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

Duration

6 Months Full-time

12 Months Part-time

Level

Credits

60*

Fees

$5,849

Approximate first year tuition fee – see Fees section for more info.

Delivery

On campus

Location

Dunedin

Intakes

February
August

International

Duration

6 Months Full-time

Level

Credits

60*

Fees

$25,923

Approximate first year tuition fee - see Fees section for more info.

Delivery

On campus

Location

Dunedin

Intakes

February
August

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.

Fees

Domestic fees

First year

Coursework option

$5,849

Second year

Coursework option

$10,966

First year

Research option

$5,849

Second year

Research option

$9,000

International fees

First year

Standard

$25,923

Second year

Standard

$12,962

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.

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!

Get in touch

0800 762 786

International +64 3 477 3014

Email: info@op.ac.nz

https://www.op.ac.nz/programmes/nzqa/master-of-applied-science