BHSc - Bachelor of Health Sciences

Overview
Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates
Regulations
Schedule
Graduate Profile and Programme Capabilities

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

Conjoint options - Conjoint programmes let you pursue two undergraduate bachelors degrees at the same time.

Learn more about conjoints

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.

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

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

Postgraduate study options

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

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

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Overseas qualifications

If your highest qualification was gained outside New Zealand, view our international entry requirements .

New Zealand secondary school qualifications

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

First, you must meet the University Entrance (UE) standard.
You must also meet the rank score for this programme. Not sure about your rank score? Use our rank score calculator.
You may need to have studied certain subjects or achieved credits in particular subjects.
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.

Qualification and Score required

NCEA - 250

Minimum of 18 credits at Level 3 in one of English, Geography, History, Classical Studies, History of Art, Te Reo Māori (or Te Reo Rangatira) or Social Studies and a minimum of 18 credits at Level 3 in one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics

CIE - 300

One of English, Geography, History, Classical Studies and one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics at full A Level.

IB - 33

To find out more about entry requirements, visit our Undergraduate Prospectus page.

New Zealand tertiary qualifications

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

Guaranteed grade requirements

These are the grades required for guaranteed 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.

Grade required

5.0 Grade Point average Calculate your Grade Point Average

5.0 Grade Point equivalent Calculate your Grade Point Equivalent

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 5.0 or higher, either across your last semester of full-time study, or across your entire degree so far.

A rank order will then be established based on academic performance (based on GPA). Places will be offered to the highest ranking applicants until the programme limit is reached.

The number of places available is dependent on the number of places filled by school leaver, Certificate of Health Sciences, and Tertiary Foundation Certificate applicants, who are guaranteed a place if they meet the requirements.

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

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

See if you meet the criteria for the Undergraduate Targeted Admission Scheme (UTAS).
Bridge your educational gap with a preparation and foundation programme.
If you are under 20, have no formal University Entrance (UE) qualification, and are a New Zealand or Australian citizen or permanent resident you can apply for discretionary entrance.
If you can demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and maturity, we offer admission to applicants under 16.
You can gain entry to the BHSc if you complete the Certificate of Health Sciences with a GPA of 4.5 or higher.
You can gain entry to the BHSc if you complete the Tertiary Foundation Certificate with a GPA of 5.5 or higher.

Year Fees Applicable

Domestic Student Annual Fees

International Student Annual Fees

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 and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

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

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

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.

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.

Semester	Application Closing Date	Semester Start Date	Semester End Date
2026 Semester One	08 December 2025	02 March 2026	29 June 2026
2026 Semester Two	08 June 2026	20 July 2026	16 November 2026

1 - 2

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

The Semester Two start date is not available for those wanting to apply for Medicine or Pharmacy through the First Year entry category.

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.

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.

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

and

b 15 points from courses offered in either the General Education Open Schedule or the relevant General Education 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.

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

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

(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.

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.

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.