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Study Aviation Medicine at Otago

    Overview

    The Master of Aviation Medicine (MAvMed) course is a totally taught Master's degree, based on core Aviation Medicine papers and papers offered for the Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Medicine (PGDipOccMed) or the Postgraduate Diploma in Aeromedical Retrieval and Transport (PGDipAeroRT). The degree is available only to registered medical practitioners, and students will usually be able to obtain a Postgraduate Diploma in either Occupational Medicine or Aeromedical Retrieval and Transport (or a certificate in each), which is awarded in addition to the MAvMed.

    Students who wish to undertake a research based Masters 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 Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees.

    All Occupational and Aviation Medicine qualifications are available through Distance Learning.

    Choose a study option

    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.

    Ready to apply?

    Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.

    Programme details

    Compare programmes for this subject.

    Thesis option
    • Three of:
    • An approved research methods paper(s) to the value of 30 points
    • A thesis (120 points)
    Coursework Option
    • AVME 711 Aviation Physiology
    • AVME 714 Clinical Aviation Medicine
    • AVME 812 Human Performance
    • AVME 813 Airport and Travel Health
    • An approved research methods paper(s) to the value of 30 points
    • Further approved paper(s) to the value of 60 points
    • A research project (30 points)
    The Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) endorsed in Aviation Medicine is available through Distance Learning.

    Papers

    Papers

    The programme shall consist of papers to the value of 240 points (normally eight 30-point papers) which shall normally comprise:

    At least 180 points selected from

    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.

    Papers

    View a list of all related papers below.

    AVME papers

    Paper Code Year Title Points Teaching period
    AVME711 2025 Aviation Physiology 30 points Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
    AVME714 2025 Clinical Aviation Medicine 30 points Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
    AVME715 2025 Health, Work and Behaviour 30 points Semester 1
    AVME716 2025 Clinical Occupational Medicine 30 points Semester 2
    AVME717 2025 Medical Logistics in Aeromedical Transport 30 points Semester 1
    AVME718 2025 Operational Aspects of Aeromedical Transport 30 points Semester 2
    AVME719 2025 Aeromedical Studies for Nurses and Paramedics 30 points Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
    AVME720 2025 Clinical Analysis in Aeromedical Retrieval and Transport 30 points Semester 1
    AVME721 2025 Clinical Care in the Air 30 points Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
    AVME722 2025 Organisation of Aeromedical Systems 30 points Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
    AVME723 2025 Managing Occupational Medicine 30 points Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
    AVME724 2025 Health and Industry 30 points Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026
    AVME726 2025 Special Topic 30 points Semester 1, Semester 2
    AVME780 2025 Research Project 30 points Semester 1, Semester 2
    AVME785 2025 Research Methods 30 points Semester 1
    AVME801 2025 Occupational Medicine Epidemiology and Biostatistics 30 points Semester 1
    AVME802 2025 Vocational Rehabilitation 30 points Semester 2
    AVME812 2025 Human Performance 30 points Semester 2
    AVME813 2025 Airport and Travel Health 30 points Semester 1
    AVME885 2025 Application of Research Methods 30 points Semester 1

    Contacts

    Dr Robin Griffiths
    Department of Medicine
    University of Otago, Wellington
    PO Box 7343
    Wellington South
    Mob +64 21 620 148
    Email rob.griffiths@otago.ac.nz

    Programme Manager
    Department of Medicine
    University of Otago, Wellington
    PO Box 7343
    Wellington South
    Tel +64 4 385 5591
    Email oamu@otago.ac.nz

    Website:  otago.ac.nz/aviation_medicine


    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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