Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance
The rapidly growing sport and leisure industry is worth over $12 billion a year to New Zealand. The Bachelor of Health, Sport & Human Performance will give you a foundation in this exciting and dynamic industry.

As one of New Zealand's fastest growing industries, the sport and leisure industry provides exciting career opportunities. Offered in Hamilton, and in conjunction with Toi Ohomai in Tauranga, the Bachelor of Health, Sport & Human Performance (BHSHP) will equip you with the latest knowledge and skills to excel in this dynamic environment, and help to improve the physical, social and mental wellbeing of others.
Spanning the Waikato and Bay of Plenty, we are proud to foster collaborative relationships with some of the country's top organisations and facilities. Our partnerships allow students to connect with industry and community partners, including the Chiefs, BOP Magic, Cycling NZ, Sport Waikato, Sport Bay of Plenty, Enabling Good Lives, K'aute Pasifika and Paralympics NZ.
Our facilities boast the latest equipment in sport science specialisations, namely The University of Waikato Sports Laboratory at the Cambridge Avantidrome and The University of Waikato Adams Centre for High Performance in Tauranga. Both are equipped with cutting-edge facilities to test athlete performance, exercise and recovery, including an environmental chamber for altitude training.
Majors
Community Health
The Community Health major is designed to ensure graduates have the knowledge, skills and understanding to make a difference to the wellbeing of people in our local, regional and national communities. Drawing on Māori, Indigenous, critical and sociological perspectives, students will be provided with the opportunity to investigate the way health is understood and practiced in our society, and develop practical skills that will allow them to advocate and take action in enhancing the wellbeing of themselves and others.
Human Performance Science
Based on three pillars - performance physiology, performance psychology and performance monitoring and exercise prescription - this major has clear links to high performance sport, as well as to the general population, movement-related professions, exercise, nutrition and physical health. Supported by our satellite spaces in the Avantidrome and the Adams Centre, students benefit from the established relationships the University has with professional sport franchises, such as Magic Netball and Chiefs Rugby.
Sport Development and Coaching
This major gives students the skills that support them to enhance sport, recreation and physical activity for groups and individuals. Students will benefit from established local and national industry partnerships with Sport New Zealand, The International Olympic Committee, Sport Waikato, the Avantidrome, The Waikato Institute of Sport and Leisure Studies, Brian Perry Charitable Trust, The Lowie Foundation and sports clubs/franchises in the greater Waikato and Bay of Plenty region. Graduates will have the transferable skills and knowledge to lead in any sector involving people and movement.
Key information
Years: | 3.0 |
---|---|
Points: | 360 |
BHSHP Study Locations: | Hamilton, Tauranga Papers offered differ by location. The Catalogue of Papers has full location info. |
Start Dates: | Trimester A (March) and Trimester B (July) |
Estimated Fees* (Domestic): |
$6,588 - $7,608 per year
See if you're eligible for fees-free study in your first year |
Estimated Fees* (International): | $28,025 per year |
Entry Requirements: | Undergraduate International |
Area of Study: | |
*Tuition fees shown are indicative only and may change. There are additional fees and charges related to enrolment please see the Table of Fees and Charges for more information. You will be sent an enrolment agreement which will confirm your fees. |
Degree Planner
Degree planner — Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance (BHSHP) Overview
Year 1
100 level
Major
100 level
Major
One of
CMYHE101, HPSCI101 or SDCOA101
One of
CMYHE101, HPSCI101 or SDCOA101
Elective
Elective
Year 2
200 level
Major
200 level
Major
200 level
Major
Elective
Elective
Elective
Year 3
300 level
Major
300 level
Major
300 level
Major
300 level
Major
One of
HSHUP301, HSHUP302 or HECSS363
Elective
Elective
Elective
- Major
- Compulsory
- Elective
Papers
100 level
Degree planner — BHSHP in Community Health
The Community Health major is designed to ensure graduates have the knowledge, skills and understanding to make a difference in the wellbeing of the people in our local, regional and national communities. Drawing on Māori, Indigenous, critical and sociological perspectives, students will be provided with the opportunity to investigate the way health is understood and practiced in our society. Students will develop practical skills that will allow them to advocate and take action in enhancing the wellbeing of themselves and others.
Year 1
Elective
Elective
Year 2
One of
PSYCH202 or PUBRL202
Elective
Elective
Elective
Year 3
One of
PSYCH302 or PUBRL301
Elective
Elective
Elective
- Major
- Compulsory
- Elective
Papers
This information is provisional and subject to change.
Degree planner — BHSHP in Human Performance Science
Based on three pillars - performance physiology, performance psychology and performance monitoring and exercise prescription - this major has clear links to high performance sport. Extending beyond high performance sport, this major includes links to the general population, movement-related professions, exercise, nutrition and physical health. Supported by our satellite spaces in the Avantidrome and the Adams Centre, students benefit from relationships the University has established with professional sport franchises, such as Magic Netball and Chiefs Rugby.
Year 1
Elective
Elective
Year 2
200 level
Human Performance Science paper
200 level
Human Performance Science paper
Elective
Elective
Elective
Year 3
300 level
Human Performance Science paper
300 level
Human Performance Science paper
300 level
Human Performance Science paper
300 level
Human Performance Science paper
Elective
Elective
Elective
- Major
- Compulsory
- Elective
Degree planner — BHSHP in Sport Development and Coaching
This major gives students the skills that support them to enhance sport, recreation and physical activity for groups and individuals. Students will benefit from established local and national industry partnerships with Sport New Zealand, The International Olympic Committee, Sport Waikato, the Avantidrome, The Waikato Institute of Sport and Leisure Studies, Brian Perry Charitable Trust, The Lowie Foundation and sports clubs/franchises in the greater Waikato and Bay of Plenty region. Graduates will have the transferable skills and knowledge to lead in any sector involving people and movement.
Year 1
100 level
paper*
Elective
Elective
Year 3
One of
SDCOA305 or SDCOA306
Elective
Elective
Elective
- Major
- Compulsory
- Elective
Papers
*100 level
- HMDEV100 Lifespan Development
- DANCE101 Dance, Movement and Culture
- MAORI102 He Hīnatore ki te Ao Māori: Introducing the Māori World
- MAORI150 Te Tiriti o Waitangi: An Introduction to the Treaty of Waitangi
300 level
This information is provisional and subject to change.Career opportunities
- Applied Sports Scientist
- Community Sport Adviser
- Events Manager
- Health and Physical Education Teacher
- Health promoter
- Sports Coach
Entry requirements
To enrol in this degree, you usually need University Entrance or its equivalent.
To enrol in this degree, you usually need University Entrance or its equivalent. Some first-year papers may have specific prerequisites, so please check the catalogue of papers carefully. If you do not meet the prerequisites, please contact [email protected] as there may be other pathways that you can take to study in this field.
Study in Tauranga
The Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance is available in Tauranga.
The Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance is available in Tauranga. This offering of the BHSHP is jointly delivered with Toi Ohomai. Classes will be delivered at the University of Waikato Tauranga city campus and the Toi Ohomai Windermere campus. In 2020 Year 1 of the BHSHP will be offered with Year 2 and 3 following in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
Scholarships and prizes
Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships
Conjoint degree options
The BHSHP can be taken in conjunction with one of a range of other degrees.
The BHSHP can be taken in conjunction with one of a range of other degrees. This can increase your attractiveness to potential employers as you can develop broader knowledge and skills and take just four years to complete.
A couple of popular study paths include:
- Health, Sport and Human Performance and Management with a second major in Marketing (BHSHP and BMS or BCS). This is often chosen by students who wish to pursue Sports Marketing as a career.
- Health, Sport and Human Performance and Teaching. If you are interested in teaching you could complete a BHSHP degree and then apply for a one-year Graduate Diploma of Teaching or a Master of Teaching and Learning.
Graduate study options
Health, Sport and Human Performance graduates often pursue further study at masters or doctorate level to enhance their understanding of a specialised area within the sport and leisure industry. Our researchers have strong links with the industry and other researchers nationally and internationally.
Practical experience
Expand to read practical experience
A range of undergraduate papers have a practical component as well as those that exclusively promote learning from experience in the field of sport and active recreation. These papers offer the chance to observe, participate, contribute, learn and critically reflect. They facilitate opportunities for you to connect real life with cultural, social, economic and political theories and concepts of sport and active recreation.
Regulations
Read the full Regulations for the Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance in the University of Waikato Calendar.
Read the full Regulations for the Bachelor of Health, Sport and Human Performance in the University of Waikato Calendar.
To complete the BHSHP, you need to pass at least 24 papers (360 points) in total, with at least 15 papers (225 points) above 100-level, and at least five papers (75 points) above 200-level.
To complete the requirements of a single major, you need to:
- Pass nine papers (135 points) in your major subject. At least seven of these papers (105 points) must be above 100 level. Of these seven papers, at least four papers (60 points) must be above 200 level.
- Complete at least seven compulsory papers (105 points) indicated in the Degree Planner.
- Meet any specific requirements outlined in the University of Waikato Catalogue of Papers.
To complete the requirements of a double major, you need to:
- Pass eight papers (120 points) in each major. At least six (90 points) of these eight papers must be above 100 level. Of these six papers, three papers (45 points) must be above above 200 level.
- Complete at least eight compulsory papers (120 points) indicated in the Degree Planner.
- Meet any specific requirements outlined in the University of Waikato Catalogue of Papers.
If you are completing a single major, you may also complete a minor by passing four papers (60 points) in any minor subject, with at least two of these papers (30 points) being above 100 level. You must also meet any specific requirements outlined in the University of Waikato Catalogue of Papers.
Contacts
Have a chat with one of our friendly advisers to help you plan your degree.
Student Centre
Phone: 0800 WAIKATO (0800 924 528) or 07 838 4176
Email: [email protected]
Have a chat with one of our friendly advisers to help you plan your degree.
Phone: +64 7 8384610 Email: [email protected]
Enquire Now