Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science
Want a career as a medical laboratory scientist and play a key role in the world of health science? The Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science prepares you for a career in this exciting field.
As specialised health professionals, medical laboratory scientists provide information about a patient’s state of health that is vital to the diagnosis of disease and monitoring of its treatment.
Through the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science you develop skills in accurate observation and the collection, recording and interpretation of test results. Once you have completed this degree and fulfilled requirements of the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand, you can register and practise as a medical laboratory scientist.
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Start date: 2023
- Download our Science programme guide [PDF, 3.1 MB]
Minimum entry requirements
- University Entrance or equivalent including:
- NCEA: 14 or more credits in each of Biology, Chemistry and Statistics
- CIE: A D grade or better at AS or A level in each of Biology, Chemistry and Statistics
- Must be capable of meeting Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCA Act) requirements including police clearance
International student entry requirements
English language requirements
- At least IELTS (Academic) 6.5 overall with all bands 6.0 or higher; or equivalent.
Don’t meet the entry requirements?
Consider starting with:
- HEAL506 Knowledge, Enquiry and Communication
- CHEM502 Biological Chemistry
- MICR501 Microbiology
- CHEM501 Principles of Chemistry
- MELS501 Histology and Cytology
- HEAL505 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- HEAL609 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
- BIOL501 Biological Sampling and Interpretation
- GENE602 Principles of Genetics
- GENE603 Cells, Genes and Molecules
- MELS601 Clinical Chemistry I
- MELS602 Haematology I
- MELS605 Immunology and Virology
- MELS606 Transfusion Science I
- MELS607 Medical Microbiology I
- GENE701 Molecular Genetics
- MELS603 Pathology I
- MELS604 Pathology II
- MELS608 Laboratory Information Systems and Automations
- HEAL708 Professional Practice and Ethics
- Clinical Chemistry
- Haematology
- Histology
- Immunology
- Medical Cytology
- Medical Microbiology
- Transfusion Science
- GENE702 Molecular Diagnostics
- MELS701 Clinical Chemistry II
- MELS702 Clinical Chemistry III
- MELS703 Haematology II
- MELS704 Haematology III
- MELS705 Immunology II
- MELS706 Immunology III
- MELS707 Transfusion Science II
- MELS708 Transfusion Science III
- MELS709 Histology
- MELS719 Medical Microbiology II
- MELS720 Medical Microbiology III
- MELS721 Histology III
- LabPLUS
- Labtests NZ
- New Zealand Blood Service
Year 1
In your first year you take eight compulsory courses. These courses give you a general scientific grounding and a broader perspective on medical laboratory science.
Courses you study
Year 2
Your second-year courses cover biochemistry, genetics, clinical chemistry, haematology, medical microbiology, immunology and virology, transfusion science and molecular genetics.
Courses you study
Year 3
You study two medical laboratory science specialisation subjects in more depth, along with pathology, methods of research and professional practice and ethics.
Courses you study
Specialisations you can choose (select two)
Each specialisation has two courses you need to complete.
Not all specialisations are offered every year.
Depending on your specialisation, you complete four courses from:
Year 4
Your final year consists of two 15-week placements of 30 hours per week in New Zealand or Australia.
Recent placements included:
More information about this programme
This degree prepares you for a career in a diagnostic laboratory. Registered medical laboratory scientists work in public hospitals and community laboratories doing diagnostic laboratory testing across all specialisations.
Other career paths include:
- Diagnostic reagent manufacture
- Laboratory management
- Marketing of medical equipment and reagents
Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.
$6,901 - $7,478
- This represents the approximate tuition fee range based on a full-time workload of 120 points in 2022. The exact fees will depend on courses selected and may exceed this range.
- Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for beyond 2022, fees may vary from those stated.
- There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay. Learn more
- Check if you're eligible for fees-free study
$39,600
- This represents the approximate tuition fee range based on a full-time workload of 120 points in 2022. The exact fees will depend on courses selected and may exceed this range.
- Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for beyond 2022, fees may vary from those stated.
- There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay. Learn more
- 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.
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.