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 Employment Pathways (Level 3) (our Level 3 Health Bridging certificate), or equivalent, e.g. NCEA Level 3.

Domestic

Duration
17 Weeks Full-time
2 Years Part-time
Level
4
Credits
60
Fees
$4,448
*Approximate full qualification tuition fee - see Fees section for more info.
Delivery
On campus
Online with block course(s)
Location
Dunedin, Online, Wellington
Intakes
July

International

Duration
17 Weeks Full-time
Level
4
Credits
60
Fees
$11,550
*Approximate full qualification tuition fee - see Fees section for more info.
Delivery
On campus
Online with block course(s)
Location
Dunedin, Online
Intakes
July

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.

2026 block course dates (for those studying online)

North Island (Whitireia Weltec, Porirua Campus)
  • Saturday 25 July - Sunday 26 July (2 days)
  • All prospective Midwifery students also attend the Midwifery Presentation on Monday 27 July (1 day)
  • Saturday 12 September - Sunday 13 September (2 days)
  • Saturday 14 November - Sunday 15 November (2 days)
South Island (Otago Polytechnic, Dunedin Campus)
  •  All prospective Midwifery students also attend Intro to Careers - Midwifery Presentation on Monday 27 July (1 day)
  • Tuesday 28 July - Wednesday 29 July (2 days)
    • All new and returning students need to attend both of these days
  • Monday 14 September - Tuesday 15 September (2 days)
  • Monday 16 November - Tuesday 17 November (2 days)

Entry

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

  • New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 3) or equivalent, e.g. NCEA Level 3.
International requirements and equivalence

To enter Otago Polytechnic's undergraduate certificates, diplomas and degrees, you need to have achieved a secondary school qualification that is equivalent to New Zealand's NCEA levels (National Certificate of Educational Achievement).

This information is available by country on our Equivalent academic entry requirements page.

English Language requirements

If English is not your first language, you must provide:

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

Health and vaccination information

Please note that while you don't need to provide evidence of your vaccination status to apply for this Level 3 or Level 4 health bridging programme, you may need to provide evidence of your vaccination status as part of your enrolment in one of our health diplomas or degrees when you successfully complete this programme. Please check the relevant programme page for further information.

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

Full tuition
Standard
$4,448

International fees

Full tuition
Standard
$11,550

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). 

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.

Application

Applying and enrolling

This programme is made up of the following qualification:

  • New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4)* 

*Please note: This programme name is currently under review and is proposed to change to the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 3) from 2025. 

When you apply with us and receive confirmation of the programme you have been enrolled into, it will state the programme name above - rather than Health Bridging Certificate. 

We call it the Health Bridging Certificate in all of our promotional material as it makes the information easier for you to find on our website. 

However, the NZQA approved programme name shown above has to be included in your official enrolment documentation. 

This name will also appear on your graduation certificate.

Get in touch

0800 762 786
International +64 3 477 3014
Email: info@op.ac.nz
https://www.op.ac.nz/programmes/nzqa/health-bridging-certificate-level-4-only