Postgraduate Study in Rehabilitation
Learn new ways of thinking from our interprofessional team of rehabilitation experts and support your patients to get back to full participation in their lives.
Our postgraduate programmes are delivered online so you can study from wherever and whenever it suits you.
Hear from our team about how our rehabilitation programmes can enhance your practice
Tailor your study to an area of interest
Our flexible programme allows you to tailor your study to the area of most relevance to you. Choose from our key rehabilitation specialties:
- Rehabilitation with children
- Musculoskeletal rehabilitation
- Best practice in work rehabilitation
- Rehabilitation for the older adult
- Personal and psychological factors in rehabilitation
- Neurological rehabilitation
Learn from leaders and innovators in rehabilitation research and clinical practice
Our postgraduate programmes are taught by the outstanding Rehabilitation Teaching and Research Unit (RTRU).
This interprofessional team draws on the knowledge and experience of experts in medicine, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and clinical psychology.
More about the Rehabilitation Teaching and Research Unit
Who are our programmes for?
Our qualifications will benefit those involved with improving rehabilitation outcomes across a wide range of disciplines.
These include:
- Physiotherapists
- Nurses
- Occupational therapists
- Speech-language therapists
- Osteopaths
- Psychologists
- Social workers
- Vocational advisers
- Health service managers
- Policy advisers
- Exercise physiologists
- Personal trainers
Enrolments are also welcome from those with lived experience of rehabilitation who are interested in a career in the field.
Paper schedule
RTRU paper schedule 2025-2027 (PDF)
What our students say
“I recently changed jobs to work with ACC contracts such as Vocational Rehabilitation. I felt I'd best meet the needs of a new patient population by furthering my education in rehabilitation. Otago offered relevant papers through distance learning.
“I'm enjoying contemplating my role as a health professional from a deeper perspective and interacting with fellow students following different career paths. This helps me consider different points of view and expand my learning.”
– Hamish Gunson (Postgraduate Certificate in Rehabilitation)
“As a health professional, I felt it was important to have supervisors who could identify with my clinical experience and support me in merging clinical and research roles.
“I received the high-quality education I expected from Otago, with a great balance of support, direction and autonomy.
“If studying by distance makes it more accessible or feasible for you to continue your education, then do it. You won't regret it!”
– Catherine Vingerhoets (PhD student, Rehabilitation)
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, Master’s, 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 Rehabilitation (PGCertRehab)
A one-year (part-time), distance-taught, coursework programme that combines an interdisciplinary learning model with clinical and research expertise
Postgraduate Diploma in Rehabilitation (PGDipRehab)
A one-year full-time (or longer part-time) diploma focusing on clinical skills, practical knowledge and an academic approach in rehabilitation
Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc)
A one- or two-year postgraduate degree encompassing coursework and/or research in a chosen area of specialisation
Graduate Qualifications
Our graduate qualifications are crafted to transition students from foundational studies to advanced, specialised knowledge.
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
| Thesis option |
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| Coursework option |
| Note: A candidate, with the approval of the Board of Studies, may substitute alternative papers to the value of 30 points. |
| Papers |
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Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
REHB papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| REHB701 | 2025 | Rehabilitation Principles | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| REHB703 | 2025 | Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| REHB704 | 2025 | Neurological Rehabilitation | 30 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| REHB706 | 2025 | Work Rehabilitation | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| REHB707 | 2025 | Rehabilitation for the Older Adult | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| REHB710 | 2025 | Rehabilitation Service Innovation and Evaluation | 30 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| REHB711 | 2025 | Special Topic | 30 points | Not offered in 2025 |
| REHB714 | 2025 | Personal and Psychological Factors in Rehabilitation | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| REHB716 | 2025 | Rehabilitation with Children | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| REHB780 | 2025 | Research Project | 30 points | Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year |
| REHB790 | 2025 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year |
| REHB791 | 2025 | Dissertation | 60 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
Contacts
Rehabilitation Teaching and Research Unit
University of Otago, Wellington
Email rtru.uow@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 4 385 5591
Web otago.ac.nz/rehab
This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.
Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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