Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Research

Build on your professional health career and gain high-level skills in clinical research through distance learning.

Important note

International students are allowed to enrol in the PGDipClinRes, but should note:

• This programme is only available part time.
• You may need to attend a weekend seminar in Wellington at least twice a year.
• You need to participate in up to eight video conferences each semester.

Any costs for the items above will be in addition to your international student fees for the programme.

Help improve human health

Study clinical research and get the skills you need to carry out evidence-based research that will advance medical knowledge.

Learn to use both qualitative and quantitative research methods, and find out how to critically evaluate current literature.

Gain knowledge in good study design and research practice, data analysis, and research presentation. Through this programme, you’ll learn how to carry out clinical trials and cover ethical and cultural issues in clinical research.

Get the postgraduate handbook

Fill in the form to find out more about your study options in our Wellington Faculty of Science and Engineering Postgraduate Handbook.

Download the handbook

Part-time online learning

The PGDipClinRes is mostly taught online and through video calls or video conferencing. Video conferences are normally held on a week night.

Each trimester, you’ll also need to attend a practical weekend seminar which may be in person.

The programme is best suited to part-time study over two years. It is equivalent to about 1,200 student work hours.

Who can study a PGDipClinRes

The PGDipClinRes will suit you if you’re:

• a medical trainee or graduate
• a health professional who wants to carry out clinical research
• a health professional who needs to upskill in research methods.

To enrol in the diploma, you need an undergraduate degree in one of the following:

• health
• medicine
• neuroscience
• psychology
• biomedical science
• biostatistics.

If you have extensive relevant experience in the field, you may also be able to apply.

How you’ll study

Learn from the experts

Taught by the School of Biological Sciences in partnership with Te Whatu Ora—Health New Zealand, the PGDipClinRes will give you the skills essential to conducting your own clinical research or to work for a research institution.

You’ll learn from highly regarded clinicians from Te Whatu Ora—Health New Zealand, the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand (MRINZ), and Victoria University of Wellington.

Some sessions are delivered by outside tutors from around New Zealand who have specific areas of expertise.

Real-world skills

Toward the end of your studies, you’ll be guided to write a full research grant application that describes a proposed clinical research project.

Past students’ projects have included:

• a trial of medical-grade honey in childhood impetigo
• an investigation of a new type of prosthetic hip
• a trial of a new medication in Huntingdon’s disease
• research into the benefits of steroids in pneumonia treatment.

Assessment

You’ll complete compulsory courses and will be assessed through your presentations, essays, and formal reports. There is no formal examination.

Two pathways

The PGDipClinRes has two pathways you can choose from, depending on your study goals. You can take a research pathway via the Research Preparation course (CLNR 580) or a professional pathway via the Internship course (CLNR 590).

If you plan to continue your studies to pursue the Master of Clinical Research, you should take the research pathway with CLNR 580.

Scholarships for international students

We are currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme. Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.

Live and study in New Zealand’s creative, compact, and vibrant capital. As well as being the country’s political, diplomatic, and security hub, Wellington is a harbour city with easy access to the great outdoors.

Future careers

Through this programme of study, you’ll move towards:

• expanding your current work to include clinical research
• moving into a new career as a clinical researcher in a range of areas in the health sector.

You might work for a:

• drug company
• hospital clinical trials unit
• research institute.

Scholarships

You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.

We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.

• Browse postgraduate and doctoral scholarships
• Search scholarships.

Financial support

You can get support to stay on top of your finances by downloading our money management resources or by meeting with one of our student finance advisers.

We can show you how to manage your student loan or allowance, and help you sort out your budget. For students facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for support from the Hardship Fund. Depending on your situation, you might also be able to get government or community support. Talk to a student finance adviser Financing your study

Join our postgraduate community

Postgraduate study at Victoria University of Wellington will help you build valuable relationships and networks with peers, academics, clinical experts and professional colleagues.

The Postgraduate Students' Association can give you information on study at the University and provides a voice for you on campus.

Advance your expertise with Master’s or PhD study

Master of Clinical Research

Apply your skills from the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Research (PGDipClinRes) with a one-year Master of Clinical Research (MClinRes). Explore and expand your understanding of research in your area of interest to further your current career or upskill in a specific area.

Complete a thesis that includes a detailed literature search around your study topic, a description of your research methods, and some pilot results data. You could complete systematic reviews, quantitative, or qualitative methodologies for your thesis.

You can complete your Master’s in one year of full-time study. Students generally complete their Master’s thesis under supervision at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, but you may be able to study outside of Wellington. You’ll choose your topic or work with your supervisor to find one. If you haven’t completed the Diploma but have significant and relevant clinical research experience, you may still be admitted into the Master’s programme.

Who can study for the MClinRes

The MClinRes will suit you if you’re:

• a medical trainee or graduate
• a health professional who wants to carry out clinical research
• a health professional who needs to up-skill in research methods.

Contact us to discuss whether the Postgraduate Diploma or the Master's is the best option for you.

Part-time study options

You can study for MClinRes part time—with a workload of about 20 to 23 hours of work a week.

You can estimate your workload by adding up the number of points you'll be doing. One point is roughly equal to 10 to 12 hours work.