Course details

Summary

As one of New Zealand's fastest growing industries, the sport and leisure industry provides exciting career opportunities. The Waikato Bachelor of Health, Sport & Human Performance (BHSHP) will equip you with the latest knowledge and skills to excel in this dynamic environment, and help to improve the physical, social and mental well-being of others.

As a university located in the heart of the Waikato Region, we are proud to foster collaborative relationships with some of the country's top sports organisations and facilities. Our partnerships allow students to get a taste of industry careers from high performance sport (Waikato Chiefs, BOP Magic and Cycling NZ) to community organisations (Sport Waikato, Parafed and Disabilities Waikato).

Our facilities boast the latest equipment in sport science specialisations, namely The University of Waikato Sports Laboratory at the Cambridge Avantidrome and The University of Waikato Adams Centre for High Performance, in Tauranga. Both are equipped with cutting-edge facilities to test athlete performance, exercise and recovery, including an environmental chamber for altitude training.

Specialisations

Movement Cultures

You'll understand the social and cultural aspects of consuming, producing and experiencing sport and leisure in contemporary and historical settings, as well as critically exploring movement in a range of settings, consider issues such as power, identity, gender, race, inclusion, equity and diversity. You will gain an interdisciplinary understanding of contemporary local and global trends. A BHSHP will open up a broad range of career paths, equipping you with problem solving skills, creativity, critical thinking, communication and reflective processing skills.

Applied Movement Sciences

Critically explore how the application of scientific principals can enhance health and well-being, fitness and performance. You'll find out about anatomy, biomechanics, exercise prescription, movement analysis, nutrition, physiology, psychology, strength conditioning. Apply known scientific principals to examine current practice, explore innovative strategies in the promotion, maintenance and enhancement of physical activity, exercise and sport. Develop skills in applied movement sciences and develop the knowledge necessary to thrive in a dynamic workplace across a range of movement contexts.

People Movement and Professional Practice

Develop an understanding of contemporary knowledge and skills related to teaching, coaching, leading, volunteering, and instructing in diverse movement contexts. Explore theory and practice in educational movement. Gain an understanding of the social and cultural significance of movement in community and educational settings. Develop critical thinking, planning, communication, reflective and contextually relevant skills necessary to contribute to and lead equitable movement opportunities for all members of their community.

Career opportunities

• Applied Sports Scientist
• Community Sport Adviser
• Events Manager
• Health and Physical Education Teacher
• Personal Trainer
• Sports Coach

Entry criteria

To enrol in this degree, you usually need University Entrance or its equivalent. Some first-year papers may have specific prerequisites.

University Entrance means: From 2015 - (i) NCEA Level 3, (ii) a minimum of 14 credits at Level 3 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework, in each of three approved subjects, and (iii) the numeracy requirements of a minimum of 10 credits at Level 1 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework, made up of achievement standards and/or unit standards specified by NZQA, and (iv) the literacy requirement of a minimum of 10 credits at Level 2 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework, made up of: (a) 5 credits in reading , and (b) 5 credits in writing from a list specified by NZQA.

English language requirements:

IELTS (Academic) - 6.0 overall (no band less than 6.0); iBT (internet based) TOEFL - 79-80 with a score of 20 in writing; Pearson PTE Academic - 57 with no less than 57 for each communicative skill; Waikato Pathways - Successful completion of Level 7 with a B grade average in the Certificate of Attainment in Academic English (CAAE) program.