Can you give me options for medical-related postgraduate courses in New Zealand after completing my MBBS for a Diploma?
After your MBBS, the University of Otago and University of Auckland offer 1 year Postgraduate Diplomas, including Health Sciences with endorsements, Sport and Exercise Medicine, and Travel Medicine. A diploma does not let you practice clinically; you must clear Medical Council of New Zealand registration, such as the NZREX exam.
Your MBBS already clears the baseline entry requirement for a New Zealand Postgraduate Diploma, since it counts as a tertiary health professional qualification of 3 years or more. From here, your choice depends on whether you want a clinical specialization or a broader, non-clinical credential to strengthen your CV.
Postgraduate Diploma Options By Program
| Program | Offered By | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences | Otago and Auckland | Flexible, with endorsements like aeromedical retrieval, pain management, mental health |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Sport and Exercise Medicine | University of Otago | Sports medicine, musculoskeletal and exercise related injuries |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Travel Medicine | University of Otago | Travel health risks, immunizations, tropical medicine |
| Postgraduate Diploma in Surgical Anatomy or Ophthalmic Basic Sciences | University of Auckland | Foundation for surgical training or vocational tracks |
What You Need To Know Before Enrolling
- Completing a diploma does not grant a license to practice; you must clear Medical Council of New Zealand registration, such as the NZREX exam or a comparable pathway.
- Full-time Level 8 study grants standard international student work rights, up to 20 hours a week during term and full-time during scheduled breaks.
- These are typically 1 year full-time programs, and may open pathways to post study work visas afterward.
My Advice
Decide first whether you want to eventually practice clinically in New Zealand or use the diploma to pivot into a non-clinical role, since that choice determines whether you also need to plan for the NZREX exam alongside your coursework, and the Health Sciences diploma's flexible endorsements are the safest starting point if you are still deciding.
Not sure which NZ universities to apply to?
Courses, costs and career outcomes in one personalised plan.
More Universities & admissions questions
- When are the spring and fall application deadlines for South Korean universities that I should plan for?
- How much would I pay in first-year tuition for the International MBA program at York University, Toronto?
- What are some effective online German language classes for Indian students preparing to study in Germany?
- By when should my HEP point be completed, should it be this month to avoid delay in UK?
- If I apply to two courses at the same university, do I need separate letters of recommendation for each course or can I use the same letter for both?
- What are the chances of getting a conditional offer letter requiring IELTS even if I have a good 12th standard score?
- Is January 2027 intake possible for masters in business analytics in UK/UAE?
- Which universities in the USA offer MS Engineering Management for a B.Tech Automotive Engineering graduate, Duolingo 120 and ₹80 lakhs budget?
More New Zealand questions
- Is it possible to study computer science with specialization in artificial intelligence in UK/New Zealand for a Master's?
- Can you add preferences for good digital marketing and performance marketing courses in New Zealand for a Master's?
- Is it possible for my son, who is currently in twelfth grade, to study in New Zealand next year for a Diploma?
- Which countries have less strict or different financial requirements compared to New Zealand, especially regarding funding duration?
- What steps do I follow to apply for a New Zealand student visa from India?
- Have you discussed your abroad education plan with your parents in UK/Australia?
- Which master's specialisation suits a Pharmacy graduate with 70 percent marks applying to New Zealand for clinical roles?
- Will my work experience from a small company be accepted in New Zealand/Germany for a Master's?