (HLTH 601), Issues in Professional Contexts (HLTH 602), Advanced Research Design (HLTH 603), Research Proposal (HLTH 604); and
Part 2: Doctor of Health Thesis (HLTH 691) Thesis
3. Initially a candidate shall be registered in Part 1 of the DHlth.
4. Enrolment into Part 2 is conditional on a satisfactory completion of all assessments in Part 1 and acceptance into Part 2 by the Associate Dean (Research) on the advice of the Head of School.
5. Enrolment in Part 2 shall normally occur within 24 months of first enrolment in Part 1.
6. Except with the permission of the Dean, Wellington Faculty of Graduate Research (Dean FGR), the periods of enrolment (excluding any approved period(s) of suspension) in Parts 1 and 2 combined for a full-time candidate shall be a minimum of 36 months and a maximum of 48 months (or the part-time equivalents).
7. Extensions to the maximum period of enrolment may be granted by the Dean FGR on the recommendation of the relevant associate dean, and shall not usually exceed 12 months. Consideration of extensions shall take account of the candidate’s personal circumstances and the nature of the research project, and consent shall neither be unreasonably withheld nor given without good cause. All calculations shall exclude any periods of suspension.
8. In every year of enrolment regular reports on the progress of the candidate shall be completed and submitted to the associate dean. A candidate’s enrolment may be terminated if they fail to make satisfactory progress or if they do not meet the requirements of the examination process.
9. The associate dean may, on the application of the candidate or the supervisors at any time before the submission of the thesis approve the enrolment of the candidate in a subject for an appropriate Master’s degree instead of the degree of Doctor of Health where the regulations for such a Master’s degree provide that the degree may be taken by thesis and where the candidate does not already hold that degree in the same subject at the University. The candidate shall be deemed to have been enrolled in and to have followed a course of study for that Master’s degree for the appropriate minimum period, provided that the candidate has been enrolled for the degree of Doctor of Health for that period.
Future careers
More career information
Find out more about careers.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It's a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for DHlth
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This scholarship was established, via the Victoria University Foundation, through a bequest from Bruce Lauder of Timaru, in memory of his sister, Janet Lauder, who had a long career as a nurse. To support postgraduate nursing students at Victoria University of Wellington undertaking research in public or community heath. The funds are to be used to support research-related expenses or...
Scholarships for international students
We're currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
Other scholarships
We also have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It's a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for DHlth
-
This scholarship was established, via the Victoria University Foundation, through a bequest from Bruce Lauder of Timaru, in memory of his sister, Janet Lauder, who had a long career as a nurse. To support postgraduate nursing students at Victoria University of Wellington undertaking research in public or community heath. The funds are to be used to support research-related expenses or...
Join our postgraduate community
The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on studying at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate Students’ Association
MAI ki Pōneke
MAI ki Pōneke are part of an international network of Māori and Indigenous postgraduate students. They provide advice, support, and information to Indigenous postgraduate students of all levels, as well as those thinking about enrolling.
Research an area that interests you
- inform health policy and practice
- improve health outcomes
- address health inequities.
- clinical and applied practice
- social sciences
- health service delivery
- psychology
- health and safety
- epidemiology.
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you’re facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Apply for a New Zealand study visa
You’ll need to apply for a study visa if you plan to study with us as an international student.
You should apply for your visa after you’ve received your Offer of Place, and before you come to New Zealand.