The Master of Aviation Medicine (MAvMed) qualification is a 4-year part-time, distance-learning course offered globally. The core of the Master's degree begins with the Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Medicine (PGDipOccMed) or the Postgraduate Diploma in Aeromedical Retrieval and Transport (PGDipAeroRT). These four papers lead into four additional advanced papers required to complete the Master's qualification. Once completed, students will have earned a Diploma in addition to a Master's qualification.
The degree is available only to registered medical practitioners.
Students who wish to undertake a research-based master's degree should enrol for the Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc), endorsed in Aviation Medicine degree programme.
Aviation Medicine is also available as a subject of study for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree.
All Occupational and Aviation Medicine qualifications are available through Distance Learning.
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Programme details
Papers
The programme shall consist of papers to the value of 240 points (normally eight 30-point papers) which shall normally comprise:
Subject to the approval of the Dean of the Otago Medical School, papers which have been completed at the University of Otago, another university, or an approved examining body may be credited to the programme and/or used as the basis for exemption from the requirements of (b) above, provided that this previous study is directly relevant to the candidate's proposed and approved programme of study, to a maximum of 120 points.
Regulations for the Degree of Master of Aviation Medicine (MAvMed)
Admission to the Programme
Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences).
Every applicant shall have been admitted to the degrees of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery of a university in New Zealand or hold an equivalent medical qualification approved by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences).
Note: On a case by case basis and with approval of the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Health Sciences), it may be possible to have prior study from another university or tertiary institution recognised as equivalent to an Otago postgraduate diploma, and thereby receive some quantity of credit into the programme. Students who feel they have completed relevant prior study are invited to discuss this with the Programme Academic Lead in the first instance.
Duration of the Programme
A candidate for the degree shall normally follow a programme of study for four years of part-time study.
A candidate will normally be expected to satisfy the requirements for the degree within six years of admission to the programme.
Level of Award of the Degree
The degree may be awarded with distinction or with credit.
Variations
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.
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.
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