Duration
Full-time: 1 year
Next start date
2027 Semester One – 1 March
2028 Semester One – 28 February
Available locations
Grafton
Programme type
Non Formal

Programme overview

Our Hikitia Te Ora - Certificate in Health Sciences (CertHSc) is open to students of Māori and Indigenous Pacific ancestry. This one-year programme will help strengthen your sciences, improve your academic skills and prepare you for undergraduate programmes in our faculty - all in a culturally safe environment. 

If you'd like to be considered for the CertHSc, you must attend the Māori and Pacific Admission Scheme (MAPAS) General Interviews.
 

Programme highlights:

  • A pathway into Nursing, Health Sciences, and Biomedical Science
  • A combination of lectures, tutorials, lab sessions, wānanga, online learning, and self-directed study within a culturally safe environment

Programme structure

The CertHSc programme consists of two semesters of full-time of study. You’ll need to pass ten 12-point courses across a range of subjects, including Science, Population Health, and Academic and Professional Development.

Lectures and tutorials provide guided and self-directed learning, while laboratory sessions encourage teamwork, observation skills and a familiarity with technical equipment.

Assessment is through coursework such as assignments, projects, practical tests and final exams at the end of each semester. Lectures and tutorials are held at our Grafton and City Campuses.

Most students need to take one General Education course.

Students should also be aware of the University’s Academic English Language Requirement.

For detailed information about a specific programme, including its courses and regulations, visit the Curriculum Catalogue. For the general university requirements for admission, enrolment and fees, visit the University Calendar.

Sample programme structure

Sample programme structure

Year 1 120 points

  • Code:
    MAORIHTH 21H
    Name:
    Introduction to Biology
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    12 pts
  • Code:
    MAORIHTH 23H
    Name:
    Introduction to Chemistry 1
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    12 pts
  • Code:
    MAORIHTH 25H
    Name:
    Introduction to Population Health 1
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    12 pts
  • Code:
    MAORIHTH 27H
    Name:
    Academic and Professional Development 1
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    12 pts
  • Code:
    MAORIHTH 29H
    Name:
    Introduction to Mathematics for Medical and Health Sciences
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    12 pts
  • Code:
    MAORIHTH 22H
    Name:
    Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    12 pts
  • Code:
    MAORIHTH 24H
    Name:
    Introduction to Chemistry 1
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    12 pts
  • Code:
    MAORIHTH 26H
    Name:
    Introduction to Population Health 2
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    12 pts
  • Code:
    MAORIHTH 28H
    Name:
    Academic and Professional Development 2
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    12 pts
  • Code:
    MAORIHTH 31H
    Name:
    Introduction to Physics
    Type:
    Compulsory core course
    Points:
    12 pts

2027 entry requirements

My highest qualification is from:

Programme requirements

You are eligible for the CertHSc if you have verified indigenous New Zealand Māori or Pacific whakapapa/ancestry and are a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand. CertHSc and Māori and Pacific Admission Scheme (MAPAS) eligibility and ancestry verification is approved upon receipt of a completed MH04 form available online.

To apply you must first apply under MAPAS and then apply for the CertHSc. You will be required to attend a one-day MAPAS interview which will take place in the week 11-15 December.

Please note the following points when applying for the programme:

  • Submission of the MAPAS MH04 form alone does not constitute a formal application to the University.
  • You must complete the University's online application by the set closing date of the CertHSc programme of 8 December.
  • You must complete the online MAPAS MH04 form by the set closing date of the CertHSc programme of 8 December.

Students are selected for the CertHSc through the MAPAS interview process. Find out more about the MAPAS interview process.

Other pathways to study

You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:

Programme requirements

You are eligible for the CertHSc if you have verified indigenous New Zealand Māori or Pacific whakapapa/ancestry and are a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand. CertHSc and Māori and Pacific Admission Scheme (MAPAS) eligibility and ancestry verification is approved upon receipt of a completed MH04 form available online.

To apply you must first apply under MAPAS and then apply for the CertHSc. You will be required to attend a one-day MAPAS interview which will take place in the week 11-15 December.

Please note the following points when applying for the programme:

  • Submission of the MAPAS MH04 form alone does not constitute a formal application to the University.
  • You must complete the University's online application by the set closing date of the CertHSc programme of 8 December.
  • You must complete the online MAPAS MH04 form by the set closing date of the CertHSc programme of 8 December.

Students are selected for the CertHSc through the MAPAS interview process. Find out more about the MAPAS interview process.

Other pathways to study

You could be eligible for another programme, or check out these alternative pathways:

  • Bridge your educational gap with a preparation and foundation programme.
  • If you have an offer of place from us that is conditional on meeting English language requirements, you may be considered for English Pathway courses from the University of Auckland English Language Academy (ELA)
  • If you are 20 on or before the first day of semester, have no formal University Entrance (UE) qualification, and are a New Zealand or Australian citizen or permanent resident you can apply for special admission.
For detailed information about a specific programme, including its courses and regulations, visit the Curriculum Catalogue. For the general university requirements for admission, enrolment and fees, visit the University Calendar.

How much does a Certificate in Health Sciences cost per year?

2027 fees

The Certificate in Health Sciences (Hikitia te Ora) will have zero fees in 2025. This ensures that students will retain full Fees Free eligibility for their degree-level studies.

Domestic students
NZ$0*

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Amounts shown are indicative only. Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

See course fees for each faculty

Find out about financial support information

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

For detailed information about a specific programme, including its courses and regulations, visit the Curriculum Catalogue. For the general university requirements for admission, enrolment and fees, visit the University Calendar.

Key dates

Please note: We will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Application closing dates

Semester One 2026
8 December 2025

Start dates

Here are the start dates for the programme.

Other important dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

How to apply

Applying for an undergraduate programme? Check out our step-by-step guide.

For detailed information about a specific programme, including its courses and regulations, visit the Curriculum Catalogue. For the general university requirements for admission, enrolment and fees, visit the University Calendar.

Where could this programme take you?

Hikitia Te Ora can provide an entry pathway into the Bachelor of Nursing (BNurs), Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc), and the Bachelor of Science (BSc) specialising in Biomedical Science. From there, students in Health Sciences or Biomedical Science have an entry pathway into a bachelors degree in Medicine, Medical Imaging (Honours), Optometry, or Pharmacy.

Further study options

See all study options

Student career planning service

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

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