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- Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science [Level 8]
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science [Level 8]
Location
Hawke's Bay Campus International Auckland Campus Tairāwhiti Campus in Gisborne EIT Institute of Sport & Health (EIT ISH)
Study Options
Online, Full-time, Part-time
Length
1 year, up to 4 years
Level
Level 8
Rewarding Study for a Rewarding Career
The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science is a 120 credit programme (one year full-time or up to four years part-time) that provides the opportunity for qualified nurses, health professionals and health service managers to develop advanced practice knowledge and critical analysis skills.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science is characterised by advanced study in a specific nursing or health science discipline. The programme requires a foundation of undergraduate knowledge and skills achieved through previous tertiary qualifications or equivalent professional experience.
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International students have the option of undertaking this programme at the Auckland campus. For more information about the Auckland campus offering, please download the information sheet here.
Outline
The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science offers two pathways, one for nurses and one for interdisciplinary health professionals. The Diploma offers a selection of online and blended courses designed to meet the needs of health practitioners and other professionals whose practice has a focus on health. The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science may be completed with or without a specialty option.
Nursing specialty endorsement options available are:
- Advanced Nursing Practice
- Registered Nurse Prescribing (approved by the Nursing Council of New Zealand)
You may enrol directly into the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science or further develop knowledge and skills gained during study of the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science.
As a graduate of the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science you will have developed your knowledge and skills of critical analysis, constructive synthesis and their application to health care delivery.
Graduates of this programme may be able to credit these courses to the Master of Health Science programme. Registered nurse graduates may progress to the Master of Nursing Science or Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) programme (pending successfully achieving the specified academic and professional practice criteria).
The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science (Registered Nurse Prescribing) is approved by the Nursing Council of New Zealand as an advanced nursing practice programme.
We recommend that you take the opportunity to discuss your study options with the Postgraduate Programmes Coordinator, prior to enrolment. This will help ensure that you select the most appropriate pathway to meet your career goals.
For nurses contact:
Lizzy Mackenzie (Nursing) on 06 830 1950 or email emackenzie@eit.ac.nz
For non-nurses contact:
Associate Professor Anita Jagroop-Dearing (Health Science) on 06 830 1535 or email ajagroopdearing@eit.ac.nz
Your Future Career Opportunities
Possible career outcomes include a role in:
- Advanced Nursing
- Allied Health
- Research
- Project Management
Dates
Start dates vary depending on courses selected, however generally 30 credit courses are semesterised and commence in either February or July each year.
Entry
Entry Requirements
The academic entry requirement for the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science is one of the following:
- A NZQF-listed undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a health-related field with a minimum of the equivalent to a B average as per the EIT | Te Pūkenga-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
- At the Dean’s discretion, where an applicant’s situation is compelling but not covered by the requirements listed above.
An interview may be part of the application process.
Additional entry requirements for the specified nursing practice endorsements may be required, including:
● Registered Nurse
● Current annual practising certificate from the Nursing Council of New Zealand
Special Conditions
For acceptance into some of the nursing courses, applicants must provide evidence of a current Nursing Council of New Zealand Annual Practising Certificate.
For nurses considering the nurse practitioner pathway, please seek guidance in regard to course choices before enrolling.
Contact Lizzy Mackenzie on 06 830 1950 or emackenzie@eit.ac.nz.
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 (i) completion of a programme of study in which English was the language of instruction (conditions apply*), and (ii) 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 be admitted with credit transfer or recognition of prior learning. 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, and at an equivalent level to, the course for which academic credit is sought.
Credit granted shall not be for course(s) completed as part of an undergraduate degree, nor shall credit be granted that exceeds one-half of the total programme credits.
A Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)/entry with credit application pack is available on enrolment. It is recommended that applications for RPL/entry with credit are made as part of your initial application. This will assist in our academic advisement to you regarding your programme of study and course selection. However, entry with credit cannot be processed until you are enrolled.
For further information please contact Stacey Wong, Postgraduate Programmes Administrator on 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 (60%) 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)
Study Pathways
Pending successful completion of the required academic entry requirements you may have the following further study options:
- Health Science students may pathway to the Master of Health Science.
- Registered Nurse graduates may credit their programme of study/courses to the Master of Nursing Science programme or the Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) programme.
Academic Learning Services
Academic Learning Services is here to assist you on your journey towards the successful completion of your studies at EIT | Te Pūkenga. 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 | Te Pūkenga 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 | Te Pūkenga scholarships here however there are many more scholarships offered nationally. Information about these is on an database called “givME”. givME is accessible at EIT | Te Pūkenga or at some public libraries. If you would like to come to EIT | Te Pūkenga to look through the giveME database don’t hesitate to contact scholarships@eit.ac.nz or call in for a chat.