Bachelor of Health Science (Occupational Therapy)
Study the Bachelor of Health Science (Occupational Therapy) and develop the skills to become an occupational therapist, and promote the health and wellbeing of individuals, groups and communities.
Occupational therapists help people participate in everyday activities including learning, communication, interpersonal interaction and relationships, mobility, self-care, domestic life, and social life. Occupational therapists can also modify people’s environment – or the activity itself – to help them participate in the activity. The occupational therapy degree is intensive and involves learning in an interprofessional environment, in the classroom and in clinical practice settings.
Talk to us about your study options
Thinking about studying at AUT? Book a time with us to discuss your study options.
Download programme guides
Minimum entry requirements
If you have New Zealand qualifications
- University Entrance or equivalent
- Must be capable of meeting Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCA Act) and Children’s Act 2014 requirements, including police clearance
Applicants with English as a second or other language who have not completed at least three years of secondary schooling in NZ will be required to meet IELTS requirements.
If there is a large number of applicants for a limited number of places, a selection process may be undertaken. Preference will be given to applicants with the highest rank score or evidence of accomplishments in the relevant field. Where required by external health registration authorities, applicants may also be prioritised based on health workforce needs, and considerations relating to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, equity and inclusion.
Indicative rank score
This degree is in high demand. The indicative rank scores below are a guide – they don't guarantee entry. Calculate your rank score
- NCEA: 210
- CAIE: 280
- IB: 29
High achievement early admission
If you're a high-achieving student, you may receive a provisional offer of place before your Year 13 results are released. A provisional offer is subject to meeting:
- University Entrance requirements
- The indicative rank score for your programme
- Any other programme-specific requirements
To be considered, you'll need to have achieved one of the following in Year 12:
- NCEA: Level 2 endorsed with Excellence
- CIE: An A grade in three subjects at AS level
- IB: A predicted score in your Principal's Predicted Score Report that meets the indicative rank score for your programme
If you have qualifications from another country
See entry requirements for students from other countries. Select your country from the dropdown menu.
Useful New Zealand school subjects
Biology, Chemistry, Health, Physical Education, Psychology, Science, Art History, Classical Studies, Drama, English, Geography, Health Education, History, Media Studies, Social Studies, Statistics, Te Reo Māori, Te Reo Rangatira
English language requirements
- IELTS (Academic) 7.0 overall with all bands 6.5 or higher
Fitness to practise and placement requirements
This programme has a fitness to practise and placement component. Find out what that means for you
Year 1
Semester 1 courses
- HEAL506 Knowledge, Enquiry and Communication (15 points)
- HEAL512 Te Tiriti Ora (15 points)
- HEAL513 Introduction to Healthcare Systems and Practice (15 points)
- HEAL514 Understanding Human Body Systems (15 points)
In the first semester all students study the same four courses to help you develop an in-depth understanding of general healthcare, learning alongside other health science students.
If you started before 2026
If you started your studies in the Bachelor of Health Science (Occupational Therapy) in 2025 or earlier, the courses you need to complete may be a little different. Find out what courses you need to take to complete your qualification if you started in 2025 or earlier.
Semester 2 courses
- OCTY610 Tuakiri: Ko Wai Au Hei Kaiwhakaora Ngangagau Who I Am As An Occupational Therapist (15 points)
- OCTY611 Mahia: Doing in Occupational Therapy (15 points)
- OCTY612 Tirohanga: Occupation as a Lens on Hauora | Wellbeing (15 points)
- OCTY613 Pūtake: Practice Education I (15 points)
You may also have the opportunity to work with an occupational therapist and begin to better understand and apply your knowledge.
Year 2
You explore how illness or injury impacts on people performing their occupations and typical occupational therapy intervention. You can experience practice education in both semesters. Throughout the year students will need to complete fieldwork hours, alongside coursework, in community settings.
Semester 1 courses
- OCTY614 Noho: Practice Education II (15 points)
- OCTY615 Maahirahira: Hauora | Health, Social Conditions and Occupation in Aotearoa (15 points)
- OCTY616 Nga Aromatawai: Assessments in Whakaora Ngangahau| Occupational Therapy (15 points)
- OCTY617 Nga Pūkenga Ngaio: Professional Skills in Whakaora Ngangahau | Occupational Therapy (15 points)
Semester 2 courses
- OCTY618 Tuakiri: Practice Education III (15 points)
- OCTY619 Whai Whakaaro: Critical Thinking in Whakaora Ngangahau| Occupational Therapy (15 points)
- OCTY710 Te Tika, Te Pono, Te Ōritetanga: Practice Ethics and Equity (15 points)
- OCTY711 Nga Ara whakaora: Pathways to Wellbeing in Whakaora Ngangahau | Occupational Therapy (15 points)
Year 3
You learn about working with communities, organisations or groups of people, and how to change systems to enable participation. You also develop decision-making skills around assessment and intervention.
Semester 1 courses
- OCTY707 Pūkenga: Practice Education IV (30 points)
- OCTY712 Ngā Rōpū, Ngā Hapori: Being Responsive to Collectives and Groups (15 points)
- OCTY713 Kia Whakaaro Tika, Kia Whakaaro Pono: Navigating Whakaora Ngangahau | Occupational Therapy Practice in Context (15 points)
Semester 2 courses
- OCTY708 Huringa: Practice Education V (30 points)
- OCTY714 Ko te Mārama te Aronga: Researching with Purpose in Whakaora Ngangahau | Occupational Therapy (15 points)
- OCTY715 Whakatere i te Anamata: Leading Change in Whakaora Ngangahau | Occupational Therapy Practice (15 points)
Workplace experience (fieldwork) as part of the occupational therapy degree
You must complete a minimum of 1,000 fieldwork hours across the programme. You'll be placed in various settings where you develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes to meet competencies for professional registration.
This includes:
- Year 1: a 2-week placement block in your second semester
- Year 2: longitudinal fieldwork experience one day a week for ten weeks in both semesters
- Year 3: two 8-week block placements across both semesters
You could experience a wide range of practice areas across Health New Zealand/Te Whatu Ora and other organisations including:
- Hospitals
- Community services
- Kaupapa Māori services
- Specialist schools
- Forensic services
- Private practice
During your programme, you’ll be required to travel both within and outside the Auckland region for clinical/practical experience. Travel, accommodation and other expenses will be an additional cost to you.
Want more info about work integrated learning at AUT?
Read more about workplace experience in AUT programmes, how it works and why it’s so beneficial when you start your career.
Workplace experience in AUT programmes
Study planner for this programme
Download our study planner to see what your studies could look like in the Bachelor of Health Science (Occupational Therapy).
Bachelor of Health Science (Occupational Therapy) study planner
Skills you will develop
The outcomes for graduates of the Bachelor of Health Science (Occupational Therapy) are outlined in the Graduate Profile below.
Graduate Profile [PDF, 195.0 KB]
Ready to enrol in your courses?
Find out how you can enrol in the courses and classes for your programme, whether you’ve just joined AUT as a new student or you’re already studying with us. If you’re looking for a course timetable or more info on a specific course use our course search.
The careers listed here are just some of the directions your studies could lead. Career titles can vary, but the skills behind them often connect. Explore our career finder to discover related careers, learn what they involve and view salary information.
When you graduate you can apply to register as an occupational therapist in New Zealand and other countries.
Occupational therapists work with all age groups in:
- Primary Health Organisations (PHOs)
- Community development
- Health centres and hospitals
- Research
- Schools
- Residential care facilities
- Private practice
- Rehabilitation and ACC
Other undergraduate study options
- Bachelor of Health Science
- Case Management
- Counselling
- Health Management
- Paramedicine
- Perioperative Practice
- Psychology
- Public and Environmental Health
- No major (tailor the degree to your interests and career goals)
- Bachelor of Health Science (Midwifery)
- Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing)
- Bachelor of Health Science (Oral Health)
- Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy)
- Bachelor of Health Science (Podiatry)
- Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Health Science in Psychology conjoint programmes
Postgraduate study options
($8,681 - $8,951 tuition fees + $1,259.67 student services levy)
($40,500 tuition fees + $1,259.67 student services levy)
- Fees shown are based on a full-time workload for the points indicated next to the fee. The exact fee charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment.
- Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for study beyond the current year, fees may vary from those stated.
- There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay.
- 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
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.
