Master of Health Science
This programme is designed to prepare registered nurses for advanced clinical practice and is also focused on developing leadership potential in nurses and other health professionals.
Why study the Master of Health Science?
Students who enrol in the Master of Health Science programme can choose from several specialty pathways including mental health; primary, community and rural healthcare; acute care; Māori health; older person health and rehabilitation. They also have significant flexibility to choose papers aligned to other areas of interest, like child health, cancer care, death and dying, education and health management.
From clinical mentors to academic supervisors, Waikato is invested in helping you to set yourself a professional development pathway through postgraduate study. We combine Waikato’s high academic standards with real healthcare settings and our programmes are unique and customisable.
Māori and Pasifika nurses are also able to undertake study that supports and develops their clinical and cultural practice and leadership development using indigenous worldviews.
Nurse Practitioner Pathway
Registered nurses who enrol in the Master of Health Science may choose to pursue registration as a Nurse Practitioner. This is a professionally accredited pathway leading to eligibility to apply for registration with the Nursing Council of New Zealand in addition to an academic qualification.
For further information, please connect with our postgrad team on pgnursing@waikato.ac.nz
Degree information
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Subjects Choose a subject
Browse available subjects and choose one for more information.
Browse MHSc subjects Browse available subjects and choose one for more information
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Entry Requirements To enrol in the Master of Health Science you should have completed a Bachelor of Nursing (or equivalent) and have achieved a B average across your final year of study.
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Fees and scholarships Estimated fees
$8,084 - $9,850 per year
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Domestic tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
Domestic tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 10 January 2025.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. View information about fees free study.
Estimated fees
$45,800 (120 points), $91,600 (240 points)
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International tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for international students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
International tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 10 January 2025.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.
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Graduate outcomes Students will build on the attributes gained through the PGCert and PGDip and in addition will:
- Develop skills in the Implementation of evidence-based change;
- Become a high analytical thinker; build clinical and professional leadership;
- Contribute to the national and international development of nursing as a profession; and
- Depending on papers and experience, preparation for application to Nursing Council of New Zealand for Nurse Practitioner endorsement.
On completion of the programme, graduates will be able to:
- Critically discuss the place of research in generating knowledge for clinical practice and service development;
- Articulate the relationship between health problems, research questions and research methods;
- Engage with research issues and service development for Māori, Pacific and other indigenous communities;
- Articulate the implications of the research study for health equity; and
- Write a structured research report that follows the steps of the research process. For those on Nurse Practitioner pathway graduates will be able to apply to the Nursing Council of New Zealand for Nurse Practitioner scope of practice.
Browse available subjects and choose one for more information
To enrol in the Master of Health Science you should have completed a Bachelor of Nursing (or equivalent) and have achieved a B average across your final year of study.
Estimated fees
$8,084 - $9,850 per year
-
Domestic tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for domestic students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
Domestic tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 10 January 2025.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. View information about fees free study.
Estimated fees
$45,800 (120 points), $91,600 (240 points)
-
International tuition fees
Approximate annual tuition fees and costs for international students enrolled in one year of full-time study.
International tuition costs -
Scholarships
Visit our Scholarship finder for more information about possible scholarships.
Scholarships Finder
Relevant as of 10 January 2025.
All amounts are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment. Please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees.
Students will build on the attributes gained through the PGCert and PGDip and in addition will:
- Develop skills in the Implementation of evidence-based change;
- Become a high analytical thinker; build clinical and professional leadership;
- Contribute to the national and international development of nursing as a profession; and
- Depending on papers and experience, preparation for application to Nursing Council of New Zealand for Nurse Practitioner endorsement.
On completion of the programme, graduates will be able to:
- Critically discuss the place of research in generating knowledge for clinical practice and service development;
- Articulate the relationship between health problems, research questions and research methods;
- Engage with research issues and service development for Māori, Pacific and other indigenous communities;
- Articulate the implications of the research study for health equity; and
- Write a structured research report that follows the steps of the research process. For those on Nurse Practitioner pathway graduates will be able to apply to the Nursing Council of New Zealand for Nurse Practitioner scope of practice.
Degree planner information
Master of Health Science
To complete a Master of Health Science (MHSc) students must complete 240 points at 500 level.
Students must include one of:
- HLTSC592: Health Science Dissertation (60pt)
- HLTSC593: Health Science Thesis (90pt)
- HLTSC594: Health Science Thesis (120pt)
Nurse Practitioner pathway
Students undertaking the Nurse Practitioner pathway are not required to complete a dissertation or thesis and should instead complete the following papers: HLTSC501, HLTSC502 , HLTSC503, HLTSC507, HLTSC509, HLTSC510 and HLTSC511.
For information on the below recommended study pathways please view the Health Sciences entry in the Subject Regulations:
- Education Pathway
- Clinical Pathway
- Māori, Pacific and Indigenous pathway
- Leadership and Health Management pathway
- Primary, Community and Rural pathway
- Mental Health pathway
- Gerontology pathway
Scholarships and prizes
Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships.