Institute of Technology or Polytechnic
Ara Institute of CanterburyThis course is available
On-Campus
Level of Study
Bachelor's Degree
Duration
3 years
Next start date
Expected Feb 2025
Campus
Ara Institute of Canterbury
Developed according to best practice approaches in clinical education and delivered utilising innovative teaching methods, the Bachelor of Musculoskeletal Health will equip you with the knowledge and skills required for employment in non-registered areas of health care and management.
You'll start your studies by gaining foundational knowledge of musculoskeletal health and osteopathy and forming a basis for critical thinking. In year two, the emphasis is on evidence-based clinical practice and extending your bioscience knowledge. Your final year focuses almost entirely on the development of clinical practice learning, critical thinking and increasingly complex problem solving and decision-making.
Throughout the degree, clinical practice courses will give you industry experience by enabling you to apply your knowledge in real-world environments. You'll also have the opportunity to train with Ara students in other health care disciplines such as nursing, midwifery, medical imaging, social work, human nutrition, health promotion and sport and exercise science. This provides opportunities for inter-disciplinary learning, further enhancing your employment outcomes.
Career opportunities: The increasing burden of musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis and low back pain is likely to create both new challenges and opportunities within the wider health care sector. This suggests there will be good employment prospects for graduates throughout Australasia. Employment opportunities may include working in the public or private sector as an exercise prescription consultant, rehabilitation assistant, insurance or ACC case manager, green prescription health advisor, clinical research assistant or health-related salesperson.
Study pathways: The Bachelor of Musculoskeletal Health (BMSkH) leads directly into the Postgraduate Diploma in Osteopathy (PGDip Osteopathy). With both qualifications you can apply for registration in the General Scope of Osteopathy with the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand. Alternatively, after completing the Bachelor of Musculoskeletal Health you can undertake the Master of Health Science at Ara.
New Zealand University Entrance: NCEA Level 3 (60 credits at level 3 and 20 credits at level 2 or higher) which must include:
14 credits at Level 3 in each of biology or physical education or health education, English or classical studies or history or geography or art history or religious studies or social studies
One other subject from the list of approved subjects*
OR New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) Ara Pre Health Pathway or equivalent.
Due to Covid-19 disruption, if you studied and achieved NCEA Level 3 during 2020, you only need 12 credits per Level 3 subject (i.e. total of 36 credits). Literacy and Numeracy requirements remain the same
If you have undertaken examinations other than NCEA (e.g. International Baccalaureate, Cambridge Examination), Ara will assess your qualification for academic entry equivalency.
* NZQA approved subjects
Alternative Requirements
Still want to study but don't meet the Academic Requirements?
If you show that you have equivalent skills for tertiary study gained through study, work and/or life experience, you may be able to gain alternative entry.
Overall IELTS 6.0 Academic
SPEAKING - 5.5
READING - 5.5
WRITING - 5.5
LISTENING – 5.5
TOEFL (pBT) - Score of 550 (with an essay score of 5 TWE)
TOEFL (iBT) - Score of 60 or higher (with a writing score of 18)
Cambridge English Qualifications - B2 First, or B2 First for schools, or C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency with a score of 169. No less than 162 in each skill
PTE (Academic) score of 50 with no band score lower than 42
INTERNATIONAL CLOSE DATE: 1 OCTOBER
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