Duration
Full-time: Varies
Part-time: Varies
Next start date
2024 Late Year Term – 1 December
2025 Semester One – 3 March
Available locations
Grafton
Points
120 or 240
Programme type
Postgraduate
Taught & research options available

Programme overview

If you are interested in a career where you can contribute to areas such as health services, health systems, clinical practice and research, the Master of Health Sciences is the ideal programme for you.

The MHSc equips you to take on leadership roles in the delivery of health services, systems or research. There is also the option to specialise in Nutrition and Dietetics, which enables graduates to seek registration with the New Zealand Dietitians Board in order to practise as a dietitian in New Zealand.

As well as the opportunity to undertake research in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, you may also undertake this programme at the University’s Liggins Institute.

Programme structure

You can choose between a Taught (120 and 240 points) and a Research Masters (120 and 240 points). If you have completed an undergraduate degree then you would normally enter a 240-point programme. If you have already completed a 120-point postgraduate qualification then you may be able to enter a 120-point programme.

Taught masters (120 points)

or

Taught masters (240 points)

or

Research Masters (120 points)

  • Thesis (120 points)

or

  • Research Portfolio (120 points)

or

or

Research masters (240 points)

or

or

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Subjects available in this programme

The Nutrition and Dietetics Specialisation provides the specialised postgraduate training required to enable graduates to seek registration with the New Zealand Dietitians Board in order to practise as a Dietitian in New Zealand.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

2024 entry requirements

My highest qualification is from:

Programme requirements

Minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

  • Study option
    Taught 120 points
    Grade required
    GPA Grade Point Average 5.0

    Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences

  • Study option
    Taught 240 points
    Grade required
    GPA Grade Point Average 5.0

    An undergraduate degree

  • Study option
    Research 120 points
    Grade required
    GPA Grade Point Average 5.0

    Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences

  • Study option
    Research 240 points
    Grade required
    GPA Grade Point Average 5.0

    An undergraduate degree

Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA)

Further programme requirements

Select your study option:

You must have completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (or an equivalent qualification such as the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health) with a GPA of 5.0 or higher.

You need to have completed a relevant undergraduate degree, such as a degree in dentistry, health sciences, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physiotherapy, psychology, public health, optometry science, social sciences for public health, or social work.

You will need a GPA of 5.0 in your final year of study.

From 2019, for the Nutrition and Dietetics specialisation, you must have completed the University of Auckland Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Nutrition (Nutrition Pathway) or an equivalent BSc degree in Human Nutrition with a GPA of 6.0 or higher.

You must have completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (or an equivalent qualification such as the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health) with a GPA of 5.0 or higher.

You also need to have a supervisor and topic confirmed.

You need to have completed a relevant undergraduate degree, such as a degree in dentistry, health sciences, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physiotherapy, psychology, public health, optometry science, social sciences for public health, or social work.

You will need a GPA of 5.0 in your final year of study.

From 2019, for the Nutrition and Dietetics specialisation, you must have completed the University of Auckland Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Nutrition (Nutrition Pathway) or an equivalent BSc degree in Human Nutrition with a GPA of 6.0 or higher.

Programme requirements

Minimum programme requirements

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

  • Study option
    Taught 120 points
    Grade required
    GPE Grade Point Equivalent 5.0

    One year of postgraduate study

  • Study option
    Taught 240 points
    Grade required
    GPE Grade Point Equivalent 5.0

    An undergraduate degree

  • Study option
    Research 120 points
    Grade required
    GPE Grade Point Equivalent 5.0

    One year of postgraduate study

  • Study option
    Research 240 points
    Grade required
    GPE Grade Point Equivalent 5.0

    An undergraduate degree

  • Qualification
    IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System
    Score required
    6.5
    • No bands less than 6.0
    • Nutrition and Dietetics specialisation has a higher requirement

    See alternative English language requirements

Calculate your Grade Point Equivalent (GPE)

Further programme requirements

Select your study option:

You need to have completed one year of postgraduate study, following an undergraduate degree, in health sciences or public health with a GPE of 5.0.

Your study must have been at a recognised university (or similar institution).

You need to have completed a relevant undergraduate degree, such as a degree in dentistry, health sciences, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physiotherapy, psychology, public health, optometry science, social sciences for public health, or social work.

Your study must have been at a recognised university (or similar institution) and you will need a GPE of 5.0.

From 2019, for the Nutrition and Dietetics specialisation, you must have completed:

  • the University of Auckland Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Food Science and Nutrition (Nutrition Pathway) or an equivalent undergraduate degree in science in Human Nutrition with a GPE of 6.0 or higher.
  • International applicants must have a minimum Academic IELTS 7.5 score, no bands less than 7.0. 

You need to have completed one year of postgraduate study, following an undergraduate degree, in health sciences or public health with a GPE of 5.0.

Your study must have been at a recognised university (or similar institution).

You also need to have a supervisor and topic confirmed.

You need to have completed a relevant undergraduate degree, such as a degree in dentistry, health sciences, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physiotherapy, psychology, public health, optometry science, social sciences for public health, or social work.

Your study must have been at a recognised university (or similar institution) and you will need a GPE of 5.0.

From 2019, for the Nutrition and Dietetics specialisation, you must have completed:

  • the University of Auckland Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Food Science and Nutrition (Nutrition Pathway) or an equivalent undergraduate degree in science in Human Nutrition with a GPE of 6.0 or higher.
  • International applicants must have a minimum Academic IELTS 7.5 score, no bands less than 7.0.
For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

How much does a Master of Health Sciences cost per year?

2025 fees

Domestic students
NZ$10,018.80*
International students
NZ$50,564*

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Amounts shown are indicative only. In addition to the tuition fees, there is a Student Services Fee of $8.88 per point, estimated at $1,065.60 for full-time study (120 points). Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

See course fees for each faculty

Find out about financial support information

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Key dates

1 December start available for 120-point research masters only, subject to supervisor availability.

Note: For international applicants, the application closing date for Semester Two 2024 is 24 May 2024.

The application closing date for the Nutrition and Dietetics specialisation is 1 July in the year before applying. For Semester Two 2024, the application closing date is 1 July 2023.

Please note: We will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Application closing dates

Semester One 2025
8 December 2024
Semester Two 2025
4 July 2025
Late Year Semester 2025
11 November 2025

Start dates

Here are the start dates for the programme.

Other important dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

For all official programme information, including regulations about entry, enrolment, fees, examinations, and requirements for degrees, diplomas and certificates, see the University Calendar.

Where could this programme take you?

The MHSc will provide you with specialist skills that will open up opportunities into specific healthcare occupations. Most graduates will continue to work in their health professions, but the MHSc will enable them to pursue leadership in those areas. We advise that the University of Auckland is not involved in the employment of graduates and can make no guarantee of post-qualification registration or employment in New Zealand or any other country.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Consultancy and advisory
  • Health educator
  • Health promotion
  • Health services manager
  • Quality assurance
  • Research

Further study options

See all study options

Student career planning service

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

We advise that the University of Auckland is not involved in the employment of graduates and can make no guarantee of post-qualification registration or employment in New Zealand or any other country.

Do you need help?

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Auckland
923 5025
Outside Auckland
0800 61 62 63
International
+64 9 373 7513