Human factors and ergonomics
Human factors and ergonomics focuses on the factors that improve or constrain optimal human performance – from the design of an environment or equipment to the tasks someone is involved in. Professionals in human factors and ergonomics work with people in real-life contexts, applying knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics, design, physiology, psychology and sociology.
Study human factors and ergonomics at AUT
You can study courses in human factors and ergonomics as part of AUT’s postgraduate health science programmes, offering you a postgraduate education programme in three parts; from postgraduate certificate to master’s degree level.
You complete two compulsory courses related to human factors and ergonomics, as well as one additional course of your choice. The qualification equates to 60 credits, and can be completed in as little as one semester full-time.
When you graduate, your academic transcript will state the qualification has a focus on human factors and ergonomics.
Complete the following courses
And select 15 points from
- Relevant postgraduate course(s) with the approval of the programme leader.
This qualification builds on the postgraduate certificate and is your chance to continue learning about human factors and ergonomics. This qualification equates to 120 points and you can complete this programme in as little as one year full-time.
When you graduate, your academic transcript will state the qualification has a focus on human factors and ergonomics.
Complete the following courses
- RHAB801 Occupational Ergonomics (30 points)*
- RHAB811 Health Ergonomics (15 points)*
- MAOH804 Te Hau o te Ora – Hauora Māori Development (15 points)
And choose one of
- HEAL811 Research Design and Methods (15 points)
- MAOH801 Māori Health Research Practice - Te Rangahau Hauora Maori (15 points)
And complete three from**
- MGMT807 Organisational Behaviour (15 points)
- DESN806 Design for Health and Wellbeing (15 points)
- HEAL816 Special Topic (15 points)
- ENBU813 Management in the Construction Industry (15 points)
- COMP822 Human Computer Interaction (15 points)
- DIGM807 Digital Interaction and User Engagement (15 points)
- OR any other relevant postgraduate courses with the approval of the programme leader (45 points)
*If you’ve already completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science with a focus on human factors and ergonomics, you can cross-credit these two courses and the 15-point elective course you’ve already completed towards the postgraduate diploma.
**Some courses can be taken from other selected universities. Kindly refer to the progression flowchart and click on the clipboard icon.
With the Master of Health Science with a focus on human factors and ergonomics you can progress your learning from postgraduate diploma to a higher master’s-level qualification. This programme includes a research thesis on a topic related to human factors and ergonomics.
This qualification equates to 240 points and you can complete this programme in as little as two years full-time. When you graduate, your academic transcript will state the qualification has a focus on human factors and ergonomics.
Complete the following courses
- RHAB801 Occupational Ergonomics (30 points)*
- RHAB811 Health Ergonomics (15 points)*
- MAOH804 Te Hau o te Ora – Hauora Māori Development (15 points)
And choose one of
- HEAL811 Research Design and Methods (15 points)
- MAOH801 Māori Health Research Practice - Te Rangahau Hauora Maori (15 points)
And complete three from**
- MGMT807 Organisational Behaviour (15 points)
- DESN806 Design for Health and Wellbeing (15 points)
- HEAL816 Special Topic (15 points)
- ENBU813 Management in the Construction Industry (15 points)
- COMP822 Human Computer Interaction (15 points)
- DIGM807 Digital Interaction and User Engagement (15 points)
- OR any other relevant postgraduate courses with the approval of the programme leader (45 points)
And complete
*If you’ve already completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science with a focus on human factors and ergonomics, you can cross-credit these courses from this postgraduate towards the master’s degree. In addition, you will need to complete the thesis to graduate with a Master of Health Science.
**Some courses can be taken from other selected universities. Kindly refer to the progression flowchart and click on the clipboard icon.
The chart below gives you a better idea how you can progress between our qualifications if you plan to study human factors and ergonomics.
AUT’s human factors and ergonomics courses are for registered health professionals or those with professional experience in occupational health and safety.
Applicants will normally have completed the requirements of one of the following in a relevant field from a New Zealand tertiary institution or equivalent:
- A Bachelor of Health Science
- A Graduate Diploma in Heath Science
- Relevant professional practice or experience deemed by the university to be equivalent to a bachelor’s degree
Where entry qualifications don’t meet the criteria for study at postgraduate level, completion of transitional studies may be required before you’re admitted to the programme.
CIEHF and HFESNZ accreditation
AUT’s human factors and ergonomics courses have been ratified by:
- Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors (CIEHF) - graduates will be able to become Graduate Members of the CIEHF
- Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of New Zealand (HFESNZ) - courses meet the educational requirements for HFESNZ certification*
*The human factors and ergonomics postgraduate programme is innovative in that while it is based at AUT, courses from a number of universities in New Zealand and overseas can be credited to it.
Who are these courses for?
Studying human factors and ergonomics is relevant for professionals involved in:
- Quality improvement
- Health and safety
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Occupational therapy
- Occupational health physiotherapy
- Engineering
- Product design
- Spatial design
- Healthcare
- Construction
- Project management
- Risk management
- Transport – rail, road, aviation
Contact details
To find out more about studying human factors and ergonomics email fhes.enquiries@aut.ac.nz
Academic staff
Our small team of knowledgeable and experienced human factors and ergonomics specialists bring a wide range of skills to the courses. Our team includes:
AUT research in this field
AUT researchers are involved in human factors and ergonomics research through the following AUT research entities:
