Discover genetics
Study the human genome—the basic building blocks of life that make each organism and every human who they are. Find out how the flow of genetic information works. Learn how the information in genes is encoded and interpreted, so that all cells work optimally and function together to make humans.
Use your understanding to put knowledge and hypotheses to work, and make sense of health and disease. Explore genetic diseases and syndromes, ageing, and human fertility. In the lab, use techniques like electrophoresis to reduce samples to their smallest genetic parts, so that you can test theories.
You could contribute to research on diseases like multiple sclerosis, reproductive dysfunction, drug addiction, or neurodegenerative disease—or even work on cures for cancer.
What Human Genetics teaches you
Human Genetics covers topics like:
- the human genome
- epigenetics
- cell and developmental biology
- the molecular basis and treatment of disease
- evolutionary genomics
- molecular biology
- recombinant DNA technology.
Choose your study path
You can study Human Genetics as a major or minor of the Bachelor of Biomedical Science (BBmedSc).
You could choose to combine your Human Genetics major with one of the others from the BBmedSc—Molecular Pathology, and Molecular Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry. It's common to study Human Genetics and Molecular Pathology as a double major.
The BBmedSc page has more information on your options. Or you can find out about the 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.
Study options
Find out how you can study Human Genetics at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Back up theory with practical experience
You'll spend around a quarter of your time hands-on in the laboratory, learning the practical skills needed in the industry or for further study.
Develop technical skills in the use of microscopes and in protein biochemistry. Work with technologies like PCR tests, and learn how to manipulate, amplify, or sequence DNA and RNA.
You'll examine the make-up of tissues at the microscopic level, and grow and manipulate embryos of sea urchins and chickens.
Future careers
The BBmedSc majoring in Human Genetics is a starting point for career paths or further studies in biomedical fields.
The BBmedSc is also a good starting point for medical school. You could apply to a medical school under ‘graduate entry’ after completing your undergraduate study.
After your graduate, you might work in a lab, hospital or clinical setting. You’ll most likely start as a lab technician or assistant.
You might work in areas such as:
- human genetics research
- genetic counselling or management
- human fertility and ageing.
You may need further study or work experience for some careers in these areas.
Chose an option below to find out about your career opportunities in more detail.
A career in medicine
The BBmedSc is also a good starting point for medical school. You could apply to a medical school under ‘graduate entry’ after completing your undergraduate study.
More career information
Find out more about careers in human genetics.
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.
We encourage you to apply—many scholarships don’t receive enough applications.
TeachNZ scholarships
Teach NZ offers scholarships if you enrol in an approved undergraduate or graduate teaching course.
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 offer specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. We encourage you to apply—many scholarships don’t receive enough applications.
Scholarships for Health
-
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
Once you’ve completed your BBmedSc, you can expand your knowledge with a postgraduate qualification to develop your skills further.
Work on building hypotheses, gathering, evaluating, and interpreting data—then put it all together to communicate your findings.
There is no postgraduate qualification focused purely on human genetics. You’ll be able to explore postgraduate qualifications in:
- Postgraduate Biomedical Science
- Postgraduate Cell and Molecular Bioscience
- Postgraduate Drug Discovery and Development
If you get good results in your undergraduate study, you could go on to an Honours degree. You may also continue on to study a Master’s or PhD if you want to do independent 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.
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.