public health phd new zealand

PhD in public health at the University of Otago

Study in christchurch, dunedin, or wellington.

A PhD provides an unequalled opportunity to carry out in-depth research and analysis of a particular public health issue. The University of Otago offers the supervision of leading researchers from many different backgrounds. We aim to create a stimulating and supportive environment for emerging researchers.

Intending applicants for doctoral study will have demonstrated the ability to progress to an advanced degree and have a keen interest in research.

Interested students are encouraged to view staff profiles online:

• Christchurch public health researchers Department of Population Health
• Dunedin public health researchers Department of Preventive and Social Medicine
• Wellington public health researchers Department of Public Health

Those interested in embarking on a PhD should contact their nearest department for further information. Enrolment in a PhD is not limited to the beginning of semesters; they may be accepted at any time of the year.

PhD research areas and topics

Research in Public Health at University of Otago .

View Campus-specific research themes:

• Christchurch campus (Department of Population Health, University of Otago, Christchurch)
• Dunedin campus (Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine)
• Wellington campus (Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington)

PhD regulations and requirements

• Regulations and requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (University of Otago)

PhD scholarships

• Scholarships available to PhD students (University of Otago)

Hear from past students

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Further information

• Further information for prospective PhD students (University of Otago)

Email enquiries

• Christchurch: [email protected]
• Dunedin: [email protected]
• Wellington: [email protected]

This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.

Regulations on this page are taken from the 2023 Calendar and supplementary material.

Regulations on this page are taken from the 2024 Calendar and supplementary material.

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• School of Population Health
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• You are currently on: Doctoral study
• Doctoral study

Make a start on your PhD in the School of Population Health.

We welcome doctoral students to our school to undertake research across a range of subjects. If you’re interested in undertaking your doctoral study within our school, get in touch with the relevant point of contact below.

General enquiries

Dr Richard Edlin Director of Postgraduate Research, School of Population Health Email:   r.edlin@auckland.ac.nz Phone:  +64 9 923 9029

Dr David Welch Head of Section, Audiology Email: d.welch@auckland.ac.nz Phone: +64 9 923 8404

Alcohol and Drug Studies

Dr David Newcombe Head of Department, Social and Community Health Email: d.newcombe@auckland.ac.nz Phone: +64 9 923 6557

Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Dr Judith McCool Head of Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics Email: j.mccool@auckland.ac.nz Phone: +64 9 923 2372

General Practice and Primary Healthcare

Associate Professor Stephen Buetow Associate Professor of General Practice and Primary Healthcare Email: s.buetow@auckland.ac.nz Phone: +64 9 923 6241

Health Informatics

Dr Karen Day Senior Lecturer of Health Systems Email: k.day@auckland.ac.nz Phone: +64 9 923 3870

Health Management

Dr Maran Muthiah Senior Lecturer of Health Systems Email: mmut146@aucklanduni.ac.nz Phone: +64 9 923 9969

Health Systems

Professor Tim Tenbensal Professor of Health Systems Email: t.tenbensel@auckland.ac.nz Phone: +64 9 923 9001

Māori Health

Dr Anneka Anderson Senior Lecturer, Te Kupenga Hauora Māori Email: a.anderson@auckland.ac.nz Phone: +64 9 923 3373

Pacific Health

Associate Professor Vili Nosa Associate Professor of Pacific Health Email: v.nosa@auckland.ac.nz Phone: +64 9 923 6906

Public Health

Professor Chris Bullen Professor of Pacific Health Email: c.bullen@auckland.ac.nz Phone: +64 9 923 4730

Related links

• Doctor of Philosophy
• Doctoral application help
• Doctoral candidates

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Study public health , Te hauora tūmatanui

Improve the health and wellbeing of individuals, whānau and communities. Public health (also called population health) includes disease prevention, health promotion and health protection.

Need help or know what you want to study?

• Study options
• Student stories
• Careers & jobs
• Accreditations

Wellbeing for all

Improve health and wellbeing, reduce inequalities. Careers include case managers, epidemiologists, health officers and analysts.

Walk into a job

Massey public health graduates have great career prospects both in New Zealand and globally.

In great company

Massey's award-winning lecturers and their world-class research will make sure you have the very best training during your study.

Striving to be Tiriti-led

We work to uphold the principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi – and to empower all New Zealanders, especially Māori.

No one thing can improve the health and wellbeing of a community or demographic group. Many factors come into play. And it's vital to work collaboratively with people, whānau and wider groups.

Learn from lecturers from across the health sciences. Explore new ideas with researchers with expertise in areas such as epidemiology, health literacy or health promotion. Examine contemporary public health challenges in Aotearoa New Zealand and globally. Hone your advocacy, analytical and communication skills. Graduate work-ready, with skills employers need.

Studying public health is a good fit if you:

• enjoy school subjects such as health and social sciences
• want to make long-term improvements to health, and to health, wellbeing or disability services
• like creative problem-solving and collaborating with a wide range of people.

Courses in public health may cover:

• analysing health data and research
• developing meaningful relationships with people you'll support – individuals, whānau and communities
• Māori health
• mental health and addiction
• public health systems and functions – examples include health assessments, health promotion and developing capacity
• rehabilitation
• social factors that impact health and wellbeing, such as education, environment and housing.

What is public health?

Public health – also called population health – focuses on the health of groups of people. Public health examines patterns of health across different populations and take a systems view of all factors affecting health.

It includes:

• healthy environments and living conditions
• partnering with communities
• promoting good health and preventing illnesses
• social justice and equity, including causes of health inequalities
• Te Tiriti o Waitangi-led practice.

How to study public health

Discover what we offer if you’re interested in public health – whether you’re coming to university for the first time, changing direction or returning to advance your study or career.

Undergraduate study

Bachelor's degrees, bachelor of health science – bhlthsc.

Discover your path in health science at Massey University.

Health Promotion – Bachelor of Health Science

Tackle key health challenges and improve individual, community and population well-being with Massey's Bachelor of Health Science (Health Promotion).

Integrated Human Health – Bachelor of Health Science

Learn about the impact of biological and environmental factors on human health, and how you can make a difference.

Mental Health and Addiction – Bachelor of Health Science

Massey’s Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health and Addiction) will help you start or advance a career in the mental health and addictions workforce.

Relevant undergraduate subjects to major or specialise in

When you apply to study at Massey, for some undergraduate qualifications you can choose what subject you’d like to specialise in. You can usually change your mind after you get to university, depending on the courses you enrol in.

• Health promotion
• Integrated human health
• Mental health and addiction

Postgraduate study

Master's degrees, māori health – master of health science.

Elevate the health and wellbeing of iwi, hapū, whānau, and Māori communities with Massey's Master of Health Science (Māori Health).

Master of Health Service Management – MHSM

Through Massey’s internationally recognised, Master of Health Service Management qualification you’ll gain the expertise to advance your career.

Master of Public Health – MPH

The Master of Public Health has practice and research pathways. The Professional Practice Pathway  involves coursework and work-integrated learning opportunities. The Research Pathway involves conducting research under the supervision of experienced public health researchers.

Postgraduate diplomas

Māori health – postgraduate diploma in health science.

This qualification enables you to specialise in Māori knowledge within advanced health studies. Explore the progress made and the potential to further develop the health and wellbeing of Māori communities.

Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health – PGDipPH

Get a high-quality, comprehensive education in public health to boost your career while improving the health of New Zealanders.

PhD and other doctoral degrees

Doctor of philosophy – phd.

A prestigious research qualification that demonstrates your ability to carry out independent and original research in your chosen field.

Relevant research areas at Massey

Discover research expertise, projects and initiatives relating to public health at Massey.

Public health research

What our students say

“My degree was a pathway into hauora Māori after a career in animal health and farming. My thesis is about Tāne ora, the wellbeing of Māori men. If strategy, policy and high-level problem solving in health and the social sector is up your ally, the MPH would be a great qualification to consider.”

Ngāti Tūwharetoa

Master of Public Health

“I recommend studying at Massey University because it allowed me to learn about everything that contributes to health and wellbeing, but also the real world application of this knowledge that allows you to work in the health field.”

Bachelor of Health Science (Integrated Human Health)

“The course-work covers many concepts of public health, from sociology to health systems, political landscapes and their influence on health, right down to designing and running an intervention. Almost everything I learn has applicability in my working role – I am able to learn and practice as I go.”

Jobs in public health

Careers in public health typically focus on improving health and wellbeing, and reducing inequalities. Our graduates develop skills to promote and protect all aspects of health and wellbeing, including mental, physical, spiritual and family health, and the health of the environment.

Careers can include work in local or national government, in iwi and non-government health organisations. Job prospects are good in New Zealand and overseas.

Public health careers include:

• case managers, who organise rehabilitation or disability care plans
• health or whānau ora navigators, who help people find suitable support or treatment
• community health workers
• epidemiologists, who specialise in the causes or spread of diseases
• health protection officers
• mental health and addiction practitioners
• policy analysts or advisers
• service designers.

Annual salary ranges for jobs

• Epidemiologist – $50,000 to $175,000
• Policy analyst – $71,000 to $170,000
• Public health officer – $48,000 to $85,000

Salary ranges disclaimer

Indicative pay rates are:

• in New Zealand dollars
• based on careers.govt.nz data.

Which public health qualification?

Examples of where our qualifications may take you.

Accreditations and rankings

APHEA Validated Curriculum

The Agency for Public Health Education Accreditation (APHEA) has validated Massey's Master of Public Health as adhering to international standards for a modern comprehensive degree in public health.

IUHPE Accreditation

The Mental Health Promotion Pathway in the Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health and Addiction) and the Bachelor of Health Science (Health Promotion) are accredited by the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE). Graduates are eligible to apply to IUHPE to become registered Health Promotion Practitioners.

DAPAANZ - Drug and Alcohol Practitioners Association of Aotearoa New Zealand

The Addiction Practitioner Pathway in the Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health and Addiction) is accredited by the Drug and Alcohol Practitioners Association of Aotearoa New Zealand (DAPAANZ). Graduates are eligible to apply for provisional registration to work in the sector as addiction practitioner.

Get an information guide

Download our guide to find out more about studying public health (also called population health) at Massey.

Search courses or qualifications

• List all qualifications you can study at Massey

Related areas of interest

Study environmental and occupational health.

Delve into factors affecting health and wellbeing — from air and water quality to housing, climate change to health and safety at work.

Study Māori knowledge

Massey explores Māori cultural, educational, health and economic development. Tirohia ngā tohu kaupapa Māori. Find out about our Māori qualifications.

Study nursing

Become a highly skill nurse. We can help — we've been doing it for decades, ranking in the world's top 150 universities for nursing.

Study social work

From addiction support to child protection, aged care to mental health services, Massey prepares you for a career helping individuals and whānau.

Why a New Zealand PhD?

New zealand’s phd package.

International PhD students in New Zealand enjoy the following benefits:

How to apply

Apply now to your preferred university:.

Victoria University of Wellington

The University of Waikato

The University of Otago

Massey University

Lincoln University

The University of Canterbury

AUT University

The University of Auckland

Jessica Patiño-Pérez | Colombian PhD student

Still have questions?

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PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH TRAINING

Our academic programmes and short courses provide a unique opportunity in a stimulating environment for shared learning by health professionals, practitioners, policy makers, and researchers from diverse backgrounds including health, environment, occupational safety and social services. We offer a variety of course formats to suit diverse needs.

STUDENT PROFILE

Meet Grace Chen , a successful Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health graduate and a PhD student.

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN PUBLIC HEALTH, AND PhD STUDENT

I come from Beijing where I originally graduated in Engineering Management and Accountancy. I completed my Postgraduate Diploma with Distinction in Public Health at Massey University in 2012. It was challenging but it was really exciting to explore new concepts and ideas.

Since then, I have worked as a Research Assistant at the Centre for Public Health Research (CPHR) at Massey University in Wellington.

I am responsible for the Motor Neurone Disease research project.  I am doing my PhD investigating the relationship between Motor Neurone Disease and a range of known and suspected occupational and environmental exposures. I also work as a tutor for the World Bank Master of Public Health courses.

Massey University is like a big family. You get enormous support from everybody, every day. I enjoy my studying and working life at Massey University very much. The best part is the communication between students, tutors and lecturers.

My advice for landing a great job?  Obtain high marks and make contact widely.

• PhD research programme

CPHR staff are actively involved in the supervision of students for Masters and PhD degrees, both at Massey and other universities

© Centre For Public Health Research 2000-2024

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