Community Health Care University of Otago

Overview

The Community Health Care programme at the University of Otago offers a comprehensive exploration of health and wellbeing through both scientific and social lenses. This degree is designed for those who wish to understand how environmental factors, policy, and social structures influence the health of entire communities.

Students engage with a curriculum that balances rigorous STEM subjects with humanities to provide a holistic view of the New Zealand healthcare landscape. The course material addresses contemporary challenges such as ageing populations, chronic health conditions, and the essential principles of health equity within society.

The learning environment is highly interactive, featuring a blend of traditional lectures, small-group seminars, and practical workshops.

Why Community Health Care at the University of Otago?

The University of Otago is home to New Zealand’s most extensive range of health and biomedical science programmes, providing an unparalleled interdisciplinary environment. Students benefit from the expertise of researchers and practitioners who integrate real-world applications and modern health challenges into the classroom.

Located in the vibrant student city of Dunedin, the university offers access to established community settings and a rich history of excellence in health education. The programme’s small class sizes foster a supportive atmosphere where students work closely with peers and staff who are dedicated to social change.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: NZD 43470 per year
• National fee: NZD 9584 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is structured to build foundational knowledge in human systems before moving into applied community health and wellness strategies. Modules may include:

Year 1

• Disability Studies
• Human Body Systems 1
• Human Body Systems 2
• Epidemiology
• Population Health

Year 2

• Human Health Across the Lifespan
• Enabling Wellness and Ability I
• Hauora Māori in Practice: Working with Individuals and Whānau
• Pacific Health: New Zealand and the Pacific Region
• Bioethics and the Life Sciences
• Social Geography
• Human Pathology
• Health Policy and Politics: Global and Local
• Epidemiology of Global Health Conditions
• Social Inequality

Year 3

• Applied Aspects of Human Health
• Enabling Wellness and Ability II
• Hauora Māori in Practice: Working with Organisations and Communities
• Pacific Health: Advanced Applied Knowledge

Careers with Community Health Care

Graduates are equipped to enter a variety of professional roles that focus on supporting community wellness and improving health system efficiency. Many find employment as community health workers, health educators, or care coordinators within disability and aged-care services.

Other potential career paths include serving as health promotion officers, wellness advisers, or policy analysts for government agencies and non-profit organisations. The degree also prepares individuals for roles in programme development for public health initiatives and population health management.