Master of Biomedical Science by coursework and thesis

Advance your Bachelor's or Honours degree and gain highly developed research skills with postgraduate study in Biomedical Science.

Deepen your knowledge of your specialist field in biomedical science. Choose from the outstanding range of biomedical subject areas and courses offered by the School of Biological Sciences, and tailor your programme to your career or research goals.

Take your research skills to a professional level. Depending on your programme, your research will range from carrying out and documenting novel experiments to a full research thesis where you contribute to knowledge in your field of biomedical science.

Join a community of dedicated and innovative researchers and learn from staff who have international reputations in their fields.

Scholarships for international students

We are currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme. Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.

Get the postgraduate handbook

Fill in the form to find out more about your study options in our Wellington Faculty of Science and Engineering Postgraduate Handbook.

Download the handbook

Bachelor of Biomedical Science with Honours

Develop your analytic and research skills with a year of Honours study. You’ll take a range of 400-level biomedical courses that suit your interests and career goals.

Get practical training in research methods by completing a laboratory-based research project under the guidance of a supervisor.

You’ll develop a research proposal, carry out original research, prepare a report, and give an oral presentation.

You need to meet certain requirements to be able to do Honours-level study.

Postgraduate Diploma in Biomedical Science

Choose from a range of advanced courses in Biomedical Science. You can explore courses in genetics and molecular biology, cell biology, physiology and pharmacology, drug discovery and development, and clinical research. You may also include a research preparation course.

Develop your skills in laboratory work, data analysis, and scientific communication. The Postgraduate Diploma in Biomedical Science (PGDipBmedSc) can also provide a pathway into Master’s-level study in Biomedical Science.

Study towards a Master’s in stages

The PGDipBmedSc is part of a tiered family of qualifications. The PGDipBmedSc can be counted towards the first year of the Masters. You can continue to the Thesis part of the Master of Biomedical Science, as long as you have a supervisor and a project.

Master of Biomedical Science by coursework and thesis—240 points

Gain advanced skills in biomedical research.

If you have a Bachelor of Biomedical Science or similar degree, you can apply for the two-year Master of Biomedical Science by coursework and thesis. It includes both coursework and a full Master's project and thesis.

In your first year, or Part 1 of the programme, you'll complete around four courses of your choice worth a total of 90 points, and also do the Research Preparation course (BMSC 580).

This will prepare you for your second year, Part 2, which is when you'll do a full-time research project, leading to a thesis. You'll need to arrange a thesis topic with a supervisor before you enrol in Part 1 of the Master's programme.

As part of your Master’s study, you’ll conduct research under the supervision of our staff. You’ll learn from and work with highly qualified academic staff and professional researchers who undertake internationally recognised work.

Master of Biomedical Science by thesis—120 points

Complete a full research project and thesis and become an expert in your specialist subject area.

If you have already completed the Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Honours) you can apply to go directly into the 120-point, one-year Master of Biomedical Science by thesis. This programme is the same as Part 2 of the 240-point Master's above.

Speak to a supervisor to arrange a thesis topic before you enrol.

Workload and duration

If you are studying full time, you can expect a workload of 40 to 45 hours a week for much of the year. Part-time students doing two courses per trimester will need to do around 20 to 23 hours of work a week. Make sure you take this into account if you are balancing other commitments.

You can estimate your workload by adding up the number of [points] you’ll be doing. One point is roughly equal to 10 to 12 hours of work.

Workload and duration

Studying full time, you can expect a workload of 40 to 45 hours a week for much of the year. You can estimate your workload by adding up the number of [points] you’ll be doing. One point is roughly equal to 10 to 12 hours of work.

Future careers

Biomedical Science graduates may work in healthcare laboratories, hospitals, research institutes, clinical settings, or firms that sell medical equipment. You’ll most likely start as a lab technician or assistant.

You might work in government departments such as Health New Zealand—Te Whatu Ora, in drug testing programmes, or in the pharmaceutical industry.

Go on to a career in research, diagnostics, or biotechnology.

Master’s study

Master’s study gives you research experience that could give you a competitive career edge.

You might work as a scientist or laboratory technician in a:

• hospital
• Crown Research Institute
• private research organisation
• pharmaceutical company.

You might work as a:

• genetic counsellor
• teacher
• science writer.

You’ll have the knowledge base to enter a variety of fields, including:

• human genetics research
• human fertility and ageing
• clinical biochemistry
• immunology
• molecular pathology
• the development of new pharmaceuticals.

With your broad scientific training you might also find employment in related fields, such as patents and intellectual property, regulation, or policy.

Become a science teacher

Completing a postgraduate qualification in secondary teaching could lead to roles teaching science. Find out more about each of teaching career options, studying to be a teacher and finding teaching jobs.

More career information

Find out more about careers in Biomedical Science—roles, career pathways, where graduates work, how to build relevant skills while studying, and how to make career connections.

Scholarships

You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.

We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.

• Postgraduate and doctoral scholarships
• Search scholarships.

Applicable scholarships

• Averil Brent Scholarship in Science
• TeachNZ Scholarship

Financial support

You can get support to stay on top of your finances by downloading our money management resources or by meeting with one of our student finance advisers.

We can show you how to manage your student loan or allowance, and help you sort out your budget. For students facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for support from the Hardship Fund. Depending on your situation, you might also be able to get government or community support. Talk to a student finance adviser Financing your study