Expand your opportunities in nursing
This qualification is designed for registered nurses. It deepens your knowledge and expands your skills, critical thinking, and professional confidence.
You’ll learn how to bring together theory, practice, and research to improve nursing care for patients and their whānau.
Our courses are designed to meet the demands of modern nursing practice. They will help you build a deeper understand of pathophysiology, advanced nursing care, and current issues in the profession.
Who can study for this qualification
To enrol in the PGDipNS, you need to be a registered nurse with a current practising certificate from the Nursing Council of New Zealand. You’ll also need a New Zealand Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent overseas qualification.
Your study level will depend on your academic background and career goals. You will first enrol in the Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing Science, then progress to the Diploma and Master of Nursing Science.
How you’ll study
Most courses are made up of several in-person ‘block schools’, with each block held over one to four days. They're a mix of lectures, tutorials and small group activities that give you time to study and access to staff for advice and guidance. Some courses are also entirely online.
The schools are a great opportunity for you to network with your peers and other health care experts—to share ideas and strategies for learning, identify areas for change, and assess your progress.
Throughout your research, classwork and clinical experience, our academic team will support and work with you.
Nurse prescribing pathway
The nurse prescribing pathway will give you the skill set needed for a prescribing role in your practice. You’ll take a set of core courses exploring applied pathophysiology, advanced assessment and clinical reasoning, and clinical pharmacology.
You’ll finish with a nurse prescribing practicum that helps you prepare for the Nursing Council of New Zealand registration process.
Entry criteria for registered nurse prescribing
You will need to meet Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ) requirements to enrol in the nurse prescribing pathway. These are:
- be a registered nurse with a current NCNZ practising certificate
- have at least 3 years’ equivalent full-time practice in the clinical area you plan to prescribe in, with 1 year of this in New Zealand
- work within a multi-disciplinary team
- have the support of a clinical mentor who is an authorised prescriber (senior doctor or mātanga tapuhi nurse practitioner) and has mentoring experience
- have the support from their employer to complete this course and support for ongoing professional development.
See the NCNZ website or contact the programme director for more information.
NCNZ—Registered Nurse Prescribing
Workload
As a guide, for each 30-point course you take at the School, you should allocate around 10 hours per point for self-directed study, research, assessments, and attendance at schools.
If you’re studying full time, you can expect a workload of 40 hours of study time a week for much of the year. Part-time students doing one course per trimester will need to allocate approximately 20 hours of study a week. Make sure you take this into account if you are working full time.
Study while you work
Our part-time programme options make it easy for you to learn while you're working. We’ll help you integrate academic life with work and family through our flexible delivery models that allow you to learn at home or on campus.
The distance component supported by the University’s online learning environment, Nuku, forms part of your courses and supports the development of the content delivered in the School.
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) A candidate for the PGDipNS shall be a New Zealand registered nurse and, before enrolment, shall have:
(i) completed a degree of a tertiary institution in New Zealand*; and
(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) of the Wellington Faculty of Health for a candidate who has had extensive practical, professional, or scholarly experience of an appropriate kind.
* Candidates who have completed a degree at a tertiary institution outside New Zealand will normally be required to have their qualification assessed as equivalent to a New Zealand postgraduate degree by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority before entry into the programme.
Qualification requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the PGDipNS
2. A candidate for the PGDipNS shall undertake an approved course of study comprising 120 points, including at least four approved courses from HLTH 501–519, HLTH 521–550.
Note: A candidate wishing to graduate with a PGDipNS must include Applied Pathophysiology (HLTH 502) and Advanced Assessment and Clinical Reasoning (HLTH 514).
3. At the discretion of the head of school, a candidate who holds a PGDipNS may subsequently credit those courses to the MNS.
4. (a) A candidate for the PGDipNS shall normally be enrolled for at least two trimesters and shall complete the diploma within three years of first enrolling for it.
(b) The associate dean may extend the maximum period in special cases
(c) At the discretion of the Associate Dean, a candidate who has completed a MNursPrac from this university with an average grade of at least B, may cross-credit Applied Pathophysiology (HLTH 502) to the PGDipNS.
5. (a) Where candidates have completed postgraduate study in nursing, health, or midwifery or equivalent at another New Zealand university or polytechnic, with an average grade of at least B, the Associate Dean may, on the recommendation of the head of school, permit transfer credit of courses credited to that qualification for up to 60 points in the PGDipNS.
(b) Credit shall not usually be granted for courses passed more than five years before the date of application for the PGDipNS and MNS.
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.
Future careers
Postgraduate study improves your ability to deliver positive health care experiences to patients, whānau, and communities. If you’re considering a clinical management or leadership role, these programmes (PGCertNS, PGDipNS, and MNS) help improve your clinical and research skills and knowledge to facilitate better health outcomes and improve effective management of complex health care.
More career information
Find out more about nursing 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 Nursing Science
There could be a scholarship for your qualification, subject area, background, or situation.
Scholarships for international students
We are 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 Nursing Science
There could be a scholarship for your qualification, subject area, background, or situation.
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 study or research
Our programmes are designed with a ‘building block’ approach, as each qualification can lead on to the next one. Both certificates and diplomas are standalone qualifications but may also contribute towards a higher degree.
Should you decide to proceed further with your study, we'll support you every step of the way.
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.