Why Study/Key Benefits

• Develop practical skills to promote healthier lifestyles and improve community wellbeing.

• Understand how social, cultural, economic and environmental factors influence people's health.

• Learn to plan, deliver and evaluate health promotion initiatives for individuals and diverse communities.

• Develop knowledge of health equity, advocacy and strategies to address barriers to wellbeing.

• Gain practical experience through two supervised community-based industry practicums totalling 200 hours.

• Learn about M?ori health perspectives, Hauora M?ori, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Pacific approaches to health.

• Develop professional communication, collaboration, research and evidence-based decision-making skills.

• Understand behaviour change, healthy lifestyles, exercise, nutrition and public health.

• Learn from industry partners, guest speakers and community organisations.

• Prepare for non-clinical career opportunities in health promotion, workplace wellbeing and community health.

 

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The 2026 Ara programme handbook provides an example of the three-year structure for the Health Promotion specialisation. The qualification combines compulsory courses, specialisation courses and electives.

Year 1 – Level 5:

• 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.

• Health Promotion 1 – ASHP510 – 15 credits.

• Exercise Prescription and Programming – ASEP500 – 15 credits.

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

Total: 120 credits.

Year 2 – Level 6:

• Industry Practicum 1 – ASWP610 – 15 credits.

• Research Design and Statistics – ASRE610 – 15 credits.

• Professional Practice – ASPT610 – 15 credits.

• Exercise and Health Psychology – ASHD610 – 15 credits.

• Health Promotion 2 – ASHP610 – 15 credits.

• Nutrition Psychology – ASNP610 – 15 credits.

• Two elective courses from Ara's recommended course list.

Total: 120 credits.

Year 3 – Level 7:

• Industry Practicum 2 – ASWP710 – 15 credits.

• Health Promotion 3 – ASHP710 – 15 credits.

• Event Planning and Management – ASSM710 – 15 credits.

• Adapted Physical Activity and Rehabilitation – ASAR710 – 15 credits.

• Health Promotion for Diverse Populations – ASDP710 – 15 credits.

• Public Health Nutrition – ASPN710 – 15 credits.

• Additional elective courses according to the programme structure.

Total: 120 credits.

Other courses listed in Ara's programme information and recommended elective options include:

• Professional Development for Industry – ASPD510.

• Clinical Skills A – ASCS710.

• Clinical Skills B – ASCS711.

• Specialised topics in health, exercise and nutrition, depending on course availability and the approved study plan.

Main learning topics:

• Health promotion principles and frameworks.

• Social determinants of health and wellbeing.

• Behaviour change and healthy lifestyle approaches.

• Multicultural models of health promotion.

• Hauora M?ori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi in professional practice.

• Pacific culture and health.

• Professional communication and collaboration.

• Research design, statistics and evidence-based practice.

• Exercise prescription and programming.

• Exercise, health and nutrition psychology.

• Public health and community wellbeing.

• Health promotion for diverse populations.

• Planning, delivering and evaluating health initiatives.

• Sustainability and planetary health perspectives.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The Bachelor of Applied Science is a broader qualification with three specialisations:

• Health Promotion.

• Sport and Exercise.

• Human Nutrition.

Its main disciplines include:

• Public health and community wellbeing.

• Health education and advocacy.

• Health equity and culturally responsive practice.

• Behaviour change and healthy lifestyles.

• Health promotion programme planning and evaluation.

• M?ori and Pacific health perspectives.

• Exercise and health psychology.

• Research and evidence-based practice.

• Community and workplace health initiatives.

Programme Highlights

• Three-year full-time bachelor's degree.

• Level 7 qualification with 360 credits.

• February 2027 intake at Madras Street, Christchurch.

• Full-time and part-time study options.

• 200 hours of supervised industry experience through two community-based practicums.

• Focus on health equity, advocacy and community wellbeing.

• Study of M?ori and Pacific health perspectives.

• Practical learning in health promotion planning and evaluation.

• Research design, statistics and evidence-based practice.

• Industry connections, guest speakers and community organisations.

• Preparation for non-clinical public health and health promotion careers.

• Potential progression to postgraduate study in a related field.

Career Outcomes

Ara identifies the following career opportunities for graduates of the Health Promotion specialisation:

• Community wellbeing worker.

• Health coach.

• Workplace wellbeing coordinator.

• Health promoter.

• Health promotion coordinator.

Other potential career areas include:

• Community health education.

• Public health initiatives.

• Health advocacy and awareness programmes.

• Workplace health and wellbeing programmes.

• Community development and health projects.

• Health-related non-governmental organisations and charities.

• Healthy lifestyle and behaviour-change programmes.

Ara lists organisations where graduates have been employed, including:

• Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora.

• Pegasus Health.

• Stroke Foundation.

• Sport Canterbury.

• Tangata Atumotu Trust.

• Wh?nau Whanake.

• He Waka Tapu.

• Ryman Healthcare.

• Arvida Good Friends.

• Katherine West Health Board in Australia.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• Ara currently lists February 2027 as the next intake, with a start date of 15 February 2027.

• The international application closing date is listed as “Please enquire”, so applicants should contact Ara to confirm the latest application deadline.

• The NZQA qualification register lists CH3981 as current, with the next review scheduled for December 2030.

• The 2026 Ara programme handbook is the latest detailed handbook identified for this qualification in the sources reviewed.

• The qualification requires two industry practicums, and Ara's current programme page describes 200 hours of supervised community-based experience.

• Students must complete the required police vetting consent process.

• Students are expected to attend both international orientation and programme orientation.

• Ara's handbook encourages full attendance and active participation in classes, practical activities and assessments.

• Students must follow Ara's academic integrity rules, including its requirements for appropriate use of AI tools.

• Students should confirm practicum arrangements, placement locations, any additional screening requirements and associated travel costs before enrolment.

International Student Visa Requirements

Ara's programme page indicates that the Bachelor of Applied Science (Health Promotion) may be available for a New Zealand Student Visa. International applicants must still receive an eligible offer of place and meet Immigration New Zealand's visa requirements.

Fee Paying Student Visa requirements:

• An offer of place from an approved New Zealand education provider.

• Evidence of sufficient funds to pay tuition fees, or confirmation of an applicable scholarship.

• Evidence of sufficient funds to cover living expenses.

• Acceptable medical and travel insurance for the period of stay.

• Evidence of good health and character.

• Genuine intention to study in New Zealand.

• Evidence of onward travel or sufficient funds to leave New Zealand at the end of the authorised stay.

• Students must study the approved course and provider stated in their visa conditions.

Living-cost funds:

• For tertiary study lasting one year or more, Immigration New Zealand requires NZD $20,000 per year for living expenses, or an acceptable sponsor.

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

• As this is a three-year degree, students should plan for the NZD $20,000 annual living-cost benchmark.

• Living funds are separate from tuition fees, outward travel and other study expenses.

• Applicants planning to study for more than one year should provide a credible funding plan for subsequent years.

• Immigration New Zealand may accept bank statements, education loans, scholarships, fixed-term deposits or acceptable sponsorship evidence, subject to its rules.

Student visa work rights:

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

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

• Students must check the exact work rights stated on their visa.

• Work permission is not automatic and depends on the visa granted.

Insurance, attendance and academic progress:

• Students must maintain acceptable medical and travel insurance from the beginning of their course until their visa expires.

• Students must attend their approved course and make satisfactory academic progress.

• Students must comply with Ara's academic and programme requirements and Immigration New Zealand's visa conditions.

Visa cost and processing:

• Fee Paying Student Visa cost: from NZD $850.

• Immigration New Zealand currently indicates that 80% of applications are processed within 7 weeks.

• Applicants are advised to apply at least three months before their planned travel date.

• Processing times and application fees can change.