The aim of this degree programme is to provide students with hands-on applied knowledge, skills, competencies and attributes that will enable graduates to meet the requirements for a career in laboratory science.

The programme will build capability for strategic thinking and analysis in order to provide well-rounded, work-ready graduates who have experienced the realities of a workplace during their programme, where they can apply advanced knowledge and theories to practice in real life situations.

The graduate of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Laboratory Science) L7 qualification will demonstrate intellectual independence, critical thinking and analytic rigor and be able to work with confidence, both independently and collaboratively as part of a team in a science laboratory.

Also inherent in the graduate's practice will be knowledge and skills related to the ideas, principles, concepts, research methods and problem-solving techniques in laboratory science; knowledge and skills in data collection, computation, processing, and management systems; along with a range of transferable laboratory practice skills.

Graduates will be independent consumers of research with the ability to routinely access new knowledge and information from a range of sources and apply elements of experimental design for ensuring repeatability and reliability of measured data.

Graduates may progress to a range of postgraduate study options in the sciences and related fields at other ITP providers and universities.

Under 20 years of age applicants:

Applicants under the age of 20 years must have University Entrance, including 30 credits at NCEA Level 2 from Science, Biology or Chemistry.
OR
Equivalent academic achievement
OR
On a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Executive Dean
OR
Provisional enrolment
OR
In accordance with Section 2.7.
Note:
Provisional enrolment is defined by NZQA as being Discretionary Entrance and includes the following clauses:

Discretionary enrolment may be granted to those applicants under the age of 20 who:
* Are New Zealand or Australian citizens and permanent residents under 20 years of age
* Must have a minimum of 14 credits in an approved subject at Level 2 towards NCEA
* Must also have met the literacy and numeracy standards required for University Entrance

Applicants 20 years of age or over:
A person having reached the age of 20 years before the first day of the programme in the year for which admission is sought, is not required to meet any of the academic qualifications above. Applicants who do not meet the academic requirements, will be required to attend a conversation, as set out in the advice and guidance section. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss their career goals, reasons for study, choice of study, possible challenges, and the support that is available for them at UCOL.


International applicants:
In addition to the above, the minimum entry requirement for international students is IELTS Academic score of 6.0 with no band score lower than 5.5 (or equivalent including TOEFL). UCOL is a TOEFL iBT testing centre. IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (i.e. combining scores from more than one test is not permissible).

In addition to this international applications under the age of 20 must have University Entrance equivalency (refer to Business Development International).