Bachelor of Health Science
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
Our Bachelor of Health Science leads to a wide range of rewarding jobs in the fast-growing health industry — or more specialised postgraduate study.
You’ll have access to cutting-edge, industry-relevant tech in our campus labs; prepping you for a career that relies on it.
You’ll complete core units across multiple fields of health science to explore contemporary challenges and their possible interventions along with a major based on your interest and career aspirations. This could lead to postgraduate studies at Swinburne in physiotherapy, dietetics, occupational therapy or counselling.
All our bachelor degrees include a guaranteed Work Integrated Learning opportunity, which could be a placement, internship or industry-linked project. In this degree, a major component of your studies will be an industry-linked project, which addresses a current industry challenge. You’ll also have the opportunity to apply for a career-focused placement or an internship, allowing you to build a professional network before you graduate.
Tap on any major to see how you can tailor your Bachelor of Heath Science degree and study for a career that champions good health for people from all walks of life.
Timely VTAC applications close Thursday 30 September.
There's no better way to figure out your VTAC preferences than to go straight to the source: strike up a live chat with a Swinburne current student, or book a one-on-one appointment with a Swinburne expert. Learn more
Start dates
Hawthorn campus
- Semester 1 - 1 March 2021
- Semester 2 - 2 August 2021
VTAC codes
- 3400210971 (CSP)
- 3400210973 (IFP)
Swinburne provides valuable and unique opportunities to apply what you have learnt in the classroom to real-world situations. This can be through lab experiments, internships, placements or volunteering programs.
Sabina
Bachelor of Health Science (Professional)
Health sciences at Swinburne
Learn how to improve the wellbeing of communities and groups across Australia through a degree in health sciences at Swinburne.
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Course details
- Description, course structure, work integrated learning and career opportunities.
Course structure
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Health Science requires students to complete units of study to the value of 300 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
View course rules and special requirements
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Anatomy and Physiology | BIO10004 | 12.5 |
| Introduction to Health Sciences | HEA10001 | 12.5 |
| Digital Health Foundations | HEA10004 | 12.5 |
| Brain and Behaviour | PSY10007 | 12.5 |
| Foundations of Statistics | STA10003 | 12.5 |
| Health and Disease Across the Life Course | BIO20004 | 12.5 |
| Either Research Methods for Health Sciences | HEA20007 | 12.5 |
| or Introduction to Research Methods - This alternative unit is required in the Psychology and Psychophysiology Major and the Psychology and Forensic Science Major and is only available to students enrolled in these majors. | PSY10005 | 12.5 |
| Either Health Sciences Project * | HEA30001 | 12.5 |
| or Psychology Project * - This alternative unit is required in the Psychology and Psychophysiology Major and the Psychology and Forensic Science Major and is only available to students enrolled in these majors. | PSY30003 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
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Other studies
8 units (100 credit points)
Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 100 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).
Work Integrated Learning
Swinburne's Work Integrated Learning program provides additional opportunities for you to gain valuable skills and real industry experience in the form of placements, internships or study tours - all while earning credit towards your degree.
Choose a Work Integrated Learning option:
You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 12 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.
The Professional Placement co-major has four 25 credit point units.
Professional Placement in Health
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Health | HEA20003 | 25 |
| Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement B - Health | HEA20004 | 25 |
You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 6 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.
The Professional Placement minor has two 25 credit point units.
Professional Placement in Health
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Health | HEA20003 | 25 |
A Professional Internship is all about gaining valuable real-world skills in your area of study all while earning credit points towards your degree. Plus, it looks great on your CV as it shows you’ve had real industry experience before you’ve even graduated!
You might choose to complete your internship part-time over a semester or in a more intensive block during Summer or Winter terms.
Travel overseas, discover other cultures, enrich your professional experience and enhance your CV all while gaining credit towards your course.
- Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
- Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year
- One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
- See the course planner for an example degree structure
Course description
The Bachelor of Health Science is designed to equip students with a wide range of skills, knowledge, and attributes for careers promoting health and well-being. Students will receive grounding in core sciences and then choose specialised studies in one of nine major areas: Biomedical Science, Clinical Technologies, Health Promotion, Neuroscience, Nutrition, Psychology and Forensic Science, Psychology and Psychophysiology.
The course has a multi-disciplinary and applied focus, which ensures students receive a comprehensive undergraduate education. It engages students with contemporary issues in health science and develops the skills needed to address them by examining the challenges confronting individuals and communities within Australia and internationally.
The course also develops competency in technologies and approaches to innovative health science practice.
Course learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- apply health sciences concepts, practices, theories and evidence across a range of health-related issues
- retrieve, critically evaluate and communicate information about local and global health sciences issues from a variety of perspectives
- find and integrate information from a variety of sources using a range of technologies
- apply knowledge and skills associated with health sciences to a range of health-related activities, working independently and in teams
- apply innovation and technology to extend the boundaries of knowledge and research in health sciences
- demonstrate professional and ethical behaviours
- reflect on current skills, knowledge and attitudes, and plan ongoing personal and professional development
- promote and optimise the health and welfare of individuals and/or populations.
Career opportunities
Future career options for graduates of this degree may include medical researcher, community worker, health policy developer, clinical technologist, hospital scientist, healthcare consultant, health communication officer, nutritionist and more.
Graduates who intend to pursue psychology as a career must follow a sequence of education and training in psychology as required by the Psychology Board of Australia.
The Psychology and Psychophysiology and Psychology and Forensic Science majors within the Bachelor of Health Science course are accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). To be eligible for registration as a provisional psychologist, students must go on to complete the Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours) or an equivalent APAC-accredited fourth-year program. Those seeking general registration as practicing psychologists in Australia must subsequently successfully graduate from an accredited postgraduate program such as the Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology), Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology) or Doctor of Psychology (Clinical and Forensic Psychology).
For more detailed information on Australian requirements for registration as a psychologist, visit the Australian Psychological Society website.
Fees
- Fees for 2021.
Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.
| 2021 rate* | Estimated total cost of the course | Estimated cost of the course per year if studying full-time* | Amenities fee per year if studying full-time* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) |
$23,850 | $7,950 | See how your SSAF is calculated |
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of the student contribution amount.
Find out more about fees.
Scholarships
At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students.
How to enter this course
- Entry requirements, pathways, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.
How to apply
Applications for Semester 1 for courses listed on the VTAC Guide are generally made through VTAC. Under certain circumstances, some students (e.g. Non-Year 12) may apply directly to Swinburne. Find out more about how to apply.
Applications for all other intakes should be made directly to Swinburne.
View the Course Admission Information, which includes the ATAR and Student profiles for this course. Swinburne’s general admissions information is also available here.