Bachelor of Applied Science
This highly regarded degree is based around practical experiences and problem-based learning. You’ll develop skills and understanding in sport, exercise, and health, as well as communication, academic writing, and project management. You will complete practical community projects and gain real-world industry experience within your chosen field to deepen your knowledge.
Domestic
About the programme
Are you passionate about sports, exercise or health? Do you like working with people? Do you want to help others improve their lives to reach their potential?
This highly-regarded degree is based around practical experiences and problem-based learning. You'll develop skills and understanding in sport, exercise and health, as well as communication, academic writing, and project management. Plus, you'll complete practical community projects and gain real-world industry experience within your chosen field to deepen your knowledge.
First year courses include Bioscience; Introduction to Sport; Introduction to Exercise; and Introduction to Health. You'll also complete your first community project. During your second year, you'll choose to study Advanced Sport, Advanced Exercise, Advanced Health or Advanced Massage, and complete a second community project. Your third year will focus fully on your final and major community project.
If you choose the massage and health specialities, you'll complete the New Zealand Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage as your first year of study. You'll then continue into the second year of this programme. Upon graduation, you'll meet the requirements for registration with Massage New Zealand (MNZ) as a massage therapist specialist in rehabilitation.
Those who choose to study the exercise specialty will be able to apply for registration with the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) after they graduate.
Graduates can expect to gain employment as competent practitioners within professional organisations. This might include government or non-government sport, exercise and health settings such as regional sports trusts, commercial gyms, teaching, health promotion organisations and sporting organisations.
Studying part-time
We know that full-time study isn't always possible. We offer part-time study options for this programme - talk to us about what would suit you best!
International
About the programme
Are you passionate about sports, exercise or health? Do you like working with people? Do you want to help others improve their lives to reach their potential?
This highly-regarded degree is based around practical experiences and problem-based learning. You'll develop skills and understanding in sport, exercise and health, as well as communication, academic writing, and project management. Plus, you'll complete practical community projects and gain real-world industry experience within your chosen field to deepen your knowledge.
First year courses include Bioscience; Introduction to Sport; Introduction to Exercise; and Introduction to Health. You'll also complete your first community project. During your second year, you'll choose to study Advanced Sport, Advanced Exercise, Advanced Health or Advanced Massage, and complete a second community project. Your third year will focus fully on your final and major community project.
If you choose the massage and health specialities, you'll complete the New Zealand Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage as your first year of study. You'll then continue into the second year of this programme. Upon graduation, you'll meet the requirements for registration with Massage New Zealand (MNZ) as a massage therapist specialist in rehabilitation.
Those who choose to study the exercise specialty will be able to apply for registration with the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) after they graduate.
Graduates can expect to gain employment as competent practitioners within professional organisations. This might include government or non-government sport, exercise and health settings such as regional sports trusts, commercial gyms, teaching, health promotion organisations and sporting organisations.
Studying part-time
We know that full-time study isn't always possible. We offer part-time study options for this programme - talk to us about what would suit you best!
What You Study
Courses
Within this programme you will develop skills and knowledge in sport, exercise and health, as well as communication, project management, academic writing. You will develop relationships within industry and be able to explore your learning needs and guide your final project year.
Year 1
| Course | Level | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Bioscience | 5 | 15 |
| Introduction to Sport | 5 | 30 |
| Introduction to Exercise | 5 | 30 |
| Introduction to Health | 5 | 30 |
| Community Project One | 5 | 15 |
Year 2
| Course | Level | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Choose two from:
|
6 | 30 |
| Community Project Two | 6 | 60 |
Year 3
| Course | Level | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Community Project Three | 7 | 120 |
* Prerequisite of New Zealand Diploma in Wellness and Relaxation Massage (Level 5) or equivalent qualification and/or experience is required to take this elective.
Further study options
Widen your career options with postgraduate study. We offer the following postgraduate programmes with specialties in Performance Analysis, Physical Conditioning and Exercise Leadership:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Science
- Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Science
- Master of Applied Science
We also the Master of Professional Practice.
Otago University offer the Master of Public Health, Physical Education or Teaching. Massey University offer the Master of Sport and Exercise, Public Health or Health Science. And the University of Auckland offer the Master of Health Sciences or Science.
So, there's plenty of options!
Workload
Your workload
This is a full-time programme of study and students are expected to complete 35 to 40 hours per week. Approximately ½ of this is face to face in the first year of study.
Entry
Entry requirements
| Academic qualification | Criteria |
|---|---|
|
NCEA |
|
|
NZQA |
A Level 4 qualification on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) totalling 60 credits or more completed within one year. This may be achieved through successful completion of a pre-entry programme such as the Health bridging certificate at Otago Polytechnic. Please note: completion of pre-entry qualifications does not guarantee automatic entry into this programme. |
| University study |
Successful completion of courses equating to 50% of first year learner workload completed within one year. |
| Other |
Equivalent professional experience. |
| English Language requirements |
If English is not your first language, you must provide:
|
Additional criteria
- All applicants who are accepted must obtain a First Aid Certificate, and complete the requirements of the Children’s Act 2014 (including police vetting), before starting classes.
- If you currently hold a valid first aid certificate then please send that with your acceptance.
- If you do not have a first aid certificate, a training course opportunity will be offered to you at a reasonable cost.
Selection process
Where there are more applicants than places, an interview panel consisting of a member of the degree Leadership Team and relevant academic staff will interview and select applicants, with candidates prioritised on the basis of strength of academic record.
Applicants who do not meet the entry or selection criteria will be directed to a path of study to help prepare them for application in the future.
Don't meet the entry requirements?
The below programmes provide great pathways into this degree.
The health bridging certificate offers a more generalised study pathway. The two exercise certificates focus more on a sport and personal training pathway. And the massage diploma focuses on wellness and relaxation massage.
Talk to us if you're not sure which pathway to choose.
Want your existing skills recognised?
If you have extensive knowledge and skills due to practical experience in this area, please ask us about our recognition of prior learning process. You may have already gained credits towards this qualification and could achieve it in a shorter timeframe. Please email info@op.ac.nz or call 0800 762 786.
Fees
Domestic fees
International fees
Additional costs
You'll need to buy your own uniform ($200) for industry placements. You'll also need your own laptop/tablet that you can bring to class.
Multi-year fees
The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied. These fees also don’t include additional costs or living costs.
Studylink
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink.
Some support may be available for domestic part-time students if this programme offers a part-time study option.
Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
Student Services Fee
For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.
The international tuition fee does not include your Student Levy. This will be calculated when you enrol with us.
Click below to find out more about the Student Levy costs and services provided.
Fees Free
If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to access Fees Free for your final year of study or training. If you are eligible, you will need to apply for your entitlement through IRD from 2026 onwards.
If you started studying before 2025, you may be able to continue to use your remaining first-year entitlement in 2025.
Visit our Fees and Funding page to learn more about the Fees Free programme Fees and Funding
