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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How to apply

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Quick Facts

Programme code:

AK3432

Level:

Points:

480

Duration:

4 years full-time / part-time available

Campus:

City Campus

Starts:

28 Feb 2022

Fees:

Domestic
$6,786 - $7,353

This represents the approximate tuition fee range based on a full-time workload of 120 points in 2021. 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 2021, fees may vary from those stated.
There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay. Learn more about fees to study at AUT
Check if you're eligible for fees-free study

International
$38,819

This represents the approximate tuition fee range based on a full-time workload of 120 points in 2021. 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 2021, fees may vary from those stated.
There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay. Learn more about fees to study at AUT
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.

Scholarships at AUT

Entry requirements
What you study
Career opportunities
Related programmes

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.

English language requirements

Don’t meet the entry requirements?

Consider starting with:

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)

Clinical Chemistry
Haematology
Histology
Immunology
Medical Cytology
Medical Microbiology
Transfusion Science

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:

LabPLUS
Labtests NZ
New Zealand Blood Service

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.

Medical Laboratory Science Careers

Quick facts

Programme code:

AK3432

Level:

Points:

480

Duration:

4 years full-time / part-time available

Campus:

City Campus

Starts:

28 Feb 2022

Fees:

Domestic
$6,786 - $7,353

This represents the approximate tuition fee range based on a full-time workload of 120 points in 2021. 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 2021, fees may vary from those stated.
There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay. Learn more about fees to study at AUT
Check if you're eligible for fees-free study

International
$38,819

This represents the approximate tuition fee range based on a full-time workload of 120 points in 2021. 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 2021, fees may vary from those stated.
There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay. Learn more about fees to study at AUT
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.

Scholarships at AUT

Great graduatesPhoebe MalleyMedical Laboratory Scientist, North Shore Hospital, Waitematā District Health BoardBachelor of Medical Laboratory ScienceApplying her understanding of science to help with COVID-19 testing was a highlight, says Phoebe Malley who completed a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science.Applying her understanding of science to help with COVID-19 testing was a highlight of her final year at university, says Phoebe Malley who completed a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science, specialising in Medical Microbiology and Clinical Chemistry. Now working as a medical laboratory scientist at North Shore Hospital, Phoebe loves using her skills to solve clinical problems and contribute to improving patient health.

Great graduatesKrupa LumbhaniMedical Laboratory Scientist, LabPLUSBachelor of Medical Laboratory ScienceHer studies helped her achieve her dream of becoming a medical laboratory scientist, says Krupa Lumbhani who is applying her understanding of science at LabPlus.Her studies helped her achieve her dream of becoming a medical laboratory scientist, says Krupa Lumbhani who is now applying her understanding of science in her role at LabPlus. The academic staff at AUT are inspirational, says Krupa who is proud of receiving the award for the most outstanding student in medical microbiology and histology.

Great graduatesRukshar Saheed Bachelor of Medical Laboratory ScienceMedical laboratory scientists are the detectives of healthcare, says Rukshar Saheed who completed a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science at AUT in 2020.Medical laboratory scientists are the detectives of healthcare, says Rukshar Saheed who completed a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science specialising in Histology and Clinical Chemistry. Currently working in the Surgical Pathology Unit at North Shore Hospital, Rukshar enjoys applying her skills to make a difference.

Great graduatesKayla GrayMedical Laboratory Scientist, LabPLUSBachelor of Medical Laboratory ScienceEven without direct patient contact you can still help people, says AUT science alumna Kayla Gray is now working as a medical laboratory scientist at LabPLUS.Even without direct patient contact you can still help people, says Kayla Gray who completed a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science and is now working as a medical laboratory scientist at LabPLUS, which is part of the Auckland District Health Board. The theory and practical experience she gained as part of her AUT degree are the backbone of her job now, says Kayla.

Great graduatesSaraya-Grace HoganBachelor of Medical Laboratory Science
Certificate in Applied ScienceScientists play a huge role in medical diagnosis, says Saraya-Grace Hogan who is currently in the third year of her Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science.Scientists play a huge role in medical diagnosis, says Saraya-Grace Hogan who is currently in the third year of her Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science, specialising in immunology and molecular diagnostics. Saraya’s journey at AUT started with a Certificate in Applied Science, followed by the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science she is currently completing.

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The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.