Course details

Summary

The Society and Policy major will focus on the relationship between health science, health governance, bioethics and society. It will comprise an interdisciplinary core based in sociology of health, policy issues in health technology and health delivery at the local, national and global levels, together with research training in qualitative and quantitative social science research methods.

Graduates of the Society and Policy major will have acquired core knowledge and skills relevant to health employment and sector-defined competencies such as some of the New Zealand generic public health competencies (PHANZ 2007) and some of the New Zealand health-promotion competencies (Health Promotion Forum 2012), including competencies in bioethics which are specific to this major.

In addition, they will have in-depth knowledge in an area of specialisation relating to health policy, health geography, bioethics and social issues relating to health.

The Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc) is a three-year non-clinical degree designed to address gaps in the health workforce by producing graduates with multidisciplinary skills and an understanding of important national health issues.

New Zealand's health and disability sector is characterized by a diverse workforce made up of many occupations. This diversity is essential to be able to provide the range of services required to meet population health outcomes.

Qualification structure and duration

The BHSc requires a total of 360 points made up of:

• at least 135 points from compulsory courses
• at least 90 points from one subject major
• the remaining points may be taken from within Health Sciences or any other degree offered at UC.

Note: at least 225 of the total points must be above 100-level and at least 90 points must be for courses at 300-level.

Further study

Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the degree, there are a wide range of postgraduate study options at UC including:

• Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences
• Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences
• Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Family Psychology
• Postgraduate Diploma in Science
• Master of Arts or Master of Science in Child and Family Psychology
• Master of Counselling
• Master of Health Sciences
• Master of Health Sciences Professional Practice
• Doctor of Philosophy

Career opportunities

This major will prepare students for positions in policy analysis, social science research and development of public policy. It will also prepare them for further research in humanities and the social sciences. Students who graduate from this programme may go on to postgraduate study in Health Sciences.

If students take the Sociology option at 300-level, they may go on to postgraduate work in Sociology.

Those who do not wish to complete a postgraduate degree may look for jobs in health administration, health policy and other non-clinical roles within the broad health sector. This major also provides a foundation for graduate clinical degrees.

Examples of career pathways include:

• careers in health-related institutions and agencies;
• community development roles in public health units, District Health Boards, Maori and iwi health/development organisations, NGOs, and local government agencies;
• health policy analysts;
• postgraduate studies towards a research career in health;
• social and health researchers.

The programme is designed so that students will be able to take a double major in Public Health and Society and Policy. These students would additionally meet all the public health and health promotion competencies.

Entry criteria

Admission to UC with University Entrance, or equivalent, is required to enrol for a Bachelor's degree. Applicants must have completed New Zealand University Entrance through NCEA; or Cambridge International Examinations (CIE); or International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) or any other equivalent overseas qualification.

Recommended preparation

For some majors, a background in biology, chemistry and statistics can be beneficial. If you would like to brush up on your knowledge in these areas, Headstart preparatory and summer catch-up courses are available.

Other English language requirements: TOEFL PBT with a minimum score of 550 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5; CCEL EAP Level 2 with a minimum C+ grade; CAE or CPE minimum score of 169 with at least 162 in reading, writing, listening and speaking; Pearson Test of English (Academic) - PTE with an overall score of 57 and no PTE communicative skills score below 50.