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Overview

Programme Overview

If you have a broad interest in public health, and especially if you're passionate about addressing social problems, then our Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc) is a great place to start your journey.

Our unique programme builds multidisciplinary understanding of health and healthcare in Aotearoa New Zealand - blending deep insights into the biological, social, cultural, and behavioural dimensions of health and illness.

Programme highlights:

  • Great prospects for employment in the public, private or community non-profit sector
  • A pathway into undergraduate clinical programmes in Medicine and Pharmacy
  • A work placement experience with a health employer in your final year of study
  • Insights into social, cultural, environmental, behavioural, and biological understandings of wellness and ill-health
  • Opportunities for overseas study, internships and experiential learning

Programme Structure

  • This is a three year degree (360 points)
  • In your first year (Stage I) you will study a combination of core courses in population health and health systems (120 points)
  • You have a selection of elective courses you can choose from the Bachelor of Health Sciences Schedule (120 points)
  • For your second and third years (Stage II-III), you can either pursue a generic BHSc degree or choose from one of our career pathways that will allow you to focus on a particular subject.

Pathways are:

  • Health Promotion
  • Mental Health and Addictions
  • Population Health Nutrition
  • Health Systems
  • Health Information and Analysis

Programme Careers

Potential Careers

Employers in both the public and private sectors seek our graduates. Our BHSc opens up a range of exciting career opportunities in the health and social sectors, including the roles listed below.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Policy analyst
  • Health services manager
  • Health promoter
  • Health researcher
  • Health services consultant
  • Business development manager
  • Health economist
  • Community addictions counsellor

Student career planning services

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

The School of Population Health offers a range of postgraduate courses that are available.

We advise that the University of Auckland is not involved in the employment of graduates and can make no guarantee of post-qualification registration or employment in New Zealand or any other country.

Key Information for Students

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates

Fees and scholarships

Fees

Fees Disclaimer

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses. For more information, please see Fees and Money Matters .

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

Scholarships

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Loans and Allowances

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of Living

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

Advice on Programme Limits

This is a limited entry programme: there is a limit on the number of enrolments due to staff or space capacity. For more information, please see the Programme and Course Limitations section of the University Academic and General Statutes and Regulations.

Key Dates

Application Advice

Please note: we will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Key Dates

SemesterApplication Closing DateSemester Start DateSemester End Date
2025 Semester One08 December 202403 March 202530 June 2025
2025 Semester Two21 July 202517 November 2025
2026 Semester One02 March 202629 June 2026
2026 Semester Two20 July 202616 November 2026

Other Important Dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

Regulations

Preamble

The regulations for this degree are to be read in conjunction with all other relevant statutes and regulations including the Academic Statutes and Regulations.

Note: This is a limited entry programme as per the Limitation of Entry Statute 1991 and selection criteria apply. Selection criteria are available from the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences.

Admission

1 A student enrolled for this degree must follow a programme of the equivalent of six full-time semesters and pass courses with a total value of 360 points, unless credit is granted under the Admission Regulations and/or the Credit Regulations.

Duration and Total Points Value

2 Of the 360 points required for this degree, a student must pass:

a 345 points from the major listed in the Bachelor of Health Sciences Schedule, of which at least 75 points must be above Stage II, including WTRMHS 100

and

b 15 points from courses offered in either the General Education Open Schedule or the General Education Faculty Schedule approved for this degree.

3 A student must complete the Academic Integrity course as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic Integrity, of the University Calendar.

4 A student who is required to meet the Academic English Language Requirement, as specified in the Enrolment and Programme Regulations, Academic English Language Requirement, of the University Calendar, may substitute an academic English language course approved by the Programme Director for 15 points of General Education.

General Education Exemptions

5 a A student is exempted from the requirement to pass a course offered in the General Education Schedules who has:

either

(i) completed an undergraduate degree at a tertiary institution

or

(ii) commenced study for this degree at a tertiary institution before 1 January 2006

or

(iii) been admitted to this degree having completed 240 points or more of degree-level study at another tertiary institution.

b A student who has been exempted from the requirement to pass a course offered in the General Education Schedules must substitute the requirement with another course available for this degree.

c A student admitted to this degree, who has completed between 120 and 235 points inclusive of degree-level study at another tertiary institution, or who has completed a minimum of 50 points of study towards this degree in one semester at an overseas institution, either through an overseas exchange programme or through prior approval under the Credit Regulations, must pass 15 points from the courses offered in the General Education Schedules.

d A student who has been fully or partially exempted from the requirement to pass courses offered in the General Education Schedules is nonetheless required to complete the Academic Integrity course.

Conjoint Degrees

6 Special arrangements apply where this degree is taken as a component degree of an approved conjoint combination. The specific requirements and a complete list of the conjoint degrees available are set out in the Conjoint Degrees section of the University Calendar.

Variations

7 In exceptional circumstances the Programme Director may approve a variation to a student’s programme of study in accordance with the Enrolment and Programme Regulations.

Regulation Commencement or Amendment

8 These regulations and/or schedule have been amended with effect from 1 January 2025.


Schedule

Programme Schedules

Complete 360 points comprising:

  • 345 points for Bachelor of Health Sciences Schedule, and
  • 15 points from General Education Courses, and
  • 1 item from Academic Integrity Course

Bachelor of Health Sciences Schedule

Complete 345 points comprising:

  • 165 points for all Compulsory Courses, and
  • 15 points for all Waipapa Taumata Rau Course, and
  • 45 points from Group 1 Elective courses, and
  • 75 points from Group 2 Elective courses, and
  • 15 points from Group 3 Elective courses, and
  • 15 points from Group 4 Elective courses, and
  • 15 points from Group 5 Elective courses

Selected courses must include at least 75 points at level 300.

Waipapa Taumata Rau Course

Complete 15 points for ALL of the following:

Group 3 Elective courses

Complete exactly 15 points from the following:

Group 4 Elective courses

Complete exactly 15 points from the following:

General Education Courses

Complete exactly 15 points from the following:

Academic Integrity Course

Complete exactly 1 of the following:

Graduate Profile and Programme Capabilities

Graduate Profile

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Programme Capabilities

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Programme Capabilities to Graduate Profile Map

Programme Learning OutcomesPeople and PlaceSustainabilityKnowledge and PracticeCritical ThinkingSolution-SeekingCommunicationCollaborationEthics and Professionalism