Bachelor of Health Sciences

Admission to UC with University Entrance (or equivalent) is required to enrol.

If English is your additional language, you are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.

For information on the enrolment process, please see how to apply for undergraduate qualifications.

One or more courses or research may require vaccination

The government has announced new vaccination requirements for the health and education sectors. At UC, our programmes are strongly connected to our communities of practice. For many of our programmes, you will not be able to complete research or practice-oriented courses if you are not vaccinated. This is due to research/practice taking place in health centres and schools/kura where all employees and volunteers are required to be vaccinated.

For these courses you will be required to be vaccinated in line with the NZ Government regulations, and supply evidence of your vaccination status.

Recommended preparation

Entry to a BHSc degree is open to anyone who gains entrance to UC.

For some majors, a background in biology, chemistry, and statistics can be beneficial. If you would like more background in these areas, Headstart preparatory and summer catch-up courses are available.

The BHSc requires a total of 360 points:

• 135 points of compulsory courses
• at least 120 points of Health Sciences courses
• the remaining 105 points from Health Sciences or from other degrees

At least 225 points must be from courses above 100-level, with at least 90 points at 300-level.

The degree takes three years of full-time study, or can be studied part-time for up to 6 years.

Majors and minors

BHSc students have the option of completing either:

• a major
• a major and a minor
• two majors (a double major).

Each major has specific course requirements, but all consist of a minimum 120 points, with at least 45 points above 100-level, and at least 30 points at 300-level.

If you are completing a double major you may need to complete additional points (ie, more than 360 points) to meet the requirements of both majors.

A minor consists of a minimum of 75 points, including at least 45 points above 100-level, in a single subject chosen from Health Sciences, Arts, Commerce, Science, Sport Coaching, or Youth and Community Leadership degrees.

Double degrees

It is possible to combine Health Sciences degree with other degrees such as the Bachelor of Science or the Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership.

Find out more information about Double degrees.

The Bachelor of Health Sciences provides you with applied research in human biology, epidemiology, health promotion in Aotearoa, and decision making for policy and care.

You will complete a courses towards a major, and can choose from a wide range of minor subjects.

See ‘How do I plan my degree?’ above for an example degree structure diagram.

Compulsory courses

Year 1

• HLTH101 Introduction to Health Studies
• HLTH106 Te Wero – Māori Health Issues and Opportunities
• HLTH110 Epidemiology
• BIOL116 Human Biology

Year 2

• HLTH201 Health Promotion
• HLTH202 Health and Society: Applied Research for Aotearoa
• MAOR212 Māori and Indigenous Development OR MAOR270 Te Ao Hauora Tangata: Māori Health Perspectives

Year 3

• HLTH301 Evidence in Health

Major subjects

• Health Education
• Māori and Indigenous Health
• Psychology
• Public Health

Minor subjects

Workplace skills and knowledge

This degree will provide you with an awareness of the critical health challenges facing Aotearoa. Workplace skills will be gained in cultural competency and working with communities to improve health outcomes.

Graduating BHSc students who complete HLTH312 Health Planning, Implementation and Evaluation are recognised by the Health Promotion Forum as meeting the foundation knowledge and understanding of Ngā Kaiakatanga Hauora mō Aotearoa | Health Promotion Competencies for New Zealand.