Overview
Together, we can ensure better health for all
Health systems in the future will see more initiatives in the community.
New health roles will be developed to deliver these initiatives and help individuals negotiate the jigsaw of health services available. Public health approaches will become increasingly important to address the broad health issues facing us in the future.
This career-focused qualification concentrates on the skills required to work with people and communities to promote health and ensure they access and receive the most appropriate care.
Navigate changing global health systems
As our world becomes more interconnected, new challenges are impacting the health and well-being of our communities.
These challenges include:
- Populations and people living for longer, and often with multiple long-term conditions and disabilities
- Limited health resources and greater demand for services
- Environmental and social change and their effects on health
With these challenges comes an increasing need to develop innovative approaches to health care.
The Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHealSc) is a three-year degree for those who want to be an integral part of these new healthcare approaches, with the opportunity to major (specialise) in four different areas.
Which major is right for you?
Career pathways
As a Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHealSc) graduate, you may work in a variety of roles in the healthcare system. Or use your qualification as a foundation for further study in one of the health professional programmes or at postgraduate level.
Rewarding careers exist in government policy, health promotion, and case management – it's not just doctors or dentists who make a difference.
| Role | Details |
|---|---|
| Case manager | Work in organisations that fund people's care or welfare and help people recover after injury. |
| Community health worker | Use specific cultural or community knowledge and strong networks within communities to promote health. |
| Health promoter | Plan, implement, and evaluate activities that promote health and well-being in communities. |
| Primary care co-ordinator | Help people find their way through the care offered by multiple providers in the community. |
| Policy analyst | Develop and implement public health policy, programmes, and regulation. Investigate how resources are allocated to, and used in, different health systems in both the public and private sector. |
| Programme co‑ordinator | Research, plan, implement, and evaluate health programmes and community networking. |
| Rehabilitation co‑ordinator | Analyse and develop rehabilitation plans that suit your client's aptitudes, education levels, physical abilities, and career goals. |
| Whānau ora navigator | Develop and implement whānau aspirational plans within a community setting. |
Please note: The Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHealSc) is different to Health Sciences First Year (HSFY). If you are intending to apply for one of the Health Sciences professional programmes based on your performance in your first year of study, you need to enrol in the Health Sciences First Year course.
Ready to apply?
If this is the qualification for you, get started with your application today.
Programme details
Regulations for the degree of Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHealSc)
Structure of the programme
- Every degree programme shall consist of papers worth not less than 360 points.
- Except as provided for in regulation 1(d), every programme of study for the degree shall satisfy the requirements for at least one of the major subjects listed in the BHealSc Schedule Part 1. No paper above 200-level may count towards more than one major subject requirement.
- The programme may include one or more optional minor subjects which satisfy the minor subject requirements in the BHealSc Schedule Part 2, Arts and Music Schedule A, or Commerce Schedule A, or Science Schedule A. No paper may count for both a major and a minor subject requirement or for more than one minor subject requirement unless that paper is at 100- or 200-level and is specified as compulsory for both requirements.
- A student who has withdrawn permanently from study for any of the degrees of Bachelor of Dental Surgery, or Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science, or Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, or Bachelor of Pharmacy, or Bachelor of Physiotherapy, having passed papers worth at least 360 points towards the programme concerned, may be admitted to the degree without specification of a major subject.
- A student who has withdrawn permanently from study for any of the degrees of Bachelor of Dental Technology, or Bachelor of Oral Health, or Bachelor of Radiation Therapy, having passed papers worth at least 360 points, including 300-level papers worth at least 72 points for the programme concerned, may be admitted to the degree without specification of a major subject.
Prerequisites, corequisites, and restrictions
Every programme of study shall satisfy the requirements for prerequisites, corequisites and restrictions set out in the Prescriptions (published in the Guide to Enrolment).
Variations
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.
Note: A major subject is not required by candidates with passes in papers for professional programmes in Health Sciences (BDS, BMLSc, MB ChB, BPharm, BPhty, BDentTech, BOH, BRT) who are awarded the degree under regulation 1(d) above.
University jargon
Starting to research your study options and already feeling lost in the jargon? Here are some handy links for common terms you’re likely to come across.
- What’s a degree and how does it work?
- What’s a double degree?
- What’s a combined degree?
- Explore all terminology
Minor subjects
A minor subject can be included in many undergraduate degrees. To earn a minor, you typically must complete a minimum of 90 points in that subject, with at least 18 points at the 300-level. Your minor can be a subject more commonly taken for a different degree. For example, a BCom majoring in Marketing can include Japanese as a minor subject.
Selecting a minor subject is not compulsory and there may be other combinations of papers more appropriate to your degree.
Further study
We offer postgraduate opportunities tailored to your interests at Honours, Master's and PhD level.
More information
Contact our Schools' Liaison and International teams
Want to connect with a real person and get some advice? Find your Schools' Liaison officer, chat with our International team in New Zealand or your own country, or submit a question through our online form.
