Health Bridging Certificate (Level 3 and 4)

About the programme

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.

You can either study this programme via a mix of online and face-to-face teaching at our Dunedin Campus or online with three compulsory block courses (per semester) at our Dunedin Campus or at Whitireia Polytechnic Campus in Porirua. Check the Workload section below for block course dates.

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 meet the academic entry requirements for entry into:

• 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!   

Studying part-time

We know full-time study isn't always possible. We also offer this programme part-time over two years.

Qualification title

This programme is made up of two qualifications:

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

.

Entry

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).

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.

Please note: You must have access to the internet to be able to complete this programme. 

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. 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 Entrance OR
  • Overall Academic IELTS 5.5 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).

Please note: You must have access to the internet to be able to complete this programme. 

Health and vaccination information

Please note that while you don't need to provide evidence of your vaccination status to apply for this Level 3 or Level 4 health bridging programme, you may need to provide evidence of your vaccination status as part of your enrolment in one of our health diplomas or degrees when you successfully complete this programme. Please check the relevant programme page for further information.

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 [email protected] or phone 0800 762 786.

If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, please ask us about our recognition of prior learning process. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification and could achieve it in a shorter timeframe. Please email [email protected] or call 0800 762 786 and your message will be sent to the appropriate department.