Health Bridging Certificate (Level 3 and 4)

Don't have the academic requirements you need to enter one of our diploma- or degree-level healthcare programmes?

This programme will help you bridge the gap! 

Gain confidence, study skills and knowledge in a supportive environment with the guidance and advice from experienced teachers, and benefit from the blended, flexible delivery format, allowing you to fit study around other commitments.

During semester one (Level 3), you will study core courses such as Communication Skills and Study and Career Skills and progress to courses such as Function of the Human Body and Introduction to Careers in Health in semester two (Level 4).

Successful completion of this programme may help you to meet the academic entry criteria for admission to:

• New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing (Level 5)
• New Zealand Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage (Level 5)
• Bachelor of Nursing
• Bachelor of Midwifery
• Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
• Bachelor of Social Services
• Bachelor of Applied Science

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

This programme is made up of two qualifications:

1. New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 3) - studied during semester one starting in February
2. New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) - studied during semester two starting in July. 

Working as a healthcare professional

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. 

Entry requirements

• Open entry.
• If English is not your first language, you must provide:
  • New Zealand University Entrance OR
  • Overall Academic IELTS 5.0 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.

Entry straight to Level 4

If you meet the below requirements, you will be able to apply for entry straight into Level 4. This six-month certificate starts in July every year and applications will open after our February intake. Click here for the Level 4 only programme.

• 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 EntranceOR
  • Overall Academic IELTS 5.5 with no individual band score lower than 5.0 (achieved inonetest completed in the last two years),OR
  • Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency tableandhere for list of recognised proficiency tests). 
• International students will be individually assessed to ensure you are ready for this study. Clickherefor your country's equivalent entry criteria.

Progression to 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

• 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 [email protected] or phone 0800 762 786.  

Additional documentation

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

Selection procedure

This programme has open entry and students are accepted on receipt of a completed application.

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). 

Programme specific risks

The Bioscience for Health and Applied Structure and Function of the Human Body courses incorporate practical laboratory sessions, some of which involve chemicals and animal tissue.

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 per semester, either in Dunedin or at Whitireia Community Polytechnic, Porirua.

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.

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.