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Study Primary Health Care at Otago

    Take your career to the next level with our recently revised, right up-to-date distance-taught interprofessional qualifications.

    We are bringing primary health care professionals together to learn with, from, and about each other.

    Who are our qualifications for?

    Our papers and qualifications are designed for working health and social care professionals in primary health care settings.

    Students come from a range of disciplines, including:

    • Doctors (GP Registrars, GPs)
    • Nurses
    • PHO and general practice managers
    • Paramedics
    • Social workers
    • Pharmacists
    • Dietitians
    • Midwives
    • Physiotherapists

    If you are an employer, having your staff undertake our postgraduate programmes will benefit your practice or organisation – our graduates are ready to respond to current and future health needs in Aotearoa.

    Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Health Care (PGCertPHC)

    A great foundation for anyone working in PHC. Study full-time or part-time over 1–3 years.

    Two core papers totalling 60 points.

    Requirements for the Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Health Care (PGCertPHC)

    Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Health Care (PGDipPHC)

    Build on your certificate and extend your learning to your area of interest. Study full-time or part-time over 2–5 years.

    Two core papers plus two elective papers totalling 120 points.

    Requirements for the Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Health Care (PGDipPHC)

    Master of Primary Health Care (MPHC)

    Build on your diploma and research with leaders in your field; answer your burning questions. Study full-time or part-time over 2–4 years. Choose a portfolio of research or an in-depth thesis.

    The MPHC comprises 120 points plus completion of diploma, totalling 240 points.

    Requirements for the Master of Primary Health Care (MPHC)

    What do our recent students say?

    “After working in a variety of nursing fields, I chose postgraduate study at Otago to focus more specifically on New Zealand primary health care and Māori health. It also helped that colleagues had completed the papers I was interested in and highly recommended them.

    “The qualification gave me a better understanding of the sector I work in, the 'complexity of inequity', and the role individuals and all healthcare workers collectively play in improving health outcomes for vulnerable populations.

    “The study was harder than I had anticipated, but the academic support I received from the team in the Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice was amazing.”

    — Wendy Horo-Gregory
    Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Health Care

    “This course has definitely broadened my appreciation of primary care and its vital role in the health system, and given relevance to many of the targets and expectations that come from the PHO.

    “I would definitely recommend this course to anyone working in primary care because I think it gives perspective to the area as a whole, rather than an individual's 'job', therefore creating purpose and value to your role.”

    — Marleen Hart
    Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Health Care

    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.

    Contacts

    Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice
    University of Otago, Wellington
    Tel +64 4 918 5626

    Email primarycare.distance@otago.ac.nz
    Web otago.ac.nz/phc

    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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    The University of Otago has a global reputation for research excellence. Our expertise is vast across health, society, culture, sustainability and the environment.

    Explore our research
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