Program Overview

Graduate Certificate in Health Science

The Graduate Certificate in Health Science is a programme designed for individuals who have a degree in another discipline and do not meet the entry criteria for postgraduate study in health sciences. It is also suitable for those who do not have a degree but have considerable work experience in health, sport, or recreation and want to gain a qualification in their field.

Programme Details

• Programme code: AK3757
• Level: 7
• Points: 60
• Duration: 0.5 years full-time, part-time available
• Campus: North Campus, South Campus
• Starts: 13 Jul 2026, 22 Feb 2027, 12 Jul 2027

Fees

• Domestic: $4,706.80 - $4,815.80 (for 60 points)
• International: $20,210.80 (for 60 points)
  • 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.
  • 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.

Entry Requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements

• A bachelor's degree OR
• Relevant professional qualification or experience approved by the Dean (or representative) to be equivalent to a bachelor's degree
• If you're interested in taking clinical health science courses, you need to meet the requirements for the relevant Bachelor of Health Science subject area.

International Student Entry Requirements

• English language requirements: IELTS (Academic) 6.5 overall with all bands 6.0 or higher; or equivalent

What You Study

You complete 60 points, including at least 45 points from level 7 courses. You will be guided to select your courses in a given subject area.

Addictions Courses

• AUT's addiction courses prepare students to work effectively with people experiencing substance use or other behavioural addiction issues across a range of settings.
• Courses you can study:
  • MENH704 Theories and Principles for Addiction Practice
  • MENH705 Assessment and Intervention in Addiction Practice
  • MENH706 Recovery and Wellbeing in Addiction Practice
  • One Level 7 course worth at least 15 points from the Bachelor of Health Science

Lived Experience Courses

• The lived experience courses are designed to be completed via part-time study and can be done over one or two years.
• To study the lived experience courses, you need to have:
  • A level 4 qualification in peer support or mental health and addictions support work plus 2 years' relevant work experience OR
  • Lived experience and any bachelor's degree OR
  • Experience working in the field equivalent to a bachelor's degree
• Complete the following courses:
  • LEXP500 Foundations For Lived Experience Practice (level 5)
  • MENH706 Recovery in Mental Health and Addiction Practice (level 7)
  • LEXP700 Enhanced Lived Experience Practice (level 7)
  • HEAL706 (Special Topic) Realising the Recovery Potential of Groups & Communities (level 7)

Psychology Courses

• Choose four 15-point courses, subject to the approval of the programme leader.
• The psychology courses in the Graduate Certificate in Health Science are aimed at students who already have a degree or experience in psychology.
• If you don't have an undergraduate degree in psychology, you should apply for the Graduate Diploma in Health Science.
• Courses you can study:
  • PSYC701 Experimental and Applied Behaviour Analysis
  • PSYC704 Biopsychology
  • PSYC705 Positive Psychology
  • PSYC706 Health Psychology
  • PSYC707 Approaches to Psychological Intervention
  • HEAL709 Advanced Research
  • PSYC715 Psychological Challenges of Childhood and Adolescence
  • PSYC780 Emotions and Human Nature
  • PSYC781 Applied Issues in Cultural and Social Psychology
  • PSYC784 Developmental Psychology

Renal Physiology Courses

• Courses you can study:
  • HEAL610 Methods of Research and Enquiry
  • PHMY701 Pharmacology for Professional Practice
  • HEAL715 Renal Science
  • HEAL716 Renal Health, Culture and Context

Other Course Choices

• You choose four 15-point approved undergraduate courses from:
  • Bachelor of Health Science
  • Bachelor of Sport and Recreation
• Prerequisites and limitations may apply.

Related Programmes

• Graduate Diploma in Health Science

Academic Calendar

The information on this page was correct at the time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.