Why Study / Key Benefits

• The BSc is designed around understanding the natural world through observation, experimentation, modelling and calculation.
• Students can investigate major global issues such as climate change, human health and disease, water security, food security and environmental protection.
• UC provides practical science experience from the first semester, including laboratory work, fieldwork, research projects and access to field stations.
• UC states that it has access to a wide network of field stations extending from Aotearoa New Zealand to Antarctica and Nigeria.
• Students can participate in global study experiences, including exchanges with partner universities.
• The degree is highly flexible: students can build their study around a major, a major and minor, or two majors.
• Students can also combine Science with subjects from Arts, Commerce, Computer Science, Digital Screen, Health, Product Design, Sport and Youth and Community Leadership

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The BSc is deliberately flexible rather than following one fixed course sequence for every student.

The basic structure is:

• 360 points in total.
• At least one Science major.
• 15-point compulsory Science course.
• 15-point quantitative literacy requirement, unless covered by the major.
• Minimum 255 Science points.
• Up to 105 points can be selected from Science or other UC degrees.
• At least 225 points above 100-level.
• At least 90 points at 300-level.

The compulsory Science course is:

• SCIE101 – Science, Society and Me.
• ASTR112 – Astrophysics
• BIOL209 – Biological Data Analysis
• COSC121 – Introduction to Computer Programming
• DATA101 – Introduction to Data Science
• GEOG205 – Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
• GISC101 – Introduction to Spatial Data Science
• PHIL208 – The Brain Gym: An Introduction to Logic
• PSYC206 – Introductory Research Methods and Statistics
• Any 100-level Mathematics course
• Any 100-level Physics course
• Any 100-level Statistics course.

Disciplines / Specialisations

Current BSc major subjects include:

• Astronomy
• Biochemistry
• Biological Sciences
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Economics
• Environmental Science
• Finance
• Financial Engineering
• Geography
• Geology
• Linguistics
• Mathematical Sciences Education
• Mathematics
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Psychology
• Statistics.

Students can choose:

• One major.
• One major plus a minor.
• Two majors (double major).

The BSc also allows minors from a broad range of areas, including:

• Accounting
• Business Analytics
• Business and Sustainability
• Computer Science
• Cybersecurity and Networking
• Economics
• Education
• English
• Entrepreneurship
• Environmental Science
• Finance
• Geography
• Health Science
• Human Services
• Information Systems
• International Business
• Linguistics
• Mathematics
• Media and Communication
• Psychology
• Public Health
• Sociology
• Statistics
• Sport-related subjects
• Te Reo M?ori
• Tourism Marketing and Management
• Youth and Community Leadership

Programme Highlights

• 360-point Bachelor of Science.
• 3 years full-time.
• February and July intakes.
• Highly flexible major/minor structure.
• 18 current major subjects.
• Option for a double major.
• Broad interdisciplinary minor opportunities.
• Practical laboratory and fieldwork opportunities.
• Research-project opportunities.
• Access to UC field stations.
• International exchange opportunities.
• Potential pathways into BSc Honours, master's programmes and PhD-level study.
• Science graduates can combine scientific knowledge with areas such as business, health, computing, policy, communication and environmental studies. 

Career Outcomes

Career options depend heavily on the student's chosen major.

UC gives examples ranging from:

• Marine biologist
• Aerospace engineer
• Seismologist
• Environmental consultant
• Data analyst
• Policy advisor
• Science writer
• Software-related careers
• Research roles
• Laboratory and technical roles.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The current BSc is an active 360-point qualification.
• UC's current 2027 information continues to list February and July starts.
• Students should select their major carefully because individual Science courses can have prerequisite requirements, particularly in Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.
• Practical and laboratory requirements vary by subject.
• Distance learning is dependent on the courses selected; the whole BSc is not automatically available online.
• UC permits BSc students to study double degrees and conjoint degrees with selected other qualifications, subject to the relevant regulations.
• Students who require additional preparation in Mathematics, Chemistry or Physics can consider UC's Headstart courses.
• Students should use UC's current admission requirements checker for country-specific international qualification equivalencies.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students normally require a New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa for full-time tertiary study.

Current Immigration New Zealand requirements include:

• Offer of Place from an approved education provider.
• Evidence of sufficient funds to pay tuition fees, or acceptable evidence of a scholarship.
• Evidence of sufficient funds for living costs.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Meeting health and character requirements.
• Genuine intention to study.
• Evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.
• Medical or police certificates where applicable.

Current living-fund requirements for tertiary study are:

• NZ$20,000 for each year if studying for one year or longer.
• NZ$1,667 per month if studying for less than one year.

Current visa/work conditions include:

• Student visas can be issued for up to 4 years.
• The visa may allow work up to 25 hours per week while studying.
• Full-time work may be allowed during scheduled holidays, depending on the individual visa conditions.
• Students aged 16 or 17 require additional permission for work rights.
• Students must maintain satisfactory attendance and academic progress where these are visa requirements.
• Immigration New Zealand strongly encourages international students to apply approximately 3 months before their intended travel date.
• The current visa application cost starts from NZ$850.