Help people have active, healthy lives
Expand you expertise with postgraduate study Physical Activity and Hauora (wellbeing). Whether you’re already working and want to advance, or you aim to start a career in physical activity and health, our flexible qualifications give you options.
You’ll learn the connections between exercise, fitness, and sport, and how to promote physical activity in communities. You’ll also learn how mātauranga Māori combines with traditional perspectives to promote physical activity, so you can plan initiatives that let everyone participate in physical activity as equals.
The postgraduate Physical Activity and Hauora programme is unique—it was developed with Sport New Zealand Ihi Aotearoa to align closely with the Health Promotion Forum of New Zealand’s Ngā Kaiakatanga Hauora (Health Promotion) objectives.
Choose your study path
We offer three postgraduate study paths in Physical Activity and Hauora. Choose the qualification that suits your goals and schedule.
Each qualification includes core courses in promoting physical activity, and physical activity and the environment. You then add other courses that match your interests.
Postgraduate Certificate in Physical Activity and Hauora
A 60-point, three-trimester Postgraduate Certificate in the foundational principles of Physical Activity and Hauora. It’s a short, flexible qualification that can serve as a pathway into higher study.
Postgraduate Diploma in Physical Activity and Hauora
This 120-point, three-trimester Postgraduate Diploma boosts your skills in promoting physical activity and wellbeing—particularly through the lens of mātauranga Māori. It suits you if you want to progress your professional practice without committing to a Master’s degree.
Master of Physical Activity and Hauora
This 180-point, three-trimester qualification prepares you for leadership, research, or specialist roles in health, education, or sport.
Flexible qualifications to fit your schedule
Our postgraduate qualifications are designed to fit around your work schedule. Courses are delivered in two blocks of 2 to 3 days in Wellington. The rest of your learning is online.
Here's the sample timetable to give you an idea of the time commitment.
Ask your employer about sponsorship
Talk to your employer about sponsorship for your study. You may be able to negotiate paid or unpaid study leave or financial support. Our Master's overview pamphlet also has more information about employer support.
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.
Study options
Find out how you can study Postgraduate Physical Activity and Hauora at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Why Wellington
Wellington is at the heart of where Aotearoa New Zealand’s health policy is made. By studying here you'll have direct access to national headquarters for Sport New Zealand Ihi Aotearoa, and other key health and physical activity organisations that shaped this programme.
The city's compact size means you can easily connect with government health agencies, community sport organisations, and public health practitioners who are leading physical activity promotion nationwide.
The capital's concentration of policy makers and health sector leaders creates gives you excellent networking and practical learning opportunities.
Future careers
If you're new to the field, you could work for government or community organisations in roles like:
- community or play development officer
- health promoter or recreation coordinator
- policy analyst or workplace wellbeing adviser.
If you already work in promoting physical activity, your postgraduate qualification will help prepare you for senior roles in programme design, project management, or policy analysis within the field.
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 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 was established in 1997 from a bequest from the estate of Arnold Woodford Izard. The scholarship is offered to students enrolled in a Master's by thesis degree in any faculty at Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington, with the exception of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. NZSM students are still eligible to apply. This scholarship is...
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This scholarship is offered to women graduates intending to study at Victoria University of Wellington in a course leading to a higher degree, which includes research in some field related to the general purpose of teaching or promoting the knowledge of home or domestic science among the women of New Zealand (e.g. Sociology, Psychology, Education or Science).
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 Health
-
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.
-
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.
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This scholarship was established in 1997 from a bequest from the estate of Arnold Woodford Izard. The scholarship is offered to students enrolled in a Master's by thesis degree in any faculty at Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington, with the exception of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. NZSM students are still eligible to apply. This scholarship is...
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.
Academic staff research areas
Lara Andrews
Lecturer (Teaching) in Physical Activity & Wellbeing
Justin Richards
Associate Professor in Physical Activity and Wellbeing
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.