Study with the world’s leading provider of aviation medicine distance education. Tailor a programme to suit your work, from aviation medical examiners to career specialists.
Why study Aviation Medicine?
Aviation medicine is a specialised field of occupational medicine focused on the health and safety of pilots and air traffic controllers. Aviation medical examiners and specialists work within professional teams to ensure individuals are medically fit for aviation activities, where the stakes for safety are high.
This global field attracts practitioners from many countries, and many graduates go on to work internationally. Some aviation medicine practitioners are registered specialists in occupational medicine, while others incorporate aviation medical assessment into their broader clinical practice, bringing specialised expertise to a unique and highly regulated industry.
Career opportunities
Specific roles vary depending on your background and qualifications. Graduates use their learning to extend their professional practice in aviation, medicine or related areas.
Career opportunities include:
- Aviation medical examiner roles
- Airline or aviation organisation medical advisory roles
- Military or airline aviation medical support
- Aviation health research or policy development
- Air ambulance medicine, flight nursing or paramedicine
- Retrieval and international assistance
What it’s like to study at this level
Aviation Medicine at Otago is delivered part-time by distance, allowing you to study while continuing to work from anywhere. You will learn alongside staff from the Occupational and Aviation Medicine Unit, experienced practitioners in the field.
Learning is student-centred and supported through guided online materials, webinars, discussions and structured support, while connecting you with a community of professionals committed to aviation health and safety.
This is for you if ...
Students come from around the world and from a wide range of professional backgrounds. The Certificate and Master of Aviation Medicine require medical registration in your country of practice, while allied health professionals can study aviation medicine through the Master of Health Science (Aviation Medicine), which includes a research option.
Learn from leaders in aviation medicine
Your study is led by the Occupational and Aviation Medicine Unit in the Department of Medicine at the University of Otago’s Wellington campus. The team brings extensive experience in aviation medicine teaching and research. Through flexible distance learning, you can build your expertise from anywhere while being supported by staff who emphasise practical learning, clear communication and collaboration within Otago’s strong health sciences environment.
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 Certificate in Civil Aviation Medicine (PGCertCAvMed)
A fully distance-taught, coursework programme that can be completed with part-time study over the course of one year.
Master of Aviation Medicine (MAvMed)
A fully distance-taught professional programme for registered medical practitioners, usually completed part-time over four years.
Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc)
A one- or two-year postgraduate degree for health professionals, encompassing coursework and/or research in a chosen area of specialisation
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.
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The programme shall consist of papers to the value of 240 points (normally eight 30-point papers) of which: At least 140 points selected from
At least 40 points selected from: On a case by case basis and with approval of the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Health Sciences), it may be possible to have prior study from another university or tertiary institution recognised as equivalent to an Otago postgraduate diploma, and thereby receive some quantity of credit into the programme. Students who feel they have completed relevant prior study are invited to discuss this with the Programme Academic Lead in the first instance. |
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Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
AVME papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVME711 | 2026 | Aviation Physiology | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| AVME714 | 2026 | Clinical Aviation Medicine | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| AVME715 | 2026 | Health, Work and Behaviour | 30 points | Not offered in 2026, expected to be offered in 2027 |
| AVME716 | 2026 | Clinical Occupational Medicine | 30 points | Not offered in 2026, expected to be offered in 2027 |
| AVME717 | 2026 | Medical Logistics in Aeromedical Transport | 30 points | Not offered in 2026, expected to be offered in 2027 |
| AVME718 | 2026 | Operational Aspects of Aeromedical Transport | 30 points | Not offered in 2026, expected to be offered in 2027 |
| AVME719 | 2026 | Aeromedical Studies for Nurses and Paramedics | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| AVME720 | 2026 | Clinical Analysis in Aeromedical Retrieval and Transport | 30 points | Not offered in 2026, expected to be offered in 2027 |
| AVME721 | 2026 | Clinical Care in the Air | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| AVME722 | 2026 | Organisation of Aeromedical Systems | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| AVME723 | 2026 | Managing Occupational Medicine | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| AVME724 | 2026 | Health and Industry | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| AVME726 | 2026 | Special Topic | 30 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| AVME780 | 2026 | Research Project | 30 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| AVME785 | 2026 | Research Methods | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| AVME801 | 2026 | Occupational Medicine Epidemiology and Biostatistics | 30 points | Not offered in 2026, expected to be offered in 2027 |
| AVME802 | 2026 | Vocational Rehabilitation | 30 points | Not offered in 2026, expected to be offered in 2027 |
| AVME812 | 2026 | Human Performance | 30 points | Not offered in 2026, expected to be offered in 2027 |
| AVME813 | 2026 | Airport and Travel Health | 30 points | Not offered in 2026, expected to be offered in 2027 |
| AVME885 | 2026 | Application of Research Methods | 30 points | Semester 1 |
Contacts
Programme Manager
Department of Medicine
University of Otago, Wellington
PO Box 7343
Wellington South
Tel +64 4 385 5591
Email oamu@otago.ac.nz
Website: otago.ac.nz/aviation_medicine
This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.
Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.
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