Why Study/Key Benefits

• Develop a scientific understanding of human nutrition and how food and dietary patterns influence health and wellbeing.

• Learn how the body digests, absorbs and uses nutrients, and how nutrition needs differ across life stages and populations.

• Build practical skills in dietary assessment, nutrition planning, nutrition education and evidence-based practice.

• Understand the cultural, social and environmental influences on food choices.

• Explore sustainable food systems, functional foods, sports nutrition and nutrition-related health conditions.

• Gain industry experience through practicums and a final-year project with a host organisation.

• Learn from registered nutritionists, guest speakers and industry practicum providers.

• Develop professional skills for working with individuals, communities and organisations.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The 2026 Ara programme handbook provides the following Human Nutrition study structure.

Year 1 – Foundation courses (120 credits):

• W?naka Hauora – BMSH518, 15 credits.

• Introduction to Nutrition – ASIN510, 15 credits.

• Professional Communication – ASCM510, 15 credits.

• Anatomy and Physiology – ASAP510, 15 credits.

• Pacific Culture and Health – ASPH500, 15 credits.

• Introductory Chemistry – ASCH510, 15 credits.

• Biochemistry – ASBC510, 15 credits.

• People, Food and Environment – ASFE510, 15 credits.

Year 2 – Nutrition and professional practice (120 credits):

• Industry Practicum 1 – ASWP610, 15 credits.

• Research Design and Statistics – ASRE610, 15 credits.

• Professional Practice – ASPT610, 15 credits.

• Health Promotion 1 – ASHP510, 15 credits.

• Macronutrients and Health – ASMH610, 15 credits.

• Micronutrients and Health – ASNH610, 15 credits.

• Nutrition for Sport and Exercise – ASNS600, 15 credits.

• Health Promotion 2 – ASHP610, 15 credits.

Year 3 – Advanced Human Nutrition (120 credits):

• Industry Practicum 2 – ASWP710, 15 credits.

• Nutrition Psychology – ASNP610, 15 credits.

• Special Topics in Nutrition – ASAN710, 15 credits.

• Nutrition and Disease – ASND710, 15 credits.

• Phytonutrients and Health – ASPH711, 15 credits.

• Public Health Nutrition – ASPN710, 15 credits.

• Students also complete the approved additional course and elective requirements specified in the programme matrix.

Main subject areas:

• Human digestion, absorption and metabolism.

• Macronutrients and micronutrients.

• Nutrition science and dietary assessment.

• Nutrition planning and health promotion.

• Nutrition psychology and behaviour change.

• Nutrition and disease.

• Phytonutrients and functional foods.

• Public health nutrition.

• Nutrition for sport and exercise.

• Research methods and statistics.

• Sustainable food systems and food environments.

• Professional practice and industry experience.

Practical learning:

• Industry Practicum 1 and Industry Practicum 2 are included in the programme structure.

• Ara highlights approximately 200 hours of industry experience through practicums and a final-year project with a host organisation.

• The programme handbook describes the practicums as opportunities to connect academic learning with real-world professional settings. 

Disciplines/Specialisations

The Bachelor of Applied Science is offered with three specialisations:

• Human Nutrition.

• Health Promotion.

• Sport and Exercise Science.

The programme requested here is the Human Nutrition specialisation.

Its focus includes:

• Nutrition science and its application to individuals and communities.

• Sustainable food systems and food products.

• Food preparation practices and their effects on nutrition and health.

• Cultural, social and environmental influences on dietary choices.

• Nutrition-related health and wellbeing across diverse populations.

Programme Highlights

• Three-year, Level 7 bachelor's degree.

• 360 credits in total.

• Specialised study in human nutrition.

• Approximately 200 hours of industry experience.

• Two industry practicum courses.

• Final-year project with a host organisation.

• Opportunities to learn from registered nutritionists and industry professionals.

• Practical, evidence-based nutrition learning.

• Study of cultural, social and environmental influences on food choices.

• Focus on sustainable food systems, public health and nutrition across diverse populations.

• Pathways towards nutritionist registration and further study.

Career Outcomes

Ara identifies the following potential career opportunities:

• Nutritionist.

• Nutrition consultant.

• Health coach.

• Health promoter with a nutrition focus.

• Corporate wellness consultant.

• Sport nutritionist.

• Food product developer.

Potential work settings may include:

• Community health and nutrition programmes.

• Public health and health promotion organisations.

• Corporate health and wellness services.

• Sports and fitness organisations.

• Food and nutrition-related businesses.

• Nutrition education and consultancy services.

Professional registration note:

• Ara describes the qualification as providing a pathway towards nutritionist registration.

• Completion of the degree should not be treated as automatic professional registration.

• Graduates should check the current qualification, experience and membership requirements of the relevant professional organisation before using a protected or regulated professional title.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• The current Ara programme page lists the next start date as 15 February 2027.

• Ara's 2027 International Mini Guide lists February and July commencement options for the Bachelor of Applied Science.

• The current programme page lists Madras Street, Christchurch, as the delivery location.

• The 2026 programme handbook confirms a three-year full-time equivalent structure and a maximum completion period of six years.

• The Human Nutrition specialisation has a specific Chemistry requirement: at least 14 Level 2 credits in Chemistry or an alternative approved by the specialisation coordinator.

• Successful applicants must complete the New Zealand Police Consent to Disclosure of Information form.

• Credit recognition may be considered for relevant previous study and learning.

• The degree includes industry practicums and approximately 200 hours of industry experience.

• The precise July 2027 start date and availability of the Human Nutrition specialisation in that intake should be confirmed directly with Ara.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students planning to study this full-time degree in New Zealand will generally need a Fee Paying Student Visa, subject to Immigration New Zealand's requirements.

Current Immigration New Zealand information:

• Visa application cost: from NZD 850.

• Processing time: 80% of applications are processed within 7 weeks. This is an indicative processing statistic, not a guarantee.

• Maximum visa duration: up to 4 years.

• The visa is normally issued for the period of study paid for, or until the passport expires if that occurs earlier.

• Immigration New Zealand recommends applying at least 3 months before intended travel.

• Applicants must have an offer of place from an approved education provider.

• Applicants must show that they can pay the required tuition fees or have an acceptable scholarship or funding arrangement.

• Applicants must demonstrate sufficient funds for living expenses or have an acceptable sponsor.

• Applicants must meet health and character requirements and demonstrate genuine intentions to study.

• Applicants must provide evidence of onward travel or sufficient funds to purchase a ticket.

• Appropriate medical and travel insurance is required for the duration of their stay.

Living-funds requirement:

• For tertiary study lasting one year or more, Immigration New Zealand requires evidence of NZD 20,000 for each year of study.

• For study lasting less than one year, the requirement is NZD 1,667 per month.

• As this is a three-year degree, applicants should prepare a credible plan showing how they will fund tuition and living expenses for subsequent years as well as the first year.

Work rights:

• Eligible student visa holders may be allowed to work up to 25 hours per week during study.

• Full-time work may be permitted during scheduled holidays, depending on the visa conditions.

• Work rights are not automatic for every student; applicants must check the conditions printed on their individual visa.

• Where industry practicum work is a compulsory part of the programme, applicants should retain Ara's written confirmation of the practical work requirement for their visa application if requested by Immigration New Zealand.

Additional considerations for Indian applicants:

• Immigration New Zealand states that applicants from India applying in South Asia may use only immediate family members as sponsors or financial undertakers under the relevant student visa arrangements.

• Immediate family includes a partner, parents, siblings, grandparents and parents-in-law.

• Applicants should follow the current Funds Transfer Scheme and financial evidence instructions applicable to Indian applicants.