Advance your health knowledge
Study postgraduate Health courses to advance your knowledge and skillset in an area of health. Gain advanced knowledge of complex healthcare systems and develop the theoretical and practical skills you need to become a leader in your workplace.
Specialise in an area of health such as Health Leadership and Management, Health Policy, Planning and Service Delivery, Health Promotion, Midwifery, Nursing, Professional Practice, or Workplace Health and Safety.
You may also have the choice to include a course on research methods that prepares you to do independent research. The programme is delivered flexibly to fit around work commitments. It can be a step towards a Master’s.
Who can study for this qualification
You can study for a PGDipHlth if you have a Bachelor of Health or another relevant degree.
To focus your study on Midwifery, Nursing, or Professional Practice, you also need to be a registered health professional in that area.
The PGDipHlth suits you if you want to:
- take some postgraduate courses to specialise in a subject area relevant to your past study
- build on your skills and knowledge from working in the industry at a postgraduate level
- study towards a Master’s in stages—the courses you complete in the PGDipHlth can count towards your further study and qualifications.
Studying as an international student
The Midwifery, Nursing, and Professional Practice specialisations may not be suitable for international students—if your qualification is from overseas, it may not be recognised in New Zealand.
Contact us if you have any questions or would like to discuss an alternative programme in your field of interest.
What you’ll learn
What you’ll learn depends on your chosen specialisation. Choose one of seven areas of specialisation:
- Health Leadership and Management
- Health Policy, Planning and Service Delivery
- Health Promotion
- Midwifery
- Nursing
- Professional Practice
- Workplace Health and Safety (accredited by Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)).
You can also choose to get a general overview by studying without a specialisation.
How you’ll study
Part-time study options
Part-time students doing one course per trimester will need to allocate around 20 hours of study a week. Make sure you take this into account if you’re working full time.
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 PGDipHlth, shall have:
(i) completed a Bachelor of Health or a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline;
(ii) been accepted by the head of school as capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study.
(b) Requirement (a)(i) may be waived by the Associate Dean (Students) for a candidate who has had extensive practical, professional, or scholarly experience of an appropriate kind.
(c) Candidates for the Midwifery, Nursing, and Professional Practice specialisations will normally be a registered health professional.
Entry requirements
Your acceptance into this programme is based on your previous qualifications and experience.
Qualification requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the PGDipHlth
2. The course of study for the PGDipHlth shall consist of 400- or 500-level courses worth at least 120 points including Research Methods (HLTH 521) or 528 and at least 60 points from the MHlth Schedule and approved as a coherent course of study by the head of school.
3. (a) A candidate for the PGDipHlth shall normally complete the diploma within three years of first enrolling in it.
(b) The associate dean may extend the maximum period in (a) in special cases.
Major requirements
Majors are the subjects you focus your degree on.
Explore more degree options by adding an optional second major or minor. How our flexible degrees work.
Major subjects and requirements
Explore your major options below.
PGDipHlth subjects
Health Leadership & Management
Health Policy, Planning and Service Delivery
Health Promotion
Professional Practice
Workplace Health and Safety
No matching majors found.
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
Your study may include opportunities to complete research.
The School of Education, Health, and Psychological Sciences has a vibrant and diverse research culture that:
- draws on interdisciplinary perspectives
- seeks to inform health policy and practice
- improves health outcomes
- addresses health inequities.
Find out about the latest research news, research supervisors and groups, and research centres in the School of Health.
Future careers
Your postgraduate diploma could lead to career opportunities in:
- health promotion
- health psychology
- midwifery
- nursing
- health policy and innovation
- digital health.
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 Health
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This scholarship is for students undertaking or intending to undertake an Honours or Masters degree at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington in areas related to Peace Building or Peace Studies, Trust Building, Conflict Resolution, addressing Historical Injustice, Restorative Justice, Social Cohesion, Community building and promoting cross-cultural understanding, Change Making or Ethical Leadership.
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This scholarship has been established by the Faculty of Health— Te Pukenga Wai to support first-year Bachelor of Midwifery students to meet the initial financial costs associated with enrolment into the programme.
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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
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 Health
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This scholarship has been established by the Faculty of Health— Te Pukenga Wai to support first-year Bachelor of Midwifery students to meet the initial financial costs associated with enrolment into the programme.
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This scholarship is to assist students in the last year of their first Bachelors degree at Victoria University of Wellington. The scholarship fund will be awarded equally between male and female students.
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.
Further research or study
The PGDipHlth is designed as part of a staircased pathway. You can begin with the Postgraduate Certificate in Health, move on to the Postgraduate Diploma in Health, and then convert to the Master of Health.
Any courses that you study in one stage that overlap with the next may be credited towards that next qualification.
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.