Career opportunities
As a BHealSc graduate majoring in Community Health Care, you will have a sound multidisciplinary understanding of health, well-being, and the health system. You will be well equipped to gain employment in a variety of community roles within primary and secondary healthcare settings, policy and managerial roles, or in health and disability services.
This is especially important as future healthcare services will be increasingly based in the community.
Graduates will have the expertise to work with a diverse range of individuals and communities across the healthcare sector to improve health outcomes for all.
Student profile – April Oakley
Unhappy with her original decision to study for a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition, April Oakley met with a course adviser who introduced her to the Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHealSc).
“Health across the life course, disability studies, global health, Pacific and Māori health – it seemed like a happy balance between STEM subjects and the social sciences.
“Yes, we have lectures, but half the time we are having a class kōrero, discussing ideas, concepts and solutions with the lecturer. My lecturer once told me that while we learn from them, they are forever learning from us too.
“All of their content fills the gap they see in the health system right now. Everything is relevant, everything is applicable. We're not reading an old textbook; we're discussing the latest health reform, the newest report the government has released, and talking to people on the front line of our health system.”
April is unsure what the future holds, but says, “I know that whatever it is, I will be working with my community to enable everyone to live healthier lives”.
Be part of the change in our health care system
“Everything is relevant, everything is applicable. We're not reading an old textbook; we're discussing the latest health reform, the newest report the government has released, and talking to people on the front line of our health system.”
— April Oakley
BHealSc Student
Learn culturally responsive and integrated health approaches to navigate the way forward in our changing healthcare system.
Our interactive learning opportunities enable students to connect with people and service organisations in community healthcare settings by:
- Learning about health and well-being from multiple disciplines and perspectives, including hauora Māori, in order 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 in order 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 co-ordination
- Bioethical principles underpinning health care
Build skills to make a difference
New approaches to health care are required as we face important health challenges.
These include:
- An increase in the number of older adults and people living with multiple long-term conditions and disabilities
- Limited health resources and greater demand for services
- Environmental and social change and the accompanying effects on health
With these challenges comes an increasing need to develop innovative solutions and approaches to healthcare.
The Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHealSc) majoring in Community Health Care is a three-year degree for those who want to be an integral part of these new approaches.
This career-focused qualification focuses on the skills required to work with patients, populations, and communities to promote health and ensure patients are accessing and receiving the most appropriate care.
Choose a study option
Whether you're embarking on your academic journey with our comprehensive undergraduate programmes or aiming to reach new heights through our advanced postgraduate offerings, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Undergraduate qualifications
For new and current students studying towards a Bachelor's or other first degree. Explore undergraduate qualifications at Otago, designed to build a strong foundation in your chosen field, preparing you for a successful career or further study.
Note: this subject can also be studied as a minor.
Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHealSc)
A three-year degree with four areas of specialisation: Community Health Care, Māori Health, Pacific and Global Health, or Public Health
Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr)
A three-year degree that equips you to change the world as you create new products, services and ideas
Ready to apply?
Take the first step towards your future in this subject.
Further study opportunities
Whether you are looking to bridge your undergraduate studies to advanced knowledge or aiming to specialise in a specific field, Otago offers a range of graduate and postgraduate options to suit your aspirations.
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Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject as a major and minor (where available).
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | EDUC 105 Disability Studies: An Introduction | 18 |
| HUBS 191 Human Body Systems 1 | 18 | |
| HUBS 192 Human Body Systems 2 | 18 | |
| PUBH 192 Foundations of Epidemiology or POPH 192 Population Health | 18 | |
| EDUC 105 may be taken during the second year of study | ||
| 200-level | CMHC 201 Human Health Across the Lifespan | 18 |
| CMHC 211 Enabling Wellness and Ability I | 18 | |
| MAOH 201 Hauora Māori in Practice: Working with Individuals and Whānau | 18 | |
| PACH 201 Pacific Health: New Zealand and the Pacific Region | 18 | |
|
At least two of BITC 201 Bioethics and the Life Sciences GEOG 210 Social Geography PATH 201 Foundations in Human Pathology PUBH 203 Health Policy and Politics: Global and Local PUBH 211 Epidemiology of Global Health Conditions SOCI 205 Social Inequality | 36 | |
| 300-level | CMHC 301 Applied Aspects of Human Health | 18 |
| CMHC 311 Enabling Wellness and Ability II | 18 | |
| MAOH 301 Hauora Māori in Practice: Working with Organisations and Communities | 18 | |
| PACH 301 Pacific Health: Advanced Applied Knowledge | 18 | |
| Plus | 108 further points | 108 |
| The following papers are suggested: ANTH 105, BIOC 192, BSNS 113, CELS 191, CHEM 191, MAOR 102, PACI 101 , PSYC 111, PSYC 112; ANAT 241, BITC 201, MAOR 202, MICR 223 , NEUR 201, NEUR 202, PACI 201, PHAL 241, PHSL 251, PSME 201, PSYC 212, PUBH 202; BITC 301, INDS 301, PACI 301, PUBH 311 | ||
| Total | 360 |
A minor subject can be included in many of our undergraduate degrees. To earn a minor, you typically must complete a minimum of 90 points in that subject, with at least 18 points at the 300-level.
Your minor can be a subject more commonly taken for a different degree. For example, a BCom majoring in Marketing can include Japanese as a minor subject. To include this subject as a minor in your application, first find a major subject through our Subject Search or Study Match.
You can check what’s required to receive the minor accreditation in the programme details below.
Available as a minor subject for a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Music (MusB), Bachelor of Performing Arts (BPA), Bachelor of Theology (BTheol), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (BEntr), Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHealSc), Bachelor of Arts and Commerce (BACom), Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc) or Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc) degree
| Level | Papers | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 100-level | EDUC 105 Disability Studies: An Introduction | 18 |
| 200-level | CMHC 201* Human Health Across the Lifespan CMHC 211 Disability and Health I *Prerequisites for CMHC 201 also include HUBS 191, 192 | 18 18 |
| 300-level | CMHC 301 Applied Aspects of Human Health CMHC 311 Disability and Health II | 18 18 |
| Total | 90 |
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
CMHC papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CMHC201 | 2025 | Human Health Across the Lifespan | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| CMHC211 | 2025 | Enabling Wellness and Ability I | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| CMHC301 | 2025 | Applied Aspects of Human Health | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| CMHC311 | 2025 | Enabling Wellness and Ability II | 18 points | Semester 1 |
More information
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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