Institute of Technology or Polytechnic

Bachelor of Musculoskeletal Health

This course is available

On-Campus

Level of Study

Bachelor's Degree

Duration

3 years

Next start date

Expected Feb 2027

Campus

Christchurch - City Campus

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Summary

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.

Please note: to become a registered osteopath, you must also gain a Postgraduate Diploma in Osteopathy, a one-year Level 8 programme at Ara.

Applicants who meet the requirements for admission are accepted in the order their applications are received, with a proportion of places reserved on the programme for priority learners. In the event that there are more applications than spaces available on the programme, a waitlist will be maintained.

Entry criteria

Academic Requirements

New Zealand University Entrance which must include:

14 credits at Level 3 in each of:
- Biology or physical education or health education
- An English rich subject
One other subject from the list of approved subjects*

Or New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 4) Pre Health Pathway or equivalent

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: see https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/ncea/understanding-secondary-quals/university-entrance/

Additional Requirements

In order to access an individual placement in this programme, you may be required to provide evidence of immunity to particular infectious diseases or other health requirements specific to the practice

Consent to Disclosure of Information:

Successful applicants will be required to complete a New Zealand Police Consent to Disclosure of Information form.
The form will be sent by Ara to the Police Licensing and Vetting Service, and returned in confidence to the Head of Department.
Information on the NZ Police Vetting Service is available from the New Zealand Police website.

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.

Note: The number of courses you have to complete for this qualification may be reduced where you have relevant credits from previous study, or evidence of similar learning or experience in the workplace.

English Requirements

What if English is not my first Language?

Overall IELTS 6.0 Academic

5.5 Listening
5.5 Reading
5.5 Writing
5.5 Speaking

If English is not your first language, we want to make sure that you will be successful in your chosen programme of study.

Please provide a result from a test or qualification on the acceptable alternatives
- English Proficiency Outcomes Chart.
If you are a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident, complete an Admission and Enrolment form and Ara will contact you regarding a free assessment.
If you are not a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent resident, please book a PTE Academic test through the Ara Examination Centre or complete an NZQA-approved English language test in your home country.
IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form and are valid for two years from the date of the test.
applicants who have achieved NCEA Level 3 University Entrance may be required to provide evidence of English Language skills.

Selection Requirements

Applicants who meet the requirements for admission are accepted in the order their applications are received, with a proportion of places reserved on the programme for priority learners.

In the event that there are more applications than spaces available on the programme, a waitlist will be maintained.

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