Bachelor of Health Science/ Bachelor of Media and Communication
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
Majors for Bachelor of Health Science:
Biomedical ScienceClinical TechnologiesNeuroscienceNutritionPublic Health and Health PromotionMajors for Bachelor of Media and Communication:
AdvertisingCreative Writing and LiteratureDigital Advertising TechnologyJournalismMedia Industries Professional Writing and EditingSocial MediaThe Bachelor of Health Science/Bachelor of Media and Communication will equip students with a comprehensive set of skills, knowledge and attributes to effectively promote health messages, products and innovations to a wide range of audiences.
You'll explore Australian and international health challenges and examine the physical, psychological and social aspects of health in a variety of settings.
You'll also gain knowledge about how the media is evolving through an examination of issues such as diversity, the influence of social networking, data, ownership and privacy, automated media and the digital economy.
Work Integrated Learning is a guaranteed part of all our bachelor degrees. In this double degree, you’ll work on industry-linked projects relevant to your major areas of study. For example, in the Health Sciences Project (HEA30001), you'll work on a project which addresses a current industry challenge. And in units Digital Marketing Project 1 and 2 (DIG30001 and DIG30002) you'll work in teams on a significant digital advertising or marketing project.
Every international student application is considered for a scholarship
Whether you’re living in Australia or overseas, you’re automatically considered for a scholarship of up to 30% off your course fees. Please check our updated entry requirements.
Start dates
Hawthorn campus
- Semester 1 - 27 February 2023
- Semester 2 - 31 July 2023
Duration
4 Year/s
Full-time
VTAC codes
- 3400211051 (CSP)
- 3400211053 (IFP)
CRICOS code
093359K
Fees
A$35960 (annual for 2023)*
The indicative course fees shown in Course Search apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.
International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.
Course details
- Course structure and work integrated learning.
Course structure
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Health Science/ Bachelor of Media and Communication requires students to complete units of study to the value of 400-450 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 Behavior | 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 are 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 are 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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Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
---|---|---|
Professional Communication Practice | COM10007 | 12.5 |
Media Content Creation | JOU10007 | 12.5 |
Introduction to Media Studies | MDA10001 | 12.5 |
Global Media Industries | MDA10008 | 12.5 |
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Other studies
4 units (50 credit points)
Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 50 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 |
Professional Placement in Media and Communication
Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
---|---|---|
Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
Integrated Professional Placement A - Media and Communication | MDA20016 | 25 |
Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
Integrated Professional Placement B - Media and Communication | MDA20017 | 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 |
Professional Placement in Media and Communication
Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
---|---|---|
Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
Integrated Professional Placement A - Media and Communication | MDA20016 | 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 learning outcomes
On successful completion of this programme the learner will be able to
- Bachelor of Health Science - Apply Health Sciences concepts, practices, theories and evidence across a range of health-related issues
- Bachelor of Health Science - Retrieve, critically evaluate and communicate information about local and global Health Sciences issues from a variety of perspectives
- Bachelor of Health Science - Find and integrate information from a variety of sources using a range of technologies
- Bachelor of Health Science - Apply knowledge and skills associated with Health Sciences to a range of health-related activities, working independently and in teams
- Bachelor of Health Science - Apply innovation and technology to extend the boundaries of knowledge and research in Health Sciences
- Bachelor of Health Science - Demonstrate professional and ethical behaviours
- Bachelor of Health Science - Reflect on current skills, knowledge and attitudes, and plan ongoing personal and professional development
- Bachelor of Health Science - Promote and optimise the health and welfare of individuals and/or populations
- Bachelor of Media and Communication - Identify and contextualise the impacts of digital transformation on media and communication industries, audiences and professional and creative practices
- Bachelor of Media and Communication - Analyse diverse socio-cultural influences on media and communication practices and their impact on audiences in Indigenous, local and global contexts
- Bachelor of Media and Communication - Demonstrate critical thinking, including theoretical, practice-led and decolonised approaches, within a specialised media and communication discipline
- Bachelor of Media and Communication - Initiate professional approaches to planning, problem-solving and decision-making in a range of media and communication activities and processes, both individually and in collaboration with others
- Bachelor of Media and Communication - Design creative and professional media and communication artefacts that focus on examining the relationship between people and technology for social impact
- Bachelor of Media and Communication - Explore innovative use of new media and communication technologies to engage, influence and build communities for next generation media futures
- Bachelor of Media and Communication - Engage ethical approaches to research methodologies for socially responsible, just and fair content creation strategies
- Bachelor of Media and Communication - Apply learning from Indigenous, global and cross-cultural communication contexts to support accountability, self-assessment and independence in lifelong learning

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, English language requirements and pathways.
How to apply
Find out more about how to apply.
View the Course Admission Information, which includes the ATAR and Student profiles for this course. Swinburne’s general admissions information is also available here.