Master of Applied Science
This sport and exercise science programme is for you if you want to demonstrate mastery in the field. Our Master of Applied Science prepares you for doctoral level study, an academic career or leadership roles in sport or exercise. Complete your degree by research or practice.
Domestic
August
About the programme
You will be able to study our sports and exercise based Master of Applied Science (MAppSci) once you have completed the Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma in Applied Science (or equivalent as assessed through recognition of prior learning).
Please view the Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Science or the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Science for more information on the first 60-120 credits of the programme.
Once you have completed the Post-graduate Certificate or Diploma, you can then apply for the Level 9 Master of Applied Science courses.
There are two pathways to choose from:
- Coursework option (60 credits) – Must have completed the 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Science prior to applying.
- Research thesis option (120 credits) – Must have completed the 60-credit Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Science prior to applying.
Please note that, unlike the Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma, the Master of Applied Science is not divided by semester and none of our study options is considered full-time.
- The Masters by practice may be completed in either 6 months or 12 months.
- The Masters by research may be completed in either 12 months or 24 months, each with entrance points in either February or August.
Credit options
* Note: There is also a 120 credit option, which can be studied over 12 months full-time.
International
August
About the programme
You will be able to study our sports and exercise based Master of Applied Science (MAppSci) once you have completed the Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma in Applied Science (or equivalent as assessed through recognition of prior learning).
Please view the Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Science or the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Science for more information on the first 60-120 credits of the programme.
Once you have completed the Post-graduate Certificate or Diploma, you can then apply for the Level 9 Master of Applied Science courses.
There are two pathways to choose from:
- Coursework option (60 credits) – Must have completed the 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Science prior to applying.
- Research thesis option (120 credits) – Must have completed the 60-credit Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Science prior to applying.
Please note that, unlike the Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma, the Master of Applied Science is not divided by semester and none of our study options is considered full-time.
- The Masters by practice may be completed in either 6 months or 12 months.
- The Masters by research may be completed in either 12 months or 24 months, each with entrance points in either February or August.
Credit options
* Note: There is also a 120 credit option, which can be studied over 12 months full-time.
What You Study
Programme overview
Within this programme you will chose one of the specialty areas: performance analysis, physical conditioning or exercise and health, these areas will have industry experience within them where you are applying the theory you are learning. In addition you will study a course in professional development which will prepare you to work within the industry and assist you to understand your learning needs. At this point you may choose to complete a research thesis to complete your Masters degree, this is known as a Masters by research.
If you choose to continue with the course you will advance your learning in the specialty area and you will have learning in either a specialist topic that supports the industry or you can negotiate your learning around either research or industry that will provide the opportunity to deepen your learning in a specific issue. At the completion of this you may complete a 60 credit research project in industry to complete your Masters degree, this is known as a Masters by practice.
Programme structure
Master of Applied Science (by Practice)
Programme structure: 6 months or 12 months
After completing the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Science, and making strong connections to your work-integrated learning placements, the practice option of the Master of Applied Science will enable you to continue in a leadership capacity and gain credit and experience at a high level. You will organise your own placements and coordinate a negotiated learning project with the placement provider.
There are two courses that will provide you with theoretical challenges that have real-life application to your role within the placement and your negotiated project. The two courses are Industry Leadership (30 credits) and Contemporary Issues (30 credits). These courses are taught at separate times through the online learning platform, Moodle, and have four in-person presentations throughout the period of study.
Please note, we recommended that you choose the 12-month enrolment pathway. This recommendation is made to provide you with the ability to be fully immersed in a high-performance sporting environment and sufficiently meet the demands of the programme.
| Course | Level | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Contemporary Issues | 9 | 30 |
| Industry Leadership | 9 | 30 |
Master of Applied Science (by Research)
Programme structure: 12 months or 24 months
After completing the Postgraduate Certificate (or Postgraduate Diploma) in Applied Science, the research thesis option of the Master of Applied Science will allow you to pursue a research-based project to gain credit and experience at a high level. You will design a research project in collaboration with an academic supervisor. An external supervisor may also be included on the project in areas where specialty knowledge/experience is required.
There are three courses that will provide you with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to carry out a research project in an applied science context. The three courses are: Applied Research Methods (30 credits), Research Thesis Part A (30 credits) and Research Thesis Part B (60 credits). These courses are taught through a blended delivery model (online and in person) in conjunction with the academic supervisors. To move from Research Thesis part A, you must submit an ethics statement (in most cases this is the institutional approval letter).
Please note, it is generally recommended that you enrol in this pathway part-time. This recommendation is given to provide you with the ability to develop a well-thought-out research plan and execute the data collection and interpretation at a level that is eligible for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
| Course | Level | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Research Methods | 9 | 30 |
| Research Thesis Part A | 9 | 30 |
| Research Thesis Part B | 9 | 60 |
Further study options
It is expected that graduates of the Master of Applied Science will be able to gain entry into doctoral level qualifications at tertiary institutions (dependant on meeting programme-specific entry criteria). Possible programmes include the Doctor of Professional Practice at Otago Polytechnic and PhD programmes at other institutions.
Workload
Your workload
As a full-time student, you'll be expected to complete 30-35 hours per week. This programme is taught with intensive blocks, online classes and industry placements.
We know full-time study isn't always possible. You can also study this programme part-time over three years.
Entry
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
Minimum entry requirements
- Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Science at Level 8 OR equivalent, with an overall grade of B+ (75%), for admission to the Masters by Research, OR
- Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Science at Level 8 OR equivalent, with an overall grade of B+ in the final 60 credits OR an equivalent postgraduate qualification of 120 credits in a related area with an overall grade of B+, for admission to the Masters by Practice.
- Exceptional applicants not meeting the qualification requirements, but who have appropriate documented professional experience, may also be considered for admission.
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:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall Academic IELTS 6.5 with no individual band score lower than 6.0 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for internationally recognised proficiency tests and proficiency outcomes for international students).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Additional criteria
- All applicants who are accepted must obtain a First Aid Certificate and complete the requirements of the Children’s Act 2014 (including police vetting), prior to commencing classes.
- An interview panel consisting of the Postgraduate Coordinator and relevant postgraduate supervisors will interview and select applicants.
Selection criteria
Where there are more applicants than places, an interview panel consisting of a member of the Bachelor Leadership Team and relevant academic staff will interview and select applicants, with candidates prioritised on the basis of strength of academic record.
Applicants who do not meet the entry or selection criteria will be directed to a path of study to help prepare them for application in the future.
Pathways into this programme
Applicants without a base degree need to discuss options with the programme teaching team. Please email ebsTOO@op.ac.nz
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.
All fees and costs are approximate.
Fees
Domestic fees
International fees
Additional costs
Learners are expected to purchase a uniform ($200) - this is important for industry placements. In addition it is suggested that you have your own laptop/tablet that you are able to bring with you.
Multi-year 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.
Studylink
Visit Welcome to StudyLink studylink.govt.nz to apply for a student loan to cover your course fees, course-related costs or living costs, or to apply for a student allowance.
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.
The international tuition fee does not include your Student Levy. This will be calculated when you enrol with us.
Click below to find out more about the Student Levy costs and services provided.
Fees Free
Starting tertiary study or work-based learning for the first time? You may be able to get Fees Free after you complete your first eligible qualification or programme.
Fees Free covers the cost of your fees for the final year of study or final two years of work-based learning, up to $12,000.
When you enrol, you will need to pay your fees. To help you cover this cost, you may wish to apply for a student loan. Find out more at Student loan – StudyLink.
For more information on the eligibility requirements and when it is best to apply for Fees Free, visit Fees Free – Inland Revenue.
Application
International students
Before you apply, we want to make sure that this sport and exercise science programme is the right fit for you. Please email sport@op.ac.nz so we can touch base with you about this. Thanks!
