Bachelor of Health Sciences
- Degree Structure - Duration
- 3 years full-time
360
Overview
Bachelor of Health Sciences
Introduction
The BHSc is a three-year programme that provides a comprehensive overview of health and healthcare. It is a multidisciplinary qualification and our graduates are using their skills in the health sector and beyond.
Aotearoa New Zealand's health and disability sector is made up of many occupations. This diversity is essential to providing the range of services required to meet individual and public health outcomes.
Bachelor of Health Sciences
What will my study involve?
- Cover topics such as mental health and wellbeing, sexual health promotion, environmental health, communicable and non-communicable diseases, and community health.
- Smaller classes means academic staff can work closely with you to help achieve your goals.
- Option to study a minor from subjects across Health Sciences, Arts, Commerce, Digital Screen, Product Design, Science, Sport, and Youth and Community Leadership.
- Successful completion of the Public Health major means you meet the generic public health competencies and the health promotion competencies endorsed by Rūnanga Whakapiki Ake i te Hauora o Aotearoa | Health Promotion Forum of New Zealand.
Bachelor of Health Sciences
Entry requirements
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.
See Admission and enrolment for all information on enrolling at UC.
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.
Bachelor of Health Sciences
Subjects and courses
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 ‘Planning my degree’ below for an example degree structure diagram.
Compulsory courses
Year 1
- HLTH101 Introduction to Health Studies
- HLTH102 Health Promotion
- HLTH106 Te Wero – Māori Health Issues and Opportunities
- BIOL116 Human Biology
Year 2
- HLTH203 Epidemiology
- MAOR270 Te Ao Hauora Tangata: Māori Health Perspectives
Year 3
Major subjects
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.
Bachelor of Health Sciences
Further study
Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the degree, there are a wide range of postgraduate health study options at UC, including:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Studies
- Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences
- Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
- Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Family Psychology
- Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences
- 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 Health Sciences
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Sciences
Bachelor of Health Sciences
Career ready
- Opportunity to do an internship in a health-related industry.
- Learn the necessary skills to improve health and wellbeing through disease prevention, health promotion, and health service planning, delivery, and evaluation.
- Graduates work in healthcare organisations, in local and central government, aged residential care, schools, district health boards, Māori health providers, and more.
Find out more about what can you do with a degree from UC.
2024 tuition fees estimate (per 120 points):
- Domestic — $7,252
- International — $38,863
2023 tuition fees estimate (per 120 points):
- Domestic — $7,055
- International — $37,000
SSL estimate (per 120 points):
- 2024 — $1,100.40
- 2023 — $992.40
Planning my study
Each small block represents a 15-point course. However, some courses may be 30 points or more.
This diagram is an example only – other combinations are possible. For specific course requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Health Sciences.
Bachelor of Health Sciences
How do I plan my degree?
The BHSc requires a total of 360 points:
- 120 points of compulsory courses
- at least 120 points of Health Sciences courses
- the remaining 120 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.
For the full degree requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Health Sciences.
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, Digital Screen, Product Design, Science, Sport, or Youth and Community Leadership degrees.
Double degrees
It is possible to study a Bachelor of Health Sciences alongside other degrees at the same time, such as the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership.
Find out more information about Double degrees.
