Postgraduate Certificate of Health Science
A Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science is the first step in postgraduate study for health professionals eager to progress into more advanced practice roles.
Why study the Postgraduate Certificate of Health Science?
The Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science at the University of Waikato is tailored for health professionals seeking to deepen their clinical knowledge, strengthen decision-making skills, and enhance their contribution to healthcare outcomes.
Whether you're looking to specialise, broaden your scope of practice, or build a pathway toward further postgraduate study, this certificate provides a solid foundation. You’ll explore key topics relevant to your area of practice, including advanced assessment, evidence-based practice, and culturally responsive care.
Our flexible programme structure allows you to select papers aligned with your career goals and workplace demands. With input from healthcare partners across the Waikato and Midlands regions, the curriculum reflects the realities of contemporary practice – especially in areas of high need.
Key features of the programme:
Designed for registered nurses and other qualified health professionals
Customisable paper selection to suit diverse roles and settings
Emphasis on mental health and addictions, equity in healthcare, and culturally safe practice
Focus on improving outcomes for Māori and Pacific communities
Learning grounded in both academic rigour and clinical relevance
Graduates are well-prepared to apply their learning in a range of settings, including hospitals, primary care, community health, and iwi or Māori health providers. The certificate also provides a stepping stone to the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science or a Master of Health Science, supporting ongoing professional growth.
With strong regional partnerships, access to experienced academic and clinical educators, and a commitment to addressing health inequities, the University of Waikato offers a postgraduate experience that empowers you to make a meaningful impact.
Degree information
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As an international student studying at undergraduate level, you are required to meet English language and academic entry requirements.
View Entry requirements for undergraduate international students.
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 will generally be health professionals at the beginning of their postgraduate pathway; they will utilise evidence and research in practice and acquire skills in advancing critical thinking, which will provide them with the foundation for advanced practice roles such as prescribing, nurse practitioner, expanded RN scope of practice. On completion, graduates will be able to:
- Conduct a comprehensive health assessment and articulate the findings and rationale;
- Demonstrate awareness of the needs of the populations being served, with specific attention to rurality and equity in health outcomes;
- Demonstrate the inter-relationship between mental and physical health in client health assessment and integrate findings into the negotiated plan of care; and
- Demonstrate use of evidence and research in the area of student’s practice.
Postgraduate study options
You can build on your study in the Postgraduate Certificate of Health Science by completing a Postgraduate Diploma of Health Science or a Master of Health Science.
What our students are saying
The degree has made such a big difference to my sporting career; having the knowledge and insights to be able to talk to my coach and sports scientists, to have in-depth discussions and trusting that I now know what I’m talking about.Cole McOnieBachelor of Sport and Human Performance
