Nursing and Healthcare Courses in New Zealand

Studying nursing and healthcare in New Zealand

New Zealand universities and institutes of technology offer nursing and a range of health-related programmes. Nursing is commonly studied as a bachelor's degree that combines classroom learning with supervised clinical placements, and there are postgraduate options for further specialisation.

This guide describes the field in general terms and where to verify the details. It does not provide clinical or health advice. Programme structure, duration, and entry requirements differ by provider, so always confirm them on the institution's official website.

Health-related fields you can study

Beyond nursing, health study in New Zealand spans many areas. The fields below are offered at various institutions, listed without ranking — availability and entry requirements vary, so check each provider.

• Nursing (bachelor's and postgraduate programmes)
• Health sciences and public health
• Allied health fields such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy
• Pharmacy
• Medical and biomedical sciences
• Midwifery (at providers that offer it)

Registration and the Nursing Council of New Zealand

The Nursing Council of New Zealand is the regulatory authority responsible for the registration of nurses and for setting the standards required to practise as a registered nurse in New Zealand. To work as a registered nurse, you generally need to meet the Council's requirements, which can include qualifications, competence, and English-language standards.

Registration requirements — and the pathways for internationally qualified nurses — are set by the Council and can change. Verify the current requirements directly with the Nursing Council of New Zealand before making plans that depend on registration. Other health professions are regulated by their own responsible authorities under New Zealand law.

Entry requirements and English

Nursing and health programmes typically have specific academic prerequisites and an English-language requirement, and many include health, vaccination, and police-check conditions tied to clinical placements. Universities accept English tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, or the Duolingo English Test, with the required score set by the institution; regulators may set their own English standards for registration.

Because these requirements are programme-specific and updated periodically, confirm the exact prerequisites and any placement conditions on the official admissions page before you apply.

After a nursing or health qualification

Graduates may seek registration in their profession and work in healthcare settings, or continue into postgraduate study. No qualification guarantees employment, a salary, registration, or a visa outcome — these depend on meeting the relevant regulator's standards and immigration rules.

If you plan to work in New Zealand after study, review the relevant visa conditions with Immigration New Zealand, and confirm registration requirements with the Nursing Council of New Zealand or the appropriate regulator.