Overview
A supervised dissertation of up to 20,000 words presenting the results of an original study on a relevant topic in the student’s area of interest within public health.
The aim of the paper is to give the student the opportunity to:
- Develop an understanding of the process of planning, developing and carrying out a research project under supervision
- Work on a topic of interest within the broad context of public health
- Apply course methods and principles independently of course teaching
About this paper
| Paper title | MPH Dissertation |
|---|---|
| Subject | Public Health |
| EFTS | 0.5 |
| Points | 60 points |
| Teaching period(s) | 1st Non standard period (23 February 2026 - 19 February 2027)
(On campus)
1st Non standard period (23 February 2026 - 19 February 2027) (On campus) 1st Non standard period (23 February 2026 - 19 February 2027) (On campus) 2nd Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 18 June 2027) (On campus) 2nd Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 18 June 2027) (On campus) 2nd Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 18 June 2027) (On campus) 3rd Non standard period (23 February 2026 - 21 August 2026) (On campus) 3rd Non standard period (23 February 2026 - 21 August 2026) (On campus) 3rd Non standard period (23 February 2026 - 21 August 2026) (On campus) 4th Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 1 January 2027) (On campus) 4th Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 1 January 2027) (On campus) 4th Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 1 January 2027) (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $6,973.50 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Limited to
- MPH
- Eligibility
- The University of Otago expects those proceeding to the Master of Public Health to have attained a minimum of a good B grade average overall (73%) for the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health, including a B+ in a research methods paper relevant to your dissertation topic.
- Contact
Christchurch Campus publichealth.christchurch@otago.ac.nz
Dunedin Campus researchstudentadmin-psm@otago.ac.nz
Wellington Campus publichealth.wellington@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
- View more MPH information on the Department of Public Health website
- Teaching staff
Approach the relevant department to discuss your topic and supervision. Once you have commenced your dissertation, regular meetings with your supervisor(s) will be arranged.
- Paper Structure
PUBH 890 is for students enrolling in an MPH Dissertation for:
- Full-time over the first semester
Or - Full-time over the second semester
Or - Part-time over one year (full-year)
- Full-time over the first semester
- Teaching Arrangements
Approach the relevant department to discuss your topic and supervision. Once you have commenced your dissertation, regular meetings with your supervisor(s) will be arranged.
- Textbooks
- Texts depend on your dissertation topic. Discuss with your supervisor and make use of the University's library services.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will:
- show evidence of advanced knowledge about a specialist field of enquiry
- demonstrate mastery of sophisticated theoretical subject matter, where appropriate
- evaluate critically the findings and discussions in the literature
- research, analyse and argue from evidence
- work independently and apply knowledge to new situations
- engage in rigorous intellectual analysis, criticism and problem-solving
- demonstrate a high order of skill in the planning, execution and completion of piece of original research
- apply research skills learned during the study programme to new situations
Overview
A supervised dissertation of up to 20,000 words presenting the results of an original study on a relevant topic in the student’s area of interest within public health.
The aim of the paper is to give the student the opportunity to:
- Develop an understanding of the process of planning, developing and carrying out a research project under supervision
- Work on a topic of interest within the broad context of public health
- Apply course methods and principles independently of course teaching
About this paper
| Paper title | MPH Dissertation |
|---|---|
| Subject | Public Health |
| EFTS | 0.5 |
| Points | 60 points |
| Teaching period(s) | 1st Non standard period (1 March 2027 - 29 February 2028)
(On campus)
1st Non standard period (1 March 2027 - 29 February 2028) (On campus) 1st Non standard period (1 March 2027 - 29 February 2028) (On campus) 2nd Non standard period (5 July 2027 - 30 June 2028) (On campus) 2nd Non standard period (5 July 2027 - 30 June 2028) (On campus) 2nd Non standard period (5 July 2027 - 30 June 2028) (On campus) 3rd Non standard period (26 February 2027 - 27 August 2027) (On campus) 3rd Non standard period (26 February 2027 - 27 August 2027) (On campus) 3rd Non standard period (26 February 2027 - 27 August 2027) (On campus) 4th Non standard period (5 July 2027 - 31 December 2027) (On campus) 4th Non standard period (5 July 2027 - 31 December 2027) (On campus) 4th Non standard period (5 July 2027 - 31 December 2027) (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Limited to
- MPH
- Eligibility
To be eligible to enrol in an MPH dissertation, a student must have completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health, or the first 120 points from the MPH programme, with a minimum of a B grade average overall and including a grade of at least a B+ in an approved research methods paper.
- Contact
Wellington Campus: publichealth.uow@otago.ac.nz
Christchurch Campus: publichealth.uoc@otago.ac.nz
Dunedin Campus: researchstudentadmin-psm@otago.ac.nz- More information link
- View more MPH information on the Department of Public Health website
- Teaching staff
Approach the relevant department to discuss your topic and supervision. Once you have commenced your dissertation, regular meetings with your supervisor(s) will be arranged.
- Paper Structure
PUBH 890 is for students enrolling in an MPH Dissertation for:
- Full-time over the first semester
Or - Full-time over the second semester
Or - Part-time over one year (full-year)
- Full-time over the first semester
- Teaching Arrangements
Approach the relevant department to discuss your topic and supervision. Once you have commenced your dissertation, regular meetings with your supervisor(s) will be arranged.
- Textbooks
- Texts depend on your dissertation topic. Discuss with your supervisor and make use of the University's library services.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will:
- Show evidence of advanced knowledge about a specialist field of enquiry
- Demonstrate mastery of sophisticated theoretical subject matter, where appropriate
- Evaluate critically the findings and discussions in the literature
- Research, analyse and argue from evidence
- Work independently and apply knowledge to new situations
- Engage in rigorous intellectual analysis, criticism and problem-solving
- Demonstrate a high order of skill in the planning, execution and completion of piece of original research
- Apply research skills learned during the study programme to new situations