Master of Clinical Immunology

Summary

Build on your Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Science to become a leader in clinical research into the human immune system.

No intake for 2026

The Master of Clinical Immunology programme is no longer accepting new students.

Contact our Future Student Advisers to discuss an alternative programme of study.

Help improve human health. Prepare for a career researching and developing new clinical treatments such as vaccines and drug therapies, or take your skills into health policy or management.

You'll study advanced immunological theory and techniques and train in clinical trial design and practice. Develop your oral and written communication skills while you study and produce a research paper intended for publication.

The Master of Clinical Immunology (MClinIm) is taught in collaboration with the highly regarded Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, the largest private medical research institute in New Zealand. You'll also learn from practising clinicians from the local district health boards, the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand and other research institutions.

You'll complete your MClinIm in one calendar year over three trimesters.

Get the postgraduate handbook

Fill in the form to find out more about your study options in our Wellington Faculty of Science and Engineering Postgraduate Handbook.

Download the handbook

Scholarships for international students

We are currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme. Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.

Workplace and research experience

You can choose to complete either your own research project or a work experience practicum. Both will give you the opportunity to be placed in a clinical or research environment to gain relevant experience. You might work or carry out research in a hospital, research institute or other medical organisation.

You'll graduate with the skills you need to assess, analyse and undertake clinical research in immunology in real-world settings.

What you'll study

In your first trimester you'll complete three core courses introducing you to clinical research, experimental trial design and clinical immunology. In the second trimester you'll study two more core courses and do your research project or practicum, or choose other elective courses.

If you achieve a B average or better, you'll be able to go on to study the two final courses in your last trimester. These will advance your clinical immunology knowledge and science communication skills, and you'll complete an individually mentored research proposal.

If you successfully complete the first part of the programme but for whatever reason are unable to complete the second, you may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Biomedical Science.

Workload

If you are studying full time you can expect a workload of 40–45 hours a week for much of the year. It is possible to study part time, but you'll need to discuss this with the programme director. Part-time students doing one or two courses per trimester will need to do around 20–23 hours of work a week. Make sure you take this into account if you are working.

Careers

The MClinIm will prepare you for a range of senior roles in health research. You might work in a hospital, private research institute, diagnostic laboratory or pharmaceutical company, or for a government agency involved in health policy or delivery.

Scholarships

There are no specific scholarships for MClinIm students but you can look for general scholarships based on your level of study, subject area and background.

Advance your expertise with PhD study

If you do well in your MClinIm you may be able to continue your studies and complete a PhD.

A PhD is the highest academic qualification offered by the School of Biological Sciences. You’ll carry out original and sustained research under supervision from world-class academics and researchers.

As a PhD candidate at Victoria University of Wellington you’ll also be supported by the Faculty of Graduate Research.