Program Overview

Introduction to the Graduate Diploma in Health

The Graduate Diploma in Health (GradDipHlth) offers an opportunity to deepen your understanding of key health topics. It is ideal if you are considering a career shift into the health sector, planning to pursue postgraduate study, or are an international student who does not yet meet the entry criteria for postgraduate programmes.

What Will My Study Involve?

• Understand key determinants of health and health disparities that shape Māori and Pacific health outcomes.
• Learn health promotion, health education, and communication skills.
• Many areas to focus on, like nutrition, psychology, wellbeing and physical activity, mental health and addictions, epidemiology, and health policy.
• Prepare for a range of careers and other roles within the health sector, both in Aotearoa and internationally.

Entry Requirements

You will need to have either previously completed a bachelor's degree in Aotearoa (or equivalent) or have at least 5 years of relevant work experience in a health-related area. If English is not your first language, you are also required to meet UC's Postgraduate language requirements.

Degree Structure

The Diploma is made up of 120 points in total, which includes introductory courses followed by advanced health topics of choice. Beginning in February or July, you can complete the programme within 1 year full-time, or up to 4 years part-time.

Subjects and Courses

Compulsory Courses

Choose 45 points from the following:

• HLTH101 Introduction to Health Studies
• HLTH105 Communication for Practice
• HLTH106 Te Wero – Māori Health Issues and Opportunities
• HLTH112 Anatomy and Physiology I
• HLTH203 Epidemiology
• HLTH213 Health Systems and Policy
• HLTH216 Foundations of Mental Health and Addictions
• HLTH302 Evidence in Health
• HLTH312 Health Planning, Implementation and Evaluation

Elective Courses

Choose 75 points from the following:

• HLTH302 Evidence in Health
• HLTH306 Te Kete Hauora - Māori Health Knowledge and Understandings/Internship
• HLTH307 Human Nutrition Over the Lifespan
• HLTH312 Health Planning, Implementation and Evaluation
• HLTH316 Professional Skills in Mental Health and Addictions I
• HLTH321 Health Internship
• HLTH323 Critical Analysis of Health Education Practices
• HLTH326 Professional Skills in Mental Health and Addictions II
• BIOL351 Cell Biology 2
• GEOG325 Health, Wellbeing and Environment
• HSRV311 Qualitative Research Methods
• PACE390 Professional and Community Engagement Internships
• PSYC330 Forensic Psychology
• PSYC336 Industrial and Organisational Psychology
• PSYC341 Environmental Psychology
• PSYC348 Contemporary Issues in Family Psychology
• PSYC373 Neuroscience and Neurological Disorders
• PSYC374 Health Psychology
• PSYC375 Intermediate Research Methods and Statistics
• PSYC376 Working with People - Introduction to Professional Skills in Psychology
• PSYC378 Psychology of Social Media
• PSYC379 Introduction to Psychopathology
• PSYC380 Risk and Resilience in Human Development
• PSYC381 Applied Neuroscience: Brain Imaging
• PSYC382 Culture and Cognition
• PSYC384 Learning and Behaviour Analysis
• PSYC385 Human Factors: The Forces that Shape Behaviour with Products, Technology, and Systems
• SPCO309 Applied Exercise Physiology
• SPCO343 Performance Nutrition and Recovery Monitoring
• SPRT322 Physical Activity and Wellbeing
• SPRT323 Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology

Fees

Domestic Students

2026 tuition fee estimate: $9,448 (120 points)

International Students

2026 tuition fee estimate: $43,100 (120 points) 2027 tuition fee estimate: $45,000 (120 points)

Student Services Levy (SSL)

2025 SSL: $9.72 per point ($1,166.40 per 120 points) 2026 SSL: $10.30 per point ($1,236.00 per 120 points)

Further Study

UC also offers a wide range of postgraduate Health programmes, including specialist programmes in Nursing, Counselling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and more.

Career Ready

This programme will prepare you to newly enter the health industry and support health initiatives and address challenges in the sector. Depending on the courses taken, you can find roles in areas dealing with health advocacy and consultation, policy, health science and psychology, and more. The programme focus on working with sensitive and culturally responsive cases will make you well suited to roles supporting communities or non-health related organisations.