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Study Digital Health at Otago

    Meet the growing demand for specialists in digital health

    Healthcare systems are increasingly dependent on data, technology and digital solutions, and consumers expect to use personalised digital technologies to enhance their own individual health and wellbeing. Future roles for healthcare professionals will include the provision and transformation of services using digital technology.

    The Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Health are designed for people working or planning to work in health sector management and leadership roles.

    Why study Digital Health?

    There is an identified shortage of people with the right skills to meet the growing demand for specialists in digital health. These two programmes will help develop extensive knowledge of technology and skills relevant to digital health theory and practice, and the enhanced ability to integrate this information into the health sector. Graduates will be able to critically evaluate complex problems and communicate potential solutions to the health sector.

    • New Zealand's first digital health programme
    • Globally respected teachers
    • Build or transform your career in the healthcare sector

    Study wherever you are, full time or part time

    Delivered online, the course will suit full-time or part-time students who are seeking a qualification in this area but who cannot physically be in Dunedin or are unable to take leave from employment or other commitments.

    Both programmes are taught fully online with the flexibility to attend class virtually and study from home. Live lectures allow you to engage with classmates and teachers in real time.

    The Postgraduate Certificate in Digital Health (PGCertDigHeal) can normally be completed in a minimum of 12 months (in 2024 the PGCertDigHeal can be completed in a minimum of 6 months).

    The Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Health (PGDipDigHeal) can normally be completed in a minimum of 12 months.

    What the professionals have to say

    Digital health is a key enabler of health systems transformation across the globe. Digital transformation focuses on improving health and wellness services, which considers the interactions between people, processes and technology.

    With the explosion in digital health technologies like big data, AI/machine learning, telehealth and consumer engagement tools, there are many exciting career opportunities in digital health across the globe.

    There is a global shortage of digital health expertise and there couldn't be a more exciting time to be at the forefront of health system transformation.

    There is a wide range of opportunities in the public and private sectors including vendors, start-ups and consultancies.

    Dr Will Reedy, Chief Executive Officer, Spark Health

    I believe the role technology will play in health systems around the world will be transformative in the next 10 years.

    Being able to understand emerging technologies that would help us address longstanding barriers to care and improve health outcomes will be one of the most important things you can do to ensure you are future proofing your career and making a meaningful impact.

    Dr Angela Lim, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, Clearhead

    Digital and data in health offer great career opportunities as we transform the system.

    It will enable new ways of delivering services, empowering people and whānau to manage their own health and wellbeing, release time for our clinical workforce to focus on patients and be confident in their safety.

    Data will change how we make decisions and enable early intervention that can lead to prevention of chronic illnesses and improved population health and wellbeing.

    There are economic development opportunities by working with partners to export our successes.

    Shayne Hunter, Deputy Director-General, Data and Digital, Ministry of Health New Zealand

    Download the Digital Health brochure (PDF)

    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.

    Graduate Qualifications

    Our graduate qualifications are crafted to transition students from foundational studies to advanced, specialised knowledge.

    Ready to apply?

    Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.

    Programme details

    Compare programmes for this subject.

    PapersPoints
    DIGH 701 Principles of Digital Health and Informatics30
    DIGH 703 Digital Health Technologies and Systems30
    Total60

    PapersPoints
    DIGH 701 Principles of Digital Health and Informatics30
    DIGH 703 Digital Health Technologies and Systems30
    Plus elective papers to a total of 60 points chosen from the following list*
    • DIGH 706 Research Methods for Digital Health (30 points)
      Note: With approval from the Academic Co-ordinator, a relevant Research Methods paper may be substituted for DIGH 706.
    • DIGH 707 Digital Health Information Governance and Ethics (30 points)
    • DIGH 708 Patient-Centred Digital Health (15 points)
    • DIGH 709 Emerging Technologies in Digital Health (15 points)
    * A candidate may be permitted to substitute papers at an equivalent level of study, to a maximum of 30 points.
    60
    Total120

    Papers

    View a list of all related papers below.

    DIGH papers

    Paper Code Year Title Points Teaching period
    DIGH701 2025 Principles of Digital Health and Informatics 30 points Semester 1
    DIGH703 2025 Digital Health Technologies and Systems 30 points Semester 1
    DIGH706 2025 Research Methods for Digital Health 30 points Not offered in 2025
    DIGH707 2025 Digital health Information Governance and Ethics 30 points Semester 2
    DIGH708 2025 Patient-Centred Digital Health 15 points Semester 2
    DIGH709 2025 Emerging Technologies in Digital Health 15 points Semester 2

    Contacts

    Dr Steve Gallagher
    Course Director, Postgraduate Digital Health Programme
    Dunedin School of Medicine
    Email digitalhealth@otago.ac.nz


    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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