Doctor of Health Sciences
DHSc
Duration
4–6 years full-time
Entry times
February
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Download Brochure
Duration
4–6 years full-time
Entry times
February
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Download Brochure
Overview
The Doctor of Health Sciences (DHSc) programme provides an opportunity for you to evaluate an area of health that you are passionate about. This could include evaluating health innovations and initiatives designed to reduce disparities in health outcomes, generating evidence for improved practice and service delivery, or conducting research into population health needs.
The DHSc is designed to advance your expertise through evidence-based research and application to your own health practice, including clinical and non-clinical roles.
The programme also has a focus on developing your collaborative skills to engage more strongly with affected communities, organisations, iwi, and government. UC is uniquely placed with our partnership within Te Papa Hauora | Health Precinct allowing students, researchers, and clinicians to innovate and work together.
You will need to have either an Aotearoa New Zealand honours or master's degree to enrol, or other qualifications of an equivalent standard. In some cases, you may be approved to enrol without these qualifications if you have sufficient research or training experience.
You will also need to have at least five years of relevant professional practice.
All students must be approved by Amo Rangahau | Dean of Postgraduate Research to enrol in the degree.
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 Doctor 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.
How to apply
Find out more about how to apply for PhD and Doctoral degrees.
The Doctor of Health Sciences is made up of two parts:
- Part I - a research portfolio (120 points)
- Part II - a thesis (240 points)
The minimum completion time for study is 4 years. Part I of the degree is studied part-time over 2 years, with Part II either part-time or full-time.
You can begin your degree in February.
Part I of the programme (first 2 years of part-time study) is built around a cohort model.
Part II of the programme (part or full-time) continues your thesis project in much the same way as a PhD student would.
See Tuition Fee Structure for more information
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
| 2023 | 60 | Part I (Part-time, research) | $4,199 |
| 2023 | 120 | Part II (thesis) | $8,397 |
| 2022 | 60 | Part I (Part-time, research) | $4,335 |
| 2022 | 120 | Part II (thesis) | $8,172 |
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) | Fees (NZD) Excl GST |
| 2022 | Not open to international students | - | - | |
| 2023 | Not open to international students | - | - |
Contact us
For full requirements, see the Regulations for the Doctor of Health Sciences.
For study planning help, contact the Dean of Postgraduate Research or the Postgraduate Office:
Postgraduate Office
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
Phone +64 3 369 2244
Email postgraduate-office@canterbury.ac.nz