Program Overview

Postgraduate Diploma in Osteopathy

Overview

Prepare for registration to become an in-demand, qualified osteopath. There's strong demand for qualified osteopaths in New Zealand, Australia, and Asia. This qualification enables you to gain the necessary additional skills and knowledge required to apply for registration to practice with the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand.

What Will I Study

The programme involves case-based learning which is clinically relevant and focused on ensuring you’re competent and safe to enter the profession. Among other things, it covers how to:

• Work professionally, ethically, and legally in primary healthcare settings
• Apply ethical decision-making processes to your practice
• Apply interpersonal and intrapersonal skills and professional values to your practice for people with diverse needs and backgrounds
• Respond culturally and safely when working with patients, colleagues, healthcare workers, and communities

As part of the programme, you’ll undertake 555 hours of supervised clinical practice at Ara's osteopathic clinic.

Academic Requirements

• Bachelor of Musculoskeletal Health

Additional Requirements

• In order to access an individual placement in this programme, you may be required to provide evidence of immunity to particular infectious diseases or other health requirements specific to the practice
• Consent to Disclosure of Information:
  • Successful applicants will be required to complete a New Zealand Police Consent to Disclosure of Information form
  • The form will be sent by Ara to the Police Licensing and Vetting Service, and returned in confidence to the Head of Department
  • Information on the NZ Police Vetting Service is available from the New Zealand Police website

Alternative Requirements

• Still want to study but don't meet the Academic Requirements?
  • If you show that you have equivalent skills for tertiary study gained through study, work and/or life experience, you may be able to gain alternative entry
  • Note: The number of courses you have to complete for this qualification may be reduced where you have relevant credits from previous study, or evidence of similar learning or experience in the workplace

If you do not hold the Bachelor of Musculoskeletal Health you may:

• Provide evidence of having completed a relevant professional qualification
• Provide evidence of successful completion of a relevant qualification or programme of study which is equivalent to those of first degree graduates, through the submission of a portfolio of evidence

If your undergraduate degree is not assessed as meeting the full requirements for this programme, enrolment in transitional or undergraduate courses may be required before admission to this programme.

English Requirements

• What if English is not my first Language?
  • Please provide a result from a test or qualification on the acceptable alternatives
  • English Proficiency Outcomes Chart
  • If you are a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident, complete an Admission and Enrolment form and Ara will contact you regarding a free assessment
  • If you are not a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent resident, book an IELTS or other test through the Ara Examination Centre or in your home country
  • IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form and are valid for two years from the date of the test
  • What if I have achieved NCEA Level 3 University Entrance?
  • You do not need to provide additional evidence of English Language skills

Overall IELTS 6.5 Academic

• 6.0 Listening
• 6.0 Reading
• 6.0 Writing
• 6.0 Speaking

Selection Criteria

Applicants who meet the requirements for admission are accepted in the order their applications are received, with a proportion of places reserved on the programme for priority learners.

• In the event that there are more applications than spaces available on the programme, a waitlist will be maintained

Fees for 2025

• Domestic Fee: $8,085 - $8,995 per year
• Indicative Student Services Fee: $370.50 per year

Core Courses

• Level 8
  • Pain Management (OSTE801) - 15 credits
  • Dilemmas in Patient Management (OSTE802) - 15 credits
  • Clinical Practice (OSTE803) - 30 credits
  • Advanced Professional Practice (OSTE804) - 15 credits
  • Professional Integrated Practice (OSTE805) - 30 credits
  • Neurophysiology of Pain (OSTE807) - 15 credits

Career Opportunities

Strong demand for qualified osteopaths means there are many job opportunities available both in New Zealand and overseas. Upon completion of this programme, you can apply for registration to practice with the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand. The Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement means you can also apply for registration in Australia. There are many other countries you can work in, following successful completion of their registration processes.

Study Pathways

Further study options include the Master of Health Science. Ara is currently developing additional pathways to support the professional development of its graduates.

Programme Details

• Type: Postgraduate
• Code: CH4064
• Next Starts: February 2026
• May be available for Study Visa?: Yes
• Credits: 120
• Level: 8
• May be eligible for Studylink?: Yes
• Reference: CH4064-STRU

COVID-19 Vaccination Information

Placements or workplace assignments are an integral part of this programme. You don’t need to supply evidence of your Covid vaccination status to apply for or to study this programme but please be aware that some workplaces may require evidence from you that you are fully vaccinated for Covid before allowing you to complete work at their organisation. The number of organisations at which your placement or workplace assignment can be completed may be impacted, depending on your vaccination status.