Extend your knowledge in a specialised field
Complete an intensive one-year programme to gain advanced scientific knowledge and skills. Develop your skills in research, critical thinking, data analysis, scientific communication, and design and implementation.
For most subjects, you’ll study courses and complete a research project. The project gives you practical training in research methods and experience in the process of creating scientific knowledge.
Honours study will also set you up with the skills you need to go on to complete further postgraduate study.
Who can study for a BSc(Hons)
If you want to carry out self-directed scientific study after a Bachelor of Science and have a B+ average in your subject area at 300 level, then a BSc(Hons) is a good choice for you.
To major in one of the 22 subjects in the BSc(Hons), you need to have a suitable background at undergraduate level.
If you don’t have the required background for entry into Honours, you could do a Graduate Diploma in Science instead.
What you’ll learn
In the BSc(Hons), you can do focused study and research one of the following subjects:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Biotechnology
- Cell and Molecular Bioscience
- Chemistry
- Computer Graphics
- Computer Science
- Conservation Biology
- Data Science
- Earth Science
- Ecology and Biodiversity
- Electronic and Computer Systems
- Geography
- Geology
- Geophysics
- Marine Biology
- Mathematics
- Molecular Microbiology
- Physical Geography
- Physics
- Psychology
- Renewable Energy Systems
- Statistics.
Flexible options
You can take an interdisciplinary approach to your studies by swapping some optional courses in one subject for courses from another subject. For example, you could combine Marine Biology with Chemistry, or Geophysics with Geology.
Part-time study options
If you’re a domestic student, you can study the BSc(Hons) part time—for example, over 2 years with 20 hours of study a week, doing two courses per trimester.
Make sure you take your study hours into account if you are working.
Learn from expert researchers
Your teachers are active scientists and world experts in areas like:
- artificial intelligence
- drug development
- geo-hazards
- global warming
- green energy
- human geography
- immunology
- space science
- volcanology.
Our Faculty of Science and Engineering is one of New Zealand’s top research institutions, with our own research centres and strong links to many other organisations and universities. You might learn from someone who is:
- developing vaccines at the Paihau—Robinson Research Institute or the Te Kāuru—Ferrier Research Institute
- develop spacecraft materials and technology at the Paihau—Robinson Research Institute
- researching climate change at Te Puna Pātiotio—Antarctic Research Centre.
Research centres and institutes—Faculty of Science and Engineering
Degree support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
If you’re a new student, talk to a Future Student Adviser.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for domestic students
- Requirements for students who completed university in:
If you live in New Zealand and are a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand or Australia, you're considered a domestic student.
Some citizens of the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau may automatically hold New Zealand citizenship.
Diplomatic residents living in New Zealand are also regarded as domestic students.
To be accepted into this qualification, you need:
1. (a) Before enrolment, a candidate for the BSc(Hons) degree shall have:
(i) completed a degree of this university or, at the discretion of the Associate Dean, Academic (Undergraduate) of the Wellington Faculty of Science, another university;
(ii) satisfied the prerequisites listed in section 3 for the subject to be presented; and
(iii) been accepted by the relevant head of school as capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study.
(b) Requirement (a)(i) may be waived by the associate dean for a candidate who has:
(i) completed at least 240 points towards a degree at this university and attained a very high standard in the courses numbered 200–399 required by section 2 of the BSc regulations; or
(ii) completed all but 40 points of a Bachelor’s degree at this university; or
(iii) in exceptional cases, produced evidence to the satisfaction of the associate dean of extensive practical, professional, or scholarly experience of an appropriate kind.
2. (a) If a candidate accepted under section 1(b)(i) fails in the examination for BSc(Hons), but nevertheless reaches a sufficient standard for the BSc, the candidate shall be deemed to have qualified for the BSc degree.
(b) A candidate accepted under section 1(b)(ii) shall not be awarded a BSc(Hons) until a Bachelor’s degree is completed.
3. The subjects for the BSc(Hons) and their prerequisites are as follows.
Artificial Intelligence (AIML)
COMP 307; 45 further points from (COMP 301–399, CYBR 301–399, NWEN 301–399, SWEN 301–399)
Biotechnology (BTEC)
BTEC 301; 35 points from (BIOL 340, BMSC 301–399, CHEM 301–399, SCIE 310)
Cell and Molecular Bioscience (CBIO)
BIOL 340, BMSC 339; 40 points from BMSC 301, BIOL/BMSC 329–354
Chemistry (CHEM)
120 points in CHEM or other approved courses numbered 200–399, including at least 60 points at 300-level
Computer Graphics (CGRA)
30 points from CGRA 300–399; 30 further 300-level points from ANFX, CGRA, COMP, MATH, NWEN, SWEN
Computer Science (COMP)
60 300-level points from CGRA, COMP, CYBR, NWEN, SWEN
Conservation Biology (CONB)
60 points in approved courses from BIOL 300–399; STAT 193 or equivalent
Data Science (DATA)
60 points in approved courses from COMP 309, DATA 301–399, or equivalent
Ecology and Biodiversity (EBIO)
60 points in approved courses from BIOL 300–399; STAT 193 or equivalent
Electronic and Computer Systems (ELCO)
60 points in approved 300- or 400-level courses from the BE(Hons) Schedule or 300-level PHYS and COMP courses
Geography (GEOG)
60 points in approved courses from GEOG 300–399
Geology (GEOL)
80 points from ESCI 301–399, GEOS 301–399, including at least 20 points from ESCI 341, 342, GEOS 310
Geophysics (GPHS)
60 points in approved 300-level courses from (DATA, ESCI, GEOS, MATH, PHYS)
Marine Biology (BMAR)
60 points in approved courses from BIOL 300–399; STAT 193 or equivalent
Mathematics (MATH)
60 points in approved courses from MATH 301–399
Molecular Microbiology (MBIO)
BIOL 340, BMSC 301; 20 points from BIOL 236, BMSC 334, BTEC 301
Physical Geography (PHYG)
60 approved 300-level GEOG or GEOS points
Physics (PHYS)
PHYS 304, 305, 307, 345 (or 309)
Psychology (PSYC)
PSYC 232; PSYC 242 (or 325); at least 60 300-level PSYC points
Renewable Energy Systems (RESY)
60 300-level points from BILD, EEEN, PHYS, RESE, or approved subjects including geography, environment, economics, policy.
Statistics (STAT)
At least 45 points from (DATA 303, MATH 377, STAT 300–399)
Degree requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the BSc(Hons)
4. A candidate for this degree shall normally be enrolled for two trimesters, though with the permission of the relevant head of school a part-time student may extend the period to four trimesters.
5. (a) The personal course of study of a candidate for the BSc(Hons) shall satisfy the requirements for the subject to be presented as set out in section 6, or with such substitutions as may be approved under section 8. The amount of practical work in a subject shall be as determined by the relevant head of school.
(b) A candidate enrolled in a course of study for a MSc, who has complied with the regulations for a Bachelor’s degree with Honours, may be awarded the appropriate Bachelor’s degree with Honours in place of the MSc degree. For the purposes of these regulations, a candidate transferring to BSc(Hons) shall be deemed to have commenced a course of study for that degree when first enrolling in the MSc in that subject.
Major subjects
Majors are the subjects you focus your degree on.
Major subjects and requirements
Explore your major options below.
BSc(Hons) subjects
Artificial Intelligence
Biotechnology
Cell and Molecular Bioscience
Computer Graphics
Computer Science
Conservation Biology
Data Science
Earth Science
Ecology and Biodiversity
Electronic / Computer Systems
Marine Biology
Molecular Microbiology
Physical Geography
Renewable Energy Systems
21 of 22 major subjects shown
Change filtersNo matching majors found.
Why Wellington
Wellington has the highest concentration of scientists and science organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Your teachers are active scientists and world experts in areas such green energy, geo-hazards, global warming, space science, human geography, volcanology, artificial intelligence, drug development, and viral diseases.
Affiliated centres and institutes
Major research centres and institutes are affiliated with our Faculty of Science and Engineering, including:
Future careers
Honours study allows you to explore a subject in depth and develop your research skills. It can put you on the path to a research career.
It can also give you access to a more senior range of jobs, such as management roles.
The roles you can work in depend on your chosen area of study.
More career information
Find out more about careers in Science.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have first year and school-leaver scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It’s a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Science
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The scholarship is open to full time students enrolled in Mathematics or Physics, who are entering their second or subsequent year or postgraduate study at Te Herenga Waka— Victoria University of Wellington.
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This Scholarship was established in 2025 to honour Professor Margaret Hyland who held the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research at Victoria University of Wellington from 2018 to 2025.
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The purpose of this scholarship is to assist female students in the area of Mathematical Sciences or Geosciences to complete their M.Sc. or PhD thesis, by helping to extend enrolment in the final months of writing up their thesis.
Scholarships
We are currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
Other scholarships
We also have specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It’s a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Science
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Applicants must be of Pacific descent, be enrolled, or intending to enrol, in undergraduate or postgraduate studies, majoring in one or more of the following areas: Climate Change Science and Policy, Conservation Biology, Ecological Restoration, Ecology and Biodiversity, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Marine Biology, or Marine Conservation, and have a minimum GPA of GPA of 6.5. Applicants may be studying...
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Applicants must be female, New Zealand or Canadian citizens studying full time at 300 level BSc (Hons) and Master's by Coursework in any area of Science, including Architecture and Design at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
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The scholarship was established through the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation in 1998 by a bequest from Dan Fletcher Jones, who retained an active and enquiring interest in science and mathematics.
Join our postgraduate community
The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on studying at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate Students’ Association
MAI ki Pōneke
MAI ki Pōneke are part of an international network of Māori and Indigenous postgraduate students. They provide advice, support, and information to Indigenous postgraduate students of all levels, as well as those thinking about enrolling.
Further research or study
After your Honours year, you can go on to complete a Master of Science in one more year of study. It's also possible to switch from Honours to a Master’s degree during the year, carrying your completed courses across.
Specialised Master’s degrees
As an alternative to the BSc(Hons), you might like to consider one of our specialised Master's qualifications. Check out your options on the Faculty of Science and Engineering's postgraduate study page.
PhD study
If you do well in your Honours or Master’s research, you’ll could enrol to become a candidate for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
You’ll work under supervision to produce original research that makes a significant contribution to knowledge in your chosen field. PhD candidates are supported by the Faculty of Graduate Research.
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you’re facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Apply for a New Zealand study visa
You’ll need to apply for a study visa if you plan to study with us as an international student.
You should apply for your visa after you’ve received your Offer of Place, and before you come to New Zealand.