New Zealand is a well-established study destination with a strong higher education sector. For students interested in studying public health, there are a variety of options across undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels. Public health programs in New Zealand commonly cover areas such as health promotion, epidemiology, environmental health, public policy, health systems, and community health.
In this article, we will discuss some of New Zealand’s universities that offer public health programs.
Top Schools Offering Public Health Programs in New Zealand
1. University of Canterbury
The second-oldest university in the country, the University of Canterbury in Christchurch has built a strong reputation over the years. The university is ranked 261st in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and enrolled 26,433 students in 2024.
Public health is an undergraduate subject at the university. At the bachelor’s level, students can study public health as a major in the Bachelor of Health. Students in public health can study topics such as health promotion, global health, health systems and policy, and environmental and occupational health.
The university is based primarily at the Ilam campus in Christchurch, with other locations including Dovedale, the Arts Centre, Nelson, and field stations.
2. University of Auckland
The University of Auckland, based in New Zealand’s largest city, is the country’s highest-ranked university in the QS World University Rankings 2026. It is ranked 65th globally and has more than 45,000 students.
The University of Auckland offers postgraduate study in public health, with the Master of Public Health as a key qualification. The MPH is offered with taught and research options at 120 or 240 points. Students can study areas such as disease prevention, surveillance, health promotion, epidemiology, health management, Māori Health, population health, and population health practice. The School of Population Health also welcomes doctoral students in areas including epidemiology, biostatistics, health management, health systems, and public health.
Auckland offers a wide variety of activities that could be of interest to students at the university. From harbor activities and museums to the Sky Tower, there are many places to explore in the city.
3. University of Otago
Based in Dunedin, the University of Otago is the oldest university in the country. The university is ranked 197th in the QS World University Rankings 2026, placing it in the global top 200.
The University of Otago offers public health study at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Undergraduate students can major in Public Health through the Bachelor of Health Sciences. Postgraduate students can consider options such as the Master of Public Health and the Master of Health Sciences endorsed in Health Management. Public health study at Otago includes areas such as epidemiology, health promotion, public policy, Māori health, environmental health, health economics, and international health.
Otago’s main public health undergraduate study is based on the Dunedin campus, while postgraduate public health study includes in-person and online papers through Dunedin, Christchurch, and Wellington.
4. Auckland University of Technology
The Auckland University of Technology offers public health study through its health sciences programs. AUT is ranked 410th in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and in the 501–600 band in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026.
Public health at AUT is available through several study levels, including the Bachelor of Health Science in Public and Environmental Health, postgraduate public health certificates and diplomas, the Master of Public Health, the Doctor of Health Science, and the Doctor of Philosophy. The Master of Public Health is a 240-point program that can be completed in two years full-time, with part-time study available. It includes core courses in areas such as social epidemiology, principles of public health, and public health policy and systems, as well as a thesis or dissertation.
Many AUT health science programs include workplace experience. For example, the Public and Environmental Health major includes 150 hours of workplace experience in organizations involved in public and environmental health. Students can also benefit from AUT’s health science facilities and on-campus clinics.
5. Massey University
Massey University is another public health option in New Zealand. Its origins date to Massey Agricultural College, whose legal and operational beginning was in 1927 and which formally opened in 1928. Massey enrolled 26,099 students in 2024 and is ranked 230th equal in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
For students interested in public health, Massey lists options at undergraduate, master’s, diploma, and doctoral levels. Public health courses may cover topics such as health data and research, Māori health, mental health and addiction, public health systems, rehabilitation, and social factors affecting health. The Master of Public Health has practice and research pathways, and students who complete the research pathway may choose to progress to a PhD.
Students should note that Massey’s Master of Public Health is listed as a distance and online program and is not open to international students. Massey’s Doctor of Philosophy is open to international students on campus in New Zealand, with study locations in Auckland, Wellington, and Manawatū.
In conclusion, New Zealand offers a range of public health study options across bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. The universities discussed above give students different pathways to build public health knowledge and skills. We hope this article has helped give you some guidance on what to study.
Hopefully, this guide to public health universities in New Zealand was informative and helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs for International Students and NZ Study Guide to learn more about studying abroad!
