Bachelor of Science

Examine, observe, experiment and research—get the skills and knowledge you need in science to make a difference.

Create a science degree unique to you, your passions, and your career goals. Choose from more than 25 science subjects you can mix and match, and enjoy studying both in and outside the classroom.

Explore the wonder of science

Study for a Bachelor of Science (BSc) to observe phenomena, experiment with ideas, and make new discoveries. Learn to collect, analyse, and understand data, think critically and creatively, and clearly communicate your findings.

Our BSc is a combination of theory-based learning and practical experience. You’ll learn about cutting-edge research in state-of-the-art facilities. You’ll also go beyond the lecture theatre with laboratories, field trips, and summer scholarship opportunities where you can work with researchers and external organisations.

Our BSc is New Zealand’s most flexible Bachelor of Science. You can shape the focus of your study as you gain a better understanding of what you’re interested in, and complement your study with other subjects inside or outside of science.

Download our handbook

Fill in a form to find out more about your study options in Science in our qualification handbook.

Get a taste for university

Watch this short taster lecture to help you decide which degree is right for you. If you're curious to explore more, check out our full library of taster lectures.

Build your degree

There are more than 25 subjects across the physical and social sciences that you can choose from and combine.

Degree structure options

You must choose a major as the main subject to focus on in your BSc.

Structure your study using one of our flexible options to broaden your focus.

• Double major—specialise in two subjects in your degree.
• Second major from another degree—study a wider range of subjects without doing another degree, choosing from over 90 majors across the University.
• Minor—specialise in a subject without doing as many courses as for a major.
• Conjoint degree—this intense programme lets you complete two degrees more quickly, in a minimum of four years.

Scholarships for international students

We are currently offering a NZ$15,000 VUW Undergraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Bachelor’s degree. Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.

Develop a future-focused skill set

The BSc is a three-year undergraduate degree that will give you the skills to become a science innovator in a rapidly evolving job market.

You’ll learn in world-class facilities from staff who are world leaders in their fields, in the heart of the science capital of New Zealand.

Wellington has the highest concentration of scientists and science organisations in New Zealand. Our students are ready to leap into the careers of the future, going on to develop new technologies, treat diseases, or protect the environment.

Year breakdown

First year

In your first year, you’ll choose courses from across a range of subject areas.

First-year courses lay the foundations for more in-depth study. Choose your 100-level courses from subjects that most interest you and that set you up for what you want to study in your second year.

If you haven’t already decided, at the end of this year you’ll choose the major you want to focus on for the rest of your Bachelor of Science. It’s a good idea to look ahead to your second year of study, as there may be prerequisites for your future major.

At some point in your BSc, you must include one course in either Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, or Econometrics. Most students choose to do this in their first year.

Second year

In your second year, you’ll focus on the detail of your chosen majors or minors.

You’re likely to take six to eight courses this year:

• three or four courses in your major subject
• the remaining courses chosen from your second major or minor subject or from other electives.

To add variety and depth to your degree, you might take some courses from outside the sciences.

Third year

In the third year of your Bachelor of Science, you’ll develop your research skills. You’re likely to take:

• three or four courses in your major subject
• three or four courses that might be your second major or a mixture of your minor and other electives.

You’ll develop specialised knowledge in your major and graduate ready to enter the workforce or to go on to postgraduate study.

Future careers

The BSc is the first step towards a career where you might develop new technologies, treat diseases, or protect the environment.

After completing a BSc, you can go straight into an entry-level job. If you continue studying and achieve a postgraduate qualification, you’ll be able to start your career at a more senior level.

The types of roles you might get depend on the subject or subjects you focus your study on. Potential roles include:

• biotechnologist
• chemist
• computer scientist
• data scientist
• environmental scientist
• geologist
• geospatial specialist
• government analyst
• hydrologist
• marine biologist
• physicist
• policy analyst
• science communicator
• statistician
• working in the space industry.

Science graduates have the potential to innovate and lead in a range of sectors. As well as setting you up for a science career, the BSc gives you fundamental thinking and analysis skills to find a career in many other areas such as government, technology, policy, project management, teaching and education.

Become a science teacher

If you are interested in teaching science, study for a postgraduate qualification in secondary teaching when you finish your undergraduate degree.

Aotearoa New Zealand has a shortage of secondary teachers in most subjects, but particularly Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics. Find out more about teaching career options, studying to be a teacher, and finding teaching jobs. Teach NZ offers scholarships if you enrol in an approved undergraduate or graduate teaching course.

Get a postgraduate degree

At the end of your three-year BSc, you can continue your learning with postgraduate study. Give your career options a boost and choose from our wide range of postgraduate science programmes.

Scholarships

You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies. We have first-year and school-leaver scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.

• first-year and school-leaver scholarships
• search scholarships.