Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health

The Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health (PGCertPH) is a perfect place to start postgraduate study. Some students, particularly those already working in the health sector, may wish to obtain a postgraduate qualification in Public Health, but do not wish to undertake a diploma or master's qualification. The Postgraduate Certificate provides such students with an appropriate qualification.

The structure of the programme allows you to undertake specific endorsed areas of study to complement your areas of interest or work expertise.

You are able to use the qualification as a stand-alone qualification, but equally you can use the papers from the PGCertPH to progress to the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health (DPH).

Information for new applicants

The course is open to those with a wide variety of backgrounds and qualifications. As a guide, a general requirement for entry into postgraduate public health courses is a good undergraduate degree, diploma, or professional qualification, which would normally equate to a B average overall.

Postgraduate entrance requirements

Entrance requirements for postgraduate study vary by programme with most requiring a minimum bachelor-level qualification in the same field, and some having additional requirements such as relevant work experience and/or professional registration in New Zealand.

A postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma can usually be taken at any time after the completion of your bachelor's degree.

If you hold an honours degree or postgraduate diploma you may be able to eligible for master’s study by thesis only. In some cases if you hold a bachelor’s degree you may apply for a coursework master’s degree or for master’s study by coursework and thesis.

To study a PhD you usually require the completion of a master’s degree, or a first-class or upper second-class honours degree in the same area of study, or a related discipline, as your intended area of research.

Check the postgraduate students pages for specific information on the entrance requirements of the programme you are interested in.

IELTS (Academic module) (including IELTS Online) : Overall score of 6.5, no individual band below 6.0

TOEFL iBT : Overall score of 90 and a writing score of 21 The University of Otago TOEFL institution code is 9483 (Please note we do not accept MyBest TOEFL scores)

Pearson Test of English ( PTE ) Academic : Overall score of 58 with no communicative skills score below 50

Duolingo English Test : Overall score of 120 (with no Individual Subscore below 95)