Bachelor of Health
The Bachelor of Health (BHealth) and Certificate in Health and Wellbeing, are the first qualifications in New Zealand to combine multiple disciplines in a programme that will help graduates find employment in the health sector, and improve the current health system. These qualifications will help students to become innovative health leaders who can contribute to change in systems and practices to support equitable outcomes for individuals and their communities.
For Māori and indigenous peoples across the world, the sun is significant in health; knowledge; hāuora; and mātauranga is immeasurable. The sun is light, life, health and promise, and pushes away darkness. Hence, in our Māori karakia we often say, “ka puta ki te ao mārama” meaning to bring something into the world of light, to give it life.
At the University of Waikato we believe it is time to bring to light new ways of thinking about and practicing health in ways that address the growing inequities in the health system, through recognising the importance of hauora.*
In recognising the importance of preventative and holistic approaches to health, we need a workforce with knowledge of health service quality and equity that is built on a foundation of cultural competency, multidisciplinary knowledge, interpersonal and collaborative skills, applied biomedical skills, critical thinking, and regional and community engagement.
The Bachelor of Health has been specifically developed to address the growing demand for a workforce that can contribute across the health sector as this industry diversifies into roles with local governments, iwi, indigenous populations, community groups, private enterprise, individuals and families.
The BHealth is underpinned by the concept of hauora in practice and incorporates Biomedical Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physiology); Epidemiology; Bioethics; Health Communication and Community Approaches; Māori, Pacific and Indigenous perspectives and practice; Psychology, Sociology, Policy; and Statistics, all of which allows students to explore the diverse aspects of health and wellbeing in applied and theoretical settings.
Our graduates will have knowledge and skills that are practical and transferable, allowing them to practice in ways that exhibit an understanding of health as it relates to the individual, whanau and community. With a BHealth you will be well positioned to contribute to innovative approaches that address the complex health issues which matter to the different communities in New Zealand and internationally.
*Hauora, as represented in this material, is defined as a holistic approach that values the interconnection between the physical and meta physical in ways that nourish and sustain the vitality of people and their communities. In doing so recognition is attributed to past generations, historical contexts, and connections to the land.
Key information
| Years: | 3.0 |
|---|---|
| Points: | 360 |
| Study Locations: | Hamilton |
| Start Dates: | Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July) |
| Estimated Fees* (Domestic): |
$7,608 per year
See if you're eligible for fees-free study in your first year |
| Estimated Fees* (International): | $31,950 per year |
| Entry Requirements: | Undergraduate International |
| Area of Study: | |
| *Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. | |
Degree Planner
Degree planner — BHealth (Poutū-manahau Population Health)
Poutū-manahau reflects our endeavours to revitalise the mana of our communities, to address health in ways that breathe life into hauora as practice.
Poutū-manahau Population Health uses a multidisciplinary approach to understanding hauora as practice, and to examine approaches that contribute to a health system which can revitalise the mana of our communities. Poutū-manahau Population Health embraces integrative knowledge of theories and analytical approaches (across psychology, health communication and engagement, sociology, economics, epidemiology, and Māori and indigenous studies) to understand, critique and design health initiatives, policies, practices, interventions and their outcomes.
Year 1
One of
MAORI101, MAORI102 or MAORI111
Programme Elective
Year 3
One of
HELTH302 or HECSS363
One of
MAORI302 or SCIEN305
Programme Elective
Programme Elective
- Major
- Compulsory
- Elective
Papers
This information is provisional and subject to change.Elective paper options
100 level
200 level
- BIOMO201 Biochemistry
- BIOMO202 Genetics
- BIOMO203 Microbiology
- BIOMO204 Cell and Organ Physiology in Health and Disease
- CHEMY201 Organic Chemistry
- CHEMY202 Physical Chemistry
- CHEMY203 Inorganic Chemistry
- CHEMY204 Analytical Chemistry
- CMYHE201 Healthy Lifestyles and Healthy Communities
- CMYHE202 Understanding Healthy Bodies: Sociocultural Perspectives
- ECONS205 Data Analytics with Business Applications
- ENVPL200 Environmental Planning
- ENVPL201 Introduction to Resource Management
- ENVSC201 Environmental Monitoring
- ENVSC202 Environmental Chemistry and Geochemistry
- HMDEV202 Adult Development and Ageing
- HMDEV240 Group Work for Life Transitions
- HRMGT202 Human Resource Management
- LCOMM202 Leadership and Facilitation
- MAORI200 Mana Wahine
- MAORI202 Ngā Iho Matua: Māori Philosophy
- MAORI203 Decolonising Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples
- MAORI211 Te Reo Māori: Intermediate 1
- MAORI212 Te Reo Māori: Intermediate 2
- MAORI222 He Ao Hurihuri He Ao Tuakiri: Evolving Māori Culture and Indentity
- MAORI250 Māori Politics
- PACIS200 Pacific Migration, Diaspora and Identity
- PHILO225 Happiness and Wellbeing
- PSYCH202 Mauri Ora: Social Psychology of Human Flourishing
- SOCPY200 Social Policy and Social Issues
- SOCPY201 Social Policy, Families and Children
300 level
- BIOMO301 Advanced Biochemistry
- BIOMO302 Advanced Genetics
- BIOMO304 Applied Animal Physiology
- CHEMY301 Advanced Organic Chemistry
- CHEMY302 Advanced Physical Chemistry
- CHEMY303 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
- CHEMY304 Advanced Analytical Chemistry
- CMYHE301 Critical Perspectives of Health
- CMYHE302 Health in the Digital Era
- ECONS302 Microeconomics and Business Economics
- HMDEV340 Perspectives on Counselling
- HRMGT303 Strategic Human Resource Management
- LCOMM302 Conflict and Negotiation
- MAORI303 Critical Indigenous Theory
- MAORI304 Sustainability in Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Contexts
- MAORI311 Te Reo Māori: Advanced 1
- MAORI312 Te Reo Māori: Advanced 2
- PACIS300 Contemporary Critical Issues in the Pacific
- PUBRL301 Stakeholder and Community Engagement
Career opportunities
Poutū-manahau Population Health
- Iwi and community-based health education and health promotion
- Nursing support and care workers
- Knowledge management
- Project management and coordination
- Biostatistics and data analyst
- Epidemiology
- Healthcare and clinical research analyst
- Planning and funding
- Health services management
- Health care administration
- Medical writer
- Clinical coder
- Wellbeing leads in local government
- Positions with community providers
- Community karitane
- Demographics
- Public policy and policy-related positions
- Communications roles with a focus on public health
- Conversion programmes
Degree planner — BHealth in Poutū-mārō Biomedical Sciences
Poutū-mārō represents resilience, flexibility, and our desire to seek and weave together knowledge that supports our capacity to balance all aspects of hauora.
Poutū-mārō Biomedical Sciences that takes a multi-faceted and applied approach to improving the hauora of our communities. It embraces an integrative approach to biomedical sciences (including genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, anatomy, infection and immunity, pathophysiology) alongside Mātauranga Māori, health communication, and bioethics to develop biomedical understandings and skills that will allow students to work across the health sector.
Year 1
One of
CHEMY100 or CHEMY102
Programme Elective
Year 3
One of
HELTH301 or HECSS363
One of
MAORI302 or SCIEN305
Programme Elective
- Major
- Compulsory
- Elective
Papers
This information is provisional and subject to change.Elective paper options
100 level
200 level
- BUSAN205 Data Analytics with Business Applications
- CHEMY201 Organic Chemistry
- CHEMY202 Physical Chemistry
- CHEMY203 Inorganic Chemistry
- CHEMY204 Analytical Chemistry
- CMYHE201 Healthy Lifestyles and Healthy Communities
- CMYHE202 Understanding Healthy Bodies: Sociocultural Perspectives
- ECONS205 Data Analytics with Business Applications
- ENVSC201 Environmental Monitoring
- ENVSC202 Environmental Chemistry and Geochemistry
- HPSCI203 Nutrition for Health and Exercise
- MAORI200 Mana Wahine
- MAORI202 Ngā Iho Matua: Māori Philosophy
- MAORI203 Decolonising Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples
- MAORI211 Te Reo Māori: Intermediate 1
- MAORI212 Te Reo Māori: Intermediate 2
- MAORI222 He Ao Hurihuri He Ao Tuakiri: Evolving Māori Culture and Indentity
- MAORI250 Māori Politics
- PACIS200 Pacific Migration, Diaspora and Identity
- PHILO225 Happiness and Wellbeing
- POPST201 Population Studies
- PSYCH202 Mauri Ora: Social Psychology of Human Flourishing
- SOCPY200 Social Policy and Social Issues
- SOCPY201 Social Policy, Families and Children
300 level
- BIOMO301 Advanced Biochemistry
- BIOMO302 Advanced Genetics
- CHEMY301 Advanced Organic Chemistry
- CHEMY302 Advanced Physical Chemistry
- CHEMY303 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
- CHEMY304 Advanced Analytical Chemistry
- CMYHE301 Critical Perspectives of Health
- CMYHE302 Health in the Digital Era
- ECONS302 Microeconomics and Business Economics
- HPSCI301 Advanced Exercise Physiology and Prescription
- MAORI303 Critical Indigenous Theory
- MAORI304 Sustainability in Māori, Pacific and Indigenous Contexts
- MAORI311 Te Reo Māori: Advanced 1
- MAORI312 Te Reo Māori: Advanced 2
- PACIS300 Contemporary Critical Issues in the Pacific
- POPST302 Exploring Population Change
- PUBRL301 Stakeholder and Community Engagement
Career opportunities
- General healthcare
- Allied health and healthcare science e.g. laboratory technician
- Research associate
- Study/research coordinator
- Data analyst
- Environmental health officer
- Exercise physiologist
- Reproductive technologist
- Pathway to further graduate study in health and health science areas such as medical school, dentistry, physiotherapy, pharmacy and medical research
- Medical sales representative
- Laboratory sales representative
- Health protection officer
- Health and safety inspector
- Science writer
Choose a major
Scholarships and prizes
Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships
Graduate study options
Graduates will be prepared to enter postgraduate study leading to higher-level qualifications as well as being ready to take up immediate employment opportunities.
Graduates will be prepared to enter postgraduate study leading to higher-level qualifications as well as being ready to take up immediate employment opportunities. The Biomedical Sciences programme will also provide a pathway for further graduate study in health and health science areas, such as medical school, dentistry, physiotherapy, pharmacy, and medical research (biomedical research scientist, medicinal chemist, etc).
Contacts
Have a chat with one of our friendly advisers to help you plan your degree.
Student Centre
Phone: 0800 WAIKATO (0800 924 528) or 07 838 4176
Email: [email protected]
Have a chat with one of our friendly advisers to help you plan your degree.
Phone: +64 7 8384610
Email: [email protected]