Rehabilitation - Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science
Study the AUT Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science in Rehabilitation and develop advanced knowledge and critical analysis skills in rehabilitation in as little as one year.
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.
This is part of the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science.
Download programme guides
You need a total of 120 points to complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science in Rehabilitation qualification.
To enrol in PHTY801 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, you need to provide evidence of a minimum of two years’ postgraduate experience working in the field of musculoskeletal physiotherapy.
Complete the following course
Semester 1 course
- RHAB805 Concepts of Rehabilitation (15 points)
Complete 75 points from
Early Semester 1 courses
- RHAB817 Biomechanics (15 points)
- RHAB818 Pain: Mechanisms and Management (15 points)
Semester 1 courses
- HEAL801 Disability & Health (15 points)
- RHAB801 Occupational Ergonomics (30 points)
- RHAB802 Vocational Management and Rehabilitation (30 points)#
- RHAB807 Motor Control in Rehabilitation (15 points) (not offered in 2026)
Semester 2 courses
- HEAL819 Interprofessional Practice Innovation (15 points) (not offered in 2026)
- RHAB808 Neurological Rehabilitation (15 points)#
- RHAB809 Stroke Management (15 points)
- RHAB810 Clinical Gait Analysis (15 points)
- RHAB811 Health Ergonomics (15 points)
- RHAB812 Engagement in Rehabilitation (15 points)
- RHAB813 Breathing, Performance and Rehabilitation (15 points)# (not offered in 2026)
- RHAB818 Pain: Mechanisms and Management (15 points)
- RHAB819 Therapeutic Exercise Science (15 points)#
- RHAB820 Advanced Management of Chronic Pain (15 points)
Early full-year course
- PHTY801 Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (45 points)#
Full-year course
- RHAB806 Hand and Upper Limb Therapy (45 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)
- MAOH801 Māori Health Research Practice - Te Rangahau Hauora Māori (15 points)
Semester 1 course
- PUBH810 Pacific Health Research and Design (15 points)
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
Semester 2 course
- HEAL813 Practice Reality (15 points) (only offered in Semester 2)
- MAOH803 Kia Tūrama - Māori Health Supervision (15 points)
# Course has special requirements
This pathway is designed to equip health professionals for advanced practice in the rehabilitation of neurological conditions.
Complete the following courses
Semester 1 courses
- RHAB805 Concepts of Rehabilitation (15 points)
- RHAB807 Motor Control in Rehabilitation (15 points) (not offered in 2026)
Semester 2 course
- RHAB808 Neurological Rehabilitation (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)
- MAOH801 Māori Health Research Practice - Te Rangahau Hauora Māori (15 points)
Semester 1 course
- PUBH810 Pacific Health Research and Design (15 points)
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
Semester 2 courses
- HEAL813 Practice Reality (15 points) (Only offered in Semester 2)
- MAOH803 Kia Tūrama - Māori Health Supervision (15 points)
And complete 45 points from
- Other postgraduate courses within the rehabilitation standard pathway
# Course has special requirements
This pathway is designed to equip health professionals for advanced practice in the rehabilitation of occupational health conditions (for example vocational rehabilitation).
Complete the following courses
- RHAB805 Concepts of Rehabilitation (15 points)
Semester 2 course
- RHAB811 Health Ergonomics (15 points)
And choose one of
Semester 1 courses
- RHAB801 Occupational Ergonomics (30 points)
- RHAB802 Vocational Management and Rehabilitation (30 points)#*
*RHAB802 meets ACCs Vocational Rehabilitation Competencies
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)
- MAOH801 Māori Health Research Practice - Te Rangahau Hauora Māori (15 points)
Semester 1 course
- PUBH810 Pacific Health Research and Design (15 points)
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
Semester 2 course
- HEAL813 Practice Reality (15 points) (Only offered in Semester 2)
- MAOH803 Kia Tūrama - Māori Health Supervision (15 points)
And complete 30 points from
- Other postgraduate courses within the rehabilitation standard pathway
# Course has special requirements
This pathway is designed to equip health professionals for advanced practice in the management and rehabilitation of complex pain conditions.
Complete the following courses
Early Semester 1 course
- RHAB818 Pain: Mechanisms and Management (15 points)
Semester 1 course
- RHAB805 Concepts of Rehabilitation (15 points)
Semester 2 courses
- RHAB812 Engagement in Rehabilitation (15 points)
- RHAB818 Pain: Mechanisms and Management (15 points)
- RHAB820 Advanced Management of Chronic Pain (15 points)
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL840 Critical Enquiry for Evidence Based Practice (15 points)
- HEAL811 Research Design and Methods (15 points)
- MAOH801 Māori Health Research Practice - Te Rangahau Hauora Māori (15 points)
- PUBH810 Pacific Health Research and Design (15 points)
Semester 1 course
- PUBH810 Pacific Health Research and Design (15 points)
And choose one of
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
Semester 2 courses
- HEAL813 Practice Reality (15 points) (only offered in Semester 2)
- MAOH803 Kia Tūrama - Māori Health Supervision (15 points)
And complete 30 points from
- Other postgraduate courses within the rehabilitation standard pathway
This pathway is designed to equip occupational therapists and physiotherapists for advanced practice to become a registered hand and upper limb therapist.
Complete the following courses
Full-year course
- RHAB806 Hand and Upper Limb Therapy (45 points)#
Early Semester 1 course
- RHAB818 Pain: Mechanisms and Management (15 points)
Semester 1 course
- RHAB805 Concepts of Rehabilitation (15 points)
Semester 2 course
- RHAB818 Pain: Mechanisms and Management (15 points)
And select 15 points from
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL811 Research Design and Methods (15 points)
- HEAL840 Critical Enquiry for Evidence Based Practice (15 points)
- MAOH801 Māori Health Research Practice - Te Rangahau Hauora Māori (15 points)
Semester 1 course
- PUBH810 Pacific Health Research and Design (15 points)
And select 15 points from
Offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2
- HEAL812 Health Professional Practice (15 points)
Semester 2 course
- HEAL813 Practice Reality (15 points) (only offered in Semester 2)
- MAOH803 Kia Tūrama - Māori Health Supervision (15 points)
And complete 15 points from
- Another 15-point postgraduate course within the rehabilitation specialisation.
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.
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.
- Equips health professionals for advanced practice in rehabilitation
- Open to all qualified health professionals
- Staff who are internationally recognised as experts in this field
- Flexible study options, including on-campus block courses and online learning
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.