Spoilt for choice
Explore your area of interest. Massey has a wide range of health qualifications, with many courses to choose from.
Be in high demand
Get ready to be sought after. Employers come to Massey throughout the year, keen to hire new graduates.
Striving to be Tiriti-led
We work to uphold the principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi – and to empower all New Zealanders, especially Māori.
Global innovators
At Massey we look beyond New Zealand and think big – we're curious about what's going on and we aim to shape the future.
Overview
Health is the cornerstone of our lives and the foundation of happy, thriving societies.
Choose from qualifications and courses that set you up to work in a sector with high demand for skilled workers. Careers range from nurses to social workers, nutritionists to mental health and addiction specialists.
Learn from lecturers and health experts in areas such as:
- Biological and natural sciences
- Environmental and occupational health such as air quality, housing, and health and safety at work
- Food and nutrition
- Māori knowledge
- Nursing
- Public health
- Psychology and mental health
- Social work
- Sport and exercise
- Sustainability
Massey's College of Health – Te Kura Hauora Tangata is a leader in Aotearoa New Zealand, built on world-class expertise and home to three major research centres. Our teaching, learning and research focuses on health and wellbeing for all, taking account of people’s diverse needs, situations, communities, and the influence of environmental factors.
Join us to help solve the health challenges and issues of the 21st Century.
What you could study
Here's a small sample of the qualifications and courses you could study as a Massey health student.
Undergraduate qualifications
Bachelor of Health Science – BHlthSc
Massey’s Bachelor of Health Science will prepare you to address the big health challenges facing the nation and the world in the 21st century.
Human Nutrition – Bachelor of Science
If you are passionate about food and nutrition and want to learn more about the science behind how diet affects health, then Massey’s Bachelor of Science (Human Nutrition) is for you.
Mental Health and Addiction – Bachelor of Health Science
Massey’s Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health and Addiction) will help you advance your career or take on a leadership role in the mental health and addiction workforce.
Bachelor of Nursing – BN
Make a difference in someone’s life every day. Nursing offers diverse employment positions, and many options for professional development and postgraduate study.
Occupational Health and Safety – Bachelor of Health Science
Massey’s Bachelor of Health Science (Occupational Health and Safety) will give you essential skills for a career in the health industry.
Physiology – Bachelor of Science
Want to know what makes you tick? Physiology is a rapidly advancing and exciting subject area you can be a part of with Massey’s Bachelor of Science (Physiology).
Bachelor of Social Work – BSW
Become a registered social worker to support the wellbeing of individuals, families, whānau, and diverse communities by helping them through challenging situations, and advocating for environmental sustainability, social justice and social change.
Bachelor of Sport and Exercise – BSpEx
Join one of New Zealand’s biggest sectors. With Massey’s Bachelor of Sport and Exercise (BSpEx) you’ll be equipped with valuable skills to work in the world of health and physical activity.
Exercise and Sport Science – Bachelor of Science
The Exercise and Sport Science major is ideal for you if you have a passion for sport, exercise, and health. Learn how to optimise athletic performance and health through technology, nutrition, psychology, and exercise.
Postgraduate qualifications
Master of Health Science – MHlthSc
Advance your knowledge and skills in the growing health industry.
Master of Nursing – MN
Massey’s Master of Nursing prepares you for a range of clinical leadership roles in specialty areas. Develop your advanced knowledge and skills in your chosen field through a mix of theoretical and clinical courses.
Master of Social Work – MSW
Take the next step in your social work career. Improve your practice and gain new knowledge to become an excellent social worker who makes a difference.
Master of Public Health – MPH
The Master of Public Health is a research-focused qualification. You'll conduct your own research under the supervision of experienced public health researchers and engage in professional practice opportunities.
Master of Applied Social Work – MAppSW
Develop your passion for helping others. Massey’s Master of Applied Social Work will prepare you for practice and registration as a social worker in New Zealand and most other countries.
Master of Clinical Practice (Nursing) – MClinPrac
Are you passionate about helping people? Massey’s Master of Clinical Practice (Nursing) is a vocationally focused qualification that is a postgraduate pathway to becoming a registered nurse.
Nutrition and Dietetics – Master of Science
Study Massey’s Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics to learn about the intricacies of and relationships between food, nutrients, health, and disease, and how they can be manipulated to improve health and wellbeing.
Postgraduate Diploma in Social Service Supervision – PGDipSSS
The Postgraduate Diploma in Social Service Supervision offers an advanced qualification for professionally qualified social and community workers and other social service professional supervisors.
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science – PGDipHlthSc
With a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science from Massey, you’ll get the skills you need to succeed in the growing health industry.
Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing – PGDipNurs
Keen to take the next step in your nursing career? The Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (PGDipNurs) will advance your practice and prepare you for further development towards senior nursing roles.
What our students say
“I chose social work without fully understanding the concept, but I knew it was about people and I knew that people mattered.”

“One of the services that helped me significantly as a distance student was Massey's online learning platform. The Stream site provided me with the opportunity to connect peers and teaching staff, watch online lectures, lessons or presentations, submit assessments and much much more.”

“I recommend studying at Massey University because it allowed me to learn about everything that contributes to health and wellbeing, but also the real world application of this knowledge that allows you to work in the health field.”

Our facilities
You'll have access to a wide range of first-class facilities when you study health with us. Here's a snapshot of what's on offer.

Nursing simulation suites
Suites include:
- mock hospital settings
- two-way observation spaces
- standard nursing equipment for hospital and community work.
Students learn and practice nursing skills through case studies and simulations using actors, interactive manikins and real-time body camera recordings.
Location: Auckland, Manawatū and Wellington campuses

Empathy Lab
Empathy is a key aspect of healthcare. But when you're fit and healthy, it's not always easy to understand the impacts of long-term illness or ageing. Nursing students wear special suits that mimic what it's like to do daily tasks after suffering a stroke, or being restricted by declining health.
Location: Auckland, Manawatū and Wellington campuses

Human Performance Laboratory
This laboratory evaluates performance for a wide range of sports and occupational activities, with state-of-the-art research and testing equipment.
Sport and exercise students learn and practice at this laboratory.
Location: Manawatū (Palmerston North) campus

Sport and Exercise Science Research Laboratory
This laboratory offers a physiological and biomechanical analysis for many sports and occupational activities. Laboratory staff have experience with a wide range of sports, athletes and occupations.
Sport and exercise students learn and practice at this laboratory.
Location: Auckland campus
What our students say
“Studying at Massey University has provided me a broad and sound knowledge of what social work is all about. The day of a social worker is never the same, encountering different situations and people impacted by social and personal issues.”

Ngāti Raukawa rāua ko Ngāti Ruanui
“My degree has qualified my passion for sport into a prosperous profession in coaching, teaching, leading and managing sport teams.”

Ngāti Porou
“The entrepreneurial spirit and passion to make sure students get the best out of their study, really attracted me to Massey.”

Get an information guide
Download our guides to find out more about studying health at Massey.