Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science
In as little as one year you can gain advanced knowledge and critical analysis skills in the field of health sciences with the AUT Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science.
Health professionals from all sectors can study health sciences at an advanced level through the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science. Flexible learning options are available in some courses to support you working and studying at the same time.
The programme can prepare you for further study at master’s level. It's a great postgraduate study option if you have been out of study for some time, or are unsure if postgraduate study is for you.
Download programme guides
Minimum entry requirements
Must have completed the following or equivalent:
- Bachelor of Health Science; OR
- Graduate Diploma in Health Science; OR
- Relevant professional practice or experience in a related health field equivalent to a bachelor’s degree
International student entry requirements
Other requirements
- Provide evidence of current professional practice. Some courses are only open to students with current professional practice registration.
- May be required to meet Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCA Act) and Children's Act 2014 requirements and other relevant legislation
English language requirements
- IELTS (Academic) 6.5 overall with no band less than 6.0
Offered at the North Campus
- Advanced Nursing Practice
- Child Health
- Leadership and Management
- Mental Health and Addictions
- Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
- Older Adult: Health and Wellness
- Podiatry
- Rehabilitation
Offered at the South Campus
You can also complete this programme without a specialisation (standard pathway).
Practice as a health professional in New Zealand is governed by legislation and a number of ‘Responsible Authorities’ (such as the NZ Psychologist Board, Physiotherapy Board and the Nursing Council who register practitioners). Overseas qualified health professionals who wish to practise in New Zealand should communicate directly with the relevant Responsible Authority. Qualifications recognised for professional registration at AUT are undergraduate; study at postgraduate level is not considered equivalent recognition for NZ Board certification.
You can also choose to complete this programme without a specialisation and choose from a wide range of health sciences courses.
If you're interested in a specific area, you can choose to take courses that focus on it.
You can also complete this programme without a specialisation.
Complete one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL811 Research Design and Methods (15 points)
- HEAL840 Critical Enquiry for Evidence Based Practice (15 points)
Semester 1 course
Semester 2 course
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL812 Health Professional Practice (15 points)
- MAOH804 Te Hau o te Ora – Hauora Māori Development (15 points)
Semester 2 course
- HEAL813 Practice Reality (15 points) (Only offered in Semester 2)
And complete 90 points from
- Other relevant postgraduate health science courses*
*With the approval of the programme leader
This pathway is designed to equip practitioners for advanced practice in the field of digital health.
Complete two of
Semester 1 courses
- HEAL858 Exponential Health Technologies (15 points)
- HEAL859 Digital Health Disruption (15 points)
Semester 2 courses
- HEAL860 Digital Health Leadership (15 points)
- HEAL861 Digital Health and the Future of Work (15 points)
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL811 Research Design and Methods (15 points)
- HEAL840 Critical Enquiry for Evidence Based Practice (15 points)
Semester 1 course
- PUBH810 Pacific Health Research and Design (15 points)
Semester 2 course
- MAOH801 Māori Health Research Practice - Te Rangahau Hauora Maori (15 points)
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL812 Health Professional Practice (15 points)
- MAOH804 Te Hau o te Ora – Hauora Māori Development (15 points)
Semester 2 course
- HEAL813 Practice Reality (15 points)
And complete 60 points from
- Other relevant postgraduate health science courses*
*With the approval of the programme leader
You can study courses in human factors and ergonomics as part of AUT’s postgraduate health science programmes, offering you a postgraduate education programme in three parts; from postgraduate certificate to master’s degree level.
This pathway is designed to equip practitioners for advanced practice in the field of occupational health.
Complete the following course
Semester 2 course
- RHAB811 Health Ergonomics (15 points)
And choose one of
Semester 1 courses
- RHAB801 Occupational Ergonomics (30 points) (currently not offered)
- RHAB802 Vocational Management and Rehabilitation (30 points)# (currently not offered)
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL811 Research Design and Methods (15 points)
- HEAL840 Critical Enquiry for Evidence Based Practice (15 points)
Semester 1 course
- PUBH810 Pacific Health Research and Design (15 points)
Semester 2 course
- MAOH801 Māori Health Research Practice - Te Rangahau Hauora Maori (15 points)
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL812 Health Professional Practice (15 points)
- MAOH804 Te Hau o te Ora – Hauora Māori Development (15 points)
Semester 2 course
- HEAL813 Practice Reality (15 points)
And complete 45 points from
- Other relevant postgraduate health science courses*
#RHAB802 meets ACCs Vocational Rehabilitation Competencies
*With the approval of the programme leader
This pathway is designed to equip physiotherapists for advanced practice in sport and exercise physiotherapy.
Complete the following courses
Early full-year course
- PHTY801 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (45 points)
Semester 2 course
- PHTY811 Sport and Exercise Physiotherapy (15 points)
And choose one of
Semester 1 course
- SPEX803 Exercise Physiology (15 points)
Semester 2 courses
- RHAB819 Therapeutic Exercise Science (15 points)# (currently not offered)
- SPSC803 Enhancing Muscular Performance (15 points)
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL811 Research Design and Methods (15 points)
- HEAL840 Critical Enquiry for Evidence Based Practice (15 points)
Semester 1 course
- PUBH810 Pacific Health Research and Design (15 points)
Semester 2 course
- MAOH801 Māori Health Research Practice - Te Rangahau Hauora Maori (15 points)
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL812 Health Professional Practice (15 points)
- MAOH804 Te Hau o te Ora – Hauora Māori Development (15 points)
Semester 2 course
- HEAL813 Practice Reality (15 points) (only offered in Semester 2)
And choose
- Another relevant 15-point postgraduate health science course*
*With the approval of the programme leader
Ready to enrol in your courses?
Find out how you can enrol in the courses and classes for your programme, whether you’ve just joined AUT as a new student or you’re already studying with us. If you’re looking for a course timetable or more info on a specific course use our course search.
South Campus
23 Feb 2026
13 Jul 2026
Key semester dates
($10,028 tuition fees + $1,192 student services levy)
($43,600 tuition fees + $1,192 student services levy)
- Fees shown are based on a full-time workload for the points indicated next to the fee. The exact fee charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment.
- Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for study beyond the current year, fees may vary from those stated.
- There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay.
- International students' tuition fees reflect the full cost of tuition. Domestic students' tuition fees are less due to a proportion of the tuition fees being funded by the New Zealand Government.
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.