Program Overview

Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science

The Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science prepares students for a career in this exciting field. As specialised health professionals, medical laboratory scientists provide information about a patient's state of health that is vital to the diagnosis of disease and monitoring of its treatment.

Programme Details

• Programme code: AK3432
• Level: 7
• Points: 480
• Duration: 4 years full-time / part-time available
• Campus: City Campus
• Start date: 22 February 2027

Fees

• Domestic: $9,411.60 - $10,096.60 (for 120 points)
• International: $46,621.60 (for 120 points)
  • Fees shown are based on a full-time workload for the points indicated next to the fee.
  • Fees are subject to change year to year.
  • International students' tuition fees reflect the full cost of tuition.
  • Domestic students' tuition fees are less due to a proportion of the tuition fees being funded by the New Zealand Government.
  • Fees-free study may be available for domestic students.

Entry Requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements

• University Entrance or equivalent, including:
  • NCEA: 14 or more credits in each of Biology, Chemistry, and Statistics
  • CIE: A D grade or better at AS or A level in each of Biology, Chemistry, and Statistics
• Must be capable of meeting Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCA Act) requirements, including police clearance.

Useful New Zealand School Subjects

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Mathematics
• Statistics

English Language Requirements

• At least IELTS (Academic) 6.5 overall with all bands 6.0 or higher; or equivalent.

What You Study

Develop the skills to prepare yourself for a career as a medical laboratory scientist and become familiar with relevant scientific topics, including genetics, pathology, haematology, and microbiology.

Year 1

• BIOL500 Foundations of Life (15 points)
• MATH504 Introductory Mathematics for Science (15 points)
• MICR501 Microbial Life (15 points)
• MELS500 Introductory Laboratory and Histological Techniques (15 points)
• MELS502 Introductory Immunology (15 points)
• CHEM501 Principles of Chemistry (15 points)
• SCIE504 Science and Society (15 points)
• HEAL514 Understanding the Human Body Systems for Health (15 points)

Year 2

• GENE603 Cells, Genes and Molecules (15 points)
• MELS603 Pathology I (15 points)
• MELS610 Laboratory Information and Quality Management (15 points)
• SCIE606 Vision Mātauranga: Science Practice in Aotearoa (15 points)
• GENE604 Diagnostic Genetics (15 points)
• MELS607 Medical Microbiology I (15 points)
• MELS611 Clinical and Chemical Pathology (15 points)
• MELS612 Immunohaematology (15 points)

Year 3

• MELS722 Advanced Immunology (15 points)
• MELS723 Advanced Haematology (15 points)
• MELS724 Advanced Chemical Pathology (15 points)
• MELS725 Advanced Medical Microbiology (15 points)
• MELS726 Advanced Transfusion Science (15 points)
• MELS727 Advanced Histology and Cytology (15 points)
• SCIE707 Science Capstone Project A (15 points)
• SCIE708 Science Capstone Project B (15 points)

Year 4

• MELS711 MLS Clinical Training Clinical Chemistry (60 points)
• MELS712 MLS Clinical Training Molecular Diagnostics (60 points)
• MELS714 MLS Clinical Training Haematology (60 points)
• MELS715 MLS Clinical Training Histology (60 points)
• MELS716 MLS Clinical Training Immunology (60 points)
• MELS717 MLS Clinical Training Medical Microbiology (60 points)
• MELS718 MLS Clinical Training Transfusion Science (60 points)

Career Opportunities

This degree prepares students for a career in a diagnostic laboratory. Registered medical laboratory scientists work in public hospitals and community laboratories doing diagnostic laboratory testing across all specialisations. Other career paths include diagnostic reagent manufacture, laboratory management, and marketing of medical equipment and reagents.

Graduate Profile

The outcomes for graduates of the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science are outlined in the Graduate Profile.

Related Programmes

• Certificate in Applied Science
• Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science
• Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Laboratory Science
• Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Laboratory Science
• Master of Medical Laboratory Science