Postgraduate Study in Nursing
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The Department of Nursing at the University of Otago, Christchurch is ranked in the top 100 nursing schools in the world*.
We specialise in training registered nurses, and also graduates from any background who wish to pursue a career in nursing.
*( QS rating, 2022, under former name Centre for Postgraduate Nursing Studies)
For those looking to begin a nursing career we offer the Master of Nursing Science – a full-time graduate entry programme that provides an intensive pathway to the nursing profession in two years.
As a student in the Department you will undertake programmes that are relevant to your clinical practice and allow you to make a contribution to the profession and to improving health outcomes for the population.
For registered nurses wishing to advance their practice we offer clinically focused postgraduate certificates and diplomas, and masters’ and PhD qualifications.
On-campus study blocks and online learning We recognise that as health practitioners you need to balance your academic and professional commitments so offer on-campus study blocks supported by online learning and access to student support services.
Details of the programmes and qualifications Department of Nursing at University of Otago, Christchurch
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Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, Master’s, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a Master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Graduate Qualifications
Our graduate qualifications are crafted to transition students from foundational studies to advanced, specialised knowledge.
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Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
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Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
Papers Two approved papers in Nursing
Approved research methods paper(s) to the value of 30 points
Other approved paper(s) to the value of 30 points
The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Nursing is available through Distance Learning .
Papers Two approved NURS papers Approved research methods paper(s) to the value of 30 points Further approved paper(s) to the value of 30 points A thesis (120 points) The Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) endorsed in Nursing is available through Distance Learning .
Research practicum option Two approved NURS papers to the value of 60 points One further approved paper (30 points) Approved research methods paper(s) to the value of 30 points A clinically applied research practicum (120 points) Coursework option Three approved NURS papers to the value of 90 points Approved research methods paper(s) to the value of 30 points Further approved paper(s) to the value of 60 points A clinically applied dissertation (60 points) The Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) endorsed in Nursing (Clinical) is available through Distance Learning .
Papers NURS 405 Health Assessment and Advanced Nursing Practice (30 points)NURS 416 Health Care in New Zealand (30 points)further approved papers to the value of 120 points at Level 8 NURS 530 Nurse Practitioner Prescribing Practicum (30 points)NURS 531 Clinical Research Project (30 points)
Level Papers Points
First year
NURS 441 Professional Nursing
15
NURS 442 Health Care in New Zealand
15
NURS 443 Nursing Science 1
15
NURS 444 Nursing Science 2
15
NURS 445 Introduction to Clinical Nursing Practice
15
NURS 446 Nursing Clients with Altered Health States
15
NURS 447 Applied Nursing Research
30
Second year
NURS 501 Nursing Science 3
15
NURS 502 Mental Health Nursing
15
NURS 503 Nursing Clients with Complex Health States
15
NURS 504 Consolidation of Practice
30
NURS 581 Integrating Practice
15
NURS 582 Policy Analysis
30
Note: With the permission of the Head of Department a student may replace NURS 582 with NURS 580 Research Project
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
NURS papers
Paper Code
Year
Title
Points
Teaching period
NURS403 2025
Mental Health Nursing Practice
30 points
Semester 1
NURS404 2025
Advanced Mental Health Nursing Practice
30 points
Not offered in 2025
NURS405 2025
Health Assessment and Advanced Nursing Practice
30 points
Semester 1, Semester 2
NURS409 2025
Mental Health Nursing Practicum
30 points
Semester 2
NURS411 2025
Nursing - Critical Care & High Acuity
30 points
Semester 2
NURS413 2025
Primary Health Care Nursing - Rural/Urban
30 points
Semester 2
NURS415 2025
Nursing Research Methods
30 points
Semester 1
NURS416 2025
Nursing - Applied Pharmacology
30 points
Semester 2
NURS418 2025
Nursing Education - Principles and Practice
30 points
Semester 2
NURS423 2025
Leadership and Management: Growing an Identity
30 points
Semester 1
NURS424 2025
Leadership and Management: Quality & Strategic Change
30 points
Semester 2
NURS426 2025
Nursing - Gerontology
30 points
Semester 2
NURS427 2025
Long-term Conditions: Pathophysiology and Management
30 points
Semester 1
NURS429 2025
Therapeutics for Advanced Nursing
30 points
Semester 2
NURS433 2025
Intellectual Disability: Theory into Practice
30 points
Semester 1
NURS434 2025
Therapeutics: Knowledge and Integration
30 points
Semester 1
NURS435 2025
Evidence Based Nursing Practice
30 points
Semester 1
NURS441 2025
Professional Nursing
15 points
1st Non standard period (17 February 2025 - 5 December 2025)
NURS442 2025
Health Care in New Zealand
15 points
1st Non standard period (17 February 2025 - 5 December 2025)
NURS443 2025
Nursing Science 1
15 points
1st Non standard period (17 February 2025 - 18 July 2025)
NURS444 2025
Nursing Science 2
15 points
1st Non standard period (4 August 2025 - 5 December 2025)
NURS445 2025
Introduction to Clinical Nursing Practice
15 points
1st Non standard period (17 February 2025 - 18 July 2025)
NURS446 2025
Nursing Clients with Altered Health States
15 points
1st Non standard period (4 August 2025 - 5 December 2025)
NURS447 2025
Applied Nursing Research
30 points
1st Non standard period (17 February 2025 - 5 December 2025)
NURS471 2025
Special Topic
30 points
Not offered in 2025
NURS472 2025
Special Topic
30 points
Semester 2
NURS501 2025
Nursing Science 3
15 points
1st Non standard period (20 January 2025 - 16 May 2025)
NURS502 2025
Mental Health Nursing
15 points
1st Non standard period (20 January 2025 - 16 May 2025)
NURS503 2025
Nursing Clients with Complex Health States
15 points
1st Non standard period (20 January 2025 - 16 May 2025)
NURS504 2025
Consolidation of Practice
30 points
1st Non standard period (2 June 2025 - 7 November 2025)
NURS530 2025
Nurse Practitioner Prescribing Practicum
30 points
Semester 2
NURS531 2025
Clinical Research Project
30 points
Semester 1, Semester 2
NURS580 2025
Nursing Research Project
30 points
1st Non standard period (20 January 2025 - 7 November 2025)
NURS581 2025
Integration of Nursing Theory and Practice
15 points
1st Non standard period (2 June 2025 - 7 November 2025)
NURS582 2025
Policy Analysis
30 points
1st Non standard period (20 January 2025 - 7 November 2025)
NURS590 2025
Dissertation
60 points
Semester 1, Semester 2, 1st Non standard period (6 January 2025 - 19 December 2025)
NURS5P 2025
Clinical Research Practicum
120 points
Thesis full year
Contacts
For enquiries related to admission and enrolment Co-ordinator, Student Experiencepostgrad.uoc@otago.ac.nz
For all other queries Email nursingstudies.uoc@otago.ac.nz
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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