Stand up for better health in the community
Health promotion is an essential part of public health. Learn about what influences our health and wellbeing, and tailor health promotion activities to meet the needs of diverse communities.
Learn to develop projects and communicate key messages on health issues to create change. Using critical thinking and evidence-based research, you’ll find out which health improvement or management measures can have the most impact.
Your study will support you to advocate policies that encourage New Zealanders to live healthy lives. You’ll understand health issues and be able to design and implement promotion initiatives to combat them. You’ll graduate ready to work in health promotion and public health.
Choose your study path
You can study Health Promotion as a major or minor in the 3-year Bachelor of Health.
Your courses introduce you to key concepts of:
- health and wellbeing
- health policy and services
- statistical analysis
- human biology, anatomy and physiology
- social and cultural context of health.
You’ll also take courses in health promotion and wellbeing in your first year, and focus in further on health promotion in your following years.
In your final year, you’ll either complete a research project or an internship. The internship has limited entry.
The Bachelor of Health gives you flexibility to structure courses around your interests. You could add a major or minor to your study, or complete a conjoint degree.
What you’ll learn
The Health Promotion major will introduce you to a range of factors that influence people’s health.
You’ll become skilled in:
- Māori and Pacific health
- epidemiology
- health education
- health literacy
- community health
- advocacy
- social change
- health communication
- programme design and evaluation.
Study options
Find out how you can study Health Promotion at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
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 careers
Undergraduate Health Promotion study leads to a variety of roles in health promotion and public health.
You could work in roles such as:
- health promotion practitioner
- Māori health promoter
- Pasifika health promoter
- youth health leader
- drug information adviser.
Further experience or study in web and communications, and Māori and Pasifka cultures and health practice could help you work in a wider range of roles.
More career information
Find out more about careers.
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.
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
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.
Scholarships for Health Promotion
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The fund, which was established at the time of the renovation of the C3 lecture theatre, is to assist a second-year student from any faculty in their studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
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 offer 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 Promotion
There could be a scholarship for your qualification, subject area, background, or situation.
Postgraduate study
If you choose to continue to postgraduate study with us after finishing your degree, you’ll join a talented team of internationally recognised researchers doing innovative work.
If you get good results in your undergraduate study, you could go on to an Honours degree. You could continue on to study a Master’s or, if you want to do independent research, a PhD.
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.
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.