Health Bridging Certificate (Level 4 only)

Working as a healthcare professional is extremely rewarding as you'll contribute to the wellbeing of your community and have the chance to really make a difference in people's lives. There is a worldwide demand for qualified professionals to care for and work with individuals, and many of our higher level health qualifications are internationally recognised and will allow you to apply for registration in New Zealand as a practitioner in your chosen field. 

• 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). 
• International students will be individually assessed to ensure you are ready for this study. Click here for your country's equivalent entry criteria.

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.

Due to the high demand for places, successful completion of the 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

• You must be 20 years old before you can apply for the Bachelor of Midwifery.
• 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.  

You must supply certified copies of proof of identity and proof of residency (where appropriate). 

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). 

Some courses incorporate practical laboratory sessions which involve chemicals and animal tissue.

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.

COURSES (complete all)

Skills for Successful Tertiary Study (Level 4, 15 credits)

To enable learners to access and use information technologies for academic and/or vocational purposes.

Building Communication Competence (Level 4, 15 credits)

To enable students to communicate and collaborate as a speaker and a listener in a learning group.

Human Biological Science 2 (Level 4, 15 credits)

To enable students to understand and apply the basic structure and function of major body systems. 

Introduction to Careers in Health (Level 4, 15 credits) 

To enable students to progress personal goals for career development in the health profession.

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.

Student loans and allowances are for domestic students only. For information about student loans and allowances please visit the Studylink website. It is important to apply for your student loan/allowance at the same time as you apply for this programme, due to the length of time Studylink take to process. Loan/allowance applications can be cancelled at any time if you decide to withdraw your programme application or if it is unsuccessful. 

If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, enquire about our recognition of prior learning process at Capable NZ. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification. 

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.

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