There are courses that all students must complete, after which students are given options depending on their direction of further study.

Introduction to Health Science (All students)

Basic science and scientific method will be explored and related to human biology. The emphasis will be on relevance, practical work and explanation. This will be taught in a creative way aimed at demystifying the subject and making learning fun.

Degree Study Skills (All students)

This course offers library literacy, study skills, academic writing skills and maths to those students without formal qualifications, or who have been away from study for an extended length of time.

First Aid (All students)

Applicants for Nursing and many other Health Science programmes are generally required to have a Standard First Aid certificate as a pre-requisite to entry.

While you are in the Foundation programme you will be assisted to gain a First Aid certificate as approved by NZQA and Occupational Safety and Health service.

The Context of Health (BN)

Part one introduces the student to the theories of human development, family and societies, within the context of health. Perspectives from the field of sociology and development allow the student to gain a wider understanding of groups.

Part 2 introduces the student to the understanding of behaviour, drawing from psychology and social psychology. The student will be guided to develop understandings of the dynamic relationships among stress, human behaviour, group conformity and environment.

There are two entry points per year:

• February
• July

17 weeks full-time

Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

Over 20 Years:

All applicants will be considered. 

Under 20 Years:

Standard Entry

• applicants must have completed Year 12 and
• have gained a minimum of 12 credits at NCEA Level 2 in one year or
• have gained one NZQA unit standard at Level 4.
• Provisional Entry

All applicants who can show evidence of ability to successfully achieve in the programme may be considered for admission, provided: 

• in the opinion of the Admissions Committee the learner has a good chance of achieving a clearly measurable benefit from the proposed course of study and
• the learner will not place an unreasonable burden on the teaching staff and/or other learners

Entry to subsequent study is conditional upon success at the entry level.

A personal interview may be part of the application process. 

English Language Entry Requirement - Where English is NOT the first language

Students are required to have attained an acceptable level of English language fluency. This may be demonstrated in a variety of ways, including successful study in English, approved scores on TOEFL (513) or IELTS (6.0 Academic) tests, completion of accepted international equivalents, or completion of an EIT Hawke’s Bay assessment.

Graduates of this programme will be awarded the EIT Certificate in Health Science. This qualification can lead to further study in a variety of programmes such as the Bachelor of Nursing and Bachelor of Recreation and Sport.