Overview
Choose a rewarding career in public health, health services or community development with a health science degree from VU.
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.
Progress to higher-level study
Graduates from our Bachelor of Health Science can progress to higher qualifications in health sciences or public health.
We offer varied and exciting research opportunities. Benefit from our excellent research centres and state-of-the-art facilities. Our collaborations with health institutes, other universities and community organisations give you fantastic real-world experience.
If you’re interested in a career in public health, our Master of Global Public Health will help you achieve your goals.
Aim to find work in:
- government
- international organisations such as the UN, WHO, UNICEF, ACSM
- not-for-profit organisations
- academic and research institutions.
Learning advice
VU’s Learning Hubs are welcoming spaces where you can improve your study and employability skills.
Our students can attend Learning Hubs at one of five VU campuses.
We offer maths, writing, careers and English-language advice and can show you effective ways to study and manage your time.
Our programs include:
- workshops
- drop-in sessions
- peer mentoring
- maths and writing resources
- resume and career guidance.
We also have accessibility support services and counselling services available to all students.
Study overseas while earning course credits
At VU you can spend part of your degree studying overseas all while gaining credits towards your course.
Immerse yourself in a new culture and learn from a new perspective, while building experiences that will help you to stand out in the competitive job market.
Careers in health science
When you graduate, you may find employment in areas such as:
- public health
- health promotion
- health and community organisations
- pharmaceutical industries
- professional associations
- health foundations
- health administration
- public health research programs
- policy and development
- program development with non-government organisations.
- education.
Salaries
Use Labour Market Insights to find average salaries in Australia for various health services professions, including:
Job growth is very strong for health and welfare service managers, nutrition professionals, and other health diagnostic and promotion professionals (Labour Market Insights).
Course structure
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).
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
-
- Unit code
- AEK1203
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HBM1001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HBM1202
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HCM1000
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HHB1104
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HHB1105
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HHB1204
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HPC1000
- Credits
- 12
Compulsory Majors
-
- Unit code
- HMAPBH
Majors
-
- Unit code
- HMAIND
Minors
-
- Unit code
- SMIHEA
-
- Unit code
- HMIHNU
-
- Unit code
- HMIIND
-
- Unit code
- HMIBIO
Achieve more with the VU Block Model
We are the first Australian university to use a 'block' model of learning, where you study one unit at a time rather than juggling several at once.
Introduced in 2018, the VU Block Model has improved our student results and achievements, and has won awards for innovation and excellence. Initially for first-year students, it now applies to all students studying at our Melbourne campuses.
You'll study in short bursts, called blocks, of three 2-3 hour face-to-face teaching sessions per week.
Each block focuses on one unit (subject) and is only four weeks long, with up to four days between. Our two semesters have four blocks each, and there are optional blocks over winter and summer where you can catch up on a missed unit.
Some courses have labs and pracs too, and these are generally scheduled on the same days as teaching sessions. There are also workshops where you'll develop your study skills and prepare for your future career.
Find out more about the VU Block Model.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
| 1. | Critically review selected social, biological, economic, political and environmental determinants of health, well-being and disease and explain how they manifest in both local and global contexts; | ||
| 2. | Evaluate and justify the use of best-evidence based methods and technologies to investigate and propose solutions to contemporary, emerging and future-oriented issues in public health; | ||
| 3. | Apply a broad and coherent knowledge base and skills in the health sciences to analyse predictable, unpredictable and sometimes complex problems which reflect the multi-faceted nature of health, well-being and disease; | ||
| 4. | Conceptually map key ethical, legal and professional components within the domain of health. |
What's a unit?
A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.
Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.
Credits
Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.
Fees & scholarships
Fee type definitions
The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or a full fee-paying place.
Students who enrol in a:
- Commonwealth supported place pay tuition fees that are partly subsidised by the Australian government
- full fee-paying place need to pay the full amount for all enrolled units before census each study period.
In addition to your tuition fees, you may also be charged a Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Scholarships & assistance
Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.
We can help with fee assistance and advice.
Admissions
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
We consider both ATAR and other criteria
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.
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).
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.
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).
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.
Pathways & credits
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.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Credit for skills and past study
Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous 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 chair 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
How to apply
Applications for this course are not being taken at this time.
Browse our other Health & biomedicine courses or send us an enquiry to be notified of updates relating to this course.
Enquire now
Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.
Get help
- Visit a student service centre
- 1300 VIC UNI (1300 842 864)
- Visit the glossary
At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.
