Bachelor of Sport and Human Performance
The rapidly growing sport and leisure industry is worth over $12 billion a year to New Zealand. The Bachelor of 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 Sport & Human Performance (BSHP) 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, 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
Healthy Active Living
Healthy Active Living is an interdisciplinary programme that conceptualises health in a positive and holistic sense. The major focuses on key relational and communication skills that are foundational to working with individuals and their whānau, supporting them holistically to improve their well-being. It pairs these skills with knowledge and skills for exercise physiology, prescription, and nutrition.
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 |
BSHP 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): | $29,425 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 — BSHP Overview
Year 1
100 level
Major
100 level
Major
One of List A
One of List A
Elective
Elective
Year 2
200 level
Major
200 level
Major
200 level
Major
200 level
Major
Any 200 level BIOMD, HELTH, HPSCI, HTHPR, SDCOA
Elective
Elective
Year 3
300 level
Major
300 level
Major
300 level
Major
One of HELTH381, HELTH382, HELTH391, HECSS363
Elective
Elective
Elective
Elective
- Major
- Compulsory
- Elective
Degree planner — BSHP in Healthy Active Living
Year 1
One of List A
One of List A
Elective
Elective
Year 2
HTHPR201 Healthy Lifestyle, Healthy Communities
Any 200 level BIOMD, HELTH, HPSCI, HTHPR or SDCOA
Elective
Elective
Year 3
HELTH320 Decolonizing Health in Aotearoa
One of HSPCI301, HPSCI306, HTHAL302 or HTHPR301
One of HSPCI301, HPSCI306, HTHAL302 or HTHPR301
One of HELTH381, HELth382, HELTH391 or HECSS363
Elective
Elective
Elective
Elective
- Major
- Compulsory
- Elective
Degree planner — BSHP 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
One of HTHPR101, SDCOA101, SDCOA102 or DANCE101
One of HTHPR101, SDCOA101, SDCOA102 or DANCE101
Elective
Elective
Year 2
200 level paper
200 level paper
200 level paper
200 level paper
Any 200 level BIOMD, HELTH, HPSCI, HTHPR, SDCOA
Elective
Elective
Year 3
300 level paper
300 level paper
300 level paper
One of HELTH381. HELTH382, HELTH391, HECSS363
Elective
Elective
Elective
Elective
- Major
- Compulsory
- Elective
Degree planner — BSHP 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
One of List A
One of List A
Elective
Elective
Year 2
One of HPSCI202, HPSCI206, HTHPR202, SDCPA202
One of HPSCI202, HPSCI206, HTHPR202, SDCPA202
Any 200 level BIOMD, HELTH, HPSCI, HTHPR, SDCOA
Elective
Elective
Year 3
One of
HELTH381, HELTH382, HELTH391, HECSS363
Elective
Elective
Elective
Elective
Elective
- Major
- Compulsory
- Elective
Papers
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 Sport and Human Performance is available in Tauranga. This offering of the BSHP is jointly delivered with Toi Ohomai. Classes will be delivered at the University of Waikato Tauranga city campus and the Toi Ohomai Windermere campus.
Scholarships and prizes
Visit our Scholarship Finder for information about possible scholarships
Conjoint degree options
The BSHP can be taken in conjunction with one of a range of other degrees.
The BSHP 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:
- Sport and Human Performance and Management with a second major in Marketing (BSHP and BMS or BCS). This is often chosen by students who wish to pursue Sports Marketing as a career.
- Sport and Human Performance and Teaching. If you are interested in teaching you could complete a BSHP degree and then apply for a one-year Graduate Diploma of Teaching or a Master of Teaching and Learning.
Graduate study options
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.
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 7 807 9275 Email: [email protected]
Enquire Now