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    Step into a field where science meets society: our Community Health Care major gives you the tools to help others thrive.

    Why study Community Health Care?

    If you’re drawn to big health questions and the people behind them, our Community Healthcare major is made for you. At its heart you’ll explore how health and wellbeing work across whole communities – not just individual patients. You’ll dive into science (like human body systems and pathology), and social sciences (like sociology, disability studies, and health policy).

    You’ll learn about issues that matter right now: ageing populations, chronic conditions, health inequities, disability, and how the environment shapes our health.

    You’ll also get grounded in Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique context, for example principles of hauora Māori (Māori health and wellbeing), Pacific values, and working ethically and compassionately with diverse individuals, whānau and communities.

    All of this means you’ll graduate ready to step into roles where you support people, communities and systems – not just react to illness. You’ll help shape the future of health in practical, impactful ways.

    Career opportunities

    This major gives you a wide range of career pathways – suited for someone who wants to help others, work with communities, and make health systems better.

    Some of the roles you might step into:

    • Community health worker or health educator
    • Care coordinator or case manager in disability or aged-care services
    • Health promotion officer or wellness adviser
    • Policy officer or analyst in health agencies or non-profits
    • Programme developer for population or public health initiatives

    Make a difference in healthcare

    Discover how a Bachelor of Health Sciences majoring in Community Health at Otago combines science and social science to prepare you for a rewarding career in healthcare. Hear from graduates and lecturers about why this degree stands out.

    Read transcript

    Farah Barzak:

    Hi guys, my name is Farah, and I’ve just graduated from a Bachelor of Health Science degree majoring in Community Health and minoring in Sociology.

    Community Health is a really great degree to have under your belt because it combines papers from STEM subjects like Biology with humanity papers like Sociology and Psychology to give you a really broad understanding of how the healthcare system in New Zealand works. Honestly, I would highly recommend this degree to anyone who wants to enter the healthcare system because it’s so rewarding, so engaging, and the diversity of students you meet during this degree is just so incredible.

    So I really hope you consider taking it.

    Dr Jude Sligo:

    Kia ora, I’m Jude Sligo. I am a convener of two papers in the Community Healthcare major of the Bachelor of Health Sciences.

    What can I tell you about it? Well, I think if you like science and you like social science and you really want to make a difference in the world, you want to take our course. It’s really a great selection of papers, spanning the sciences and the social sciences. You can even flick in a few arts or anything else you fancy in those extra papers, but mainly what you’re going to be learning about is the healthcare system, how to help people, how to be a really enthusiastic and supportive worker in the healthcare system—no matter where you go in the healthcare system.

    We have expert researchers, we have experts in all of their fields as well as healthcare providers and people who work in the healthcare system who will be talking to you, and you get to hear from people like me when they’re not quite as nervous as I am now.

    So basically, I would really recommend this course if you’re someone who wants to make a difference in the world, you want to think outside the box, and you’ve got great skills with science, with writing, and with thinking, and you want to work alongside other people like that as well.

    So why don’t you take the Community Healthcare major in the Bachelor of Health Sciences?

    How you will learn

    You’ll learn through a mix of interactive lectures, small-group seminars, hands-on workshops and community-based experiences. At Otago you’ll connect with people working in the health system and explore real-world issues such as how different services connect, how to navigate health systems, how to enable wellness across lifespans.

    You’ll also have scope to think creatively and critically as you blend science and social science, and you’ll work alongside peers who are passionate about making a difference. The environment is energetic, inclusive and supportive.

    Recommended high school subjects for undergraduate study

    It helps if you’re curious about human biology, social systems and how society and health interact. Good communication skills, empathy, and the ability to think broadly and work collaboratively will also serve you well.

    Choose a study option

    Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.

    Undergraduate qualifications

    For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.

    Note: this subject can also be studied as a minor.

    Ready to apply?

    Take the first step towards your future in this subject.

    Hayley Sim

    When I first came to Otago, I started in HSFY wanting to head into Physiotherapy. After realising this was no longer the path I wanted to take, I spoke to Otago’s course advisers who introduced me to the BHealSc and the Community Health Care major. I liked the major’s strong focus on helping others and communities. The teaching is on a more personal level. Everyone knows everyone by name and the content is more discussion-based than other papers.

    Hayley Sim

    Bachelor of Health Sciences (Major: Community Health Care, Minor: Māori Studies)

    Spark positive change in community health care

    The University of Otago stands out because we offer New Zealand’s widest range of health and biomedical science programmes, which means you’ll be studying alongside students from related fields and have the benefit of interdisciplinary experience and insights.

    In the Community Health Care major you’ll benefit from expert staff who bring both research and applied practice into their teaching. The programme emphasises modern challenges in health – from long-term conditions and disability, to services working in the community, and equity-driven care.

    Located in Dunedin, you’ll be part of a vibrant student city with a strong history of achievement in advancing health education, and you’ll have access to real community settings shaping health care in New Zealand’s health system.

    Programme details

    Compare programmes for this subject.

    LevelPapersPoints
    100-level EDUC 105 Disability Studies: An Introduction 18
    HUBS 191 Human Body Systems 1 18
    HUBS 192 Human Body Systems 2 18
    PUBH 192 Foundations of Epidemiology or POPH 192 Population Health 18
    EDUC 105 may be taken during the second year of study  
    200-level CMHC 201 Human Health Across the Lifespan 18
    CMHC 211 Enabling Wellness and Ability I 18
    MAOH 201 Hauora Māori in Practice: Working with Individuals and Whānau 18
    PACH 201 Pacific Health: New Zealand and the Pacific Region 18
    At least two of
    BITC 201 Bioethics and the Life Sciences
    GEOG 210 Social Geography
    PATH 201 Foundations in Human Pathology
    PUBH 203 Health Policy and Politics: Global and Local
    PUBH 211 Epidemiology of Global Health Conditions
    SOCI 205 Social Inequality     		36
    300-level CMHC 301 Applied Aspects of Human Health 18
    CMHC 311 Enabling Wellness and Ability II 18
    MAOH 301 Hauora Māori in Practice: Working with Organisations and Communities 18
    PACH 301 Pacific Health: Advanced Applied Knowledge 18
    Plus 108 further points 108
    The following papers are suggested: ANTH 105, BIOC 192, BITC 101, BSNS 113, CELS 191, CHEM 191, MAOR 102, PACI 101 , PSYC 111, PSYC 112, ANAT 241, BITC 201, MAOR 202, MICR 223 , NEUR 201, NEUR 202, PACI 201, PHAL 241, PHSL 251, PSME 201, PSYC 212, PUBH 202, BITC 301, CRIM 307, INDS 301, PACI 301, PUBH 311, SOCI 307  
    Total 360

    A minor subject can be included in many of our 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. To include this subject as a minor in your application, first find a major subject through our Subject Search or Study Match.

    You can check what’s required to receive the minor accreditation in the programme details below.

    Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree

    LevelPapersPoints
    100-level

    EDUC 105 Disability Studies: An Introduction

    18

    200-level

    CMHC 201*  Human Health Across the Lifespan

    CMHC 211 Disability and Health I

    *Prerequisites for CMHC 201 also include HUBS 191, 192

    18

    18

    300-level

    CMHC 301 Applied Aspects of Human Health

    CMHC 311 Disability and Health II

    18

    18

    Total 90

    Papers

    View a list of all related papers below.

    CMHC papers

    Paper Code Year Title Points Teaching period
    CMHC201 2026, 2027 Human Health Across the Lifespan 18 points Semester 1
    CMHC211 2026, 2027 Enabling Wellness and Ability I 18 points Semester 2
    CMHC301 2026, 2027 Applied Aspects of Human Health 18 points Semester 2
    CMHC311 2026, 2027 Enabling Wellness and Ability II 18 points Semester 1

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