Public Health

• Gain a strong foundation in health sciences, with detailed knowledge in public health, including impact and ethics.
• Take a look at how health programmes are delivered through an internship course in your final year.
• On successful completion of your degree, you will meet the Aotearoa New Zealand competencies for public health, and health promotion (endorsed by Rūnanga Whakapiki Ake i te Hauora o Aotearoa | Health Promotion Forum of New Zealand).

Note: if you started your major before 2026, your course requirements will be different to those listed below. See the UC Calendar archive for the year you started your degree.

For the Bachelor of Health, complete the following compulsory courses:

Compulsory courses

100-level

• HLTH101 Introduction to Health Studies
• HLTH105 Communication for Practice
• HLTH106 Te Wero - Māori Health Issues and Opportunities

200-level

• HLTH 203 Epidemiology

300-level

• HLTH302 Evidence in Health
• HLTH321 Health Internship

Public Health major

For the major in the Bachelor of Health, complete the following courses:

100-level

• HLTH102 Health Promotion
• HLTH111 Global Health

200-level

• HLTH213 Health Systems and Policy
• HLTH214 Environmental and Occupational Health
• GEOG205 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems OR HLTH270 Te Ao Hauora Tangata: Māori Health Perspectives

300-level

• HLTH312 Health Planning, Implementation and Evaluation
• 30 points of courses chosen from these options

Public Health minor

For the minor in the Bachelor of Arts, Commerce, Digital Screen, Health, Product Design, Psychological Science, Science, Social and Environmental Sustainability, Sport, or Youth and Community Leadership, complete the following courses:

• Choose five courses listed in the major, with at least 45 points above 100-level

This subject prepares you with the skills needed to work in the public health sector or community development, and be part of multidisciplinary teams.

Career pathways could include:

• public health advisor
• National public health service
• Māori and Pacific health organisations
• public health analyst.

Find out more about what you can do with a degree in Health Sciences.