Ranked in the top 100 nursing schools in the world.
Ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide.
The highest-possible international quality rating.
Take your nursing career to the next level
The University of Otago offers a master’s programme for registered nurses around the world who are looking to build a strong foundation for advanced practice and move into leadership roles. The programme is offered via distance learning, allowing you the flexibility to continue working while gaining an internationally-recognised qualification of the highest calibre.
Our academic staff are registered nurses whose teaching is informed by professional practice and research. We work collaboratively with health-sector leaders to ensure our programme addresses the demands of the profession now and in the future. Otago’s long-established reputation for world-class research underpins the Centre for Postgraduate Nursing Studies’ aim to deliver a nursing research programme of international significance.
Why Otago?
The University of Otago is New Zealand’s first university, and the choice of more than 21,000 students, including international students from over 100 countries.
The Centre for Postgraduate Nursing Studies, based at our Christchurch campus, is one of the country’s leading postgraduate nursing education providers, and conducts research in the multidisciplinary environments that reflect the realities of the clinical practice world.
“My postgraduate qualification opens many career opportunities in the healthcare system that were not possible with just my undergraduate degree. This qualification has really pushed me to question the norm and challenge the way we think and do our job as nurses.”
— Juan Paulo Gultiano
Studying towards a Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) endorsed in Nursing
“Nurses are critical to the future of healthcare. The sharing of knowledge and the development of nurse leaders is imperative to meet the changing health needs of populations worldwide. Postgraduate education for nurse leaders has a far-reaching impact in nursing and healthcare, and enables the workforce of the future.”
— Associate Professor Philippa Seaton
Director, Centre for Postgraduate Nursing Studies
Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) endorsed in Nursing
This programme is designed for nurses who wish to advance into leadership roles. The 240-point degree is a focused pathway of study underpinned by a mastery of learning principles, and builds on the nurses’ relevant clinical and professional practices.
Entry requirements
- For registered nurses who hold an undergraduate nursing degree.
- IELTS score of 6.5 in the academic module (with no individual band below 6.0) or an equivalent English requirement for postgraduate studies
- Prior clinical experience an advantage.
Please contact the Centre for Postgraduate Nursing Studies for advice regarding your study pathway.
Teaching style and methods
Taught fully online with the flexibility to attend class virtually and study from home. Engage with classmates and lecturers through online technology.
Students are prepared for learning and supported throughout their academic programme. Each student has individual supervision from two academic supervisors for the thesis component of their degree.
This programme consists of four papers (three recommended and one specialty paper) plus a thesis.
It can be completed in two years (full-time) or four years (part-time).
Three recommended papers (30 points each)
- NURS 423 Leadership and Management 1
- NURS 424 Leadership and Management 2
- NURS 415 Nursing Research Methods
One specialty paper aligned with your professional interests (30 points each)
For example:
- NURS 418 Nursing Education and Principles (examines the principles of educational theory and practice)
- DIGH 701 Principles of Digital Health and Informatics (study of the strategies and frameworks that support the development and safe application of digital and information systems technology in healthcare)
- PUBH 742 Global Health and International Systems (health systems in a global context; evaluation of the performance of different health systems).
Your paper choices must be approved by the Centre for Postgraduate Nursing Studies.
Contact us
Centre for Postgraduate Nursing Studies
University of Otago, Christchurch
Tel +64 3 364 3850
Email nursingstudies.uoc@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/nursing
