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.
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:
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.
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)
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)
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)
“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“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 HartExplore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages.
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
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2024 Calendar and supplementary material.
