Study Nursing at Otago
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)
Want to begin a career in nursing? 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.
Further training for registered nurses 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.
Ready to enrol?
Choose a qualification
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Dunedin, 2025
Master of Advanced Nursing Practice (MAdvNP), Christchurch, 2025
Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc), Christchurch, 2025
Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc), Dunedin, 2025
Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc), Wellington, 2025
Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc), Christchurch, 2025
Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc), Dunedin, 2025
Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc), Wellington, 2025
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc), Christchurch, 2025
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc), Dunedin, 2025
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc), Wellington, 2025
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Nursing at Otago
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
Requirements
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) endorsed in Nursing
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 .
Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) endorsed in Nursing
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 .
Master of Advanced Nursing Practice (MAdvNP)
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)
Master of Nursing Science (MNSc)
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
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
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
Nursing - Leadership and Management 1
30 points
Semester 1
NURS424
2025
Nursing - Leadership and Management 2
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
Semester 1
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
Qualifications
Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages.
Contact us
For enquiries related to admission and enrolment Co-ordinator, Student Experience University of Otago, Christchurch Email postgrad.uoc@otago.ac.nz
For all other queries Email nursingstudies.uoc@otago.ac.nz
Studying at Otago
This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.
Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.