Overview

Promote health and wellbeing for all with our Bachelor of Health Science/Bachelor of Science. 

Examine the physical, psychological and social aspects of health – in settings from hospitals to rehabilitation facilities to aged care settings. 

Plus, learn about contemporary issues in health science, such as biomedical testing or health communication, and how to address them.

Course prerequisites have changed

The English and EAL study scores have been updated for Semester 1, 2025 entry. Please see the Entry requirements tab for updated information.

Change of Preference Expo

Looking for your #1 VTAC preference? Explore your options and get personalised advice from course experts, based on your Year 12 results. Friday 13 December, Hawthorn campus.

Your industry experience

Bolster your CV with real industry experience while you study through our Work Integrated Learning programs – a guaranteed part of all our bachelor degrees. This double degree includes the opportunity to apply your learning and work collaboratively in multi-disciplinary teams on:

  • a health-industry linked project in Health Sciences Project (HEA30001)
  • three science-industry linked projects.

Skills you’ll learn

  • Health science communication
  • Health science research skills
  • Professional and ethical behaviours
  • Critical data analysis
  • Problem solving
  • Report writing skills

Your career opportunities

  • Medical researcher
  • Health policy developer
  • Healthcare consultant
  • Forensic scientist
  • Sustainability analyst
  • Meteorologist and climate modeller

Key codes

CRICOS course code
093360F
VTAC Code (IFP)
3400211043
VTAC Code (CSP)
3400211041
International student visa

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.

Professional accreditations

*This accreditation is only for students who complete a Major in Physics, in conjunction with the Higher Mathematics Minor

Why Swinburne?

Ranked Top 500 in Public Health

ARWU Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022

The only uni in Australia to have both MRI and MEG at a single site

Top 200 for Physics

Times Higher Education World University Ranking by Subject 2023

Top 200 for Physical Science

ARWU Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022
Bachelor of Health Science

Study Health Science at Swinburne

At Swinburne you'll have access to cutting-edge technology, virtual reality and digital dissection tables. Combining this with real-world experience, you'll leave more than a graduate, you'll leave a workforce ready practitioner.

Qualifications

One of the following:

  • successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification
  • completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including certificates IV (completed), diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees).

Guaranteed Entry ATAR

65.0

You’ll be guaranteed a place in this course if you meet or exceed the ATAR Guaranteed Entry Score, provided you meet the course prerequisites.

If your ATAR is below the guaranteed entry score, you can still be offered a place as your ATAR may be adjusted based on subject bonuses, equity schemes or other factors. Use the above ATAR as a guide on your eligibility, and see the course handbook page for more information on entry requirements. 

Additional performance criteria and prerequisite requirements may also apply. Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit.

*Applicants without a formal qualification but with significant and relevant work experience will be considered if they can demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success.

Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.

Course prerequisites

These prerequisites have been updated for Semester 1 2025 entry
  • VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 20 in any English (except EAL) or 25 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent
  • VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 20 in any Mathematics or equivalent

Applicants who do not meet the mathematics prerequisites for this course will be required to successfully complete Swinburne’s MathsLink Further Mathematics bridging program.

  • General Mathematics studies must be equivalent to the Year 12 Further Mathematics subjects: VCE Further Mathematics 3 and 4, that include topics in data analysis, recursion and financial modelling, matrices, networks and decision mathematics, geometry and measurement, graphs and relations.
Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. Check admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Credit transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Apply for a pathway course

Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and/or provides credit (advanced standing) to the second.

Note: This information should be used as a guide for those who have completed a course and are seeking credit into another course. For those yet to commence their course, during the time taken to complete, this information may change. Credit available may vary depending on the major selected within any given degree. Progression to professional degrees may be subject to additional criteria or academic performance.

Add your major

Add your major for a more personalised experience.

How credit points work

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Health Science/ Bachelor of Science requires students to complete units of study to the value of 400-500 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.

16
Core units
+
16
Major units
=
4-year bachelor degree

What your course could look like

This is the indicative sequence for Semester 1, 2025 only. You are advised to use the study plan template available via your student portal in conjunction with your course planner to plan your studies. Sequence may also vary depending on advanced standing and exemptions. The unit offering information is correct at the time of publication, however changes may occur.

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Anatomy and Physiology
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO10004
Introduction to Health Sciences
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
HEA10001
Digital Health Foundations
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
HEA10004
Brain and Behaviour
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY10007
Foundations of Statistics
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
STA10003
Health and Disease Across the Life Course
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO20004
Research Methods for Health Sciences
Core unit, Non-psychology majors only
HEA20007
Introduction to Research Methods
Core unit, Psychology majors only
PSY10005
Units of study Unit code
Core units
Technology and Society
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
ART10002
Concepts of Biology
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO10001
Chemistry 1
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
CHE10001
Introduction to Chemistry
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
CHE10004
Preliminary Mathematics
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
MTH00007
Foundations of Statistics
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
STA10003
Digital and Data Systems
Core unit
ENG10004
Essential Mathematics
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
MTH10010
Calculus and Applications
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
MTH10012
Linear Algebra and Applications
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
MTH10013
Sustainability Challenges in Science
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
NPS10003
Energy and Motion
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PHY10001
Introduction to Physics
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PHY10002
Skills and Strategies for Social Change
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
ART20003
Societal Challenges in Science
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
NPS20011
Changemakers in Action
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
ART30004
BA Professional Practice
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
ART30005
Grand Challenges in Science
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
NPS30004

Science core unit selection

Students must select one unit from each of the following unit areas.

Chemistry:

  • CHE10001
  • CHE10004

STEM:

  • MTH00007
  • STA10003
  • ENG10004

Mathematics:

  • MTH10010
  • MTH10012
  • MTH10013

Physics:

  • PHY10001
  • PHY10002
Want to see the full range of electives?

Learn about all the electives you can take in the course handbook.

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$9,314

Total fee* ($AUD)

$37,256

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$42,800.00

Fees are estimates only

Published student tuition fees for 2025 unit enrolments in HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) are subject to change based on individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees may vary for units studied in future years, with part-time fees being proportionally lower depending on the number of units taken per semester. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.

How do I pay my fees?

HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to you if you are eligible and enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of your contribution amount. You can also choose to pay your fees up front. 

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

  • log in to My Financials
  • check your Australian bank account details are correct 
  • check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe 
  • pay using your preferred payment method.

Eligibility for HECS-HELP

You are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan if you have been offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) for an undergraduate degree at Swinburne or a UniLink course, and you:

  • are an Australian citizen and doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
  • hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
  • hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens.

Student services and amenities fee

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

The fee shown in the capped amount for 2025.

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$365

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$365

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals. 

Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Professional placement fees

Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Representatives and agents
BB-HSCSCI
Search for agents

Apply directly

Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.

Course code
BB-HSCSCI
Apply directly
Course code
BB-HSCSCI
CRICOS code
093360F
Apply directly

Apply through VTAC

International students currently studying Year 12 in Australia must apply through VTAC. VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria. 

VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.

Applying through Early Entry Program?

If you are applying through the EEP Program you will need a special code to apply.

VTAC Code (CSP)
3400211041
Apply through VTAC
VTAC Code (IFP)
3400211043
Apply through VTAC
Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
26-February-2025
Start dates
03-March-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
30-July-2025
Start dates
04-August-2025
Start dates
Location
Start dates
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
03-March-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
04-August-2025
Upcoming events
Course and Career One-on-ones
25-November-2024
Change of Preference Expo 2024
13-December-2024