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Bachelor of Musculoskeletal Health

STARTS: February 2025
Madras Street

Gain skills for a health sector career with diverse opportunities.

Developed according to best practice approaches in clinical education and delivered utilising innovative teaching methods, the Bachelor of Musculoskeletal Health will equip you with the knowledge and skills required for employment in non-registered areas of health care and management.

You'll start your studies by gaining foundational knowledge of musculoskeletal health and osteopathy and forming a basis for critical thinking. In year two, the emphasis is on evidence-based clinical practice and extending your bioscience knowledge. Your final year focuses almost entirely on the development of clinical practice learning, critical thinking and increasingly complex problem solving and decision-making.

Throughout the degree, clinical practice courses will give you industry experience by enabling you to apply your knowledge in real-world environments.

Please note: to become a registered osteopath, you must also gain a Postgraduate Diploma in Osteopathy, a one-year Level 8 programme at Ara.

Applicants who meet the requirements for admission are accepted in the order their applications are received, with 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.

No further applications will be accepted after 1 October 2024. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their applications by Friday 11 October 2024.

It’s heavy on practical, hands-on application of what we’re learning in our theory classes, and this is important because osteopathy is a form of manual therapy. As a student, you get hundreds of hours of clinical practice in real osteopathic clinics so by the time you graduate, you’re already very familiar with osteopathic work.

Kris Esguerra

Fees for 2024

Domestic Fee
$7,627 - $8,486 per year
Indicative Student Services Fee
$350 per year

Fees for 2025

Domestic Fee
$8,085 - $8,995 per year

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

  • 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*

as well as Literacy* - 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of 5 credits in reading, 5 credits in writing,

and Numeracy* - 10 credits at Level 1 or above (specified achievement standards, or unit standards 26623, 26626, 26627)

OR New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) Ara Pre Health Pathway or equivalent.

Due to Covid-19 disruption, if you studied and achieved NCEA Level 3 during 2020, you only need 12 credits per Level 3 subject (i.e. total of 36 credits). Literacy and Numeracy requirements remain the same

If you have undertaken examinations other than NCEA (e.g. International Baccalaureate, Cambridge Examination), Ara will assess your qualification for academic entry equivalency.

* NZQA approved subjects: see http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/awards/university-entrance/

In addition you need to:

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.

Still want to study but don't meet the Academic Requirements?

If you show that you have equivalent skills for tertiary study gained through study, work and/or life experience, you may be able to gain alternative entry.

Note: The number of courses you have to complete for this qualification may be reduced where you have relevant credits from previous study, or evidence of similar learning or experience in the workplace.

What if English is not my first Language?

If English is not your first language, we want to make sure that you will be successful in your chosen programme of study.

  • Please provide a result from a test or qualification on the acceptable alternatives English Proficiency Outcomes Chart.
  • If you are a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident, complete an Admission and Enrolment form and Ara will contact you regarding a free assessment.
  • If you are not a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent resident, book an IELTS or other test through the Ara Examination Centre or in your home country.
  • IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form and are valid for two years from the date of the test.
  • What if I have achieved NCEA Level 3 University Entrance?
  • You do not need to provide additional evidence of English Language skills.

Overall IELTS 6.0 Academic

  • 5.5 Listening
  • 5.5 Reading
  • 5.5 Writing
  • 5.5 Speaking

Applicants who meet the requirements for admission are accepted in the order their applications are received, with 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.

Funding assistance

If you face unexpected financial hardship during your studies, we have several funds that you can apply for. These are designed to enable you to continue your current course of study. We also have a wide range of scholarships and awards that can provide financial assistance.

Find out more

Career opportunities

The increasing burden of musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis and low back pain is likely to create both new challenges and opportunities within the wider health care sector. This suggests there will be good employment prospects for graduates throughout Australasia.

Employment opportunities may include working 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 (BMSkH) leads directly into the Postgraduate Diploma in Osteopathy (PGDip 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)

Bachelor of Musculoskeletal Health

FULL-TIME - 3 Years

Gain skills for a health sector career with diverse opportunities.

Information
Type Degree
Code CH4063
Next Starts February 2025
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 2024

Domestic Fee
$7,627 - $8,486 per year
Indicative Student Services Fee
$350 per year

Fees for 2025

Domestic Fee
$8,085 - $8,995 per year

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.

Enquire Now View Dates & Apply
Bachelor of Musculoskeletal Health - Yr 1 - Feb 2025 - Christchurch
Start date: 17 February 2025
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With an internationally-recognised Ara qualification, the world is your oyster. Our graduates can be found working and making a difference across the globe…

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Additional Entry Requirements

In addition you need to:

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.

See overview for more

Credit Recognition

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

Find out more

Documents

Area of Interest

Key Information for Students

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