Master of Health Sciences
MHealSc
Duration
2 years full-time
Entry times
Semester 1 or 2 (February or July)
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Pathways
Pathways include:
- Doctor of Health Sciences
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Download Brochure
Duration
2 years full-time
Entry times
Semester 1 or 2 (February or July)
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Pathways
Pathways include:
- Doctor of Health Sciences
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Download Brochure
Overview
UC's Health Sciences qualifications give health professionals, non-clinical members of the health workforce, and others interested in the health sector or health issues the opportunity to examine critically a range of significant issues in health sciences, and where relevant to improve their professional practice.
The Master of Health Sciences allows you to put together a postgraduate programme of study across health-related disciplines, such as the functioning of the health system, from the management of health information, to health in communities. The increasing focus on prevention and lifestyle change provides enormous potential for a refocusing of health strategies and allied areas such as education, sport and recreation, and local government.
This gives you considerable flexibility, and the opportunity to plan a programme to suit your interests, current employment, or career goals, providing opportunities for interdisciplinary postgraduate study for students already working in health or related services who wish to extend their knowledge and skills, or recent graduates seeking employment in these sectors.
The Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) is a research-inclusive qualification worth 240 points. You will be supervised by some world-leading researchers in Te Kura Mātai Hauora | School of Health Sciences.
You may either follow a general programme, or focus on a specialisation and receive your qualification endorsed in one of several areas:
- Environment and Health
- Health and Community
- Health Behaviour Change
- Health Information Management
- Health Leadership and Management
- Nursing
- Palliative Care
UC also offers a coursework-only (180-point) Master of Health Sciences Professional Practice.
To enrol in the MHealSc, you must have completed either a relevant bachelor's degree, an appropriate health professional qualification, or the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (or equivalent) with at least a B Grade Point Average.
Students with a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (or equivalent) can complete Part II only (a full year of research – 120 points – in a pre-approved topic is recommended, although other options may be available).
If English is your additional language, you are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.
For the full entry requirements, see the Regulations for the Master of Health Sciences or use the admission requirements checker.
One or more courses or research may require vaccination
The government has announced new vaccination requirements for the health and education sectors. At UC, our programmes are strongly connected to our communities of practice. For many of our programmes, you will not be able to complete research or practice-oriented courses if you are not vaccinated. This is due to research/practice taking place in health centres and schools/kura where all employees and volunteers are required to be vaccinated.
For these courses you will be required to be vaccinated in line with the NZ Government regulations, and supply evidence of your vaccination status.
Enrolment into the Health Behaviour Change and Nursing endorsements will require a vaccine.
How to apply
You can apply online at myUC. Find out more about how to apply for graduate and postgraduate qualifications.
Nursing endorsement students should check the Nursing page for instructions on how to apply.
The MHealSc contains two parts:
- Part I of the Master of Health Sciences degree is equivalent to the one-year full-time Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences qualification
- Part II of the Master of Health Sciences involves the production of an independent thesis, whether it's the production of a thesis only or the completion of a combination of papers and a shorter thesis.
The MHealSc takes at least 2 years full-time; up to 4 years part-time.
Students wanting to complete their MHealSc endorsed in Nursing have a February-only start. This programme will have you enrolled full-time in the MHealSc and part-time in the Bachelor of Nursing with Ara Institute of Canterbury for the first 18 months, after which you will be a full-time student with Ara for an additional 6 months.
You may study towards the MHealSc unendorsed, or may choose from the following endorsement options:
- Environment and Health
- Health and Community
- Health Behaviour Change
- Health Information Management
- Health Leadership and Management
- Palliative Care
- Nursing – Nursing students complete the same courses as the Master of Health Sciences Professional Practice (Nursing) and Bachelor of Nursing joint initiative between UC and Ara, as well as HLTH695, a 60 point dissertation.
For full details and courses, see the Regulations for the Master of Health Sciences.
UC offers a Doctor of Health Sciences and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Sciences.
Many graduates continue to work within their health profession while others work in health-related fields, the social services, or local or central government.
Useful information:
- Read what other UC postgraduate students have gone on to achieve in their studies and careers in our student and graduate profiles.
- Te Rōpū Rapuara | UC Careers can help you to achieve the career you want, connect with employers, or find a job.
- For research into career destinations by qualification, visit Te Pōkai Tara | Universities New Zealand website.
- Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
- Come along to an upcoming information event for prospective postgraduate students.
See Tuition Fee Structure for more information
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
| 2023 | 240 | Fee estimate. Actual fee will be determined by course selection. | $17,305 - $17,434 |
| 2022 | 240 | Fee estimate. Actual fee will be determined by course selection. | $16,842 |
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) | Fees (NZD) Excl GST |
| 2022 | 240 | $80,000 | $69,565 | |
| 2022 | 120 | $40,000 | $34,783 | |
| 2023 | 240 | $82,000 | $71,304 | |
| 2023 | 120 | $41,000 | $35,652 |
Contact us
See more information about our Health Sciences programmes.
For full requirements, see the Regulations for the Master of Health Sciences.
For study planning help, contact our Student Advisor team.
For more information on facilities, resources, and staff, see Te Kaupeka Oranga | Faculty of Health.
For more general information, email info@canterbury.ac.nz or freephone 0800 VARSITY (827 748).