Shape a healthy future
Follow your interest in improving people's health and wellbeing and make a difference in the community with a Bachelor of Health.
With a growing population, New Zealand healthcare services need a range of skilled people from health promoters and policy analysts to health data management experts and health advisers. The Bachelor of Health will prepare you for a rewarding career contributing to the promotion of good health and wellbeing in our communities.
Choose a major from five subject options, and tailor your study with other minors or majors in another subject. You’ll develop an in-depth understanding of the field you’re passionate about and lay the groundwork for many possible careers or further postgraduate study.
Be part of shaping public health
Meet Emmerson, a Bachelor of Health student.
Hear more about Kylah's journeyIf you’re thinking about it, that means your heart is already there. I understand that three years seems like a long time, but it flies.
What you’ll learn
You’ll start with the basics—health, biology, and how society shapes wellbeing. Then you’ll specialise in your major and build real skills, like reviewing health policy or promoting community health.
Year breakdown
First year
Learn the social and cultural context of health and the foundations of human bioscience.
Study core courses that introduce you to concepts of:
- health and wellbeing
- health policy and services
- statistical analysis and human biology
- anatomy and physiology.
You’ll also complete a research project.
Make sure you check what the prerequisites are for all 200- and 300-level courses you are planning to do in your degree. Ensure the courses you choose will cover those requirements.
Your remaining three elective courses will be an introduction to your major and assist with meeting the entry requirements for your second- and third-year courses.
By the end of the first year, you should have a strong grasp of the social factors that impact health and the health system, and start to understand your chosen area of interest.
Second year
This is the year you’ll focus on your major or majors.
You’ll look more closely at the ways we can address health issues impacting our communities and the challenges our health systems face.
There is an opportunity for some students to complete an internship. This has limited entry.
Third year
In your final year, you’ll have a range of opportunities to apply your knowledge and skills. You might start designing new health-promotion activities, reviewing health policies and services, or managing health information.
At the end of your third year, you’ll have the knowledge and skills to begin your career in the health sector.
Or you can stay on and move into postgraduate study in health.
Build your degree
Choosing your major
You'll choose at least one major as the main subject to focus on in your BHlth.
The BHlth offers majors in:
- Health Informatics
- Health Policy and Innovation
- Health Promotion
- Health Psychology
- Physical Activity and Hauora.
If you're not sure which subject to choose as your major, you can include a number of different courses in your first year related to each major, and make a choice for your second year when you know more.
Flexible degree options
The BHlth offers flexible options so you can study in more than one area.
For example, you can combine your BHlth with:
- a major or minor from another degree, such as the Bachelor of Arts
- another major or a minor from the BHlth
- another degree (conjoint degree)—some courses can be credited to both degrees to complete two three-year degrees in four to five years.
Find out about how to structure your study and which other majors and minors you can choose from.
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.
How our degrees work
Flexible, or structured? Learn more about the different types of undergraduate degrees at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Get accepted into this programme
Entry requirements for domestic students
- Requirements for students who completed secondary school 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:
A New Zealand university entrance qualification or equivalent.
Degree requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the BHlth
For this degree, you'll need to complete at least 360 points, including:
- at least 180 points from courses above 100 level
- at least 240 points from the BHlth schedule
- at least 75 points from courses at 300 level, of which at least 60 points must be from the BHlth schedule.
At 100 level, complete five core courses:
- Introduction to Health and Wellbeing (HLWB 101)
- Hauora - Population and Community Approaches to Health and Wellbeing (HLWB 102)
- Human Biology for Health (HLWB 103)
- Evidence, Politics and Power - Introducing Health Policy (HLWB 104)
- either Statistics in Practice (STAT 193) or Introductory Applied Statistics for Business (QUAN 102)
At 200 level, complete three core courses:
- Global Health and Wellbeing (HLWB 201)
- Health and Wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand (HLWB 202)
- Health Evaluation and Epidemiology (HLWB 203) (except for students taking the Health Psychology major)
At 300 level, complete one core course:
- either Research and Enquiry in Health (HLWB 301) or Health Internship (HLWB 302) (except for the Physical Activity and Hauora major)
And complete:
- courses to meet the requirements for at least one major
- elective courses as needed to make up a total of at least 360 points.
Majors in the BHlth
Majors are the subjects you focus your degree on.
Major subjects and requirements
Explore your major options below.
BHlth subjects
Architecture History and Theory
Digital Health
Health Informatics
Health Policy and Innovation
Health Promotion
Health Psychology
Physical Activity & Hauora
Population Health, Policy and Service Delivery
No matching majors found.
Select an optional minor subject
Add another dimension to your degree by choosing an optional minor. Most major subjects in our degrees are available as minors.
Some subjects are only available as minors. While most minors require 60 points at 200 and 300 level, there are a few minors with specific requirements.
Minor subjects and requirements
Start planning your study
Use the tiles to find out how you could include the selected minor in your degree. Not all major and minor combinations are available, so talk to us before you lock down your plan of study.
BHlth minor subjects
Accounting
Actuarial Science
Animation and Visual Effects
Applied Physics
Architecture
Architecture History and Theory
Art History
Artificial Intelligence
Asian Studies
Banking
Biology
Biotechnology
Brain Sciences & Mental Health
Business Ethics and Sustainability Management
Cell and Molecular Bioscience
Chemistry
Chinese
Classical Studies
Cognitive Science
Commercial Law
Composition
Computer Graphics
Computer Graphics and Games
Computer Science
Creative Writing
Criminal Justice & Psychology
Criminology
Cultural Anthropology
Data Science
Design for Social Innovation
Development Studies
Digital Health
Ecology and Biodiversity
Econometrics
Economics
Education
Educational Psychology
Electronic / Computer Systems
English Literature
Environmental Science
Environmental Studies
Fashion Design Technology
Film
Finance
French
Game Design
Gender and Sexuality Studies
Geographic Information Science
Geography
Geology
Geophysics
German
Greek
Health Informatics
Health Policy and Innovation
Health Promotion
Health Psychology
Health Software Development
History
Human Resource and Industrial Relations
Industrial Design
Information Systems
Innovation and Entrepreneurship Studies
Intercultural Communication
Interior Architecture
International Business
Japanese
Kaitiakitanga
Landscape Architecture
Language Sciences
Latin
Linguistics
Literary and Creative Communication
Management
Māori Psychology
Māori Studies
Marketing
Marketing Communication
Mathematics
Media Design
Media Studies
Mental Health Principles and Applications
Music
Music Technology
New Zealand Sign Language
Pacific Studies
Performance
Philosophy
Photographics
Physical Activity & Hauora
Physical Geography
Physics
Political Communication
Political Science
Popular Music Studies
Population Health, Policy and Service Delivery
Psychological Science
Psychology
Public Policy
Renewable Energy Systems
Samoan Studies / Matā‘upu tau Sāmoa
Science Communication
Science in Society
Social Policy
Sociology
Space Science
Spanish
Statistics
Study of Religion
Taxation
Te Reo Māori
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Theatre
Tourism Management
Work and Organisational Psychology
21 of 115 minor subjects shown
Change filtersNo matching minors found.
Future careers
Graduates with skills in health management, education, analysis and strategy are in high demand.
You’ll be able to work with:
- public health agencies
- government agencies
- non-governmental organisations
- primary health organisations
- private sector.
After study, your first role may be in administration, coordination, or assistant advising. Depending on the subjects you focus on, you could go on to find work in:
- health promotion
- health psychology
- health policy
- information management
- improving the effectiveness of patient treatment.
More career information
Find out more about careers in health.
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 Health
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This scholarship is for students undertaking or intending to undertake an Honours or Masters degree at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington in areas related to Peace Building or Peace Studies, Trust Building, Conflict Resolution, addressing Historical Injustice, Restorative Justice, Social Cohesion, Community building and promoting cross-cultural understanding, Change Making or Ethical Leadership.
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This scholarship has been established by the Faculty of Health— Te Pukenga Wai to support first-year Bachelor of Midwifery students to meet the initial financial costs associated with enrolment into the programme.
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This scholarship is to assist students in the last year of their first Bachelors degree at Victoria University of Wellington. The scholarship fund will be awarded equally between male and female students.
Scholarships for international students
We are currently offering a NZ$15,000 VUW Undergraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Bachelor’s degree.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
We also have specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.
Scholarships for Health
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This scholarship has been established by the Faculty of Health— Te Pukenga Wai to support first-year Bachelor of Midwifery students to meet the initial financial costs associated with enrolment into the programme.
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This scholarship is to assist students in the last year of their first Bachelors degree at Victoria University of Wellington. The scholarship fund will be awarded equally between male and female students.
Postgraduate study
If you get good results in your undergraduate study, you can apply to enrol in postgraduate Health study.
There are a range of subjects offered within our postgraduate qualifications.
Accommodation
Live in accommodation close to campus at one of our:
- catered halls of residence
- self-catered apartments or flats
- self-catered studios.
We provide care and support across our halls and flatting communities.
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.
And if you're ever having trouble with money, talk with us. You could be eligible for government or community support, and we have a hardship fund for financial emergencies.
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.
Wellington Global Exchange
If you're a current student at Victoria University of Wellington, you can complete part of your degree overseas. Choose from our 140 partner universities worldwide.
Study Abroad and Exchange Programme
If you're an overseas student, you can spend a trimester or a year at Victoria University of Wellington. You'll earn credits at your home university while you study here.