Master of Health Science
The Master of Health Science is an advanced postgraduate qualification for health practitioners who want to further their knowledge through research to advance their career.
The Master of Health Science is an opportunity for graduates from a variety of health backgrounds to advance their scholarly and professional knowledge in an area of their interest. You study in an interprofessional and collegial learning environment, and develop research skills.
Download programme guides
Minimum entry requirements
An applicant must have completed one of the following with a B grade average or higher, or equivalent:
- Bachelor of Health Science
- Graduate Diploma in Health Science
Staircasing options from the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science or Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science are also available.
Alternatively, students can negotiate a research or individual pathway with the Associate Dean Academic.
International student entry requirements
Other requirements
- Provide evidence of having completed an acceptable undergraduate research course or equivalent
- An applicant may be asked to provide evidence of current professional practice
- An interview may be required
- May be required to meet Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCA Act) and Children's Act 2014 requirements and other relevant legislation
Psychology Specialisation
- An applicant for the Master of Health Science in Psychology must have the personal qualities that show suitability for this programme, and may be required to attend selection interviews
- An applicant for the Master of Health Science in Psychology will be required to supply references and satisfy a police vetting process
Rehabilitation Psychology FAQs
English language requirements
- IELTS (Academic) 6.5 overall with no band less than 6.0
You can also complete the Master of Health Science without a specialisation (standard pathway).
Practice as a health professional in New Zealand is governed by legislation and a number of ‘Responsible Authorities’ (such as the NZ Psychologist Board, Physiotherapy Board and the Nursing Council who register practitioners). Overseas qualified health professionals who wish to practise in New Zealand should communicate directly with the relevant Responsible Authority. Qualifications recognised for professional registration at AUT are undergraduate; study at postgraduate level is not considered equivalent recognition for NZ Board certification.
Standard pathway in the Master of Health Science
You can also choose to complete this programme without a specialisation and choose from a wide range of health sciences courses.
If you're specifically interested in occupational health or sport and exercise physiotherapy, you can also choose to take some courses that focus on these areas.
You can also choose to complete the programme without a specialisation.
Complete one of
- HEAL811 Research Design and Methods (15 points)
- HEAL840 Critical Enquiry for Evidence Based Practice (15 points)
- MAOH801 Māori Health Research Practice - Te Rangahau Hauora Maori (15 points)
- PUBH810 Pacific Health Research and Design (15 points)
And choose one of
- HEAL812 Health Professional Practice (15 points)
- HEAL813 Practice Reality (15 points) (Only offered in Semester 2)
- MAOH804 Te Hau o te Ora – Hauora Māori Development (15 points)
And select 60 points from
- Relevant postgraduate health science courses*
And complete one of
Either
Or
- HEAL901 Dissertation (60 points)
- HEAL996 Dissertation (45 points)
- And a relevant 15-point postgraduate health science course
And complete any remaining points from other relevant postgraduate health science courses*
*With the approval from the programme leader
You can study courses in human factors and ergonomics as part of AUT’s postgraduate health science programmes, offering you a postgraduate education programme in three parts; from postgraduate certificate to master’s degree level.
This pathway is designed to equip practitioners for advanced practice in the field of neurological rehabilitation.
Complete the following courses
- RHAB805 Concepts of Rehabilitation (15 points)
- RHAB807 Motor Control in Rehabilitation (15 points)
- RHAB808 Neurological Rehabilitation (15 points)#
And choose one of
- HEAL811 Research Design and Methods (15 points)
- HEAL840 Critical Enquiry for Evidence Based Practice (15 points)
- MAOH801 Māori Health Research Practice - Te Rangahau Hauora Maori (15 points)
- PUBH810 Pacific Health Research and Design (15 points)
And choose one of
- HEAL812 Health Professional Practice (15 points)
- HEAL813 Practice Reality (15 points)
- MAOH804 Te Hau o te Ora – Hauora Māori Development (15 points)
And complete 45 points from
- Relevant postgraduate health science courses*
And complete
- HEAL999 Thesis (120 points)
# Course has special requirements
*With the approval from the programme leader
This pathway is designed to equip practitioners for advanced practice in the field of occupational health.
Complete the following course
- RHAB811 Health Ergonomics (15 points)
And choose one of
- RHAB801 Occupational Ergonomics (30 points)
- RHAB802 Vocational Management and Rehabilitation (30 points)*
And choose one of
- HEAL811 Research Design and Methods (15 points)
- HEAL840 Critical Enquiry for Evidence Based Practice (15 points)
- MAOH801 Māori Health Research Practice - Te Rangahau Hauora Maori (15 points)
- PUBH810 Pacific Health Research and Design (15 points)
And choose one of
- HEAL812 Health Professional Practice (15 points)
- HEAL813 Practice Reality (15 points)
- MAOH804 Te Hau o te Ora – Hauora Māori Development (15 points)
And complete 45 points from
- Relevant postgraduate health science courses*
And complete
- HEAL999 Thesis (120 points)
*RHAB802 meets ACCs Vocational Rehabilitation Competencies
*With the approval from the programme leader
This pathway is designed to equip physiotherapists for advanced practice in sport and exercise physiotherapy.
Complete the following courses
- PHTY811 Sport and Exercise Physiotherapy (15 points)
- PHTY801 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (45 points)
And choose one of
- SPEX803 Exercise Physiology (15 points)
- SPSC803 Enhancing Muscular Performance (15 points)
And choose one of
- HEAL811 Research Design and Methods (15 points)
- HEAL840 Critical Enquiry for Evidence Based Practice (15 points)
- MAOH801 Māori Health Research Practice - Te Rangahau Hauora Maori (15 points)
- PUBH810 Pacific Health Research and Design (15 points)
And choose one of
- HEAL812 Health Professional Practice (15 points)
- HEAL813 Practice Reality (15 points) (only offered in Semester 2)
- MAOH804 Te Hau o te Ora – Hauora Māori Development (15 points)
And complete 15 points from
- Relevant postgraduate health science courses*
And complete
- HEAL999 Thesis (120 points)
*With the approval of the programme leader
Ready to enrol in your courses?
Find out how you can enrol in the courses and classes for your programme, whether you’ve just joined AUT as a new student or you’re already studying with us. If you’re looking for more info on a specific course use our course search.
Practice as a health professional in New Zealand is governed by legislation and a number of ‘Responsible Authorities’ (such as the NZ Psychologist Board, Physiotherapy Board and the Nursing Council who register practitioners). Overseas qualified health professionals who wish to practise in New Zealand should communicate directly with the relevant Responsible Authority. Qualifications recognised for professional registration at AUT are undergraduate; study at postgraduate level is not considered equivalent recognition for NZ Board certification.
21 Jul 2025
Some courses in this programme may start earlier than the standard semester dates. For specific course dates search for a course
Key semester dates
The apply by date is a guideline only. If there are more applications than places available, applications may close earlier than the date above. Applications received after this date may not be considered.
($10,028 tuition fees + $1,192 student services levy)
($43,600 tuition fees + $1,192 student services levy)
- Fees shown are based on a full-time workload for the points indicated next to the fee. The exact fee charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment.
- Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for study beyond the current year, fees may vary from those stated.
- There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay.
- International students' tuition fees reflect the full cost of tuition. Domestic students' tuition fees are less due to a proportion of the tuition fees being funded by the New Zealand Government.
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.