Price
Domestic learners
$2,524* per 30 point course
International learners
$10,950* per 30 point course
*Fees outlined are based on the 2025 fee schedule and are subject to revision each year. Prices include GST where applicable. Non-tuition fees, such as the Student Services Levy (SSL), will also apply.
Qualification
MHealSc (Nursing)
240 points
Duration
2 years full-time
Entry times
February 2026*
2027
*Applications open for South Island-based learners only. Places are limited, and applicants may be waitlisted.
Overview
2026 enrolments are now open for South Island-based learners. Domestic applications are assessed on a rolling basis, but places are limited and may be waitlisted. International applications close 1 August and will be assessed after that date.
Become a nurse in two years through our pre-registration master’s degree. Use and enhance your critical thinking skills, develop your clinical knowledge, and grow your career to become a registered nurse. Learn from an experienced, highly skilled nursing team and passionate researchers who are leaders in their field.
Nurses are in demand across Aotearoa New Zealand, and nursing offers excellent career progression opportunities, as well as options to travel and earn around the world.
The Master of Health Sciences (Nursing) is underpinned by UC’s values of manaakitanga (extending care and empowering others), whanaungatanga (valuing people and working as a team), and tiakitanga (enhancing and nurturing our resources). These philosophies help produce nursing graduates who are socially conscious, critical thinkers who contribute to the advancement of nursing knowledge, policy, and health outcomes.
On successful completion, graduates will be awarded a Master of Health Sciences (Nursing) and be eligible to apply to the Te Kaunihera Tapuhi o Aotearoa | Nursing Council of New Zealand to sit the State Final Examination to become a registered nurse.
Requirements
To ensure that our learners have the necessary background and experience to succeed, admission to the MHealthSc (Nursing) is based on your previous studies in a relevant bachelor’s degree, or a qualification and practical experience considered to be equivalent.
To enrol in the MHealSc (Nursing), you must have completed one of the following:
- A bachelor's degree in a health-related discipline, or equivalent,
- An appropriate health professional qualification, or
- The Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (or equivalent) with at least a B Grade Point Average.
Your eligibility will be considered upon enrolment, with successful applicants approved as students by the Amo Matua Te Kaupeka Oranga | Executive Dean of Health or delegate.
Unsure about your suitability?
As part of our application process, your eligibility will be assessed by our nursing academic team to make sure that your academic and/or professional background meets the entry criteria. Potential students can come from a variety of undergraduate backgrounds, such as health sciences, biology or psychology. Unfortunately our Tuihono UC | UC Online team cannot confirm your eligibility before your application is submitted, beyond referring you to the requirements above. We are happy to help answer any general questions you have about the programme or online learning, however. You can get in touch with us here.
Other requirements
The Master of Health Science (Nursing) endorsement requires students to undertake placements in the community, including in schools/kura, early childhood centres, or health/medical facilities. For this qualification you will be required to meet police vetting and other health requirements stipulated in the Children's Act 2014, and health/immunisation requirements of clinical agencies and the HPCA Act 2003. This includes:
- Evidence of Immune Status* - required prior to commencement of the program. Cost of a GP/health professional fee, and cost (if any) for serology tests. (Student to arrange.)
- *Please see our Nursing vaccination & immunity requirements for full requirements.
- *Please see our Nursing vaccination & immunity requirements for full requirements.
- First Aid training - required prior to commencing the first clinical placement. Provide an up to date first aid certificate for a course that covers NZQA unit standards 6401 and 6402 and is a minimum of 8 hours in length. For example, Red Cross Essential First Aid or St John First Aid Level 1 (Student to arrange and cover cost.)
- Nursing equipment kit and Student uniform– required prior to commencement of the program. We will send you more information upon enrolment.
- Complete the Health and Disability Declaration
- International students applying for admission will need to provide evidence of English language proficiency with their application. For this programme you will need to supply evidence of:
- IELTS (Academic) 7 with no individual score below 7; or
- An alternative English language assessment, approved by Amo Matua, Te Kaupeka Oranga | Executive Dean of Health or delegate.
For the full requirements, see the Regulations for the Master of Health Sciences or use the admission requirements checker.
Clinical requirements
Clinical practice requirements mean that learners must also complete placements in clinical settings. Placement locations will be discussed during the enrolment process.
Course requirements
All courses are compulsory.
Structure
The Master of Health Sciences (Nursing) comprises of four NZQF level 8 postgraduate courses and three NZQF level 9 postgraduate courses. All courses have associated clinical placement components, that will add up to 1100 hours over the entire programme.
Learners must complete the MHealSc (Nursing) in the time frame stipulated by the Nursing Council of New Zealand in order to be eligible to apply for registration.
Time commitment
Full-time learners complete two 30-point courses across two semesters, requiring approximately 37.5 hours of study per week. Study time includes taking in course material, reflection time and writing assignments.
Learners must also attend clinical placements, and two weeks of in-person intensives onsite at University of Canterbury per semester. The first in-person intensives for 2025 learners will take place from 10 - 14 February and April 2025; and will most likely take place in the first week of semester and mid-semester thereafter.
Learn more about how this flexible degree works and what your study journey might look like.
Clinical placements
As part of the MHealSc (Nursing), our students are required to complete a series of clinical placements with industry providers. These placements encompass various areas of practice, including but not limited to continuing care, mental health, complex conditions, and community and whanau settings. Placements are organised in intensive blocks, ranging from 4 to 13 weeks, and typically involve 2 to 5 days per week. Students will be expected to work across a range of nursing shifts from Monday to Sunday, including morning, afternoon, evening, and night shifts, depending on the requirements of each placement.
While we will make every effort to arrange clinical placements within our learners' region of enrolment, there may be instances where suitable placements are not available locally. In such cases, students may be required to complete placements outside their region to ensure a comprehensive clinical experience.
Upcoming dates
Our 2026 learning dates are:
- Semester one 2026: 9 February – 19 June 2026
- 9 – 13 February: in-person intensives on-campus in Ōtautahi Christchurch
- 20 – 24 April: in-person intensives on-campus in Ōtautahi Christchurch
- Semester two 2026: 13 July 2026 – 27 November 2026 (please note: clinical placement requirements will extend over the summer break)
- The dates for two-weeks of in-person intensives will be confirmed with enrolled learners
Please note: these dates are provisional and may be subject to change.
What you'll study
You’ll study four NZQF level 8 and three NZQF level 9 postgraduate courses for the Master of Health Sciences (Nursing).
Our people
The Master of Health Sciences (Nursing) is coordinated by Dr Isabel Jamieson and Dr Cathy Andrew, with contributions from Dr Kate Reid, Dr Wendy Maddocks, Dr Kylie Short, Senior Lecturer Craig Lynch and Clinical Educator Olivia Rogers.
Isabel Jamieson, RN, is a senior lecturer, at the University of Canterbury (UC), Faculty of Health. She is the coordinator of the Master of Health Sciences (Nursing) and Doctor of Health Sciences programmes. Her areas of research include the healthcare workforce, nursing students' readiness to practice, the graduate nurse experience, and career change. Her clinical background was perioperative nursing (operating theatre). Isabel has a passion for nursing and supporting students to succeed.
Kylie Short has 25 years of experience in nursing practice and education. She is a senior nursing lecturer at the University of Canterbury (UC). Kylie’s extensive clinical background includes practice spanning intensive care nursing, particularly in cardiothoracic ICU, acute medical admissions, and general post-operative care. Her teaching specialties lie in postgraduate education, with a focus on health assessment and acute care management.
Cathy Andrews' nursing practice background is ICU and mental health. She has many years of experience in nursing and health educational leadership and management. Her research includes numerous collaborative projects between education and practice including curriculum development, evaluation and innovation in educational delivery.
Cathy's career has spanned New Zealand, Australia, the UK and the South Pacific. She has served on advisory groups, panels and committees for groups such as Health Quality and Safety, Nursing Council of NZ, Vanuatu Qualifications Authority, NZ Qualifications Authority and the National Nurse Leaders group.
Craig Lynch has a background as a nurse in intellectual disabilities and mental health. His research interests are in neurodiversity, mental health, and strengths-based interventions. He currently practices as a nurse consultant, as well as a senior lecturer.
Craig has many years of experience in forensic health, intellectual disability services and mental health education. His interest is in ADHD, ASD, personality disorders, schizophrenia, and therapeutic interventions. Craig's career has spanned New Zealand and the UK (where he is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy). He serves on the Asian Community Transformation Trust as a Board Member in Christchurch.
Olivia Rogers is a graduate of the University of Canterbury's pre-registration entry to nursing programme and has specialised into working in acute care, with a focus on general surgery, trauma, emergency, and intensive care nursing.
Olivia splits her time between working clinically in the Intensive Care Unit at Christchurch Hospital, and working in nursing education at the University of Canterbury. Her key teaching areas are health assessment and clinical reasoning, pathophysiology, and nursing care for people living with acute and chronic conditions. Olivia is passionate about nursing education and helping students develop skills and attributes that prioritise their wellbeing and resiliency in complex acute healthcare environments.
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Cap & minimum enrolment threshold: a minimum number of learners is needed for effective interaction and feedback, while a maximum cap of learners ensures high quality learning and support. If the minimum number of enrolments required for a course isn’t met, or the maximum cap is exceeded, learners will be given the option to defer their study or receive a refund.
