Course details

Postgraduate Diploma in Osteopathy
NZQF Level 8

About the course

There's strong demand for qualified osteopaths in New Zealand, Australia and Asia. This qualification enables you to gain the necessary additional skills and knowledge required to apply for registration to practice with the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand*.The programme involves case-based learning which is clinically relevant and focused on ensuring you’re competent and safe to enter the profession. Among other things, it covers how to: work professionally, ethically and legally in primary healthcare settings; apply ethical decision-making processes to your practice; apply interpersonal and intrapersonal skills and professional values to your practice for people with diverse needs and backgrounds; and how to respond culturally and safely when working with patients, colleagues, healthcare workers and communities. As part of the programme, you’ll undertake 555 hours of supervised clinical practice at Ara's osteopathic clinic. *To enrol for this programme you must first have completed the Bachelor of Musculoskeletal Health.

Entry requirements

What if English is not my first Language? Overall IELTS 6.5 Academic 6.0 Listening 6.0 Reading 6.0 Writing 6.0 Speaking If English is not your first language, we want to make sure that you will be successful in your chosen programme of study. Please provide a result from a test or qualification on the acceptable alternatives English Proficiency Outcomes Chart. If you are a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident, complete an Admission and Enrolment form and Ara will contact you regarding a free assessment. If you are not a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent resident, book an IELTS or other test through the Ara Examination Centre or in your home country. IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form and are valid for two years from the date of the test. What if I have achieved NCEA Level 3 University Entrance? You do not need to provide additional evidence of English Language skills. Still want to study but don't meet the Academic Requirements? If you show that you have equivalent skills for tertiary study gained through study, work and/or life experience, you may be able to gain alternative entry. Note: The number of courses you have to complete for this qualification may be reduced where you have relevant credits from previous study, or evidence of similar learning or experience in the workplace. If you do not hold the Bachelor of Musculoskeletal Health you may: Provide evidence of having completed a relevant professional qualification; and Provide evidence of successful completion of a relevant qualification or programme of study which is equivalent to those of first degree graduates, through the submission of a portfolio of evidence If your undergraduate degree is not assessed as meeting the full requirements for this programme, enrolment in transitional or undergraduate courses may be required before admission to this programme. In order to access an individual placement in this programme, you may be required to provide evidence of immunity to particular infectious diseases or other health requirements specific to the practice Consent to Disclosure of Information: Successful applicants will be required to complete a New Zealand Police Consent to Disclosure of Information form. The form will be sent by Ara to the Police Licensing and Vetting Service, and returned in confidence to the Head of Department. Information on the NZ Police Vetting Service is available from the New Zealand Police website. Applicants who meet the requirements for admission are accepted in the order their applications are received, with a proportion of places reserved on the programme for priority learners. In the event that there are more applications than spaces available on the programme, a waitlist will be maintained. Bachelor of Musculoskeletal Health.

About the provider

Ara Institute of Canterbury is recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading tertiary institutes. Specialising in applied, vocational and professional training, it offers more than 150 courses from foundation to postgraduate level. 

Ara caters to a diverse range of learners; from school leavers and career changers to professionals wanting to upskill and individuals seeking to re-enter the workforce.

All Ara students benefit from the Ara Advantage: relevant courses, taught by inspirational mentors in real-life learning environments. Almost every Ara programme includes work-integrated learning. Work placements, apprenticeships, industry-based projects and internships ensure students are work-ready when they graduate.

Across its six campuses, Ara’s dedicated tutors and non-academic staff support students throughout their study journey. A comprehensive range of student services - such as financial assistance, learning support, health and wellbeing services, accommodation, childcare and student events – contributes to the success of every student.

It also has six additional small community hubs which deliver free digital upskilling and personal development courses.

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