Bachelor of Applied Science
Deepen your knowledge with our highly regarded degree, 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.
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.
In your first year you will 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.
In your first year you will 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.
What You Study
Courses
Year 1 - 2026 Courses
In the first year of the Bachelor of Applied Science programme, you will be provided with fundamental skills and knowledge in practice and theory. The year consists of one professional practice course, two leadership courses and five theory courses. The learning from these courses is integrated across a wide range of contexts within sport, exercise, and health.
| Course name | Level | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Anatomy and physiology | 5 | 15 |
| Coaching and leadership | 5 | 15 |
| Motor learning and biomechanics | 5 | 15 |
| Initiatives of health | 5 | 15 |
| Understanding communities in Applied Science | 5 | 15 |
| Concepts of exercise | 5 | 15 |
| Personal and professional development | 5 | 15 |
| Professional practice 1 - Fundamentals | 5 | 15 |
Year 2 - 2027 Courses
In the second year of the Bachelor of Applied Science programme there are five compulsory courses, one of which is Noho Marae and Kawa Whakaruruhau. You will have the opportunity to choose three courses from six elective courses – this gives you some flexibility to choose a more biophysical or sociological focus.
The two biophysical elective courses (Pathology for Applied Science or Functional Assessment and Clinical Reasoning) are derived from compulsory courses within the New Zealand Diploma in Remedial Massage (Level 6) programme which is offered within the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health. There is a large crossover of relevant content that when applied to a sport, exercise or health context would suit your interests and needs in the Bachelor of Applied Science. Delivering these courses in this way allows for cross-delivery of content, elective courses, and cohesion and shared experiences from different programmes.
The emphasis of year 2 is on integration and interpretation of experience while building on fundamental knowledge and skills. You will experience a range of Professional Practice courses and are expected to be reflecting at an advancing level.
| Course name | Level | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Applied sport sociology (elective) | 6 | 15 |
| Coaching in the community (elective) | 6 | 15 |
| Nutrition and psychology for performance (elective) | 6 | 15 |
| Behaviour change in Applied Science | 6 | 15 |
| Exercise in communities (elective) | 6 | 15 |
| Professional practice 2 - Relationships | 6 | 15 |
| Functional assessment and clinical reasoning** (elective) | 6 | 15 |
| Pathology for Applied Science** (elective) | 6 | 15 |
| Noho Marae and Kawa Whakaruruhau | 6 | 15 |
| Research for Applied Science | 6 | 15 |
| Professional practice 3 - Reflective practice | 6 | 15 |
** Alignment with course in the New Zealand Diploma in Remedial Massage (Level 6) programme.
Year 3 - 2028 Courses
The final year of the Bachelor of Applied Science programme provides you with experience and opportunities to develop and lead a community-based project in a specific area of interest, across two, 30-credit Professional Practice courses. Given the range of interests that develop by the third year of study, there are two special topic courses in which you will build on your knowledge and skills in focussed areas. There is also the option to complete the elective courses from level 6 that you may not have taken during your second year of study.
| Course name | Level | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Special topic - Theory (elective) | 7 | 15 |
| Leadership in Applied Science | 7 | 15 |
| Professional practice 4 - Leadership | 7 | 30 |
| Special topic - Practice (elective) | 7 | 15 |
| Entrepreneurship in Applied Science | 7 | 15 |
| Capstone - Project Delivery | 7 | 30 |
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 offer 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 for further study!
Workload
Your workload
This is a full-time programme of study, with the qualification taking 3 years to complete. 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.
Part-time students may complete this qualification over a maximum of 6 years.
Entry
Entry requirements
Academic qualification criteria
NCEA
- 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 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)
NZQA
- A Level 4 qualification on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) totalling 60 credits or more completed within one year.
University study
Other
International requirements and equivalence
To enter Otago Polytechnic's undergraduate certificates, diplomas and degrees, you need to have achieved a secondary school qualification that is equivalent to New Zealand's NCEA levels (National Certificate of Educational Achievement).
This information is available by country on our Equivalent academic entry requirements page.
English language requirements
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall IELTS 6.0 (academic, no band score lower than 5.5) achieved in one test completed in the last two years, OR
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for internationally recognised proficiency tests and proficiency outcomes for international students).
Additional criteria
- All applicants who are accepted must complete the requirements of the Children’s Act 2014 (including police vetting), before starting classes.
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 to enquire further about available options.
All fees and costs are approximate.
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
Visit Welcome to StudyLink studylink.govt.nz to apply for a student loan to cover your course fees, course-related costs or living costs, or to apply for a student allowance.
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
Starting tertiary study or work-based learning for the first time? You may be able to get Fees Free after you complete your first eligible qualification or programme.
Fees Free covers the cost of your fees for the final year of study or final two years of work-based learning, up to $12,000.
When you enrol, you will need to pay your fees. To help you cover this cost, you may wish to apply for a student loan. Find out more at Student loan – StudyLink.
For more information on the eligibility requirements and when it is best to apply for Fees Free, visit Fees Free – Inland Revenue.
