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International students
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Specialise in Bioscience for your Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science at Massey
The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science (Bioscience) is for graduates who have successfully completed a bachelor’s degree with a bioscience focus and wish to take advanced studies in this area.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science (Bioscience) will give you the skills to:
- participate and collaborate as a valued peer with colleagues in health-related research
- apply knowledge of health science in its broadest perspective and at a specialty level in the area of bioscience
- value and uphold the right to hold diverse approaches to health and health research within a multi-cultural society
- contribute in a considered and scholarly way to public debate on health-related research and practice
- acknowledge the contribution of your own attitudes to bioscience knowledge in health-related research.
Further study
You may decide after doing this PGDipHealthScience that you want to advance your research skills. If so you could do a Master of Health Science leading to a PhD in the future.
A Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science in Bioscience is a good fit if you:
- want to be a researcher
- care about the health outcomes of populations
- have completed a bachelor’s degree with a bioscience focus.
Planning information
If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.
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.
Courses you can enrol in
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.
Compulsory course
Course code: 214781 Advanced Topics in Health Science 30 credits
Critical reviews, standards, advanced study and/or research in a selected area of health science.
View full course detailsCompulsory course selection
Course code: 168711 Health Research Design and Method 30 credits
Philosophical, ethical and methodological issues in relation to health research are examined. Selected quantitative and qualitative methods are explored in depth, in preparation for developing a research proposal for a thesis, or research project.
View full course detailsCourse code: 179702 Advanced Research Methods 30 credits
An examination of research methods, traditions and techniques used in social and health research. The course is designed to assist the planning of Master and Doctoral theses.
View full course detailsSubject courses
Course code: 117709 Biometrics for the Animal and Nutritional Sciences 15 credits
Study in applied statistics with emphasis on animal and nutritional sciences. Introduction to and extensive use of statistical packages, regression and multiple regressions analysis, analysis of variance of standard experimental designs, covariance analysis and general linear models
View full course detailsCourse code: 151704 Human Nutrition 15 credits
A selection of nutrition topics related to the human lifecycle and nutrients of concern.
View full course detailsCourse code: 151717 Selected Topics in Public Health Nutrition 15 credits
Public health nutrition is the promotion of good health through the prevention of nutrition-related illness in the population. This course will examine a selection of nutrition-related public health problems and describe how research-based evidence is used to develop effective promotion strategies.
View full course detailsCourse code: 168733 Physiology and Pathophysiology 30 credits
Translational and clinically relevant physiological and pathophysiological concepts as they apply to nursing practice are examined. Selected signs/symptoms are considered in terms of physiological processes at biochemical, cellular and functional levels. The emphasis is on normal physiological processes and their possible subsequent development to pathophysiological phenomena.
View full course detailsCourse code: 194732 Advanced Cell Physiology 30 credits
An advanced course on selected topics in cell physiology. The focus is on the processes involved in maintaining cell viability, the mechanisms involved in cell motility and trafficking, intracellular and intercellular signalling, the control of cell death and opportunities for therapeutic manipulations of these processes.
View full course detailsCourse code: 231704 Hauora Māori 30 credits
This course provides an overview and analysis of hauora Māori perspectives. Historical and contemporary contexts and challenges are used to discuss Māori approaches in public health, with reference to Māori knowledge and Māori leadership. The course focuses on developing critical consciousness for becoming advocates and champions for Māori health through Te Tiriti o Waitangi-led practice.
View full course detailsCourse code: 231705 Pacific Health 30 credits
This course provides an overview and analysis of Pacific health. Topics include: Pacific concepts of health; health effects of migration, urbanisation, demographic transition and economic development on Pacific people in Aotearoa and the Pacific; Pacific health promotion models and Pacific health policies. Pacific case studies will illustrate how providers can contribute effectively to Pacific development and improved Pacific health outcomes.
View full course detailsCourse code: 231727 Epidemiology and Biostatistics 30 credits
An exploration of the core principles and practice of epidemiology and biostatistics in assessing and responding to population health need. Students will learn the skills necessary to analyse and interpret data, disseminate information, and critically appraise quantitative literature. The focus of the course is on the application of epidemiology and biostatistics for policy development and decision-making across the health system.
View full course detailsCourse code: 231732 Physical Activity Promotion 15 credits
This course draws on the disciplines of epidemiology, health promotion, policy analysis and exercise science to develop public health competencies specific to physical activity promotion at a population level, including knowledge of the relationship between physical activity and health, and skills in population-based physical activity assessment, determinants analysis and intervention design and evaluation.
View full course detailsCourse code: 231733 Big Public Health Issues 15 credits
This course critically examines the big public health issues globally using an analytical framework and case study approach that considers burden of disease, epidemiology, determinant analysis, health and other system responses and evidence of intervention effectiveness. Issues and case studies covered include major infectious diseases, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, injury prevention and mental health.
View full course detailsCourse code: 250703 Health Communication 15 credits
This course examines the primary factors that influence the effective communication and adoption of positive health behaviours by individuals and communities. Students will review: micro and macro-level theories of health communication; audience engagement and persuasion; the impact of evolving public attitudes to health knowledge; innovative methods for health communication.
View full course detailsCourse code: 252701 Sleep and Circadian Science for Health Practitioners 30 credits
An examination of sleep and circadian science in relation to health and healthcare, including healthy sleep, sleep disorders and sleep in those with medical conditions.
View full course detailsEntry 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 (Bioscience) you will have been awarded or qualified for a Bachelor of Health Science degree or an equivalent qualification.
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.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
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
Graduates of this qualification can join research groups and work as a research associate.
What our students say
“Returning to study was a hard decision – I’m working and have three children. Distance study provided a way to manage it all. My journey with Massey taught me a lot about myself, my strengths and my capababilities.”
Accreditations and rankings
QS Ranking - Biological Sciences
Massey University is ranked by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) as one of the top 450 universities in the world for biological sciences.
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Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz