Postgraduate Diploma of Health Science
By studying a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science, you will gain a pathway into advanced clinical practice or leadership and management roles.
Why study the Postgraduate Diploma of Health Science?
Papers offered in the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences provide a specific focus on equity in health care for Māori, Pacific, mental health and addiction, primary and community health.
Combining Waikato’s high academic standards with real healthcare settings, our programmes are unique and customisable. They have been developed to allow health professionals to better meet the needs of the people in the Midlands region.
Māori and Pasifika nurses are also able to undertake study that supports and develops their clinical and cultural practice and leadership development using indigenous worldviews.
Degree information
Select a tile for more information. 
International tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for international students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
International tuition costsScholarships
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Relevant as of 10 January 2025.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.
Students undertaking the PGDipHSc will align their academic development with specialist roles, with a focus on:
- Advanced clinical reasoning, critical thinking and specialist clinical skills;
- Functioning within advanced practicing roles; and
- Depending on papers and experience, preparation for application to Nursing Council of New Zealand for designated RN prescriber.
On completion of the programme, graduates will be able to:
- Interpret demographic information relating to health needs of the population within their practice area;
- Review and critique empirical examples of health research using routine health data; and
- Outline an advanced practice role including the components of advanced practice role, assessment and clinical decision making, evidence for practice, and clinical leadership.
Pathways
There are a number of different pathways you can select that will help to inform which papers you will take as part of your Postgraduate Diploma. The pathways allow flexibility in choosing courses which reflect your career development and aspirations:
- Clinical Pathway
- Education Pathway
- Gerontology pathway
- Leadership and Health Management pathway
- Māori, Pacific and Indigenous pathway
- Mental Health pathway
- Primary Care pathway
- Registered Nurse Prescriber pathway
All postgraduate programmes in health science can be taken part time or full time and we will work with you closely to make sure your programme of study is achievable alongside your other commitments, personal and work.
Registered Nurse Prescribing Pathway
Registered Nurses can apply for the PGDip Health Science Registered Nurse Prescribing pathway. Students will complete specific papers and a prescribing practicum (HLTSC508). On successful completion they will have the opportunity to gain endorsement as registered nurse prescribers from the Nursing Council NZ (NCNZ). In order to undertake this programme you will need to meet NCNZ criteria and have support from your employer.
What our students are saying
I really admired how the university incorporates Māori views and approaches within their papers and this has been heavily reflected in my health papers.Saya KaraunaBachelor of Health