Overview

The Bachelor of Health Science (Professional) prepares you for a career promoting physical, psychological and social aspects of health and wellbeing.

You'll have access to the latest technology and facilities at Swinburne – we’re the only university in Australia with MRI and MEG labs on campus.

Plus, all Professional degrees feature a built-in 12-month paid work placement.

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 major

Our Psychology and Forensic Science major prepares you for a rewarding career applying specialist knowledge in psychology to aspects of the law, the justice system and forensic science. Discover the roles of research and statistics in forensic issues by completing projects on research design and units related to forensic psychology.  

Note: This Major is 12 units (150 Credit Points), and is not available for students in a double degree. 

Our Psychology and Forensic Science major prepares you for a rewarding career applying specialist knowledge in psychology to aspects of the law, the justice system and forensic science. Discover the roles of research and statistics in forensic issues by completing projects on research design and units related to forensic psychology.

Note: This major is not available to international students through the Bachelor of Health Science (Professional) course. If you are an international student and would like to study the Psychology and Forensic Science major, please go to our Bachelor of Health Science course.

Your industry experience

All our bachelor degrees include a guaranteed Work Integrated Learning opportunity. This Professional Degree features a mandatory 12-month paid professional work placement. You'll benefit from Swinburne’s unique industry partnerships, gain invaluable full-time work experience and earn credit towards your degree.

Skills you’ll learn

  • Strong communication skills
  • Cognitive skills to analyse
  • Critical thinking
  • Technical skills
  • Work effectively in a team

Your career opportunities

  • Psychologist (with further study)
  • Forensic psychologist (with further study)
  • Behavioural therapist
  • Medical researcher
  • Counsellor
  • Youth worker

Key codes

CRICOS course code
095885E
VTAC Code (IFP)
3400210813
VTAC Code (CSP)
3400210811
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

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

86% of graduates found employment within 4 months of completing their course

#1 in Melbourne for graduate salary 5 years out - $85.3K (national average $66.3K)

  • "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)

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

75.0

Lowest ATAR to receive an offer in 2024 [after adjustment factors]

75.05

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: 

  • the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate Year 12 qualification.

Note: Only students applying through VTAC will be considered for admission directly into this course. Other international students may apply to transfer to this course from the Bachelor of Health Science if they are successful in gaining a professional placement.

Course prerequisites

  • VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent.
  • VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent.
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.

How credit points work

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Health Science (Professional) requires students to complete units of study to the value of 375–400 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.

8
Core units
+
12
Major units
+
4
Elective units
+
4
Work placement 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
Semester 1
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
Foundations of Statistics
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
STA10003
Semester 2
Brain and Behaviour
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY10007
Introduction to Forensic Science
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
CHE10007
Fundamentals of Psychology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY10008
Introduction to Forensic Psychology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
FOR10001
Want to see the full range of electives?

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

Units of study Unit code
Semester 1
Research Methods for Health Science
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
HEA20007
Developmental Psychology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY20007
Analysis of Variance and Regression
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
STA20006
Elective
Elective unit
Semester 2
Health and Disease Across the Life Course
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO20004
Cognition and Human Performance
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY20006
Social Psychology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY20016
Statistics for Forensics
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
STA20008
Units of study Unit code
Professional placement - 12 months
Work Experience in Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points
WEI20001
Integrated Professional Placement A - Health
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points
HEA20003
Work Experience in Industry B
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points
WEI20002
Integrated Professional Placement B - Health
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points
HEA20004
Units of study Unit code
Semester 1
Psychology of Personality
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY30008
Elective
Elective unit
Elective
Elective unit
Elective
Elective unit
Semester 2
Health Sciences Project
Core unit, 12.5 credit points, Non-psychology majors only
HEA30001
Advanced Topics in Forensic Psychology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
FOR30001
Mental health diversity, diagnosis and treatment
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY30016
History and Philosophy of Psychology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PSY30013

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$9,314

Total fee* ($AUD)

$34,928

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$38,960.00

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.

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
BA-HSCPROF
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
BA-HSCPROF
Apply directly
Course code
BA-HSCPROF
CRICOS code
095885E
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.

VTAC Code (CSP)
3400210811
Apply through VTAC
VTAC Code (IFP)
3400210813
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
Start dates
Location
Start dates
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
03-March-2025
Upcoming events
Course and Career One-on-ones
25-November-2024
Change of Preference Expo 2024
13-December-2024