Bachelor of Health Science/Bachelor of Media and Communication
60.0
Choose your majors for Bachelor of Health Science
Choose your majors for Bachelor of Media and Communication
Biomedical Science
Use cutting-edge, interactive tech to understand the human body in a range of health and disease states in our Biomedical Science major.
Clinical Technologies
Learn about anatomy and physiology using cutting-edge med-tech in our Clinical Technologies major, which is endorsed by the Australian Neurophysiological Scientists of Australia (ANSA).
Neuroscience
Learn how to interpret the data generated by MRI and MEG machines to identify healthy brains, brain disorders, and diseases of the central nervous system in our Neuroscience major.
Nutrition
If you've put dietitian or nutritionist on your career menu, learn how food affects our world in our hands-on lab-based nutrition major.
Psychology and Forensic Science
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.
Psychology and Psychophysiology
Our Psychology and Psychophysiology major explores the role of physiological processes in psychology to prepare you for an engaging career on the frontiers of science and technology.
Public Health and Health Promotion
Empower people to live their healthiest lives by harnessing the power of digital technology through our Public Health and Health Promotion major.
Advertising
Gain vital skills to succeed in the creative world of advertising. Explore effective design and strategy, advertising development and implementation. Create ads that hit the mark with audiences.
Cinema and Screen Studies
Explore the wide variety of film and TV genres, industry perspectives, and production styles. Benefit from a range of industry links with leading Screen Culture organisations.
Creative Writing and Publishing
Gain an understanding of creative text and popular culture in literature. Develop models for your own writing and critiquing skills in literature, while exploring subjects such as self and society.
Immersive Media
Learn how to develop content for the future of entertainment, business and advertising with a major in immersive media. Engage in 360, VR (Virtual Reality), AR (Augmented Reality), and MR (Mixed Reality) interactive experiences.
Journalism
Combine traditional journalistic skills with online publishing and multimedia production. Learn the skills required for interacting with audiences, social networking and building online communities.
Public Relations
Influence the public perception of an organisation through engaging content, targeted messaging and strategic campaigns. This degree is accredited by the Public Relations Institute of Australia.
Social Media
Gain a comprehensive understanding of social media platforms within social, cultural and industry contexts. Learn how to analyse new and emerging media technologies and drive their use and innovation across industry.
Overview
The Bachelor of Health Science/Bachelor of Media and Communication will equip students with a comprehensive set of skills, knowledge and attributes to effectively promote health messages, products and innovations to a wide range of audiences.
You'll explore Australian and international health challenges and examine the physical, psychological and social aspects of health in a variety of settings.
You'll also gain knowledge about how the media is evolving through an examination of issues such as diversity, the influence of social networking, data, ownership and privacy, automated media and the digital economy.
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
Work Integrated Learning is a guaranteed part of all our bachelor degrees. In this double degree, you’ll work on industry-linked projects relevant to your major areas of study. For example, in the Health Sciences Project (HEA30001), you'll work on a project which addresses a current industry challenge. And in units Digital Marketing Project 1 and 2 (DIG30001 and DIG30002) you'll work in teams on a significant digital advertising or marketing project.
Skills you’ll learn
- Health science communication
- Health science research skills
- Professional and ethical behaviours
- Media content creation
- Critical and analytical thinking
- Teamwork and collaboration
Your career opportunities
- Medical researcher
- Health policy developer
- Healthcare consultant
- Copywriter
- Media content creators
- Advertising consultant
Key codes
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 Swinburne?
86% of graduates found employment within 4 months of completing their course
The only uni in Australia to have both MRI and MEG at a single site
#1 in Melbourne for overall experience
Top 200 for Communication
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)
- applicants without a formal qualification may be considered for entry upon completion of the STAT test.
Guaranteed Entry ATAR
60.0
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.
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)
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
English language requirements
Satisfactory completion of one of the following:
- IELTS overall band of 6.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 65%, all skills 65% or above
- or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
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.
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
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.
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Diploma of Business (UniLink)
-
Diploma of Health Science (UniLink)
-
Diploma of Arts and Communication (UniLink)
-
Diploma of Business (UniLink)
8 months full-time, 6-8 units max credit
-
Diploma of Health Science (UniLink)
8 months full-time, 8 units max credit
-
Diploma of Arts and Communication (UniLink)
8 months full-time, 8 units max credit
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 Media and Communication requires students to complete units of study to the value of 400-450 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
What your course could look like
These are some examples of the units currently in this course. Your sequence may vary depending on unit availability, prerequisite requirements and the semester in which you commenced your course.
| 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 | |
|
Introduction to Media Studies
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
MDA10001 |
|
Global Media Industries
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
MDA10008 |
|
Communicating with Data
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
MDA10012 |
|
Content Creator Lab
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
MDA10018 |
|
Professional Communication Practice
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
COM10007 |
|
Media Content Creation
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
JOU10007 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Option 1 | |
|
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 |
| or | |
| Option 2 | |
|
Work Experience in Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20001 |
|
Integrated Professional Placement A - Media and Communication
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
MDA20016 |
|
Work Experience in Industry B
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20002 |
|
Integrated Professional Placement B - Media and Communication
Acedemic unit, 25.0 credit points |
MDA20017 |
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$13,153
Total fee* ($AUD)
$52,612
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($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.
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.
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.
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.