Make work healthy and safe
Health, safety, and risk management are increasingly important at work. Study an accredited postgraduate qualification in Workplace Health and Safety to develop the skills to manage health and safety risks effectively.
Learn to prevent, mitigate, monitor, and respond to health and safety risks. Develop the skills to advise and support organisations to reduce work-related fatalities, injuries, or illness. You’ll be able to integrate the management of workplace health and safety risk into wider risk management and sustainable business practice at all levels of an organisation, including senior management and governance.
We are the only university in Aotearoa New Zealand offering Workplace Health and Safety study options that are internationally benchmarked to the International Network of Safety and Health Practitioner Organisations (INSHPO) curriculum. You’ll learn the skills to meet the high international demand for qualified professionals in this area.
Why study Workplace Health and Safety at Victoria University
Professor Joanne Crawford discusses the importance of health and safety in the workplace and how our Workplace Health and Safety programme can help you get the skills to keep New Zealanders safe at work.
Choose your study path
The postgraduate path you take will depend on your previous academic achievements and your professional goals.
You can staircase your study from Postgraduate Certificate to the Postgraduate Diploma to the Master’s. That is, the courses you study in one qualification can count towards the next one.
Attend classes and study online
You’ll complete your study through face-to-face block lectures and the rest of your study is online.
Our flexible delivery models allow you to learn at home or on campus so you can balance other commitments like work.
Part-time study options
You can choose to study part-time. Two courses per trimester or 30 hours per week is recommended. You can, however, reduce that to one paper per trimester which will take longer.
Programme accreditation
The Master of Health, Postgraduate Certificate in Health, and Postgraduate Diploma in Health specialising in Workplace Health and safety are accredited by the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).
Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
They are internationally benchmarked to the International Network of Safety and Health Practitioner Organisations (INSHPO) curriculum.
International Network of Safety and Health Practitioner Organisations
And, they’re developed in consultation with government organisations, including WorkSafe New Zealand and the Health and Safety Association New Zealand (HASANZ).
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 Workplace Health and Safety at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Research for a healthy future
The School of Health has a vibrant and diverse research culture. Research draws on interdisciplinary perspectives and seeks to:
- inform health policy and practice
- improve health outcomes
- address health inequities.
Find out about the latest research news, research supervisors and groups, and the research centres.
Learn from experts
Make the most of the University’s links to agencies in Wellington such as:
- WorkSafe New Zealand
- Health and Safety Association of New Zealand
- New Zealand Institute of Safety Management
Hear from experienced health and safety professionals to find out how they use analysis and evidence to create beneficial change for patients and society.
Future careers
The workplace health and safety job market in Aotearoa New Zealand has strong demand for qualified health and safety specialists.
Health and safety professionals influence, engage, and coach all levels of the organisation—including senior management and governance.
You could go on to work as a:
- health and safety consultant
- risk manager
- health and safety inspector
- strategy advisor
- health and safety or wellbeing adviser or manager.
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 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 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 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.
Academic staff research areas
Find staff contact details and roles for the School of Health. You can select each staff member to find out about their research interests and more.
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.