The University offers a variety of programmes and papers through Distance Learning. Instruction is given through printed material, web-conference sessions, the Internet, and residential schools and workshops.
Further information can be found in the Distance Learning Prospectus.
In addition to Otago’s formal distance papers listed below, the University has approved a selection of additional papers to be temporarily delivered online to support students impacted by COVID‑19. For a list of these papers, and eligibility requirements, see the online learning pages.
Subject areas available via Distance Learning
Follow the links to departmental and paper/programme information.
* There is a block course, workshop or other component requiring you to be physically on-campus/on-site at some point during the course. Before applying for enrolment in these distance papers, please contact Student Experience for more information about the on-site activities should COVID-19 Alert Levels change.
Undergraduate and graduate subject areas
Aquaculture and Fisheries
- AQFI 301 Field Methods in Applied Marine Science
Archaeology
- ANTH 330 New Zealand Archaeology
Chemistry
- Introductory Chemistry (Foundation preparation for entry into first year Chemistry)
- CHEM 150 Concepts in Chemistry*
Computer Science
- COMP 161 Computer Programming*
- COMP 390 ICT Industry Project (limited to DipGrad)*
- COSC 360 Computer Game Design
- COSC 444 Advanced Database Technologies*
English and Linguistics
- ENGL 251 Special Topic: Creative Writing for Games and Interactive Media
- ENGL 354 Monsters and Monstrosity in Medieval Literature*
- ENGL 469 Writing Revolutions: How Modernism Changed the World
- ENGL 590 Research Dissertation
- LING 140 Language, Brain, and Being Human
Human Nutrition
- HUNT 141 Understanding Human Nutrition
Materials Science and Technology
- MATS 204 Treasure or Trash: Sustainability of Materials
Media, Film and Communication
- MFCO 224 Studying Selfies: Celebrity, Surveillance and Cyberspace
Politics
Religious Studies
- Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Religious Studies (BA)* (Depending on your paper selection)
- Bachelor of Arts with Honours, Majoring in Religious Studies (BA(Hons))* (Depending on your paper selection)
Social Work (third and fourth years only)
Not available to students studying outside New Zealand.
Surveying
Theology
Tourism
Postgraduate subject areas
Anthropology
- ANTH 423 Bodies, Technologies and Medicines
Archaeology
Addiction and Co-existing Disorders
- Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science endorsed in Addiction and Co-existing Disorders*
- Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science endorsed in Addiction and Co-existing Disorders
- Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) endorsed in Mental Health*
- PhD – The department can supervise a limited number of PhD students interested in research in this field. Students taking any of PSME 404, PSME 422 or PSME 424 must have worked clinically for at least 2 years and, at the time of study, must be working clinically in a therapeutic setting. Students should contact the Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago Christchurch, to check eligibility before applying.
Aviation Medicine, including Aeromedical Retrieval and Transport
- Postgraduate Certificate in Aeromedical Retrieval and Transport (PGCertAeroRT)* (depending on paper selection)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Civil Aviation Medicine (PGCertCAvMed)* (depending on paper selection)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc) endorsed in Aeromedical Retrieval and Transport* (depending on paper selection)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Occupational Medicine (PGCertOccMed)* (depending on paper selection)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Aeromedical Retrieval and Transport (PGDipAeroRT)* (depending on paper selection)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Aeromedical Retrieval and Transport* (depending on paper selection)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Medicine (PGDipOccMed)* (depending on paper selection)
- Master of Aviation Medicine (MAvMed)* (depending on paper selection)
- Master of Occupational Medicine (MOccMed)* (depending on paper selection)
- Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) endorsed in Aeromedical Retrieval and Transport, Aviation Medicine or Occupational Medicine* (depending on paper selection)
- PhD in Aeromedical Retrieval and Transport, Aviation Medicine or Occupational Medicine* (depending on paper selection)
Interested applicants should contact the Occupational and Aviation Medicine Unit OAMU before applying:
Email oamu@otago.ac.nz
Bioengineering
Bioethics
- Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc) endorsed in Clinical Ethics* (depending on paper selection)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Bioethics* (depending on paper selection)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Bioethics and Health Law (PGDipBHL)* (depending on paper selection)
- Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) endorsed in Bioethics* (depending on paper selection)
- Master of Bioethics and Health Law (MBHL)* (depending on paper selection)
Business Administration
Business Studies
Chemical Hazards
- HAZA 401 Management of Chemical Hazards
Child Health
- Postgraduate Diploma in Child Health (DCH)* (depending on paper selection)
Computer Science
- COSC 430 Advanced Database Topics
Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy
- Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc) endorsed in Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy* (depending on paper selection)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy* (depending on paper selection)
Continence Management
- Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc) endorsed in Continence Management*
Dentistry
- Master of Dentistry (MDent) endorsed in Aesthetic Dentistry*
- Master of Dentistry (MDent) endorsed in Rural Oral Health Care*
Digital Health
- Postgraduate Certificate in Digital Health (PGCertDigHeal)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Health (PGDipDigHeal)
Education (not initial teacher education)
- Bachelor of Arts with Honours (BA(Hons)) and Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (PGDipArts) in Education
- Master of Arts in Education thesis option
- Master of Arts in Education coursework option
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education and Learning
- Postgraduate Diploma in Education and Learning
- Master of Education and Learning
- Doctor of Education
- PhD
Entrepreneurship
- Master of Entrepreneurship (MEntr)* – short periods on campus teaching required, not taught online
Forensic Psychiatry
- Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc) endorsed in Forensic Mental Health*
General Practice
See also Primary Health Care, and Travel Medicine)
- Postgraduate Certificate in General Practice (PGCertGP)* (depending on paper selection)
- Postgraduate Diploma in General Practice (PGDipGP)* (depending on paper selection)
- Master of General Practice (MGP)* (depending on paper selection)
Health Management
Please note that not all PUBH papers are available via Distance Learning, and the qualifications cannot be completed entirely online.
- Postgraduate Diploma in Health Management (PGDipHealMgt)*
- Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) endorsed in Health management*
- Health Sciences
- HASC 418 Special Topic: Hauora Māori Advanced Practice*
Higher Education
- Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCertHighE)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education (PGDipHighE)
- Master of Higher Education (MHEd)
Human Nutrition
- Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc) endorsed in Human Nutrition
- Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Human Nutrition
- Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) endorsed in Human Nutrition
Human Sexuality and Health
- PSME 201 Human Sexuality and Health
Interpersonal Psychotherapy
- Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc) endorsed in Interpersonal Psychotherapy*
Management
Marketing
- MART 330 Special Topic: Current Issues in International Branding
- MART 448 Advanced Business Analytics
- MART 449 Creative Marketing for Behaviour Change, Sustainability and Social Good
Medical Technology*
- Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Technology (PGCertMedTech)*
- Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Technology (PGDipMedTech) endorsed in Cardiology*
- Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Technology (PGDipMedTech) endorsed in Sleep Medicine*
Mental Health
- Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc) endorsed in Mental Health*
- Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Mental Health*
Musculoskeletal Management
- Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc) endorsed in Musculoskeletal Management
- Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Musculoskeletal Management
- Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) endorsed in Musculoskeletal Management
Musculoskeletal Medicine
- Postgraduate Certificate in Musculoskeletal Medicine (PGCertMSM)*
- Postgraduate Diploma in Musculoskeletal Medicine (PGDipMSM)*
please note that the PGDipMSM cannot be completed entirely online.
Nursing
- Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) (unendorsed)*
- Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc) endorsed in:
- Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in:
- Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) endorsed in:
- Master of Advanced Nursing Practice (MAdvNP)*
Obesity Prevention and Management
- Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc) endorsed in Obesity Prevention and Health Management*
- Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Obesity Prevention and Health*
Obstetrics and Medical Gynaecology
- Postgraduate Certificate in Women’s Health (PGCertWHlth)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Obstetrics and Medical Gynaecology (PGDipOMG)
Occupational Health and Safety
- Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc) endorsed in Occupational Health*
- Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Occupational Health*
- Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) endorsed in Occupational Health*
Occupational Medicine (refer to 'Aviation Medicine')
Oral Health
Ophthalmology
Pain and Pain Management
- Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc) endorsed in Pain and Pain Management
- Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Pain and Pain Management
- Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) endorsed in Pain and Pain Management
Peace and Conflict Studies
Perinatal Mental Health
- Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc) endorsed in Perinatal Mental Health
Pharmacy
- Postgraduate Certificate in Pharmacy (PGCertPharm) endorsed in Medicines Optimisation*
- Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy (PGDipClinPharm)*
- Master of Clinical Pharmacy (MClinPharm)*
- Postgraduate Certificate in Pharmacist Prescribing (PGCertPharmPres)*
Physiotherapy
- PHTY 501 Biomedical Science in Physiotherapy*
- PHTY 530 Theoretical Constructs in Clinical Practice
- PHTY 535 Neurorehabilitation*
- PHTY 539 Occupational Health Physiotherapy
- PHTY 542 Sports Physiotherapy*
- PHTY 543 Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy*
- PHTY 545 Advanced Studies in Physiotherapy
- PHTY 561 Clinical Practice*
- PHTY 610 Research methods
- PHTY 650 Research Project
Primary Health Care
- Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Health Care (PGCertPHC)*
- Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Health Care (PGDipPHC) unendorsed*
- Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Health Care (PGDipPHC) endorsed in Long-term Condition Management*
- Master of Primary Health Care (MPHC)*
Public Health
Please note that not all PUBH papers are available via Distance Learning, and the qualifications cannot be completed entirely online.
- Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health (PGCertPH)* (depending on paper selection)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health (DPH)*
- Master of Public Health (MPH)*
Radiation Therapy
- Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc) endorsed in Radiation Therapy Advanced Practice
Rehabilitation
- Postgraduate Certificate in Rehabilitation (PGCertRehab)*
- Postgraduate Diploma in Rehabilitation (PGDipRehab)*
- Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) unendorsed*
- Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) endorsed in Rehabilitation*
- PhD
Religious Studies* (depending on paper selection)
Rural and Provincial Hospital Practice
- Postgraduate Certificate in Rural and Provincial Hospital Practice (PGCertRPHP)*
- Postgraduate Diploma in Rural and Provincial Hospital Practice (PGDipRPHP)*
Science Communication
Social Work
Sport and Exercise Medicine
Surgical Anatomy
Sustainable Business
Theology
- Bachelor of Theology with Honours (BTheol (Hons))* (depending on paper selection)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Theology (PGDipTheol)* (depending on paper selection)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Chaplaincy (PGCertChap)* (depending on paper selection)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Chaplaincy (PGDipChap)* (depending on paper selection)
- Master of Chaplaincy (MChap)* (depending on paper selection)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Ministry (PGDipMin)* (depending on paper selection)
- Master of Ministry (MMin)* (depending on paper selection)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Faith-Based Leadership and Management (PGDipFBLM)* (depending on paper selection)
- Master of Faith-Based Leadership and Management (MFBLM)* (depending on paper selection)
Travel Medicine
- Postgraduate Certificate in Travel Medicine (PGCertTravMed)*
- Postgraduate Diploma in Travel Medicine (PGDipTravMed)*
- Master of Travel Medicine (MTravMed)
Ultrasound
This information on this page reflects Subject Areas and Programmes Available via Distance Learning for 2023. It is manually updated following the publication of the Distance Learning Prospectus each year. As such, there may be a brief period during which the information on this page is out of date while it is updated.
