Study Nursing at Otago

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The Department of Nursing at the University of Otago, Christchurch is ranked in the top 100 nursing schools in the world*.

We specialise in training registered nurses, and also graduates from any background who wish to pursue a career in nursing.

*( QS rating, 2022, under former name Centre for Postgraduate Nursing Studies)

Want to begin a career in nursing?

For those looking to begin a nursing career we offer the Master of Nursing Science – a full-time graduate entry programme that provides an intensive pathway to the nursing profession in two years.

Further training for registered nurses

As a student in the Department you will undertake programmes that are relevant to your clinical practice and allow you to make a contribution to the profession and to improving health outcomes for the population.

For registered nurses wishing to advance their practice we offer clinically focused postgraduate certificates and diplomas, and masters’ and PhD qualifications.

Ready to enrol?

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Dunedin, 2024
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Dunedin, 2025
Master of Advanced Nursing Practice (MAdvNP), Christchurch, 2025
Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc), Christchurch, 2024
Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc), Dunedin, 2024
Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc), Wellington, 2024
Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc), Christchurch, 2025
Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc), Dunedin, 2025
Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc), Wellington, 2025
Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc), Christchurch, 2025
Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc), Dunedin, 2025
Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc), Wellington, 2025
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc), Christchurch, 2025
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc), Dunedin, 2025
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc), Wellington, 2025

Get Started

Nursing at Otago

On-campus study blocks and online learning

We recognise that as health practitioners you need to balance your academic and professional commitments so offer on-campus study blocks supported by online learning and access to student support services.

Details of the programmes and qualifications

Department of Nursing at University of Otago, Christchurch

Requirements

See all programmes

Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Nursing

Papers
Two approved papers in Nursing Approved research methods paper(s) to the value of 30 points Other approved paper(s) to the value of 30 points The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Nursing is available through Distance Learning.

Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) endorsed in Nursing

Papers
Two approved NURS papers Approved research methods paper(s) to the value of 30 points Further approved paper(s) to the value of 30 points A thesis (120 points) The Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) endorsed in Nursing is available through Distance Learning.

Research practicum option
Two approved NURS papers to the value of 60 points One further approved paper (30 points) Approved research methods paper(s) to the value of 30 points A clinically applied research practicum (120 points)
Coursework option
Three approved NURS papers to the value of 90 points Approved research methods paper(s) to the value of 30 points Further approved paper(s) to the value of 60 points A clinically applied dissertation (60 points) The Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) endorsed in Nursing (Clinical) is available through Distance Learning.

Master of Advanced Nursing Practice (MAdvNP)

Papers
NURS 405 Health Assessment and Advanced Nursing Practice (30 points) NURS 416 Health Care in New Zealand (30 points) further approved papers to the value of 120 points at Level 8 NURS 530 Nurse Practitioner Prescribing Practicum (30 points) NURS 531 Clinical Research Project (30 points)

Master of Nursing Science (MNSc)

Level	Papers	Points
First year	NURS 441 Professional Nursing	15
	NURS 442 Health Care in New Zealand	15
	NURS 443 Nursing Science 1	15
	NURS 444 Nursing Science 2	15
	NURS 445 Introduction to Clinical Nursing Practice	15
	NURS 446 Nursing Clients with Altered Health States	15
	NURS 447 Applied Nursing Research	30
Second year	NURS 501 Nursing Science 3	15
	NURS 502 Mental Health Nursing	15
	NURS 503 Nursing Clients with Complex Health States	15
	NURS 504 Consolidation of Practice	30
	NURS 581 Integrating Practice	15
	NURS 582 Policy Analysis	30
Note: With the permission of the Head of Department a student may replace NURS 582 with NURS 580 Research Project

NURS papers

Paper Code	Year	Title	Points	Teaching period
NURS403	2024, 2025	Mental Health Nursing Practice	30 points	Semester 1
NURS404	2024, 2025	Advanced Mental Health Nursing Practice	30 points	Not offered in 2024, Not offered in 2025
NURS405	2024, 2025	Health Assessment and Advanced Nursing Practice	30 points	Semester 1, Semester 2
NURS409	2024, 2025	Mental Health Nursing Practicum	30 points	Semester 2
NURS411	2024, 2025	Nursing - Critical Care & High Acuity	30 points	Semester 2
NURS413	2024	Primary Health Care Nursing - Rural/Urban	30 points	Semester 2
NURS415	2024, 2025	Nursing Research Methods	30 points	Semester 1
NURS416	2024, 2025	Nursing - Applied Pharmacology	30 points	Semester 2
NURS418	2024, 2025	Nursing Education - Principles and Practice	30 points	Semester 2
NURS423	2024, 2025	Nursing - Leadership and Management 1	30 points	Semester 1
NURS424	2024, 2025	Nursing - Leadership and Management 2	30 points	Semester 2
NURS426	2024, 2025	Nursing - Gerontology	30 points	Semester 2
NURS427	2024, 2025	Long-term Conditions: Pathophysiology and Management	30 points	Semester 1
NURS429	2024, 2025	Therapeutics for Advanced Nursing	30 points	Semester 2
NURS431	2024	Rural Nursing	30 points	Semester 2
NURS433	2024, 2025	Intellectual Disability: Theory into Practice	30 points	Semester 1
NURS434	2024, 2025	Therapeutics: Knowledge and Integration	30 points	Semester 1
NURS435	2024, 2025	Evidence Based Nursing Practice	30 points	Semester 1
NURS441	2024, 2025	Professional Nursing	15 points	1st Non standard period (19 February 2024 - 6 December 2024), 1st Non standard period (17 February 2025 - 5 December 2025)
NURS442	2024, 2025	Health Care in New Zealand	15 points	1st Non standard period (19 February 2024 - 6 December 2024), 1st Non standard period (17 February 2025 - 5 December 2025)
NURS443	2024, 2025	Nursing Science 1	15 points	1st Non standard period (19 February 2024 - 19 July 2024), 1st Non standard period (17 February 2025 - 18 July 2025)
NURS444	2024, 2025	Nursing Science 2	15 points	1st Non standard period (5 August 2024 - 6 December 2024), 1st Non standard period (4 August 2025 - 5 December 2025)
NURS445	2024, 2025	Introduction to Clinical Nursing Practice	15 points	1st Non standard period (19 February 2024 - 19 July 2024), 1st Non standard period (17 February 2025 - 18 July 2025)
NURS446	2024, 2025	Nursing Clients with Altered Health States	15 points	1st Non standard period (5 August 2024 - 6 December 2024), 1st Non standard period (4 August 2025 - 5 December 2025)
NURS447	2024, 2025	Applied Nursing Research	30 points	1st Non standard period (19 February 2024 - 6 December 2024), 1st Non standard period (17 February 2025 - 5 December 2025)
NURS471	2024, 2025	Special Topic	30 points	Semester 1
NURS472	2024, 2025	Special Topic	30 points	Semester 2
NURS501	2024, 2025	Nursing Science 3	15 points	1st Non standard period (23 January 2024 - 12 July 2024), 1st Non standard period (20 January 2025 - 16 May 2025)
NURS502	2024, 2025	Mental Health Nursing	15 points	1st Non standard period (23 January 2024 - 12 July 2024), 1st Non standard period (20 January 2025 - 16 May 2025)
NURS503	2024, 2025	Nursing Clients with Complex Health States	15 points	1st Non standard period (23 January 2024 - 12 July 2024), 1st Non standard period (20 January 2025 - 16 May 2025)
NURS504	2024, 2025	Consolidation of Practice	30 points	1st Non standard period (15 July 2024 - 8 November 2024), 1st Non standard period (2 June 2025 - 7 November 2025)
NURS530	2024, 2025	Nurse Practitioner Prescribing Practicum	30 points	Semester 2
NURS531	2024, 2025	Clinical Research Project	30 points	Semester 1, Semester 2
NURS580	2024, 2025	Nursing Research Project	30 points	1st Non standard period (23 January 2024 - 8 November 2024), 1st Non standard period (20 January 2025 - 7 November 2025)
NURS581	2024, 2025	Integration of Nursing Theory and Practice	15 points	1st Non standard period (23 January 2024 - 8 November 2024), 1st Non standard period (2 June 2025 - 7 November 2025)
NURS582	2025	Policy Analysis	30 points	1st Non standard period (20 January 2025 - 7 November 2025)
NURS590	2024, 2025	Dissertation	60 points	Semester 1, Semester 2, 1st Non standard period (4 January 2024 - 20 December 2024), 1st Non standard period (6 January 2025 - 19 December 2025)
NURS5P	2024, 2025	Clinical Research Practicum	120 points	Thesis full year

Qualifications

Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages.

More information

Contact us

For enquiries related to admission and enrolment

Co-ordinator, Student Experience
University of Otago, Christchurch
Email postgrad.uoc@otago.ac.nz

For all other queries

Email nursingstudies.uoc@otago.ac.nz

Studying at Otago

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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2024 Calendar and supplementary material.

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Want to begin a career in nursing?

Further training for registered nurses

Ready to enrol?

Nursing at Otago

On-campus study blocks and online learning

Details of the programmes and qualifications

Requirements

NURS papers

Qualifications

More information

Contact us

For enquiries related to admission and enrolment

For all other queries

Studying at Otago

Study Nursing at Otago

Want to begin a career in nursing?

Further training for registered nurses

Ready to enrol?

Nursing at Otago

On-campus study blocks and online learning

Details of the programmes and qualifications

Requirements

Papers

NURS papers

Qualifications

More information

Contact us

For enquiries related to admission and enrolment

For all other queries

Studying at Otago