Planning your BSc from 2019

You may be needing more information about:

• Programme overview and structure
• Subjects
• Fees and scholarships
• Entry requirements
• Key dates

Check out our dedicated web page to learn more about this exciting programme.  

Life at university can be a juggling act between study, work, social activities and family life. If you know what commitment is required for full or part-time study, you can have a strategy to fit everything into your schedule.

Enrolment

BSc enrolment

The normal and recommended full-time enrolment in your first year of study as a Bachelor of Science student is eight courses per year (120 points). As a BSc student, it is not usually necessary to take a heavier workload.

Conjoint enrolment

If you are taking a conjoint degree you will need to take nine courses (135 points) each year to complete in the minimum time. Typically students will enrol in four courses in Semester One of their first year, and five in Semester Two. Taking courses in Summer School to spread the workload is a good idea.

Full-time vs part-time

To be a full-time student, a minimum of 100 points over two semesters, 50 points in any one semester, or 25 points at Summer School must be taken. Fewer points than this will classify you as a part-time student.
Being a part-time student will have implications on your student loan if you have one.

Your weekly timetable

You should expect to spend about 10 hours per week on each 15-point science course you are studying. This includes class hours and personal study time.

Lectures

Most first-year Science courses involve three to four hours worth of lectures each week.

Tutorials

Some courses include tutorials (usually one hour per week).

Laboratories

These may range from one to three hours, either weekly or fortnightly.

Field Trips

A number of subjects also involve field trips. Depending on the subject (and level) these can range from a single day to a week-long trip.

Assessments

Science courses typically have some written work or tests during the semester, including lab assignments and reports, and a two or three hour examination at the end. All courses will require regular self-directed study (i.e. outside of the lab or lecture theatre).

Capstones in BSc

Often taken in the final year, a Capstone course is a project providing you with an opportunity to integrate and apply your previous learning to a real-world problem in your subject area. Your experience in a Capstone course will enable you to showcase your skills and knowledge to future employers.

Capstone courses vary depending on your subject area. Some will facilitate an independent research project under the guidance of an academic mentor, while others will facilitate group and/or independent work on assignments designed to develop valuable transferrable skills.

There are usually eight courses over Semesters One and Two. Use Summer School to take additional courses or to spread the workload.

Note: The actual number of courses at any level in any subject may vary.

Year One

• Eight courses from four to five subjects
• Students will need to complete one General Education course. 
• From 2025, all undergraduate students will be required to complete a Waipapa Taumata Rau course in their first year of full-time equivalent enrolment.

Year Two

• Eight courses
• Advance two to three subjects to Stage II

Year Three

• Eight courses
• Take at least five Stage III courses, including four in your major
• For a double major, take four Stage III courses in your first major and three Stage III courses in your second major.