Work alongside people living in the community to support their health and well-being.

Community Health Care focuses on providing the skills and knowledge required to work in New Zealand's changing healthcare system and support individuals to live healthy lives.

The major is multidisciplinary, encompassing biological, sociological, cultural, psychological, and developmental perspectives.

Be part of the change in New Zealand's health care system

Learn culturally responsive and integrated health approaches to navigate the way forward in New Zealand's changing healthcare system.

The University of Otago's interactive learning opportunities enables students to connect with people and service organizations in community healthcare settings by:

• Learning about health and well-being from multiple disciplines and perspectives, including hauora Māori, to develop an understanding of health at a broader level
• Focusing on health and well-being, disability, human development, and common health problems
• Becoming knowledgeable about the social and health system context to assist people, their whānau, and communities to navigate the health system effectively

Specifically, you will learn about:

• Social and cultural contexts and explore ways to reduce inequity
• How to communicate and act in an ethical, professional, and compassionate way with a diverse range of individuals and communities, with a particular emphasis on understanding Māori and Pacific values
• Human health and well-being across the lifespan
• Health conditions and treatments
• Disability
• Assessment and care coordination
• Bioethical principles underpinning health care

Note: The Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHealSc) is different from Health Sciences First Year (HSFY). 

BHealSc does not lead to entry into the professional Health Sciences programs.

If you are intending to apply for one of the Health Sciences professional programs based on your performance in your first year of study, you need to enroll in the Health Sciences First Year course.

• Academic Transcripts
• Educational Credential Evaluators report (ECE) (If required)
• Proof of your identity (Full name, date of birth, and nationality)
• Certified/notarised copy (passport or birth certificate)
• English Language Proficiency (If Available)

Undergraduate entrance requirements

The university recognizes many other qualifications as equivalent to the New Zealand qualification for entrance. 

To check if the university recognizes your previous studies, determine the country where you gained the qualification. Countries entrance requirements example:

China entrance requirements:

Senior High School graduation and one year of successful study at a recognized institution of university standing; 
Or Senior High School graduation and completion of a diploma with high passing grades at a recognized institute or university.

Students with the requisite scores in Gaokao may be given direct entry to bachelor degree programme.

India entrance requirements:

Minimum overall average of 75% in the All India Senior School Examination (CBSE) or Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) with a minimum of 70% in English.

The scores are calculated on the best four academic subjects excluding local languages and non-academic subjects.

Iran entrance requirements:

One year of successful study at a recognized institution of university standing, or successful completion of a University of Otago Foundation Year programme or equivalent.

The university also accepts the following international qualifications:

• International Baccalaureate: IB Diploma with a minimum of 24 points.
• Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) GCE Advanced Levels: minimum Numerical Score of 8.
• Northern Consortium United Kingdom (NCUK) International Foundation Year (IFY)
• Satisfactory completion of one year's study at a recognized tertiary institution.

Health Sciences – Recommended Background Subjects to Year 13: Biology, Statistics, Language-rich, Sciences, Chem, Health.

Pathway programme

Study in your chosen subject area and gain a university entrance qualification

The University of Otago Pathway programme offers a university entrance qualification within two 13-week semesters, called the Foundation Studies Certificate (FSC) for domestic and international students.