Institute of Technology or Polytechnic
Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT)Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science (Level 8)
This course is available
On-Campus, Online
Level of Study
Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma
Duration
2 years
Next start date
Expected Feb 2027
Summary
Online / Blended DeliveryOur postgraduate courses are offered either online or with blended delivery. This means that the majority of the work is located on a virtual teaching and learning platform with directed activities and learning that you work through. Lecturers work within the virtual classroom setting so that they maintain contact with you.
Blended delivery means that there are contact sessions or workshops with the bulk of the learning activity undertaken in the online environment.
This flexible delivery method allows you to study at your pace, in your place, at locations throughout New Zealand.
Workload
Generally the courses are delivered online. However, some courses may require attendance at online sessions or face-to-face workshops. Any requirement for attendance at face-to-face sessions is identified in the course information.
Please refer to the programme guide for the course selection, showing course offerings, full year and semester dates, and any compulsory study days.
Each credit for the course generally represents 10 hours of learning/study time over the period of the course.
Each course consists of online learning opportunities and in some cases clinical field work and workshops. You are expected to spend time in independent/self-directed study, critical reflection, and field work in your place of study or place of work.
Work-integrated Learning
Some courses will require you to be actively involved in clinical practice.
Programme OutlineThe Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science offers a selection of online and blended delivery courses designed to meet the needs of nurses, health practitioners, health sector managers and other professionals whose practice has a focus on health. It is comprised of 60 credits, which is considered to be equivalent to six months full-time study or up to two years part-time study.
The programme is characterised by advanced study in a specific nursing or health science discipline, requiring a foundation of undergraduate knowledge and skills achieved through previous tertiary qualifications or equivalent professional experience.
Upon graduating with the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science students will have developed their knowledge and skills of critical analysis and constructive synthesis and their application to high quality approaches to health care delivery.
As a graduate of the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science you may be able to credit these courses to the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science or the Master of Health Science (pending successfully achieving the specified academic entry criteria). In addition, registered nurse graduates of the Postgraduate Certificate may choose to progress into the Master of Nursing Science or Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) programme (pending successfully achieving the specified academic and practice entry criteria).
The Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science is an interdisciplinary programme.
2026 Course Options
- MN8.401 Advanced Clinical Assessment & Diagnostic Reasoning
- MN8.402 Advanced Pathophysiology for Health Professionals
- MN8.404 Advanced Practice for Disease Management
- MN8.405 Ethical Concepts and Legal Issues for Advanced Practice
- MN8.409 Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Nursing/Midwifery Practice
- MN8.411 Advanced Practice to Support Elder Health
- MNSC8.002 Research Paradigms for Nursing Science
- MHS8.432 Health Promotion
- MHS8.441 Research Methods and Design
- MHS8.442 Applied Nutrition
- MHS8.443 Health in Aotearoa New Zealand
We highly recommend that you take the opportunity to discuss your study options with the Postgraduate Programmes Coordinator, prior to enrolment, to help ensure that you select the most appropriate pathway to meet your career goals.
For nurses contact:
Renee Goldbert (Nursing) on 06 830 1545, or email rgoldbert@eit.ac.nz
For non-nurses contact:
Dr Russell Davies (Health Science) on 06 830 6060, or email rdavies@eit.ac.nz
Entry criteria
Entry RequirementsThe academic entry requirement for the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science is one of the following:
- 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-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 discretion of EIT, 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
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 from the Nursing Postgraduate Programmes Coordinator in regard to course choices before enrolling.
Contact Renée Goldbert on 06 830 1545, or email rgoldbert@eit.ac.nz to discuss.
English Language Entry RequirementsApplicants 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 learners at https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/tertiary/english-language-entry-requirements-for-international-students/
Entry with CreditApplicants 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. Entry with credit cannot be processed until you are enrolled.
For further information please contact the Postgraduate Programmes Administrator, Stacey Wong, on 06 830 1507.
Disclaimer
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Please note that degrees and qualifications earned via remote or distance learning are excluded from the overseas credential evaluation and recognition services provided by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE). For more information, please contact CSCSE directly: +86-10-62677800 (phone) or visit their website(external link that opens in a new tab).
You can learn more about international recognition of New Zealand qualifications on the NZQA website.