Type of qualification
Level of study
Once you’ve graduated with a bachelor’s degree – or have equal experience – you can study at the postgraduate level. Doctoral qualifications require additional entry requirements.
Our courses follow the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF) levels.
Time to complete
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Study a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science – PGDipHlthSc
If you have a health-related bachelor’s degree and want to take your studies to the next level, the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science is for you.
The health industry needs you
There is a growing need for people to understand and be part of improving our health and wellbeing needs in today’s health industry. Massey’s PGDipHlthSc will give you the skills you need to succeed.
Improve the nation’s health
You’ll get an understanding of the many dimensions of personal health and health care in New Zealand. You’ll learn to critically evaluate information about personal health and wellbeing and community and population health. With a solid grounding in health science, you’ll be perfectly placed to contribute to our nation’s health from day one in the workplace.
A PGDipHlthSc is a good fit if you:
- are passionate about health sciences and building on your knowledge at a higher level
- strive to make a major contribution to peoples health and wellbeing
- have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant health-related area.
Entry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
To enter the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science you will have been awarded or qualified for a Bachelor of Health Science degree or an equivalent qualification.
Note the following specialisations (endorsements) have additional requirements:
- For the Psychology endorsement you will have been awarded or qualified for an undergraduate major in Psychology with at least a B- grade average in the 300-level Psychology courses
- For the Medical Laboratory Science endorsement you will:
- have been awarded or qualified for a New Zealand Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of BioMedical Science or equivalent;
- have a current Annual Practicing Certificate (APC) for employment in the Scope of Practice of Medical Laboratory Technician;
- have been practicing as a Medical Laboratory Technician in an ISO15189 accredited New Zealand Diagnostic Medical Laboratory or the New Zealand Blood Service for at least one year;
- have written employer support allowing the necessary laboratory resources and time for the completion of the PGDipHlthSc(MLSc).
You will need to provide verified copies of all academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.
English language requirements
To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
Prior learning, credit and exemptions
For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:
- review the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations
- contact us through the Get advice button on this page.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
Maximum time limits for completion
There are maximum time limits to complete postgraduate qualifications. If you do not complete within the maximum time, you may be required to re-apply for the qualification if you wish to continue your studies.
Time limits for Honours, Distinction and Merit
Where your qualification is completed within the stated time limit and to a high standard, you may be able to graduate with a class of Honours, Distinction or Merit.
- Look for information under ‘Student Progression’ in the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas and Postgraduate Certificates.
- Contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
Official regulations
To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.
You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.
Returning students
For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.
In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
Structure of the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science
If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.
Depending on the specialisation undertaken, courses may be offered in a combination of internal offerings (on-campus), distance offerings, block courses or blended learning.
Courses and specialisations
Key terms
- Courses
- Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
- Course code
- Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
- Credits
- Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
- Specialisations
- Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.
Credit summary
120 credits
Endorsement option
- Courses from one Endorsement – 120 credits
No endorsement option
- Courses from the Schedule – 120 credits
Course planning key
- Prerequisites
- Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
- Corequisites
- Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
- Restrictions
- Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.
Endorsements
Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.
The PGDipHlthSc can be completed with or without a specialisation (endorsement). Some endorsements are part-time study only.
Bioscience
Connect your bioscience discipline to health with the ultimate goal of investigating how health outcomes for individuals or populations can be improved.
Māori Health
This qualification enables you to specialise in Māori knowledge within advanced health studies. Explore the progress made and the potential to further develop the health and wellbeing of Māori communities.
Medical Laboratory Science
This is a professional qualification for medical laboratory technicians interested in career and scientific advancement within the Diagnostic Laboratory, the New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS), or other health-related areas.
Occupational Health and Safety
Occupational health and safety (OHS) has become an integral part of business. Help improve the health and wellbeing of workers by preventing work-related injuries.
Psychology
With Massey’s Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science (Psychology), you’ll study in more detail the thoughts, feelings, and actions of individuals and groups in social and cultural contexts.
Sport and Exercise
The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science (Sport and Exercise) will advance your theoretical knowledge of exercise science. You will learn how exercise can be used to enhance athletic performance and improve compromised health and quality of life.
Fees and scholarships
Fees, student loans and free fees scheme
Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.
There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
Already know which courses you're going to choose?
You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.
Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme
You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.
The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.
Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student portal
Fees disclaimer
This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.
Careers and job opportunities
This is a great qualification to find an exciting and rewarding career. You could work in any of the following, depending on your subject area:
- athlete strength and conditioning
- careers in quality assurance
- clinical exercise prescription consultant
- consultancy and advisory positions
- corporate health and fitness
- fitness centres
- iwi authorities
- medical centres and hospitals
- on track for medical laboratory scientist
- prison service
- research
- sports teams and national sporting bodies
- on track for further advanced research study
- research assistant
- research associate
- Māori providers
- Māori Health Authority
- health leadership.
Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz