Bachelor of Health Science

Our degree provides the foundations for a range of health and science careers.

You’ll study core bioscience, research and public-health topics.

From your second year, you’ll choose a health-science or biomedical specialisation in line with your career aspirations.

You’ll graduate with expertise in:

disease and injury prevention health research health promotion basic epidemiology.

We offer flexible study options and a hands-on approach that will have you job-ready for your chosen career.

You’ll graduate with the skills and knowledge to work on government health programs and private-practice initiatives, and with NGOs.

You can progress further in the health field with our top-rated graduate program.

Study more-advanced topics and gain high-level research skills with a masters or doctoral degree.

To successfully attain the Bachelor of Health Science, students will be required to complete 288 credit points consisting of:

• 96 credit points of First Year Core studies;
• 96 credit points of Public Health Major studies;

Plus One of the following:

Option A:

• 96 credit points of Indigenous Health Major studies;

Option B:

• 96 credit points of Minor studies (Two Minor sets in total from the list below).

Students that complete the first year of College Core studies can elect to graduate with the following (Option A) double Major:

• Majors in Public Health and Indigenous Health.

Students that complete the first year of College Core studies and a single Major in Public Health, can elect to graduate with (Option B) two minors to complement their Major, as follows:

• Indigenous Health (HMIIND);
• Health (Sport Science Minor) (SMIHEA);
• Health and Nutrition (HMIHNU), and;
• Bioscience (HMIBIO).

Course structure and units

First Year Core Units

• Indigenous Health and Wellbeing Unit code AEK1203 Credits12
• Anatomy and Physiology 1 Unit code HBM1001 Credits12
• Anatomy and Physiology 2 Unit code HBM1202 Credits12
• Professional Communication Unit code HCM1000 Credits12
• Introduction to Public Health and Wellness Unit code HHB1104 Credits12
• Evidence and Health 1 Unit code HHB1105 Credits12
• Australian Health and Social Care Systems and Policy Unit code HHB1204 Credits12
• Introduction to Human Nutrition and Food Unit code HPC1000 Credits12

Compulsory Majors

• Public Health Unit code HMAPBH

Majors

• Indigenous Health Unit code HMAIND

Minors

• Health (Sport Science Minor) Unit code SMIHEA
• Health and Nutrition Unit code HMIHNU
• Indigenous Health Unit code HMIIND
• Bioscience Unit code HMIBIO

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Admission criteria

The minimum criteria for admission varies depending on your education background. If you’re not sure which criteria applies to you, use the help tool on this page or make an enquiry and we can assist.

Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last 2 years)

• Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE) or
• an Australian or overseas equivalent or
• an International Baccalaureate (IB).

Importance of ATAR for this course

ATAR+

We consider both ATAR and other criteria

NA

ATAR is not a consideration. We use other criteria

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.

Why is ATAR not applicable?

You will not need an ATAR score to meet the admission requirements for this course. Only the successful completion of your secondary school studies, and any additional prerequisites. Our courses and support programs are designed to prepare students from diverse cultures for success, regardless of their prior experience, ATAR, age, socioeconomic or educational background.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

• Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
• Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET/TAFE) study

This information is for people who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).OR:Completion of the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (or equivalent).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

• Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
• Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with higher education study

This information is for people whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course.

Admission criteria

Full or partial completion of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent). OR:Completion of a single unit of Higher Education studies. OR:Completion of a bridging or enabling course eg. Foundation course or equivalent.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

• Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
• Special consideration for direct applicants.

Applicants with work & life experience

This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.

Admission criteria

Five years (minimum) work/life experience in Health Sciences or similar.OR:Applicants that completed an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.PLUS:Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

• Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
• Special consideration for direct applicants.

Additional information

Students may be required to undergo a Victoria Police Check, Working with Children check, a medical check and a physical capacity test dependent upon units chosen.

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Pathways from VU courses

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Credit for skills and past study

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course coordinator or academic adviser.

Pathways to further study

On completion of this course you will be guaranteed entry into the following degree and in some cases receive credit for your study:

You will be credited for up to 48 credit points of study.

Find out more about our study pathways to VU

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to: