Bachelor of Health Science

Tackle some of the greatest health challenges of our time with the Bachelor of Health Science.The Bachelor of Health Science draws upon the world-leading strengths of ANU in medical education, biomedical science, population health, psychology, social science and public policy to prepare you for a future in medical, allied health and health-related professions.It will equip you with a broad understanding of the themes explored in advanced studies of medicine and offers a potential pathway to the Doctor of Medicine and Surgery at ANU.Find out more about health science, the degree structure, the university experience, career opportunities and student stories on our website.Get the inside story on what it’s like to be an ANU student by visiting our student blog.This program is not available for Semester 2 commencement.

Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Health Science requires the completion of 144 units, of which:

A maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

A minimum of 30 units must come from completion of 3000-level courses from the Science course list.

The 144 units must consist of:

72 units from completion of compulsory courses from the following list:

BIOL1004 Biology 2: Molecular and Cell Biology

BIOL1008 Human Biology

HLTH1001 Health in the 21st Century

HLTH1002 Research Methods in the Health Sciences

HLTH2001 Health Systems and Policy: An Introduction

HLTH2002 Introduction to Global Health: Issues, Theories and Practices

HLTH3001 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

HLTH3002 Professional Practice in Health Science

MEDN2001 Medical Physiology and Pharmacology

MEDN2002 Pathogenesis of Human Disease

POPH3000 Introduction to Population Health

SCOM3033 Health Promotion Principles and Practice

Either:

Applications of Health

A minimum of 18 units from completion of courses from the following list:

ANTH2026 Medicine, Healing and the Body

BIAN2119 Nutrition, Disease and the Environment

BIAN2130 Ancient Medicine

BIOL2142 General Microbiology

BIOL2161 Genes: Replication and Expression

BIOL2171 Biochemistry and Nutrition

BIOL2174 Cell Physiology in Health and Disease

CHEM1101 Chemistry 1

CHEM1201 Chemistry 2

PHYS1004 Life Physics

PSYC1003 Psychology 1: Understanding Mind, Brain and Behaviour

PSYC1004 Psychology 2: Understanding People in Context

PSYC1005 The Wellbeing Formula: The Science and Practice of Making a Good Life

PSYC2007 Biological Basis of Behaviour

PSYC2009 Quantitative Methods in Psychology

SCOM2031 Science, Risk and Ethics

SOCY2162 Sociology of Health and Illness

A minimum of 6 units from completion of 3000-level courses from the Science course list

Or:

Pre-Medicine

18 units from completion of the following courses:

BIOL2171 Biochemistry and Nutrition

CHEM1101 Chemistry 1

CHEM1201 Chemistry 2

6 units from completion of 3000-level courses from the Science course list.

48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU

Elective Study

Once you have met the program requirements of your degree, you may have enough electives to complete an additional elective major, minor or specialisation.

Study Options

Year 1 - 48 units

Year 2 - 48 units

Year 3 - 48 units

Admission Requirements

Admission to all programs is on a competitive basis. Admission to undergraduate degrees is based on meeting the ATAR requirement or an equivalent rank derived from the following qualifications:

• An Australian year 12 qualification or international equivalent; OR
• A completed Associate Diploma, Associate Degree, AQF Diploma, Diploma, AQF Advanced Diploma, Graduate Certificate or international equivalent; OR
• At least one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) in a single program of degree level study at an Australian higher education institution or international equivalent; OR
• An approved tertiary preparation course unless subsequent study is undertaken.

Click HERE for further information about domestic admission.

Additional requirements

Admission to the Bachelor of Health Science also requires a successful assessment of suitability based on responses included in the Bachelor of Health Science Supplementary Form. The form must be submitted by 25th May for domestic students that are applying direct to the ANU and November 30th in the year of application for UAC applications. International applicants need to submit this form by the 30th November in the year of application. Submission of this form is compulsory for all applicants.

There are 60 places available in each intake of the Bachelor of Health Science.

Of the 60 places available in the Bachelor of Health Science, 15 places are reserved for applicants from a rural background. Applicants from a rural background are asked to indicate this in their supplementary form and are required to submit supporting documentation with their application.

Places are also available in the Bachelor of Health Science for applicants who are of Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent. Applicants are asked to indicate this in their supplementary form and are required to submit supporting documentation with their application.

Supporting documentation must also be submitted by 31st May for direct applications submitted to ANU and November 30th in the year of application for UAC applications.

Please see ANU Undergraduate – Additional Selection Criteria for further information.

Entry requirements

Domestic School-leavers

Domestic students completing an Australian Year 12 or the IB program (November session) in Australia in 2019 apply directly to The Australian National University by submitting an Admission, Scholarships and Accomodation application here. All students will still need to meet the published entry requirements for the program they have applied for.

In addition to meeting the published entry requirements, school leavers are required met the co-curricular or service requirement (CCS). The CCS functions as a threshold that is either met or not met, you can learn more about the CCS and check if you’ve met the CCS requirement here.

You will be directed to the appropriate application system when you select ‘Apply’.

Domestic Non school-leavers

Domestic non-school leavers (including students transferring to ANU, mature age applicants and students who are otherwise not a school-leaver) can apply to ANU via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

You will be directed to the appropriate application system when you select ‘Apply’.

International applicants

International applicants may view further information on admissions requirements at Entry Requirements for International Undergraduate Applicants.

Additional information for applicants

More information about ATAR requirements for individual programs can be found on the ANU website.

The National Register of higher education providers is an authoritative source of information that will help you confirm your institution of choice is registered to deliver higher education in Australia.

The Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) website allows you to do side-by-side comparisons of Australian universities, so you can find out more about the universities that interest you.

The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs as required.

The admission requirements listed on this page are a guide to the entry level required for domestic applicants. Exact entry level will be set at time of offer.

Prerequisites

There are no formal program prerequisites and many first-year science courses assume little specific knowledge. The exceptions are:

• For many of the biology majors, chemistry is a requirement, therefore it is recommended that students have at least an ACT minor (but preferably a major) in chemistry, or successful completion of a bridging course in chemistry, or multistrand science in NSW, or equivalent. Chemistry is essential for all later-year courses in the biological streams of biochemistry and cell biology, microbiology and immunology, molecular genetics, animal and human physiology, and some parts of botany and neuroscience. A bridging course is available in February details can be obtained through science.enquiries@anu.edu.au
• CHEM1101: ACT major in Chemistry, or successful completion of a bridging course in chemistry, or multistrand science in NSW, or equivalent, is required. Chemistry is essential for all later-year courses in chemistry. A bridging course is available in February details can be obtained through science.enquiries@anu.edu.au
• MATH1003: Assumed knowledge: ACT Mathematical Methods (major)/Further Mathematics/Specialist Mathematics (major)/ Specialist Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent
• MATH1005: ACT Mathematical Methods (major)/Further Mathematics/Specialist Mathematics (major)/ Specialist Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent
• MATH1013: A satisfactory pass in ACT Specialist Mathematics Major - Minor or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1 or equivalent. Students with a good pass in ACT Mathematical Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent will be considered
• MATH1115: A satisfactory pass in ACT Specialist Mathematics double major or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 2 or equivalent. Students with excellent marks in either ACT Specialist Mathematics major-minor or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1 or equivalent may be permitted to enrol
• PHYS1101: There is a corequisite of MATH1013/1115. See the entries above. There is no formal physics prerequisite but preparation is assumed and recommended. Recommended preparation is - NSW: a high standard in 2 unit physics or a multistrand science; ACT: a high standard in physics (major). 

Adjustment Factors

ANU offers rank adjustments for a number of adjustment factors, including for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. Rank adjustments are applied to Bachelor degree applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 points (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustments, maximum 10 equity-based adjustments and maximum 5 Elite Athlete adjustments) will be awarded. Please note that Adjustment Factors vary and do not apply to a select few programs, please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are. Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

1. understand the biomedical sciences underpinning the functioning of the healthy body.
2. understand the determinants of good and poor health including biological, social and economical factors as they apply to Australian and global contexts.
3. demonstrate an understanding and a commitment to professional ethics, social accountability, and cultural competency.
4. search, analyse and synthesise information and to propose research questions relevant to biomedical science, population health and public health policy.
5. succeed in leading and participating in teams to deliver successful health outcomes.