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

Duration
3 Years Full-time
Level
7
Credits
360
Fees
$23,520*
*Approximate full qualification tuition fee
Delivery
On campus
Location
Dunedin
Intakes
February

International

Duration
3 Years Full-time
Level
7
Credits
360
Fees
$75,000*
*Approximate full qualification tuition fee
Delivery
On campus
Location
Dunedin
Intakes
February

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:
  • Advanced Sport
  • Advanced Exercise
  • Advanced Health
  • Advanced Massage
 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:  

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
    • NCEA Level 3
    • 14 credits at Level 3 or above in each of three NZQA approved university entrance subjects, and
    • 10 Literacy credits at Level 2 or above, made up of: 
      • 5 credits in reading and 5 credits in writing, and 
    • 10 Numeracy credits at Level 1 or above, made up of:
      • specified achievement standards available through a range of subjects OR
      • package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627- all three required).
Changes to NCEA and UE due to Covid-19

Due to the disruption caused by Covid-19, changes to the number of NCEA credits you need to achieve University Entrance (UE) have been put in place for those studying during 2022. You can find out the details of the changes here.

If you completed your NCEA Level 3 during 2021, please visit this page on the NZQA website. There are different adjustments depending upon which part of New Zealand you studied in.

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:

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
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.
Covid-19 vaccination 
  • Placements are an integral part of this programme. You'll need to complete the practical elements of this qualification to successfully achieve it and some placement/work providers may want to see evidence of your vaccination status. Our objective is to support your success in whatever qualification you enrol in but this is also dependent on you meeting requirements set by third party placement providers. We cannot guarantee you a placement if you do not meet these requirements. 
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

First year
Standard
$7,706
Second year
Standard
$7,714
Third year
Standard
$8,100

International fees

First year
Standard
$25,000
Second year
Standard
$25,000
Third year
Standard
$25,000

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.

Get in touch

0800 762 786
International +64 3 477 3014
Email: info@op.ac.nz
https://www.op.ac.nz/programmes/nzqa/bachelor-of-applied-science/