Program Overview

---

Bachelor of Science (Honours) – BSc(Hons)

The Bachelor of Science with Honours is a prestigious qualification for those interested in progressing to further, in-depth research. This postgraduate qualification will also give you a career advantage.

Overview

Generally, the course consists of 75% taught courses and 25% supervised research. As a separate qualification of advanced courses and research in the major subject taken in the BSc, the honours qualification can lead to a Master of Science by thesis only.

Type of Qualification

• Bachelor's degree with honours
• Level of study: Postgraduate study, NZQF level 8
• Time to complete: 1 year full-time (120 credits), part-time available
• International students: Not open to international students

Key Dates

• Admission application due dates
• Course enrolment dates for accepted students
• Semester dates

Study a Bachelor of Science (Honours) – BSc(Hons)

Massey University’s Bachelor of Science with Honours is a good fit if you:

• are passionate about science
• excelled in your undergraduate degree

Entry Requirements

To enter the Bachelor of Science (Honours), you will:

• have been awarded or qualified for a Bachelor of Science degree, or close equivalent, in the intended postgraduate subject area, with a minimum B+ average in the majoring 300 level courses, or
• have been awarded or qualified for a bachelor’s degree followed by a Graduate Diploma in Science and Technology or close equivalent, in the intended postgraduate subject area, with a minimum B+ average in the majoring 300 level courses.

You will need to provide copies of all official academic transcripts for studies taken at all universities other than Massey University.

English Language Requirements

To study this qualification, you must meet Massey University's English language standards.

Time Limits for Honours, Distinction, and Merit

Where your qualification is completed within the stated time limit and to a high standard, you may be able to graduate with a class of Honours, Distinction, or Merit.

Prior Learning, Credit, and Exemptions

For information on prior learning, exemptions, and transfer of credit or other questions:

• review the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations
• contact us through the Get advice button on this page.

English Language Skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Maximum Time Limits for Completion

There are maximum time limits to complete postgraduate qualifications. If you do not complete within the maximum time, you may be required to re-apply for the qualification if you wish to continue your studies.

Official Regulations

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate, read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

Structure of the Bachelor of Science (Honours)

If you study full-time, you’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.

Courses and Specialisations

Courses and specialisations:

• Each qualification has its own specific set of courses.
• Some universities call these papers.
• You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.

Credit Summary

• 120 credits
  • Subject courses, including any compulsory course(s) – 90 credits
  • Research report within a subject – 30 credits

A subject is compulsory, requiring 120 credits in the subject (including a research report).

Course Planning Key

• Prerequisites: Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level.
• Corequisites: Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course.
• Restrictions: Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar.

Schedule A

Completing a subject is compulsory. Psychology is the only available subject and requires 120 credits.

Psychology

Specialisation:

• Location: Distance and online
• Keen to take your Bachelor of Science (Psychology) a step further? This qualification equips you with the research skills to advance to master’s level.

Fees and Scholarships

2026 Tuition Fees

• Domestic students: $11,615
• International students: Not applicable

Tuition fees are estimates only. The exact fees charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment. The estimates are for full-time study (120 credits). Fees are in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Course Fees

You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.

Student Loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free Scheme

You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.

The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students.

Scholarship and Award Opportunities

• Ken and Elizabeth Powell Scholarship
• Ngā Manu Trust Research Scholarship
• The Miss E L Hellaby Indigenous Grasslands Research Trust
• William Milverton Scholarship

Careers and Job Opportunities

A 2017 Ministry of Education publication found that in New Zealand:

• Young master’s graduates earn more than 1.5 times more than the national median (5 years after study)
• Earnings and employment rates increase with the level of qualification completed
• Five years after completion, the median earnings of young master’s graduates are 15% higher than for those with a bachelor’s degree.