- Home
- Nursing and Health Science / Sport, Exercise and Massage / Postgraduate Study
- Master of Health Science
Master of Health Science
Study Options
Online, Full-time, Part-time
Length
18 months full-time
Level
Level 9
Investigate improving health outcomes for yourself and your community

Levi Armstrong (centre) has graduated with a Master of Health Science degree with Distinction from EIT. With him is his wife Dana Armstrong (right), who also graduated with a Master of Health Science with Distinction from EIT; and Associate Professor Rachel Forrest (left), who is Masterate Supervisor to both of them.
The Health Science Postgraduate Programmes at EIT offer a selection of courses designed to meet the needs of interdisciplinary health professionals, health service managers and other allied healthcare professionals whose practice has a focus on health.
The Master of Health Science is the programme which completes the journey for many of our students from the Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma in Health Science.
Outline
The Master of Health Science is an 18 month full-time, 180 credit programme (part-time study options also available) which provides the opportunity for interdisciplinary health professionals and health service managers to advance their practice, knowledge and critical analysis skills in a flexible and engaging learning environment.
The Health Science interdisciplinary and inter-professional courses are all offered in a blended manner, with online learning supported by face-to-face workshops, tutorials or block courses.
The flexible delivery of this programme allows you to study at your pace, in your place, from locations throughout New Zealand.
Courses are designed around knowledge and research relating to key threads of health issues to support the development of advanced practice or understanding. The programme provides you with the opportunity to investigate the improvement of health, reduction of health disparities and protection against global threats in both a national and international context.
The multidisciplinary and inter-professional context of health science involves everyone sharing discussions from their own experiences, enabling all practitioners to advance their knowledge of health treatment, healthcare and prevention of disparities in a truly interdisciplinary sphere.
Career Opportunities
Multiple study pathways are available in discussion with your Programme Coordinator, however the most common pathways are:
1. Complete three courses at Level 8 (90 credits) and the Level 9 (90 credits) Thesis course; or
2. Complete four courses at Level 8 (120 credits) and 60 credits at Level 9, including a choice from a range of research courses, namely:
- Independent Scholarly Project (30 credit),
- Applied Research Report (45 credit),
- or Applied Research Dissertation (60 credit).
You will be expected to talk to the Programme Coordinator to confirm your study pathway. Contact Dr Russell Davies, Acting Programme Coordinator (Health Science) on 06 830 6060, or rdavies@eit.ac.nz .
Possible career outcomes include Allied Health Professional, Health Management, Health Promotion, Health Policy Analyst, Health Consultant and Research Assistant. These programmes have also been a pathway for Health Educators, Naturopathy, Dental Technicians, Health Scientists and Sport Scientists.
Dates
Domestic Enrolments
There are two entry dates per year:
- February
- July
International Enrolments
Hawke’s Bay campus:
- February
- July
Auckland campus and online:
- February
- April
- July
- October
Entry
Entry Requirements
- A NZQF listed Bachelor’s or higher level degree (or equivalent) in a health-related field with a minimum of the equivalent to a B average as per the EIT-specified 11-point achievement-based grading system; or
- A degree or equivalent professional qualification in a different field if the applicant can supply evidence of work experience at degree level or above within a health related field, subject to an interview and/or the submission of a portfolio of evidence to establish the status and relevance of the applicant’s prior learning and experience; or
- Completion of the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science with a minimum B average; or
- At the discretion of EIT, where an applicant’s situation is compelling but not covered by the requirements listed above.
English Language Entry Requirements
Applicants from countries in which English is not the primary spoken language must demonstrate an acceptable level of English language fluency prior to acceptance in the programme. Ways in which English language fluency may be demonstrated include:
- Completion of a programme of study in which English was the language of instruction (conditions apply*)
- Approved scores on IELTS tests, namely an Academic score of 6.5 with no band lower than 6 (or accepted international equivalents)
*See NZQA English language entry requirements for international students at https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/providers-partners/qa-system-for-teos/english-international-students/
Entry with Credit
Applicants may apply for entry with credit where there is a match between previous learning and level for the course(s) for which credit is sought.
The Postgraduate Programmes Cluster Committee has discretion in the granting of academic credit.
Academic credit may be awarded as specified credit where there is a substantial match between previous learning and the course for which academic credit is sought; or unspecified credit where the learning is broadly relevant to the Master of Health Science and can be determined to be equivalent to NZQF Level 8.
Academic credit may only be awarded at NZQF Level 8.
A maximum of 120 credits may be awarded, including a maximum of 90 unspecified credits, with the remainder specified. Any unspecified credit awarded must contribute directly to the Master of Health Science Graduate Profile.
A recognition of prior learning/entry with credit application pack is available on enrolment. It is recommended that applications for recognition of prior learning/entry with credit are made as part of an initial application.
For further information please contact Stacey Wong, Postgraduate Programmes Administrator, 06 830 1507.
International Entry Requirements
Academic Entry Requirements
The requirement for entry is an undergraduate degree in a health science/health discipline with a B average or better.
Where an applicant does not hold an undergraduate degree in health science, submissions with supporting professional evidence may be considered.
English Language Entry Requirements
All applicants must demonstrate an acceptable level of English Language fluency prior to acceptance in the programme. English Language fluency can be verified by achievement of one of the following within the last two years:
- New Zealand Certificate in English Language Level 5 (Academic)
- IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with no band score lower than 6.0
- PTE (Academic) score of 58 with no band score lower than 50
- International equivalents to IELTS accepted by NZQA or successful study of a programme in which English was the language of instruction (conditions apply)
Academic learning services
Academic Learning Services is here to assist you on your journey towards the successful completion of your studies at EIT. Our aim is for you to become confident, competent and independent learners.
We have dedicated advisors who can assist with your learning.
Find out more:
Scholarships
EIT offers a variety of scholarships across various subjects and programme levels. Some scholarships are based on your age, some are specific to the subject you want to study. Not all scholarships are based on your academic ability and anyone wanting to study should investigate what scholarships are available to them.
You can find a list of EIT scholarships here however there are many more scholarships offered nationally. Information about these is on an database called “givME”. givME is accessible at EIT or at some public libraries. If you would like to come to EIT to look through the giveME database don’t hesitate to contact scholarships@eit.ac.nz or call in for a chat.