Occupational Health

Entry requirements

Bachelor’s degree or an appropriate health professional qualification requiring at least three years of full-time tertiary 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

In general, this qualification is intended for health professionals who have completed three years of tertiary study and already have experience in the field. The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (PGDipHealSc) may be taken either as a generic qualification or, more usually, with an endorsement in a specific area of specialisation.

Programmes are taught through the Dunedin School of Medicine and are designed to offer training in occupational health and safety for health science and other graduates who may wish to pursue a career in health and safety and for those who may be working in the field already.

The programme covers hazard identification, risk assessment, hazard management (including legislation), occupational diseases, rehabilitation, occupational hygiene, toxicology, and research methods.

Papers

• OCCH 401 Occupational Health
• OCCH 402 Occupational Safety
• An approved research methods paper to the value of 30 points
• One other approved paper

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