Bachelor of Health Sciences

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

Students with English as an additional language are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.

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

Recommended preparation

For some majors, a background in biology, chemistry, and statistics can be beneficial. If you would like to brush up on your knowledge 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 90 points of major courses
• the remaining 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.

BHSc students have the option of completing either a major or two majors (a double major).

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

For study planning help, contact the UC Liaison Office | Te Rōpū Takawaenga o UC (new students) or a College of Education, Health and Human Development | Te Rāngai Ako me te Hauora Student Advisor (advancing students).

The first year of study gives students a foundation in Health Sciences through core courses introducing students to health studies, human biology, epidemiology, and Māori health. The following years provide more depth in health promotion in Aotearoa New Zealand, decision making for policy and care, and applied research.

Students will also undertake courses from their chosen major throughout the degree.

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

Major subjects

You can study a single or double major. Students select their specialisation(s) from six majors, designed to provide graduates with particular skills and knowledge:

• Environmental Health
• Health Education
• Māori and Indigenous Health
• Psychology
• Public Health
• Society and Policy

Compulsory courses

All BHSc students take the following compulsory courses throughout their degree:

Year 1

• HLTH 101 Introduction to Health Studies
• HLTH 106 Te Wero – Māori Health Issues and Opportunities
• HLTH 110 Epidemiology
• BIOL 116 Human Biology

Year 2

• HLTH 201 Health Promotion
• HLTH 202 Health and Society: Applied Research for Aotearoa
• MAOR 270 Te Ao Hauora Tangata: Māori Health Perspectives

Year 3

• HLTH 301 Evidence in Health

Workplace skills and knowledge

This degree will provide students with an awareness of the critical health challenges facing Aotearoa New Zealand. Essential workplace skills will be gained in cultural competency and working with communities to improve health outcomes. Students will graduate being able to evaluate quantitative, qualitative, and Kaupapa Māori information, equipping them for decision making in the workplace.

Graduating BHSc students who complete HLTH 312 Health Planning, Implementation and Evaluation are recognised by the Health Promotion Forum as meeting the foundation knowledge and understanding of Health Promotion Competencies for New Zealand | Ngā Kaiakatanga Hauora mō Aotearoa.

Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the degree, there are a wide range of postgraduate study options at UC including:

• Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Studies
• Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences
• Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences
• Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Family Psychology
• Postgraduate Diploma in Science
• Master of Arts (Thesis) in Child and Family Psychology
• Master of Science in Child and Family Psychology
• Master of Counselling
• Master of Health Sciences
• Master of Health Sciences Professional Practice
• Master of Spatial Analysis for Public Health
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Some of these programmes offer the opportunity to gain an endorsement in subjects as wide ranging as Health Behaviour Change to Palliative Care, Health Information Management to Nursing. See the A–Z subject listing.