Boost your career in health research
Study Clinical Research and get the essential skills to conduct your own clinical research or to work for a research institution.
Learn how to carry out clinical trials and evidence-based research that advances medical knowledge. Use both qualitative and quantitative research methods and critically evaluate current literature.
You'll also learn study design and research practice, data analysis, and research presentation, and cover ethical and cultural issues in clinical research.
Who can study for this qualification
The PGDipClinRes will suit you if you’re:
- a medical trainee or graduate
- a health professional who wants to carry out clinical research
- a health professional who needs to up-skill in research methods.
Enrolment requirements
To enrol in the diploma, you need an undergraduate degree in either:
- health
- medicine
- neuroscience
- psychology
- biomedical science
- biostatistics.
You may also be able to apply if you have extensive relevant experience.
How you'll study
Study part time
The programme is best suited to part-time study over 2 years. It is equivalent to about 1,200 student work hours.
Online learning
The PGDipClinRes is mostly taught online and through video calls or video conferencing. Video conferences are normally held on a weeknight.
You’ll also need to attend a practical weekend seminar in person, each trimester.
Assessment
You’ll complete compulsory courses and will be assessed through your presentations, essays and formal reports. There is no formal examination.
Develop skills in writing reasearch grant applications
Toward the end of your studies you'll be guided to write a full research grant application that describes a proposed clinical research project.
Past students' projects have included:
- a trial of medical-grade honey in childhood impetigo
- an investigation of a new type of prosthetic hip
- a trial of a new medication in Huntingdon's disease
- research into the benefits of steroids in pneumonia treatment.
International students
You can enrol in the PGDipClinRes if you're an international student. But:
- this programme is only available part time
- you need to attend a weekend seminar in Wellington at least twice a year
- you need to participate in up to eight videoconferences each semester.
All of the above is at your own expense, and is on top of your international student fees.
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. (a) Before enrolment, a candidate for the PGDipClinRes shall have:
(i) completed a relevant degree in health, medicine, neuroscience, psychology, biomedical science, or biostatistics to an appropriate level; and
(ii) been accepted by the PGDipClinRes Programme Director as capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study based on documented relevant experience.
(b) Requirement (a)(i) may be waived by the Associate Dean, Academic (Postgraduate) of the Faculty of Science for a candidate who has:
(i) had extensive practical, professional, or scholarly experience of an appropriate kind; or
(ii) completed at an overseas tertiary institution a qualification judged by the associate dean to be equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree offered by this university in a relevant subject.
Qualification requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the PGDipClinRes
2. The course of study for the PGDipClinRes shall consist of courses worth 120 points from Introduction to Clinical Research and Clinical Trial Practice (CLNR 401), Ethics and Research in Special Populations as Applied to Clinical Research (CLNR 402), Biostatistics and Informatics (CLNR 403), Qualitative Methods in Clinical Research (CLNR 404), Advanced Clinical Research Design, Management and Analysis (CLNR 405), and (580 or 590).
3. (a) A candidate for the PGDipClinRes shall normally complete the diploma within four years of first enrolling in it.
(b) The associate dean may extend the maximum period in (a) in special circumstances.
Future careers
Through this programme of study, you’ll be able to:
- expand your current work to include clinical research
- move into a new career as a clinical researcher in a range of areas in the health sector.
You might work for a:
- drug company
- hospital clinical trials unit
- research institute.
More career information
Find out more about careers in clinical research.
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 Clinical Research
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The fund, which was established at the time of the renovation of the C3 lecture theatre, is to assist a second-year student from any faculty in their studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
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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 Clinical Research
-
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.
Degree 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.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
Research an area that interests you
As part of your postgraduate diploma, you’ll conduct research under the supervision of our staff. Find more information on our current research on each School's research pages.
Learn from the experts
The PGDipClinRes is taught by the School of Biological Sciences in partnership with Te Whatu Ora—Health New Zealand.
You’ll learn from highly regarded clinicians from Te Whatu Ora—Health New Zealand, the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand (MRINZ), and Victoria University of Wellington.
Some sessions are delivered by outside tutors from around New Zealand who have specific areas of expertise.
Why Wellington
Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington is New Zealand’s top-ranked university for intensity of high-quality research.
Read about our research rankings
Wellington also has the highest concentration of scientists and science organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our Faculty of Science is one of New Zealand’s top research institutions, with our own research centres and strong links to many other organisations and universities.
Further research or study
Advance your expertise with Master’s or PhD study.
Master of Clinical Research
Develop your expertise further with a Master of Clinical Research (MClinRes). You’ll complete a thesis that includes a detailed search of the literature in your study topic, describes your research methods, and presents pilot results data.
Study for a PhD
If you do well in your Master’s research, you'll be able to apply to do a PhD. You’ll carry out original and sustained research under supervision from world-class academics through the Wellington Faculty of Science.
Academic staff research areas
Richard Carroll
Adjunct Teaching Associate
Elaine Dennison
Professor of Clinical Research
Lisa Woods
Statistical Consultant
Martin Woods
Teaching Fellow
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.