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Bachelor of Health Sciences

20 November 2023

Health is an enduring issue for society. It concerns everyone at every stage of life. Our Bachelor of Health Sciences is a three-year degree that leads to careers in health, public policy, public health, health management, health research, and other non-clinical roles. Find out about doing a Bachelor of Health Sciences with UC.

HOW TO APPLY

Health Sciences at UC prepares you to contribute in a meaningful way to the health issues that face our communities. Health Science students have the opportunity to develop a comprehensive overview of health and health care, inclusive of a range of approaches and understandings, and the practical application of knowledge and skills in health settings.

The multidisciplinary Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc) degree programme covers important and timely topics such as mental health and wellbeing, sexual health promotion, environmental health, communicable and non-communicable diseases, Mori and indigenous peoples health, health through the life-span, and evidence-based policy and decision-making.

Why study Health Sciences at UC?

  • BHSc graduates are increasingly in demand from Te Whatu Ora, primary health organisations, and other regional and further afield organisations.
  • The BHSc includes a wide variety of courses, allowing you to keep your options open and learn about many different areas before embarking on your career.
  • UC is ranked first in Aotearoa New 厙ぴ勛圖for research in Public Health (Te Amorangi Mtauranga Matua | Tertiary Education Commission 2019 PBRF assessment).
  • Some BHSc majors offer the opportunity for practical placement and skills development in health-related workplaces.
  • It provides a broad foundation for working in the wider health sector, pursue postgraduate opportunities for a specific health career, or future work as a health and wellbeing researcher.
  • Te Kura Mtai Hauora | School of Health Sciences is well-equipped for conducting a wide range of research and projects.
  • Involved and attentive academic staff will look for ways to help you to achieve your goals.
  • Students who complete the Public Health major for the BHSc will be able to meet the generic public health competencies and the health promotion competencies for Aotearoa.

Many Health Sciences courses may be taken as part of the BHSc, or included in a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science.

The minimum prerequisite is University Entrance but NCEA Biology is recommended.

UC offers泭Headstart泭preparatory programmes for students who do not have the required background.

Planning your Bachelor of Health Sciences

You will complete the compulsory courses below,泭alongside the泭specific course requirements from your selected major and minor.泭泭
Example degree diagram of UCs Bachelor of Health Sciences.
This diagram is an example only - other combinations are possible. For full course requirements go to the泭Regulations for the Bachelor of Health Sciences.

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.

Compulsory courses

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Majors and minors

You 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.泭

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.

BHSc students may also choose to complete a minor subject in their degree. A minor consists of a minimum 75 points, including at least 45 points above 100-level, in a single subject chosen from the Bachelor of Health Sciences,泭Bachelor of Arts,泭Bachelor of Commerce,泭Bachelor of Science,泭Bachelor of Sport, or泭Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership.

Double degrees

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

Find out more information about泭Double degrees.

Careers

The BHSc degree leads to careers in health and public policy, public health, health management, health research and other non-clinical roles. Graduates play an important role in improving public health through disease prevention, health promotion, and health service planning, delivery, and evaluation.泭Our graduates have been employed as health promoters, case managers, policy analysts or in health management and research.泭

It is ideal preparation for working in settings such as district health boards, government ministries, local government, non-government organisations, Mori provider organisations, hospices, aged residential care, schools, primary care organisations, universities and polytechnics.

The health sector is one of New Zealands biggest employers with a wide range of career opportunities. In New Zealands increasingly diverse and ageing society, health needs and health workforce opportunities will continue to expand.

Other requirements

Students are advised that enrolment in some courses and access to health care agencies for clinical, research or work integrated learning requires compliance with Ministry of Health and agency requirements regarding vaccination and / or health screening. As these requirements are subject to change, updates and information will be provided on or during enrolment in specific courses.

Majors

Our泭four majors were designed to fill identified gaps in skills in New Zealand's health sector. You can choose to combine your chosen major with one of the minors below. Students may take up an internship as part of their degree.

The Health Education major prepares you with the knowledge, skills, and understanding to work with individuals and groups in a range of health settings. Students develop extensive facilitation skills and gain confidence in presenting to a range of people.泭

Experiential learning in a variety of contexts (e.g. mental health, sexuality, and nutrition) supports your ability to recognise the factors that influence health and the consequences for wellbeing. You will develop an extensive toolbox of pedagogical strategies that can be used to enhance wellbeing at the personal, interpersonal, and community level.

This major engages in debate and critical reflection on a range of contemporary health issues. Through this, you will develop an in-depth understanding of ethical issues and principles, a respect for the autonomy and choice of both individuals and groups, and cultural competency in collaborative and consultative ways of working.

Career options for students who major in Health Education include employment in health-related institutions and agencies such as community and public health (in nutrition, sexuality, health promoting schools, and mental health teams), drug and alcohol agencies, Family Planning, Mental Health Foundation, nutrition advisories, and Red Cross.

When planning your泭Health Education泭major, please select the following courses along with the compulsory courses for the Bachelor of Health Sciences.泭Find out how to plan your Bachelor of Health Sciences.泭

Health Education Major courses泭

100-level

200-level

300-level

E ng mana, e ng reo, nia te reo pwhiri ki a koutou. Tn koutou katoa.

The purpose of the Mori and Indigenous Health major is to prepare culturally competent graduates who are able to use, apply, and integrate Mori, bicultural, and indigenous knowledge and practices in their chosen health and social services related careers.

The holistic Mori view of health and wellbeing is an important component of the major that includes knowledge and skills in the following areas:

  • Te Ao Tangata Engaging with Mori: understanding, respect, te reo, interpersonal and cross-cultural communication/dialogue, and Mori health-based experiences
  • Te Ao Hauora Working with health professionals: promoting students' understanding of the multiple disciplines and roles involved in delivering health care to Mori, including clinicians (eg, pharmacists, doctors, physiotherapists, and psychologists), the cultural/community/clinical interface, and interprofessional/interdisciplinary collaboration
  • Ng泭Ratonga Hauora Working with health services and health systems: providing students with a thorough grounding in sociohistorical health developments and current health system structures, including Mori and iwi community-based health and social services.

Career options泭include research泭and policy analysis or advice, health promotion泭and community health liaison roles in non-governmental泭organisations focused on泭health and wellbeing, Mori and iwi health and development organisations, Te Whatu Ora and local government.

When planning your Mori and Indigenous Health major, please select the following courses along with the compulsory courses for the Bachelor of Health Sciences.泭Find out how to plan your Bachelor of Health Sciences.泭

Mori and Indigenous Health泭Major courses

100-level

200-level

300-level

Health psychology is concerned with understanding human behaviour in the context of physical health and illness. As such the field is a large one and this course aims to introduce students to a range of topics in the field.泭Topics include health promotion and prevention, determinants of health-related behaviours (e.g. smoking, diet, exercise), stress and coping, patient-practitioner communication, pain and its management, and management of chronic and serious illness.

Health psychology applies theories from various psychological sub-disciples and as such has a natural affinity with several other courses at the undergraduate and graduate level including abnormal, social, personality, developmental and industrial-organisational psychology.

The BHSc major泭in Psychology is a pathway to the postgraduate泭qualifications required for professional or泭research careers. Those who exit after a BHSc泭majoring in Psychology will look for work in泭areas resembling those open to other Psychology majors, but with a particular泭bias to health-related jobs. These will generally泭be in some kind of human service organisation or in roles such as health and safety trainers/promoters. We anticipate that most BHSc graduates majoring in泭Psychology will seek postgraduate qualifications.

When planning your泭Psychology泭major, please select the following courses along with the compulsory courses for the Bachelor of Health Sciences.泭Find out how to plan your Bachelor of Health Sciences.泭

Psychology泭Major courses

100-level

200-level

300-level

Students majoring in Public Health will develop knowledge and skills in science and health, experience in critical appraisal and scientific investigation, an understanding of values and ethics in health and the ability to apply these to improving health and wellbeing. Graduates will meet the knowledge components of the generic public health competencies and the health promotion competencies for New Zealand.

The major in Public Health aims to:

  • provide a strong foundation in health sciences, with detailed knowledge in public health;
  • equip students to meet the Aotearoa New 厙ぴ勛圖competencies for public health, and health promotion (endorsed by the Health Promotion forum)
  • provide the knowledge and skills to operate effectively in health sector organisations (such as Te Whatu Ora, health boards, primary care organisations, public health units, Mori health organisations, and non-governmental organisations)
  • contribute to the health sector workforce by preparing students to work as effective members of multidisciplinary teams in the health sector
  • contribute to meeting national health workforce development goals
  • provide the required foundation for students who wish to undertake postgraduate study in health-related fields.

Graduates are able to work effectively as members of multidisciplinary teams.泭Examples of career pathways include community泭development roles in public health units, Te Whatu Ora,泭NGOs, local government, health promoters,泭public health analysts, and postgraduate泭students studying towards a research career泭in public health.

When planning your泭Public Health泭major, please select the following courses along with the compulsory courses for the Bachelor of Health Sciences.泭Find out how to plan your Bachelor of Health Sciences.泭

100-level

200-level

300-level

Minors

Health Education prepares you with the knowledge, skills, and understanding to work with individuals and groups in a range of health settings. You will泭develop extensive facilitation skills and gain confidence in presenting to a range of people.泭Experiential learning in a variety of contexts (eg, mental health, sexuality, and nutrition) supports your ability to recognise the factors that influence health and the consequences for wellbeing. You will develop an extensive toolbox strategies that can be used to enhance wellbeing at the personal, interpersonal, and community level.

You can study a minor in Health Education in the泭Bachelor of Arts,泭Bachelor of Commerce,泭Bachelor of Health Sciences,泭Bachelor of Science,泭Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability,泭Bachelor of Sport Coaching, or泭Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership

To complete a Health Education minor choose泭five泭courses from below, with at least three above 100-level.

100-level

200-level

300-level

Physical activity enhances our health and wellbeing at all stages of our lives. Regular activity improves our strength, fitness and stamina, supports mental health and boosts our energy for everyday tasks.

The Physical Activity minor focuses on developing the skills and knowledge needed to help people and communities make healthier choices and become more physically active. It includes a wide range of courses and will appeal to anyone interested in teaching, coaching, sport and health.

You can follow up your studies with a one-year泭teaching degree泭to become a qualified health or physical education teacher.

You can study a minor in泭Physical Activity泭in the泭Bachelor of Arts,泭Bachelor of Commerce,泭Bachelor of Health Sciences,泭Bachelor of Science,泭Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability,泭Bachelor of Sport Coaching, or泭Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership

To complete a泭Physical Activity泭minor choose泭five泭courses from below, with at least three above 100-level.

100-level

200-level

300-level

Public Health泭will equip you with knowledge and skills in science and health, experience in critical appraisal and scientific investigation, and an understanding of values and ethics in health.泭You will have the ability to apply these to improving health and wellbeing through disease prevention, health promotion, and health service planning, delivery, and evaluation.

You can study a minor in泭Public Health in the泭Bachelor of Arts,泭Bachelor of Commerce,泭Bachelor of Health Sciences,泭Bachelor of Science,泭Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability,泭Bachelor of Sport Coaching, or泭Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership

To complete a泭Public Health minor choose泭five泭courses from below, with at least three above 100-level.

100-level

200-level

300-level

The Society and Policy minor focuses on the relationships between health science, health governance, bioethics, and society. It comprises an interdisciplinary core of courses on the sociology of health, public policy, policy issues in health, and health delivery at the local, national, and global levels, together with research training in qualitative and quantitative social science research methods.

You can study a minor in泭Society and Policy泭in the泭Bachelor of Arts,泭Bachelor of Commerce,泭Bachelor of Health Sciences,泭Bachelor of Science,泭Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability,泭Bachelor of Sport Coaching, or泭Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership

To complete a泭Society and Policy泭minor choose泭five泭courses from below, with at least three above 100-level.

100-level

200-level

300-level

For all enquiries about undergraduate study in Health Sciences

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