Explore the wonder of science

Study for a Bachelor of Science (BSc) to observe phenomena, experiment with ideas, and make new discoveries. Learn to collect, analyse, and understand data, think critically and creatively, and clearly communicate your findings.

Our BSc is a combination of theory-based learning and practical experience. You’ll learn about cutting-edge research in state-of-the-art facilities. You’ll also go beyond the lecture theatre with laboratories, field trips, and summer scholarship opportunities where you can work with researchers and external organisations.

This is New Zealand’s most flexible Bachelor of Science. You can shape the focus of your study as you gain a better understanding of what you’re interested in, and complement your study with other subjects inside or outside of science.

Study Science at Victoria University of Wellington

Two lab-coated students peer at sample in lab
Julia Rothman, a Science student at VUW, smiles as she looks into the camera.

Every day I get to launch things into space that are being used by you and me... When I look at that, I can say, ‘I have had a positive impact.’ I have left a tangible print on things, and I am exceptionally proud of that.

Julia Rothman Graduate, Bachelor of Science with Honours in Physics Director, Launch Complex 1, Rocket Lab
Find out about Julia’s study and career experience

Download our handbook

Fill in a form to find out more about your study options in Science in our qualification handbook.

What you’ll learn

You’ll customise what you learn about when you choose courses—sometimes called papers—for your majors and minors. Throughout your study, you’ll get the skills needed to become a science innovator in a rapidly evolving job market.

Year breakdown

First year

In your first year, you’ll choose courses from across a range of subject areas.

First-year courses lay the foundations for more in-depth study. Choose the 100-level courses from subjects that most interest you and that set you up for what you want to study in second year.

If you haven’t already decided, at the end of this year you’ll choose the major you want to focus on for the rest of your Bachelor of Science. It’s a good idea to look ahead to your second year of study as there may be prerequisites for your future major.

At some point in your BSc, you must include one course in either Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, or Econometrics. Most students choose to do this in their first year.

Second year

In your second year, you’ll focus on the detail of your chosen majors or minors.

You’re likely to take six to eight courses this year:

  • three or four courses in your major subject
  • the remaining courses chosen from your second major or minor subject, or from other electives.

To add variety and depth to your degree, you might take some courses from outside the sciences.

Third year

In the third year of your Bachelor of Science, you’ll develop your research skills. You’re likely to take:

  • three or four courses in your major subject
  • three or four courses that might be your second major or a mixture of your minor and other electives.

You’ll develop specialised knowledge in your major and graduate ready to enter the workforce or to go on to postgraduate study.

Learn from the experts

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 as green energy, geo-hazards, global warming, space science, human geography, volcanology, artificial intelligence, drug development, and viral diseases.

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.

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.

Future Student advisersTītoko—Student Success
Two students with laptops are being helped by a third person

How our degrees work

Flexible, or structured? Learn more about the different types of undergraduate degrees at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

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At a glance

Duration
3 years
Location
Kelburn campus, Wellington
Level of study
Undergraduate
Points
360
Workload
Full or part-time
Type
Coursework · Daytime

Domestic fees

$8,761.00
per year (2026 estimate)
Plus an estimated NZ$1,285 Student Services fee per year.

Estimated international fees

See fees in your local currency:
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
Find out more

Important dates

2026 – Trimester 3
Apply by
12 Nov 2026
Start study
16 Nov 2026
2027 – Trimester 1
Apply by
14 Feb 2027
Start study
22 Feb 2027
2027 – Trimester 2
Apply by
15 Jun 2027
Start study
5 Jul 2027
2027 – Trimester 3
Apply by
10 Oct 2027
Start study
15 Nov 2027
Apply to study
Taught by
Faculty of Science and Engineering
We provide this information to help you plan your degree. Your actual costs and length of study may be different, depending on the courses you choose. We confirm your final costs at the time you enrol.
Need help planning your study? Talk to us

Entry requirements

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:

New Zealand university entrance or equivalent with chemistry, mathematics and physics to NCEA level three a requirement for certain majors.

Qualification requirements

Excerpt from the regulations for the BSc

View all the regulations for this qualification

For this degree, you need to complete at least 360 points, of which:

You also need to meet the requirements for at least one major subject.

Majors in the BSc

Majors are the subjects you focus your degree on.

Major subjects and requirements

Explore your major options below.

BSc subjects

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Showing 27 of 27 subjects

21 of 27 major subjects shown

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Second major subjects

You can choose to add an optional second major from within the BSc or from another degree. Explore your options for a second major below.

Filter for inside or outside major
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Showing 103 of 103 subjects

21 of 103 major subjects shown

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Select an optional minor subject

Add another dimension to your degree by choosing an optional minor. Most major BSc subjects 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. Talk to us.

BSc minor subjects

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Showing 127 of 127 minor subjects

21 of 127 minor subjects shown

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Build your degree

You must choose a major as the main subject to focus on in your BSc. Structure your study using one of our flexible options to broaden your study:

  • Double major—specialise in two subjects in your degree.
  • Second major from another degree—study a wider range of subjects without doing another degree, choosing from over 90 majors across the University.
  • Minor—specialise in a subject without doing as many courses as for a major.
  • Conjoint degree—this intense programme lets you complete two degrees more quickly, in a minimum of 4 years.

Flexibility in our undergraduate degrees

By choosing two majors in your first year can keep your study options open and flexible. You can continue with your double major in your second year, or you can change your programme of study and focus on just one subject, perhaps with the other as a minor.

You can select majors and minors from undergraduate subject areas from within the Bachelor of Science, or from another degree such as the Bachelor of Arts or Commerce.

Minors from the Bachelor of Science

Most major BSc subjects 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.

Degree structure examples

Combining different subjects as majors and minors can broaden your study or lead to more unique career opportunities. Here are some examples.

You can study two BSc majors, such as:

  • Environmental Studies and Science Communication
  • Biology and Chemistry.

You can get your BSc with your science major and add a major in a subject outside the BSc, such as a Bachelor of Science with a double major in Marine Biology and Spanish.

You can fulfill the requirements for two degrees, such as:

  • a BSc in Environmental Studies with a Bachelor of Laws
  • a BSc in Psychological Science with a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing.
Flexibility in our undergraduate degrees

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:

Aerial view of tall buildings with harbour in foreground

Future careers

The BSc is the first step towards a career where you might develop new technologies, treat diseases, or protect the environment.

You can work in an entry-level job after the BSc. A postgraduate qualification gives you access to a more senior starting point in your career.

    Specific science careers

    Find out more about careers in science.

    The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.

    What can I do with my degree? Tahatū

    Scholarships

    You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.

    GCSB Women in STEM Scholarship

    These scholarships are open to women applicants. They're awarded on academic merit, volunteering work, and commitment to a STEM career

    Find out more about the scholarship

    Summer scholarships

    There are several summer scholarships available. These let you gain experience in research—with the bonus of paid work over the summer trimester.

    Each scholarship gives you experience working with established researchers on a specified project and an insight into what studying for a research degree involves.

    Summer Scholars Scheme

    Other scholarships

    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.

    First-year and school-leaver scholarships

    Scholarships for Science

    • Erasmus Scholarship
      Worth: $2,000 Closing: 31 October, 2026

      The Erasmus Scholarship is open to second year students at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington who want to major in Greek or Latin.

    • Ralph Preston-Thomas Scholarship
      Worth: $4,000 (subject to funds available) Closing: 31 October, 2026

      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.

    • Jim and Barbara Milburn Scholarship in History
      Worth: $5,000 (subject to funds available) Closing: 31 October, 2026

      This scholarship is designed to support second year students studying History at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington by removing financial barriers to study.

    Search all scholarships

    Scholarships

    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.

    Other scholarships

    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.

    First-year and school-leaver scholarships

    Scholarships for Science

    • Erasmus Scholarship
      Worth: $2,000 Closing: 31 October, 2026

      The Erasmus Scholarship is open to second year students at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington who want to major in Greek or Latin.

    • Sir John Marshall Scholarship
      Worth: $7,000 (subject to available funds) Closing: 30 November, 2026

      This scholarship was established in 1980 by the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Rt. Hon. Sir John Marshall, GBE, CH, BA, LLM, Hon. LLD, to encourage the study of Political Science at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. The Scholarship was extended to include International Relations.

    • Language Sciences Scholarship
      Worth: Domestic tuition fees for one 200-level LSCI course Closing: 1 December, 2026

      This scholarship was established to encourage students to complete a major in Language Sciences at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, and continue to further study or careers in this field.

    Search for scholarships

    Postgraduate study

    There are a variety of postgraduate study options that will develop your skillset and boost your career opportunities after you complete your BSc.

    Bachelor of Science with Honours

    Study for one extra year to extend your knowledge in a specialised field and add research to your skills.

    Bachelor of Science with Honours

    Master of Science

    A Master’s degree will develop your technical, laboratory, and academic writing skills to further prepare you for a career in science.

    Master of Science

    Doctor of Philosophy

    If you want a career as a research scientist or an academic, a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is an internationally recognised degree and the highest qualification we offer.

    The PhD involves a major piece of specialised original research. Supervision for PhD research is available in almost all subject areas we offer.

    Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

    Postgraduate study
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    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.

    Explore University accommodation
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    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.

    Financing your studyTalk to a student finance adviser
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    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.

    Find out how to apply for a visa from Immigration New Zealand
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    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.

    Wellington Global Exchange
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    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. 

    Study Abroad and Exchange

    Discover your career pathway with Tahatū

    Learn more