Master of Social Sciences - Health Development and Policy

Postgraduate Entry Requirements

Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs usually need a bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution. The entry requirement may specify a minimum score of 60% or higher in the previous academic degree.

English Language Proficiency:

• IELTS: Overall score of 6.5 or 7.0, with no band below 6.
• TOEFL: Overall score of 90 with no individual section below 21.
• PTE: Overall score of 58, with a minimum of 50 in each section.

Students must provide:

• academic marksheets & transcripts
• letters of recommendation
• a personal statement - SOP
• passport
• other supporting documents as required by the university.

Work experience: Some postgraduate courses may require relevant work experience in the field.

It is important to note that meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee admission, as the university considers factors such as availability of places and competition for the program. Additionally, some courses may have higher entry requirements or additional selection criteria, such as interviews or portfolio submissions.

The University of Waikato in New Zealand offers a range of scholarships specifically tailored to support international students pursuing their academic aspirations. These scholarships are designed to recognize academic excellence, promote diversity, and assist students in overcoming financial barriers to education.

International Excellence Scholarship: This merit-based scholarship is awarded to high-achieving international students enrolling in undergraduate or postgraduate programs at the University of Waikato. The scholarship covers a portion of tuition fees and is renewable based on academic performance.

International Bursary: The International Bursary aims to support outstanding students by providing a financial contribution toward tuition fees for the first year of study at the university. It is available to eligible international students undertaking full-time undergraduate or postgraduate studies.

Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship Programme: This prestigious scholarship program is designed for exceptional international students who demonstrate leadership potential and excel academically. Recipients receive financial assistance along with additional support for leadership development and networking opportunities.

Pacific Excellence Scholarship: Dedicated to students from Pacific countries, this scholarship recognizes academic achievement and provides financial support to cover a portion of tuition fees for selected undergraduate or postgraduate programs.

Country-Specific Scholarships: The University of Waikato offers scholarships tailored to students from specific countries or regions. These scholarships vary in criteria and eligibility, aiming to support students from diverse backgrounds and nationalities.

Research Scholarships: For international students pursuing research degrees (Ph.D. or Master's by Research), the university offers various scholarships to support their research endeavors. These scholarships provide financial assistance, allowing students to focus on their studies and contribute to groundbreaking research initiatives at the university.

Graduates from the Master of Social Sciences in Health Development and Policy program at the University of Waikato possess a nuanced understanding of healthcare systems, policy analysis, and public health, offering diverse career paths in healthcare management, policy development, research, advocacy, and more.

Health Policy Analyst/Advisor: Graduates can work as health policy analysts or advisors, evaluating healthcare policies, conducting research, and providing recommendations for governmental bodies, healthcare organizations, or NGOs.

Healthcare Manager/Administrator: Individuals can pursue careers in healthcare management or administration, managing healthcare facilities, overseeing operations, or leading healthcare departments in hospitals, clinics, or health organizations.

Public Health Advocate/Consultant: Graduates can work as public health advocates or consultants, advocating for health-related policies, designing health programs, or working with public health agencies or community organizations.

Health Researcher/Epidemiologist: With expertise in health development, graduates can work as researchers or epidemiologists, conducting studies on health disparities, diseases, or health interventions in research institutions or governmental agencies.

Policy Planner/Analyst in Government: Individuals can work as policy planners or analysts in governmental bodies, contributing to health policy planning, analysis, or implementation at local, regional, or national levels.

Health Educator/Trainer: Graduates can work as health educators or trainers, developing and delivering health education programs, workshops, or campaigns in schools, communities, or healthcare settings.

Healthcare Quality Improvement Specialist: With a focus on health policy, graduates can work in quality improvement roles, assessing healthcare standards, implementing quality measures, and enhancing healthcare service delivery.

Global Health Specialist: Individuals can work as global health specialists, addressing international health issues, contributing to global health programs, or working with international health organizations.

Health Economics Analyst: Graduates can work as health economists, analyzing healthcare costs, conducting economic evaluations, or contributing to healthcare financing and policy decision-making.

Health Program Coordinator/Manager: With a background in health policy, graduates can coordinate or manage health programs, initiatives, or projects in governmental agencies, NGOs, or healthcare organizations.