Program Overview

Bachelor of Musculoskeletal Health

Overview

The Bachelor of Musculoskeletal Health is a three-year, full-time degree that equips students with the knowledge and skills required for employment in non-registered areas of health care and management. Developed according to best practice approaches in clinical education and delivered utilising innovative teaching methods, this program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of musculoskeletal health and osteopathy.

What Will I Study

• Foundational knowledge of musculoskeletal health and osteopathy
• Evidence-based clinical practice
• Bioscience knowledge
• Clinical practice learning
• Critical thinking and problem-solving

Pathway

• Year one: Foundational knowledge of musculoskeletal health and osteopathy
• Year two: Evidence-based clinical practice and extending bioscience knowledge
• Year three: Clinical practice learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving

Details

• Type: Degree
• Code: CH4063
• Next Starts: February 2026
• May be available for Study Visa?: Yes
• Credits: 360
• Level: 7
• Additional Equipment/Fees: Advised on enrolment
• May be eligible for Studylink?: Yes
• May be eligible for Fees Free?: Yes
• Reference: CH4063-STRU

Fees for 2025

• Domestic Fee: $8,085 - $8,995 per year
• International Fee: $26,000 per year
• Indicative Student Services Fee: $370.50 per year

Academic Requirements

• New Zealand University Entrance: NCEA Level 3 (60 credits at level 3 and 20 credits at level 2 or higher)
• 14 credits at Level 3 in each of:
  • Biology or physical education or health education
  • English or classical studies or history or geography or art history or religious studies or social studies
  • One other subject from the list of approved subjects
• Literacy: 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of 5 credits in reading, 5 credits in writing
• Numeracy: 10 credits at Level 1 or above (specified achievement standards, or unit standards 26623, 26626, 26627)

Alternative Requirements

• Equivalent skills for tertiary study gained through study, work, and/or life experience

English Requirements

• Overall IELTS 6.0 Academic
• 5.5 Listening
• 5.5 Reading
• 5.5 Writing
• 5.5 Speaking

Selection Criteria

• Applicants who meet the requirements for admission are accepted in the order their applications are received
• A proportion of places reserved on the programme for priority learners
• In the event that there are more applications than spaces available on the programme, a waitlist will be maintained

Career Opportunities

• Employment opportunities in the public or private sector as an exercise prescription consultant, rehabilitation assistant, insurance or ACC case manager, green prescription health advisor, clinical research assistant, or health-related salesperson

Study Pathways

• The Bachelor of Musculoskeletal Health leads directly into the Postgraduate Diploma in Osteopathy
• With both qualifications, you can apply for registration in the General Scope of Osteopathy with the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand
• Alternatively, after completing the Bachelor of Musculoskeletal Health, you can undertake the Master of Health Science at Ara

Recommended School Subjects

• New Zealand University Entrance: NCEA Level 3 (60 credits at level 3 and 20 credits at level 2 or higher)

Core Courses

• Level 5:
  • Introduction to Clinical Anatomy
  • Clinical Anatomy 1
  • Functional Movement
  • Introduction to Osteopathy
  • Introduction to Clinical Practice
  • Child and Adolescent Development and Health
  • Interpersonal Relationships
• Level 6:
  • Pathophysiology
  • Clinical Anatomy 2
  • Clinical Practice 1
  • Manual Therapy 1
  • Manual Therapy 2
  • Wanaka Hauora
  • Pathophysiology 2
• Level 7:
  • Clinical Methods
  • Evidence for Health Care Practice
  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Practice 2
  • Clinical Practice 3
  • Manual Therapy 3
  • Clinical Neurology
  • General Medicine

Additional Entry Requirements

• In order to access an individual placement in this programme, you may be required to provide evidence of immunity to particular infectious diseases or other health requirements specific to the practice
• Consent to Disclosure of Information:
  • Successful applicants will be required to complete a New Zealand Police Consent to Disclosure of Information form
  • The form will be sent by Ara to the Police Licensing and Vetting Service, and returned in confidence to the Head of Department
  • Information on the NZ Police Vetting Service is available from the New Zealand Police website

Credit Recognition

• If you have prior relevant experience or previous related study credits, you may be eligible for credit recognition towards this qualification

COVID-19 Vaccination Information

• Placements or workplace assignments are an integral part of this programme
• You don’t need to supply evidence of your Covid vaccination status to apply for or to study this programme, but please be aware that some workplaces may require evidence from you that you are fully vaccinated for Covid before allowing you to complete work at their organisation
• The number of organisations at which your placement or workplace assignment can be completed may be impacted, depending on your vaccination status