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Contents

Quick Facts

Programme Tabs

Overview

Programme Overview

If you are interested in a career where you can contribute to areas such as health services, health systems, clinical practice and research, the Master of Health Sciences is the ideal programme for you.

The MHSc equips you to take on leadership roles in the delivery of health services, systems or research. There is also the option to specialise in Nutrition and Dietetics, which enables graduates to seek registration with the New Zealand Dietitians Board in order to practise as a dietitian in New Zealand.

As well as the opportunity to undertake research in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, you may also undertake this programme at the University’s Liggins Institute.

Programme Structure

You can choose between a Taught (120 and 240 points) and a Research Masters (120 and 240 points). If you have completed an undergraduate degree then you would normally enter a 240-point programme. If you have already completed a 120-point postgraduate qualification then you may be able to enter a 120-point programme.

Taught masters (120 points)

  • Dissertation (60 points) and
  • Advanced level courses listed in the Master of Health Sciences Schedule (60 points).

or

  • Applied Research project (60 points) and
  • Advanced level courses listed in the Master of Health Sciences Schedule (60 points).


Taught masters (240 points)

  • Dissertation (60 points) and
  • Advanced level courses outlined in the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences Schedule (120 points) and
  • Advanced level courses listed in the Master of Health Sciences Schedule (60 points).

or

  • Applied Research project (60 points) and
  • Advanced level courses outlined in the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences Schedule (120 points) and
  • Advanced level courses listed in the Master of Health Sciences Schedule (60 points).

Research Masters (120 points)

  • Thesis (120 points)

or

  • Research Portfolio (120 points)

or

  • Research Portfolio (90 points) and
  • Advanced level courses listed in the Master of Health Sciences Schedule (30 points)

or

  • Core course in advanced clinical optometric research (90 points) and
  • Advanced level courses listed in the Master of Health Sciences Schedule (30 points).

Research masters (240 points)

  • Thesis (120 points) and 
  • Advanced level courses outlined anced level courses listed in the Master of Health Sciences Schedule (30 points).

or

  • Research Portfolio (120 points) and
  • Advanced level courses outlined in the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences Schedule (120 points)

or

  • Research portfolio (90 points) and
  • Advanced level courses outlined in the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences Schedule (120 points) and
  • Advanced level courses listed in the Master of Health Sciences Schedule (30 points).

Programme Careers

Potential Careers

The MHSc will provide you with specialist skills that will open up opportunities into specific healthcare occupations. Most graduates will continue to work in their health professions, but the MHSc will enable them to pursue leadership in those areas. We advise that the University of Auckland is not involved in the employment of graduates and can make no guarantee of post-qualification registration or employment in New Zealand or any other country.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Consultancy and advisory
  • Health educator
  • Health promotion
  • Health services manager
  • Quality assurance
  • Research

Further Study Options

Student career planning services

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

We advise that the University of Auckland is not involved in the employment of graduates and can make no guarantee of post-qualification registration or employment in New Zealand or any other country.

Key Information for Students

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates

Postgraduate Requirements

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

Find a Supervisor

Depending on the type of programme you are pursuing, you may have the opportunity to complete a unique research project. To find out more about the research carried out at the University of Auckland and to identify potential supervisors, check out our researcher profiles.

Fees and scholarships

Fees

Fees Disclaimer

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses. For more information, please see Fees and Money Matters .

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

Scholarships

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Loans and Allowances

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of Living

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

Advice on Programme Limits

This is a limited entry programme: there is a limit on the number of enrolments due to staff or space capacity. For more information, please see the Programme and Course Limitations section of the University Academic and General Statutes and Regulations.

Key Dates

Application Advice

Please note: we will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Key Dates

SemesterApplication Closing DateSemester Start DateSemester End Date
2025 Semester One08 December 202403 March 202530 June 2025
2025 Semester Two04 July 202521 July 202517 November 2025
2025 Late Year Term11 November 202501 December 202501 March 2026
2026 Semester One02 March 202629 June 2026
2026 Semester Two20 July 202616 November 2026
2026 Late Year Term01 December 202627 February 2027

Other Important Dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

Additional Information on Key Dates

1 December start available for 120-point research masters only, subject to supervisor availability.

The application closing date for the Nutrition and Dietetics specialisation is 1 July in the year before applying.

Regulations

Preamble

The regulations for this degree are to be read in conjunction with all other relevant statutes and regulations including the Academic Statutes and Regulations.

Admission

1 In order to be admitted to this degree, an applicant intending to complete 240 points must have:

a completed the requirements for a relevant Bachelors degree from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher, or have equivalent prior study

or

b completed the requirements for a relevant Bachelors degree from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in 60 points above Stage II

or

c (i) completed the requirements for a relevant Bachelors degree from this University, or have equivalent prior study

and

(ii) passed 60 points in a relevant postgraduate certificate or diploma (or 60 points of relevant 700 level courses) with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher, provided that the postgraduate certificate or the postgraduate diploma has not been awarded.

2 In order to be admitted to this degree, an applicant intending to complete 120 points must have completed the requirements for a relevant postgraduate diploma from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher, or have equivalent prior study.

3 Equivalence and relevance in Regulation 1 and 2 will be determined by the University. Equivalence pertains to the standard as well as nature and level of study.

4 a In exceptional circumstances the requirements in Regulation 1 may be waived by the relevant Associate Dean Academic or nominee if they determine that an applicant has at least three years of relevant practical, professional or scholarly experience that provides an equivalent level of preparation.

b In exceptional circumstances the requirements in Regulation 2 may be waived by the relevant Associate Dean Academic or nominee if they determine that an applicant has a Bachelors degree and relevant practical, professional or scholarly experience of an appropriate kind that is equivalent to one year of postgraduate study.

5 In order to be admitted to a specialisation for this degree an applicant must have completed the specified prerequisite programmes or courses.

Note: This is a limited entry programme as per the Limitation of Entry Statute 1991 and selection criteria apply. Selection criteria are available from the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences.

Duration and Total Points Value

6 A student admitted to this degree under Regulation 1 or 4a must:

a pass courses with a total value of 240 points

and

b complete within the time limit specified in the General Regulations – Masters Degrees

and

c not exceed 280 points for the total enrolment for this degree.

7 A student admitted to this degree under Regulation 2 or 4b must:

a pass courses with a total value of 120 points

and

b complete within the time limit specified in the General Regulations – Masters Degrees

and

c not exceed 160 points for the total enrolment for this degree.

Structure and Content

8 A student wishing to enrol in any of NURSING 701–709, 711–732, 734–789, NURSPRAC 701–704, 706–719 must hold current registration as a nurse in New Zealand.

9 A student wishing to enrol in any of CLINIMAG 706–725, MEDIMAG 701–729 must hold current registration with the New Zealand Medical Radiation Technologists Board, or as a Medical Radiation Technologist in their country of domicile, and must satisfy the Programme Director or nominee that they have adequate access to clinical work in circumstances approved by the University of Auckland.

10 A student wishing to enrol in any of PROFCOUN 707, SOCWORK 718, SOCCHFAM 700, 734 must hold an undergraduate degree recognised as a professional qualification by the Social Workers Registration Board.

11 A student wishing to enrol in any of OPTOM 757, 759 or 791 must hold current registration as an optometrist in New Zealand.

12 A student enrolled for this degree must complete the requirements as listed in the Master of Health Sciences Schedule.

13 A student who has to complete 240 points for this degree and whose programme includes a dissertation, thesis, research portfolio or research project must, before enrolment in the dissertation, thesis, research portfolio or research project, achieve a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in the first 120 points of taught courses in this degree. If this Grade Point Average is not achieved, enrolment in the Master of Health Sciences cannot continue.

14 A student must complete the University of Auckland Academic Integrity course as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic Integrity, of the University Calendar.

Practical Professional and Practicum Requirements

15 A student enrolled for this degree who is required to carry out practical or clinical work must satisfactorily complete such work to the standard that the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences requires.

16 Where a weakness is identified in a clinical practice component of any course, students may be required to enrol in a clinical remediation course in addition to the requirements of their programme.


Suspension or Termination of Enrolment

17 a If a student is required to undertake clinical or practice experience as part of their programme, and their behaviour, attitude or circumstances is found, after due and fair inquiry, to be inappropriate, offensive or disruptive in this environment, or to be likely to give rise to a risk of harm to the welfare of any party in a clinical or practice environment, then the enrolment of the student in the programme may be terminated by Associate Dean Academic and any application to re-enrol may likewise be declined.

b A student who is subject to any such inquiry may be suspended by Senate or its representative from lectures, classes and any clinical attachments pending the outcome of the inquiry.

c A student whose enrolment is terminated or application to re-enrol is declined under Regulation 18a may appeal that decision to the Provost or the duly appointed delegate.

Fitness to Practise Requirements

18 a Students in the Nutrition and Dietetics specialisation must meet the applicable fitness to practise requirements, as outlined in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences’ Fitness to Practise Policy.

b Where a student is being investigated with regard to a fitness to practise matter under the policy, and there is a concern that the student’s attitudes or behaviour are inappropriate, offensive, disruptive, or may pose a risk of harm to the welfare of any party, that student’s attendance at lectures, classes and any clinical, industry or practise attachments may be suspended by the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences pending the outcome of the investigation.

c If a student is found, after due and fair inquiry, and taking into account any written response from the student, to be not fit to practise, the student’s enrolment in the programme may be suspended or terminated in accordance with the policy.

d Where a student’s enrolment in the programme has been terminated under Regulation 19c, any application to re-enrol may be declined.

e A student whose enrolment is suspended or terminated under Regulation 19c or their application to re-enrol declined under Regulation 19d may apply to the Provost for the appeal of that decision in accordance with the policy.

Credit, Cross-credit and Reassignment

19 A student may apply to reassign courses passed to the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences.

Distinction

20 This degree may be awarded with Honours as specified in the General Regulations – Masters Degrees.

Variations

21 In exceptional circumstances the Programme Director may approve a variation to a student’s programme of study in accordance with the Enrolment and Programme Regulations.

Regulation Commencement or Amendment

22 These regulations and/or schedule have been amended with effect from 1 January 2025.

Schedule

Programme Schedules

Complete 120 to 240 points comprising:

  • Either:
  • 1 item from 120 points Requirements, or
  • 1 item from 240 points Requirements, and
  • 1 item from Academic Integrity Course

Academic Integrity Course

Complete exactly 1 of the following:

Graduate Profile and Programme Capabilities

Graduate Profile

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Programme Capabilities

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Programme Capabilities to Graduate Profile Map

Programme Learning OutcomesPeople and PlaceSustainabilityKnowledge and PracticeCritical ThinkingSolution-SeekingCommunicationCollaborationEthics and Professionalism