Health Bridging Certificate (Level 4 only)

Location

Dunedin or online with compulsory block courses

Duration
17 weeks full-time or one year part-time
Delivery

A mix of online and face-to-face teaching in Dunedin or online with three compulsory block courses in Dunedin or Porirua (Wellington). You must have access to the internet to complete this qualification

Credits
60
Level
4
Start
July
Apply
Now
  • Location
    Intake
    Study breaks
  • Distance
    19 July 2021
    4 October 2021 - 15 October 2021
  • Dunedin
    19 July 2021
    4 October 2021 - 15 October 2021
  • Wellington
    19 July 2021
    4 October 2021 - 15 October 2021
  • Dunedin
    25 July 2022
    3 October 2022 - 14 October 2022

This Level 4 programme is the second part of our health bridging pathway for those that don't yet meet the academic entry requirements for our diploma- or degree-level health programmes. 

During this certificate, you'll study core courses such as Function of the Human Body and Introduction to Careers in Health. You'll gain further study skills and knowledge in a supportive environment with guidance and advice from experienced teachers, and benefit from the blended, flexible delivery format, allowing you to fit study around other commitments.

Successful completion of this programme may help you to meet the academic entry requirements for entry in to the:

These programmes also have non-academic entry requirements, so you may need to plan ahead!   

Entry requirements
  • New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 3) or equivalent. 
  • If English is not your first language, you must provide:
  • 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.

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 >

COVID-19 vaccination information

Please note that while you don't need to provide evidence of your Covid-19 vaccination status to apply for this Level 4 programme, you will need to provide evidence of your vaccination status if you want to apply for one of our health diplomas or degrees when you successfully complete this programme. 

Moving into our health-related degrees

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

  • 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.   

You will study

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 

You'll need to complete all the courses below during this programme. 

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

Learn how to access and use information technologies for academic and/or vocational purposes.

Building Communication Competence (Level 4, 15 credits)

Discover how to communicate and collaborate as a speaker and a listener in a learning group.

Human Biological Science 2 (Level 4, 15 credits)

Understand and apply the basic structure and function of major body systems. 

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

Progress your personal goals for career development in the health profession. 

Block course dates (for those studying online)
July 2022 
  • Porirua: Sat 23 July, Sun 24 July, Mon 25 July, Tues 26 July 
  • Dunedin: Mon 25 July, Tues 26 July, Wed 27 July 
September 2022 
  • Porirua: Sat 10 Sept, Sun 11 Sept 
  • Dunedin: Mon 12 Sept, Tues 13 Sept 
November 2022 
  • Porirua: Sat 12 Nov, Sun 13 Nov 
  • Dunedin: Mon 14 Nov, Tues 15 Nov  
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.

Health and Safety

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

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). 

Student loans/allowances

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. 

Recognition of prior learning

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. 

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