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Overview

Programme Overview

If you’re curious about how the human body works, interested in disease, and excited by science, research, and innovation, then the Bachelor of Biomedical Science is for you.

You'll gain a strong and practical grounding in Biomedical Science through integrated case-based learning that shows how molecular and cellular discoveries become real medical advances.

With hands-on learning across key areas of human biology, you'll build adaptable skills that prepare you for careers in research, biotech, diagnostics, health tech, communication and policy, as well as pathways to further study.

Programme Highlights

  • Build a strong foundation in Biomedical Science.
  • Learn how the systems inside our bodies function, and how science leads to new diagnostics, medicines and technologies.
  • Gain hands on experience with lab work, experiments and case studies.
  • Broaden your focus with a conjoint degree. Combine the BBiomedSc with Arts, Commerce, Communication, Engineering, Fine Arts, Global Studies, Health sciences, Law, Science or Sport, Health and Physical Education.


The programme also provides a pathway to apply into Year 2 undergraduate clinical programmes in Medicine, Medical Imaging, Optometry and Pharmacy.

Potential Careers

The BBiomedSc opens doors to careers in research, biotechnology, diagnostics, health technology, science communication, and policy, as well as being a pathway to entry into clinical programmes. With strong transferable skills at its core, the degree empowers graduates to thrive and adapt in a fast‑evolving biomedical landscape.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Biomedical researcher
  • Biotechnology specialist
  • Pharmaceutical industry professional
  • Clinical trials coordinator
  • Diagnostic scientist
  • Regulatory affairs officer
  • Science communicator and policy advisor

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.

Key Information for Students

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

Experience the University

Video

Shyla Mishra

Hear how Shyla’s curiosity about health became a passion for discovery, innovation and making a difference.

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.

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
2027 Semester One08 December 202601 March 202727 June 2027

Other Important Dates

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

Entry Requirements

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 Limitation of Entry Statute 1991 in the University Calendar and the related Programme and Course Limitations and selection criteria.

My highest qualification is from New Zealand

Programme Entry Requirements

The Bachelor of Biomedical Science is a limited entry programme and the selection criteria is subject to University Council approval. The finalised selection criteria is expected to be available in September.

New Zealand Secondary School Qualifications

You are guaranteed entry to this programme if you meet these requirements.

  1. First, you must meet the University Entrance (UE) standard .
  2. You must also meet the rank score for this programme. Not sure about your rank score? Use our rank score calculator.
  3. You may need to have studied certain subjects or achieved credits in particular subjects.
  4. Some programmes have additional requirements, such as an interview, portfolio or references.

Guaranteed rank score, subject and other requirements

If your rank score is slightly lower than the guaranteed score, we encourage you to still apply. We will consider your application if places are available. If you don’t meet the requirements, you may be able to apply under our Undergraduate Targeted Admission Schemes. If you have not undertaken any further study since finishing your NZ School Leaver qualification, your application will be assessed using your school leaver results. As a result, you may receive a decision earlier than applicants who have completed additional study or are still completing their NZ School Leaver qualification.

Qualification and Score required

  • National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) - 200
  • Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) - 200          
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) - 28

Read more about entry requirements for New Zealand secondary school applicants

Further Programme Entry Requirements

New Zealand Tertiary Qualifications

You can transfer from another NZ tertiary institution, or another University of Auckland qualification, if you meet these requirements.

These are the minimum grades required to be considered for entry to this programme. If your grades are slightly lower, we encourage you to still apply. We will consider your application if places are available.

3.5 - Grade Point Average (GPA) Calculate your Grade Point Average   

3.5 - Grade Point Equivalent (GPE) Calculate your Grade Point Equivalent 

Transfer of Credit

Further requirements

You must have a minimum of one semester (usually 6 months) of full-time study in an undergraduate degree programme from a recognised university (or similar institution), with a minimum GPA or GPE of 3.5 or higher, either across your last semester of full-time study, or across your entire degree so far.

Transfer of Credit - You can apply for transfer of credit for tertiary courses completed elsewhere as part of your application to the University of Auckland. For more information, please see External transfer of credit.

If you have completed study at another New Zealand University, get an estimate of the transfer credit you may be eligible for, using our Transfer Credit Calculator.

See information about prior tertiary study requirements

Other Pathways to Study

You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:

My highest qualification is from outside of New Zealand

English Language Entry Requirements

If you are an international applicant whose first language is not English, you must provide evidence of your English proficiency.

If you are a domestic applicant, you will generally be considered proficient in English.

6.0 - IELTS Academic score required

No bands less than - 5.5

See alternative English language requirements

Programme Entry Requirements External

The Bachelor of Biomedical Science is a limited entry programme and the selection criteria is subject to University Council approval. The finalised selection criteria is expected to be available in September.

International Secondary School Qualification

These are the minimum grades required to be considered for entry to this programme. If your grades are slightly lower, we encourage you to still apply. We will consider your application if places are available.

If your qualification is not in the table below, you will need to have one of the following

  • International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) with a minimum total score of 28
  • General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level with a minimum total score of BBC
  • Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) with a minimum total score of BBC

Your CIE/GCE A level score is calculated on the best three academic subjects and General Studies cannot be included. You must have completed a minimum of three A-level subjects. 

GCE ‘A’ Level requirements apply to ‘A’ Level qualifications examined by bodies such as AQA, OCR, Edexcel, WJEC, CCEA and Pearson Education Limited taken outside of New Zealand.

Please note:

We do not offer direct entry from secondary school in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan, or United Arab Emirates. Foundation or tertiary qualifications are required. See foundation programmes for international students or prior tertiary qualifications requirement below.

All other countries/qualifications will be assessed on application.

Programme Entry Country Qualifications Requirements

CountryQualificationGradeNotes

Further Programme Entry Requirements External

International Tertiary Institution Qualification

You can transfer from another tertiary institution if you meet these minimum requirements.

You will need to have one year successful bachelor-degree level study at a recognised university (or similar institution) overseas. 

See information about prior tertiary study requirements

These are the minimum grades required to be considered for entry to this programme. If your grades are slightly lower, we encourage you to still apply. We will consider your application if places are available.

3.5 - Grade Point Equivalent Calculate your Grade Point Equivalent (GPE)

3.5 - Grade Point Average Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA)

Transfer of Credit

You can apply for transfer of credit for tertiary courses completed elsewhere as part of your Application for Admission. For more information see External transfer of credit.

Other Pathways to Study External

You could be eligible for another programme or check out these alternative pathways:

Regulations

Disclaimer

Please note that while regulations and course outlines for future academic years may be displayed or made available in advance, they remain subject to change. Official, final approved programme regulations for the upcoming academic year will be available when the University Calendar is published in late October of the preceding year. Any information available prior to Calendar publication should be treated as provisional.

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.

Duration and Total Points Value

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.

Structure and Content

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

a at least 300 points from the courses listed in the Bachelor of Biomedical Science Schedule, including:

(i)          210 points from the BBiomedSc Core Courses

(ii)         at least 180 points above Stage I, of which at least 75 points must be above Stage II

and

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

c Up to 45 points may be taken from other undergraduate courses offered at this University.

 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) been admitted to this degree having completed 120 points or more of degree-level study at another tertiary institution

or

(iii) 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.

 b A student who has been exempted from the requirement to pass a course offered in the General Education Schedules must substitute 15 points from courses offered at this University.

Practical Professional and Practicum Requirements

6 In any course that includes assessed practical work as well as other assessed work, it may be required that a student must obtain passes in both the practical and the other work in order to pass that course as a whole. Where this is specified a student who passes the practical work but who fails the other work may, at the discretion of the Academic Head, have the result for the practical work carried forward when the course is retaken.

Conjoint Degrees

7 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

8 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

9 These regulations came into force on 1 January 2027.

Schedule/Programme Rules

Programme Schedules

Complete 360 points comprising:

  • 300 to 345 points for Bachelor of Biomedical Science Schedule, and
  • 15 points from General Education Courses, and
  • 0 to 45 points from Other Courses, and
  • 1 item from Academic Integrity

Bachelor of Biomedical Science Schedule

Complete 300 to 345 points comprising:

  • 195 points for all Core Courses, and
  • 15 points for all Waipapa Taumata Rau Course, and
  • At least 90 points from Elective Courses

Selected courses must include at least 180 points at level 200 or higher.

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

Waipapa Taumata Rau Course

Complete 15 points for ALL of the following:

Elective Courses

Complete at least 90 points from the following:

General Education Courses

Complete exactly 15 points from the following:

Please note the following General Education restrictions:

POPLHLTH 103G cannot be taken if POPLHLTH 111 has been passed.

BIOSCI 100G cannot be taken if BIOSCI 107 has been passed.

EXERSCI 100G , MEDSCI 100G and 101G cannot be taken if MEDSCI 142 has been passed.

PHARMACY 111G cannot be taken in the first year of study by students intending to apply for the Bachelor of Pharmacy. 

WTRSCI 100 cannot be taken by students in the BBiomedSc.

Other Courses

Select between 0 and 45 credits from University of Auckland at levels 100 to 300.

Academic Integrity

Complete exactly 1 of the following:

Degree Plan

Graduate Profile

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