Behind every clinical decision is precise, trusted laboratory science. Postgraduate study in Medical Laboratory Science prepares you for advanced practice, research, and leadership.
Why study postgraduate Medical Laboratory Science?
Medical Laboratory Science underpins nearly every aspect of modern medicine, from diagnosing disease to monitoring treatment and supporting public health.
At postgraduate level, you build advanced scientific understanding while developing the professional judgement required in high responsibility laboratory environments. This field suits those who value precision and problem solving, and who want their work to have clear real- world impact.
Postgraduate study allows you to specialise, deepen your analytical skills, and engage with emerging technologies and practices shaping diagnostic science. You also strengthen your understanding of ethics, quality systems, and evidence-based practice, which are essential in healthcare settings. You contribute to patient outcomes while working at the interface of science, medicine, and technology, often behind the scenes but always essential.
Career opportunities
Postgraduate Medical Laboratory Science can lead to advanced roles across healthcare, diagnostic laboratories, biomedical research, and tertiary education.
Post-graduates may work in areas such as:
- Specialist diagnostic laboratory practice
- Clinical biochemistry, microbiology, haematology, or immunology
- Laboratory medicine and pathology services
- Clinical research support and diagnostic development
- Research and teaching in tertiary education
- Healthcare quality assurance and laboratory management
What it’s like to study at this level
Postgraduate study in Medical Laboratory Science at Otago combines advanced scientific theory with applied laboratory and research learning.
You engage with complex case-based scenarios that reflect real clinical and diagnostic laboratory practice, developing expertise in data interpretation, critical analysis, and evidence-based decision making. Learning may include laboratory work, seminars, research activity, and independent study, helping you strengthen scientific communication and professional judgement in high-responsibility healthcare environments.
You’ll learn within a research-led environment connected to modern laboratory medicine, diagnostic science, and healthcare innovation.
This is for you if ...
Postgraduate study is suited to Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science graduates and practising medical laboratory scientists who want to deepen their expertise, build research capability, or advance professionally.
Are you just starting uni?
Learn about studying Medical Laboratory Science as an undergraduate at Otago.
Advance your expertise in laboratory science and healthcare research
Otago has a strong reputation in health sciences education and research, with close connections to clinical practice and diagnostic laboratory science.
Postgraduate students study within a research-led environment where laboratory science, medicine, and healthcare intersect. Academic expertise and facilities across the Dunedin and Christchurch campuses support advanced learning in diagnostic science, laboratory medicine, and applied health research.
You’ll join a postgraduate community focused on scientific inquiry, professional growth, and improving healthcare outcomes through research and evidence-based practice.
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, masters’, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Laboratory Science (PGDipMLSc)
A one-year programme, incorporating coursework and basic research, that aims to provide preparation for the Master of Medical Laboratory Science (MMLSc)
Master of Medical Laboratory Science (MMLSc)
A research-focused degree for those with previous study or work experience in medical laboratory science, offering a pathway to a research or academic career.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Engage in original research leading to a doctoral thesis, supported by comprehensive academic and social networks
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
MELS papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MELS208 | 2026 | Introduction to Diagnostic Pathology | 45 points | Full Year |
| MELS223 | 2026 | Infection and Immunity (for BMLSc) | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| MELS230 | 2026 | Biochemistry (for BMLSc) | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MELS241 | 2026 | Human Biology: Cells to Systems (for BMLSc) | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| MELS251 | 2026 | Physiology (for BMLSc) | 21 points | Semester 1 |
| MELS301 | 2026 | Diagnostic Chemical Pathology | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| MELS302 | 2026 | Haematology and Transfusion Science | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| MELS304 | 2026 | Principles of Pathology | 15 points | Semester 1 |
| MELS305 | 2026 | Elements of Histotechnology | 15 points | Semester 1 |
| MELS306 | 2026 | Medical Microbiology | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| MELS401 | 2026 | Advanced Diagnostic Chemical Pathology | 60 points | Semester 1 (9 February 2026 - 17 June 2026), Semester 2 (29 June 2026 - 7 November 2026) |
| MELS402 | 2026 | Clinical Microbiology | 60 points | Semester 1 (9 February 2026 - 17 June 2026), Semester 2 (29 June 2026 - 7 November 2026) |
| MELS403 | 2026 | Clinical Virology | 60 points | Semester 1 (9 February 2026 - 17 June 2026), Semester 2 (29 June 2026 - 7 November 2026) |
| MELS404 | 2026 | Diagnostic Molecular Pathology | 60 points | Semester 1 (9 February 2026 - 17 June 2026), Semester 2 (29 June 2026 - 7 November 2026) |
| MELS405 | 2026 | Cytopathology | 60 points | Semester 1 (9 February 2026 - 17 June 2026), Semester 2 (29 June 2026 - 7 November 2026) |
| MELS406 | 2026 | Haematology | 60 points | Semester 1 (9 February 2026 - 17 June 2026), Semester 2 (29 June 2026 - 7 November 2026) |
| MELS407 | 2026 | Histopathology | 60 points | Semester 1 (9 February 2026 - 17 June 2026), Semester 2 (29 June 2026 - 7 November 2026) |
| MELS408 | 2026 | Transfusion Science | 60 points | Semester 1 (9 February 2026 - 17 June 2026), Semester 2 (29 June 2026 - 7 November 2026) |
| MELS409 | 2026 | Clinical Immunology | 60 points | Semester 1 (9 February 2026 - 17 June 2026), Semester 2 (29 June 2026 - 7 November 2026) |
| MELS410 | 2026 | Medical Laboratory Science for Rural Health | 60 points | Semester 1 (9 February 2026 - 17 June 2026), Semester 2 (29 June 2026 - 7 November 2026) |
| MELS420 | 2026 | Medical Laboratory Science Practice for Honours | 60 points | Semester 1 (9 February 2026 - 17 June 2026), Semester 2 (29 June 2026 - 7 November 2026) |
| MELS480 | 2026 | Medical Laboratory Science Research for Honours | 45 points | Semester 1 (9 February 2026 - 17 June 2026), Semester 2 (29 June 2026 - 7 November 2026) |
| MELS510 | 2026 | Advanced Medical Laboratory Science Practice | 45 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 4 June 2027) |
| MELS580 | 2026 | Research Project | 45 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 4 June 2027) |
Contacts
Postgraduate Administrator
Email postgrad.mlsc@otago.ac.nz
Associate Professor Tania Slatter
Head of Department, Medical Laboratory Science
Email hod.mls@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/medical-laboratory-science
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.
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