Health Bridging Certificate (Level 4 only)
This Level 4 programme is the second part of our health bridging pathway for those that don't yet meet the entry requirements for our diploma- or degree-level health programmes. To enter directly into Level 4, you need to hold a New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 3) (our Level 3 Health Bridging certificate), or equivalent. If you don't hold that qualification, you'll need to do the Level 3 and Level 4 programme which starts in February.
Domestic
Online with block course(s)
Online
Wellington
About the programme
This Level 4 programme is the second part of our health bridging pathway for those that don't yet meet the academic entry requirements for our diploma- or degree-level health programmes.
During this certificate, you'll study core courses such as Function of the Human Body and Introduction to Careers in Health. You'll gain further study skills and knowledge in a supportive environment with guidance and advice from experienced teachers, and benefit from the blended, flexible delivery format, allowing you to fit study around other commitments.
You can either study this programme via a mix of online and face-to-face teaching at our Dunedin Campus or online with three compulsory block courses at our Dunedin Campus or at Whitireia Polytechnic Campus in Porirua. Check the Workload section below for block course dates.
Successful completion of this programme may help you to meet the academic entry requirements for entry in to the:
- New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing (Level 5)
- New Zealand Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage (Level 5)
- Bachelor of Nursing
- Bachelor of Midwifery
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
- Bachelor of Social Services
- Bachelor of Applied Science
These programmes also have non-academic entry requirements, so you may need to plan ahead!
Studying part-time
We know full-time study isn't always possible. We also offer this programme one year part-time.
International
Online with block course(s)
Online
About the programme
This Level 4 programme is the second part of our health bridging pathway for those that don't yet meet the academic entry requirements for our diploma- or degree-level health programmes.
During this certificate, you'll study core courses such as Function of the Human Body and Introduction to Careers in Health. You'll gain further study skills and knowledge in a supportive environment with guidance and advice from experienced teachers, and benefit from the blended, flexible delivery format, allowing you to fit study around other commitments.
You can either study this programme via a mix of online and face-to-face teaching at our Dunedin Campus or online with three compulsory block courses at our Dunedin Campus or at Whitireia Polytechnic Campus in Porirua. Check the Workload section below for block course dates.
Successful completion of this programme may help you to meet the academic entry requirements for entry in to the:
- New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing (Level 5)
- New Zealand Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage (Level 5)
- Bachelor of Nursing
- Bachelor of Midwifery
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
- Bachelor of Social Services
- Bachelor of Applied Science
These programmes also have non-academic entry requirements, so you may need to plan ahead!
Studying part-time
We know full-time study isn't always possible. We also offer this programme one year part-time.
What You Study
Courses
This programme is made up of health and community courses taught by blended delivery. Weekly tutorial attendance is required. Tutorials will be held on campus if you are based in Dunedin and online if you are based elsewhere. If you are studying by distance, you are also required to attend three compulsory block courses, either in Dunedin or at Whitireia Community Polytechnic, Porirua.
It's important to note that some courses incorporate practical laboratory sessions which involve chemicals and animal tissue.
| Course name | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Skills for Successful Tertiary Study | Learn how to access and use information technologies for academic and/or vocational purposes. | (Level 4, 15 credits) |
| Building Communication Competence | Discover how to communicate and collaborate as a speaker and a listener in a learning group. | (Level 4, 15 credits) |
| Human Biological Science 2 |
Understand and apply the basic structure and function of major body systems. |
(Level 4, 15 credits) |
| Introduction to Careers in Health |
Progress your personal goals for career development in the health profession. |
(Level 4, 15 credits) |
Moving into our health-related degrees
Due to the high demand for places, successful completion of this programme will not automatically guarantee you entry to our health-related degrees.
Progression to Bachelor of Nursing
- A minimum B+ average pass, achieved across the four courses during semester two, is required to meet the entry requirements for the Bachelor of Nursing. This must include at least a B+ in Human Biological Science 2.
- These programmes also have non-academic entry requirements including language requirements for non-native speakers of English, so you may need to plan ahead!
- Nursing applicants for whom English is a second language will also need to meet the language requirements for the Bachelor of Nursing, which is an IELTS overall band score (academic) of 6.5.
Progression to Bachelor of Midwifery
- Midwifery Council states that applications from applicants under 20 who have met the academic entry criteria to the Bachelor of Midwifery via the Health Bridging Programme will be assessed on their individual merits.
- A minimum B+ average pass, achieved across the four courses during semester two, is required to meet the entry requirements for the Bachelor of Midwifery. This must include at least a B+ in Human Biological Science 2.
- These programmes also have non-academic entry requirements including language requirements for non-native speakers of English, so you may need to plan ahead!
- Midwifery applicants for whom English is a second language will also need to meet the language requirements for the Bachelor of Midwifery, which is an IELTS overall band score (academic) of 7.0.
Please contact Otago Polytechnic to discuss your pathway to a health-related degree. Email info@op.ac.nz or phone 0800 762 786.
Workload
Your workload
This is a full-time programme and you should expect to spend around 40 hours per week accessing required learning resources, completing assignments and undertaking self-directed study.
Block course dates (for those studying online)
North Island (Whitireia Community College, Porirua)
- Saturday 23 July - Sunday 24 July (all prospective Midwifery students also attend on Monday 25 July - Tuesday 26 July)
- Saturday 10 September - Sunday 11 September
- Saturday 12 November - Sunday 13 November
South Island (Otago Polytechnic Campus, Dunedin)
- Monday 25 July (Intro to Careers in Health - Midwifery Presentation) - this is for prospective midwifery students only
- Tuesday 26 - Wednesday 27 July (all new and returning students need to attend both of these days)
- Monday 12 September - Tuesday 13 September
- Monday 14 November - Tuesday 15 November
Entry
Entry requirements
-
New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 3) or equivalent.
-
If English is not your first language, you must provide:
-
New Zealand University Entrance OR
-
Overall Academic IELTS 5.5 with no individual band score lower than 5.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
-
Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).
-
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Don't meet the entry requirements?
Don't panic! Please apply for our open entry, Level 3 certificate which forms the first half of this programme and has a February start date. Click here for the combined Level 3 and Level 4 health bridging programme >
Covid-19 vaccination information
Please note that while you don't need to provide evidence of your Covid-19 vaccination status to apply for this Level 4 programme, you will need to provide evidence of your vaccination status if you want to apply for one of our health diplomas or degrees when you successfully complete this programme.
Want your existing skills recognised?
If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, please ask us about our recognition of prior learning process. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification and could achieve it in a shorter timeframe. Please email info@op.ac.nz or call 0800 762 786.
Fees
Domestic fees
International fees
Fees Free
If you’re a domestic student and this is your first time doing tertiary study in New Zealand (over 60 credits at Level 3 or higher), you may be able to get free tuition fees for this programme.
All the details and criteria are on the Fees Free website and you can check whether you’re going to be able to access funding by entering your National Student Number.
If you can access it, we’ll organise your fees with the Tertiary Education Commission when you’re enrolled to study with us. This funding doesn’t include additional costs or living costs.
Additional costs
We recommend the text 'Introduction to the Human Body: The Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology' by Gerard J.Tortora and Bryan Derrickson (7th edition or later).
Student Services Fee
For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied. These fees also don’t include additional costs or living costs.
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink. Some support may be available for domestic part-time students. Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
Application
A change for 2023 enrolments
When you apply to study with Otago Polytechnic in 2023, you will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga, the new national network of vocational and applied education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will learn in the same way, in the same place, and with the same people, and you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.
Disclaimer
While every effort is made to ensure that this sheet is accurate, Otago Polytechnic reserves the right to amend, alter or withdraw any of the contained information. The fees shown in this document are indicative only. Both domestic and international fees are subject to change and are dependent on the development and implementation of Government policies. Please note that additional fees may from time to time be required for external examination, NZQA fees and/or additional material fees.
