Bachelor of Science – BSc

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Create a science degree unique to you, your passions, and your career goals. Choose from more than 25 science subjects you can mix and match, and enjoy studying both in and outside the classroom.

Explore the wonder of science

Study for a Bachelor of Science (BSc) to observe phenomena, experiment with ideas, and make new discoveries. Learn to collect, analyse, and understand data, think critically and creatively, and clearly communicate your findings.

Our BSc is a combination of theory-based learning and practical experience. You’ll learn about cutting-edge research in state-of-the-art facilities. You’ll also go beyond the lecture theatre with laboratories, field trips, and summer scholarship opportunities where you can work with researchers and external organisations.

Our BSc is New Zealand’s most flexible Bachelor of Science. You can shape the focus of your study as you gain a better understanding of what you’re interested in, and complement your study with other subjects inside or outside of science.

Download our handbook

Fill in a form to find out more about your study options in Science in our qualification handbook.

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Get a taste for university

Watch this short taster lecture to help you decide which degree is right for you. If you're curious to explore more, check out our full library of taster lectures.

BSc taster lecture

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Flexibility is so important in my studies. It’s meant that, as I’ve gained a better understanding of what I’m interested in, I’ve been able to shift my focus. This has allowed me to do the things I really enjoy, which means I work harder and am more engaged in my courses.

Hannah Clark

Bachelor of Science in Geology and Physical Geography

Build your degree

There are more than 25 subjects across the physical and social sciences that you can choose from and combine.

Degree structure options

You must choose a major as the main subject to focus on in your BSc.

Structure your study using one of our flexible options to broaden your focus.

  • Double major—specialise in two subjects in your degree.
  • Second major from another degree—study a wider range of subjects without doing another degree, choosing from over 90 majors across the University.
  • Minor—specialise in a subject without doing as many courses as for a major.
  • Conjoint degree—this intense programme lets you complete two degrees more quickly, in a minimum of four years.

Flexible study

Study Science at VUW

Develop a future-focused skill set

The BSc is a three-year undergraduate degree that will give you the skills to become a science innovator in a rapidly evolving job market.

You’ll learn in world-class facilities from staff who are world leaders in their fields, in the heart of the science capital of New Zealand.

Wellington has the highest concentration of scientists and science organisations in New Zealand. Our students are ready to leap into the careers of the future, going on to develop new technologies, treat diseases, or protect the environment.

I adore Te Herenga Waka and think it makes Wellington a great place to study. I have absolutely loved my Biology papers and know I have chosen the best path of study for me.

Maia Moetahi Renata-Horn

Student, Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology

Year breakdown

First year

In your first year, you’ll choose courses from across a range of subject areas.

First-year courses lay the foundations for more in-depth study. Choose your 100-level courses from subjects that most interest you and that set you up for what you want to study in your second year.

If you haven’t already decided, at the end of this year you’ll choose the major you want to focus on for the rest of your Bachelor of Science. It’s a good idea to look ahead to your second year of study, as there may be prerequisites for your future major.

At some point in your BSc, you must include one course in either Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, or Econometrics. Most students choose to do this in their first year.

Teaching, to me, is an opportunity to meet students where they’re at, and help them build the skills and knowledge to get where they want to be. Each student arrives with a unique background and a love of science. I always learn from them, and it’s always a privilege to guide them through their degree.

Courtney Addison

Senior lecturer, School of Science in Society

Second year

In your second year, you’ll focus on the detail of your chosen majors or minors.

You’re likely to take six to eight courses this year:

  • three or four courses in your major subject
  • the remaining courses chosen from your second major or minor subject or from other electives.
To add variety and depth to your degree, you might take some courses from outside the sciences.

Third year

In the third year of your Bachelor of Science, you’ll develop your research skills. You’re likely to take:

  • three or four courses in your major subject
  • three or four courses that might be your second major or a mixture of your minor and other electives.
You’ll develop specialised knowledge in your major and graduate ready to enter the workforce or to go on to postgraduate study.

Future careers

The BSc is the first step towards a career where you might develop new technologies, treat diseases, or protect the environment.

After completing a BSc, you can go straight into an entry-level job. If you continue studying and achieve a postgraduate qualification, you’ll be able to start your career at a more senior level.

The types of roles you might get depend on the subject or subjects you focus your study on. Potential roles include:

  • biotechnologist
  • chemist
  • computer scientist
  • data scientist
  • environmental scientist
  • geologist
  • geospatial specialist
  • government analyst
  • hydrologist
  • marine biologist
  • physicist
  • policy analyst
  • science communicator
  • statistician
  • working in the space industry.
Science graduates have the potential to innovate and lead in a range of sectors. As well as setting you up for a science career, the BSc gives you fundamental thinking and analysis skills to find a career in many other areas such as government, technology, policy, project management, teaching and education.

Become a science teacher

If you are interested in teaching science, study for a postgraduate qualification in secondary teaching when you finish your undergraduate degree.

Aotearoa New Zealand has a shortage of secondary teachers in most subjects, but particularly Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics.

Find out more about teaching career options, studying to be a teacher, and finding teaching jobs.

Teach NZ offers scholarships if you enrol in an approved undergraduate or graduate teaching course.

Science careers

Every day I get to launch things into space that are being used by you and me, such as satellites used for GPS systems and Earth observation. When I look at that, I can say, ‘I have had a positive impact.’ I have left a tangible print on things, and I am exceptionally proud of that.

Julia Rothman

Graduate, Bachelor of Science with Honours in Physics Director, Launch Complex 1, Rocket Lab

Get a postgraduate degree

At the end of your three-year BSc, you can continue your learning with postgraduate study. Give your career options a boost and choose from our wide range of postgraduate science programmes.

Explore postgraduate study options

International scholarships

Many scholarships are available for international students at Victoria University of Wellington. They can help with tuition fees and with accommodation costs.

Search scholarships

Meet Tessa—Bachelor of Science

Study with us in Wellington

Wellington has the highest concentration of scientists and science organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Your teachers are active scientists and world experts in areas such green energy, geo-hazards, global warming, space science, human geography, volcanology, artificial intelligence, drug development, and viral diseases.

Industry connections

The Faculty of Science and Engineering has well-established links with the many Wellington-based science organisations and government agencies. Several noteworthy research centres and institutes are based in the Faculty, including:

Postgraduate study

There are a variety of postgraduate study options that will develop your skillset and boost your career opportunities after you complete your BSc.

Bachelor of Science with Honours

Study for one extra year to extend your knowledge in a specialised field and add research to your skills with a Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons)). Not all major subjects in the BSc carry over directly to Honours level. Contact us to plan your study.

Master’s degree

A Master’s degree will develop your technical, laboratory, and academic writing skills to further prepare you for a career in science. There are several options available, including one-year coursework degrees, and two-year coursework and thesis degrees tailored to different areas of interest.

Doctor of Philosophy

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is an internationally recognised degree for those who wish to pursue a career as a research scientist or as an academic. It involves a major piece of specialised original research. Supervision for PhD research is available in almost all subject areas we offer.

Contacts

If you’re a current student, contact your Student Success Adviser for all academic and general enquiries.

If you’re considering studying with us, our Future Students Team provide general information about university qualifications, courses, and how to plan your programme of study.

Future Student advisers

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