Gain the skills to lead change in Aotearoa's evolving digital health landscape.
Why study postgraduate Digital Health
Digital Health is a fast-growing area where technology supports health services to improve people’s lives. You’ll explore how digital systems empower clinicians, support patients, and enhance health services across Aotearoa. From electronic health records to telehealth and artificial intelligence, this field covers the tools transforming care delivery.
You’ll also consider important questions about ethics, privacy, accessibility, and equity to ensure digital solutions serve everyone fairly. Your learning will prepare you to influence decision-making across hospitals, primary care, and government, helping build health systems that work better for all.
Career opportunities
Digital Health prepares you for roles that improve health services, strengthen systems, and support innovation. Possible pathways include:
- Digital health analyst
- Health informatics adviser
- Digital health project coordinator
- Digital health implementation specialist
- Research assistant in digital health
What it’s like to study at this level
Both programmes are fully online, giving you the flexibility to study from anywhere, at times that suit your work and life commitments. Choose to study full-time or part-time, and participate in live virtual classes that foster meaningful interaction with teachers and peers. If you can’t make the live class, catch up using recorded sessions.
This supportive online environment encourages discussion and active engagement, helping you build networks, connect ideas, and deepen your understanding while balancing your other responsibilities.
This is for you if ...
You are interested in how technology can improve health systems and patient outcomes. Skills or experience in healthcare, information technology, public health, or data analysis will be helpful but are not essential.
Leading digital health innovation in Aotearoa
Learn from academic staff engaged in research and community projects that address New Zealand’s current health challenges. Otago fosters an environment of critical thinking and innovation, encouraging fresh approaches to digital health.
You will benefit from access to experienced teachers, strong research networks, and a vibrant health sciences community. The Postgraduate Certificate can be completed in six months, and the Postgraduate Diploma in twelve, with flexible options to suit your pace. We’re ready to support you in planning a study pathway that fits your goals.
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 Digital Health (PGCertDigHeal)
A one-year (part time), distance-taught, coursework programme, designed for people working or planning to work in health-sector management and leadership roles
Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Health (PGDipDigHeal)
A distance-taught, coursework programme, consisting of 2 compulsory and 2 optional papers, that can be completed with full-time (one year) or part-time study
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
| Papers | Points |
|---|---|
| DIGH 701 Principles of Digital Health and Informatics | 30 |
| DIGH 703 Digital Health Technologies and Systems | 30 |
Plus elective papers to a total of 60 points chosen from the following list*
| 60 |
| Total | 120 |
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
DIGH papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIGH701 | 2026 | Principles of Digital Health and Informatics | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| DIGH703 | 2026 | Digital Health Technologies and Systems | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| DIGH706 | 2026 | Research Methods for Digital Health | 30 points | Not offered in 2026 |
| DIGH707 | 2026 | Digital health Information Governance and Ethics | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| DIGH708 | 2026 | Patient-Centred Digital Health | 15 points | Semester 2 |
| DIGH709 | 2026 | Emerging Technologies in Digital Health | 15 points | Semester 2 |
Contacts
Dr Steve Gallagher
Course Director, Postgraduate Digital Health Programme
Dunedin School of Medicine
Email digitalhealth@otago.ac.nz
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.
World-class research
The University of Otago has a global reputation for research excellence. Our expertise is vast across health, society, culture, sustainability and the environment.
Explore our research