Overview

Study health science to learn about global health issues facing individuals and communities. Gain practical skills in promoting health and wellbeing while participating in group work and learning to work individually.

You’ll gain an understanding of  the concepts, theories, practices and evidence relating to health science in today’s world and develop an understanding of the professional and ethical behaviours required in health care. Discover how to use industry-relevant technologies to build a successful career and prepare for further study in the health care sector. 

Why UniLink?

Our UniLink diplomas are designed to provide a seamless connection from diploma to bachelor degree. They’re an alternative pathway – with a next gen difference! You’ll join our thriving Hawthorn campus community and gain access to all the same Swinburne facilities and support as your degree peers, with the addition of tailored support. You’ll have access to increased one-on-one time with your experienced teachers, English language development and learning support, smaller class sizes and increased class time to further develop the skills you need to succeed. 

View Diploma of Health Science (UniLink) course handbook

Skills you’ll learn

  • Critical thinking
  • Health science research skills
  • Applications of technology
  • Personal and professional development
  • Applications of health sciences
  • Academic English and professional communication

Support available to you

We provide integrated support to you as an international student to help develop the skills you need to make a successful transition to study with Swinburne. The support services available include:

  • Embedded English language development within all course units
  • Smaller class sizes to ensure personalised development and learning support
  • Learning support services available 24/7
  • Increased class time dedicated to developing academic and communication skills
  • Access to expert teachers specialising in assisting non-English speaking students

Your career opportunities

After completion of the chosen bachelor degree, graduates may find employment in a wide range industries and associated areas.

  • Medical researcher
  • Health policy developer
  • Clinical psychologist
  • Hospital scientist
  • Healthcare consultant
  • Health communication officer

Key codes

CRICOS course code
088689A
VTAC Code (IFP)
3400211543
VTAC Code (CSP)
3400210821
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.

Why choose a UniLink diploma?

No time or cost added to your degree

Seamless and guaranteed connection to your degree

24/7 support for Academic English and skill development

Smaller class sizes and one-on-one time with teachers

Admissions

Successful completion of Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification. 

Non-Year 12 entry 

Completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees). 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.

The University may determine selection criteria and restrictions in respect of courses to apply in addition to these entry requirements.

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

Assess your eligibility for entry to Swinburne

Course prerequisites

  • VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 20 in English OR at least 25 in English as an Additional Language (EAL).
  • VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 20 in English OR at least 25 in English as an Additional Language (EAL).
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.

Finding your fit

At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.

Apply for a pathway course

These pathways are recognised as an entry requirement to allow students to progress to a UniLink diploma.

How credit points work

To qualify for the award of the Diploma of Health Science (UniLink), students must successfully complete eight units (100 credit points) comprising:

7
Core units
+
1
Elective unit
=
UniLink diploma

Transitioning into a degree

UniLink allows students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and/or provides advanced standing to the second. Completion of this course allows you to progress to these courses.

UniLink diploma
+
2
2-year studies
=
Bachelor degree

Your units

  • Students choosing to progress to Bachelor of Psychological Sciences may need to repeat PSY10006 for accreditation within their degree.

2024 fees

Commonwealth Supported Fee* ($AUD)

$11,147

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$35,180.00

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 is 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)

$351.00

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

Future 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
DP-HSC1
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
DP-HSC1
Apply directly
Course code
DP-HSC1
CRICOS code
088689A
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)
3400210821
Apply through VTAC
VTAC Code (IFP)
3400211543
Apply through VTAC
Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
Pathways Intake 1
Location
Colombo
Last date to apply
19-February-2025
Start dates
24-February-2025
Pathways Intake 1
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
19-February-2025
Start dates
24-February-2025
Pathways Intake 2
Location
Colombo
Last date to apply
18-June-2025
Start dates
23-June-2025
Pathways Intake 2
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
18-June-2025
Start dates
23-June-2025
Pathways Intake 3
Location
Colombo
Last date to apply
15-October-2025
Start dates
20-October-2025
Pathways Intake 3
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
15-October-2025
Start dates
20-October-2025
Start dates
Location
Start dates
Pathways Intake 1
Location
Colombo
Start dates
24-February-2025
Pathways Intake 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
24-February-2025
Pathways Intake 2
Location
Colombo
Start dates
23-June-2025
Pathways Intake 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
23-June-2025
Pathways Intake 3
Location
Colombo
Start dates
20-October-2025
Pathways Intake 3
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
20-October-2025
Upcoming events
Course and Career One-on-ones
25-November-2024