Bioethics

Entry requirements

Every applicant, shall normally be required to satisfy all of the following: be a graduate in a health-related field or possess an appropriate health professional qualification requiring at least three years of full-time tertiary study; have completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences or equivalent with grades averaging B or better; have completed 30 points of research methods at NZQF Level 8 with a grade (or average grade if more than one paper is used to complete the 30 points) of B+ or better; and provide evidence of ability for advanced level academic study.

Applicants for admission where non-standard research methods requirements apply shall normally be required to satisfy all of the following: be a graduate in a health-related field or possess an appropriate health professional qualification requiring at least three years of full-time tertiary study; have completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences or equivalent with grades averaging B+ or better; and provide evidence of ability for advanced level academic study.

If your first language is not English you need to meet our English language requirements as follows: IELTS score of 6.5 in the academic module (with no individual band below 6.0); we also accept a number of other English language tests. Due to COVID-19, we currently accept Duolingo English Test (DET), IELTS Indicator Test, and TOEFL iBT Special home Edition.

Don’t meet the English language requirements? The University of Otago Language Centre "English for Otago" programme offers a pathway for Undergraduate and Postgraduate students to meet the English language requirements for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

Months of entry

February, July

Course content

The Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) degree allows study at a postgraduate level across a range of health disciplines, and research experience (thesis, dissertation or project) in the student's area of specialisation. This course is also available through Distance Learning.

Normally before embarking upon study within the Master of Health Sciences programme, students would first complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences (PGCertHealSc) and/or a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc). Students are normally required to obtain a B average over their Postgraduate Diploma in order to be admitted to Masters Study.

The Master of Health Sciences (MHealSc) comprises 120 points. This can be a thesis worth the entire 120 points, a 60 point dissertation and further papers to the value of 60 points, or 30 point research project and 90 points of further papers. A 30 point research methods paper is a requirement for the Master of Health Sciences. It can be taken as an "endorsed" option.

New birth technologies, genetic modification of organisms, patient confidentiality and environmental concerns are some of the diverse topics explored in the field of Bioethics. There is an increasing recognition of the need to expand our understanding of the ethical issues being raised by advances in medicine, health care, science and technology and by changes in society.

The Bioethics Centre, established at the University of Otago in 1988, aims to encourage and coordinate teaching and research in ethics, to stimulate informed public debate and to provide a consultation and resource service for health professionals and others in the community. As New Zealand's only centre for applied ethics, the Centre offers you unique opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate study in Bioethics.

Papers

• BITC 401 Theories of Biomedical Ethics

Papers to the value of 60 points chosen from:

• BITC 404 Ethics and Health Care
• BITC 405 Bioethics in Clinical Practice
• BITC 406 Health Research Ethics
• BITC 407 Advanced Health Research Ethics

Further approved paper(s) to the value of 30 points

A thesis (120 points)

Information for international students

Otago offers students an unrivalled campus experience and a vibrant, social student culture. The majority of Otago’s 21,000 students live, work and play in Dunedin - New Zealand’s only true university city. Otago is home to over 3,000 students, from over 100 countries.

Fees and funding

New Zealand is a relatively affordable country to live in. Dunedin, being a student-focused city, has living and entertainment options for all budgets.

Students are eligible for the Otago International Excellence Scholarship.