Why Study / Key Benefits

The Diploma of Health Science (UniLink) is an undergraduate pathway qualification designed for students who want to progress into a bachelor's degree in health, science or related disciplines but may need an alternative entry route.

Key benefits include:

• Provides a structured pathway into selected Swinburne bachelor's degrees.
• Completion provides up to 100 credit points toward the Bachelor of Health Science and several other degrees.
• Provides foundation knowledge in anatomy, psychology, statistics, health science, digital health and research.
• Develops critical thinking, research, academic English and professional communication skills.
• Includes embedded English-language development and additional academic-learning support.
• Smaller class sizes and increased class time are available compared with a standard degree environment.
• International students have access to 24/7 learning support services.
• Students have access to Swinburne facilities and the broader Hawthorn campus community.
• Successful completion can allow students to enter the later stages of a bachelor's degree rather than starting the degree from the beginning.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The Diploma of Health Science (UniLink) consists of 8 units worth 12.5 credit points each.

Core units

• Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology – BIO10007
• Psychology Fundamentals – PSY10006
• Statistics 101 – STA10008
• Health and Disease – BIO20009
• Health Science 1 – HEA10002
• Introduction to Digital Health – HEA10005
• Introduction to Research Thinking for Health and Science – HEA10007

Elective

Students choose one of:

• Introduction to Biology – BIO10006
• Sports & Exercise Science 101 – SPH10002

Total: 100 credit points.

The programme covers foundational topics such as:

• Anatomy and physiology
• Psychology
• Statistics and quantitative thinking
• Health and disease
• Health science
• Digital health
• Research thinking
• Biology or sports and exercise science, depending on the elective selected.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The Diploma of Health Science (UniLink) does not have a separate major or specialisation.

It is a general health science pathway qualification designed to support progression into selected bachelor's degrees.

A particularly direct pathway is:

Diploma of Health Science (UniLink) ? Bachelor of Health Science.

Swinburne currently also identifies progression pathways into:

• Bachelor of Health Science
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Psychological Sciences
• Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science
• Bachelor of Biomedical Science
• Bachelor of Aviation Management

Programme Highlights

• 8-month full-time pathway diploma.
• 100 credit points.
• 7 core units plus 1 elective.
• CRICOS registered for international students: 088689A.
• Hawthorn campus in Melbourne for the Australian pathway.
• Multiple annual intakes.
• Current 2027 starts in February and June, with an additional October 2026 intake.
• Up to 100 credit points toward the Bachelor of Health Science.
• Embedded academic English development.
• Smaller class sizes and additional learning support.
• 24/7 learning support services.
• Foundation knowledge in anatomy, psychology, statistics, health science, digital health and research.
• Designed to enable progression into a bachelor's degree rather than functioning primarily as a standalone professional qualification.

Career Outcomes

The Diploma of Health Science (UniLink) is primarily a pathway qualification. Swinburne's career information therefore describes employment opportunities after completion of the chosen bachelor's degree rather than treating the diploma itself as the final professional qualification.

The university identifies possible career areas after progressing through an appropriate bachelor's degree, including:

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

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• Current course code: DP-HSC1.
• Current CRICOS code: 088689A.
• The current standard duration is 8 months full-time.
• The current published 2027 pathway starts are 22 February 2027 and 21 June 2027.
• International students holding an Australian Student visa must study full-time and on campus.
• Students should be aware of Swinburne's Informed Choices requirements. The course involves capabilities relating to visual information, health data, anatomy, laboratory results, communication, numeracy, digital literacy, critical thinking, collaboration and professional conduct. Swinburne indicates that reasonable adjustments may be available for a number of adaptable components.
• The diploma is intended as a pathway and can provide advanced standing into eligible bachelor's degrees. Credit availability can change and may depend on the destination degree and major.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying this CRICOS-registered course in Australia generally require an Australian Student visa, subclass 500.

Core visa requirements

The Department of Home Affairs states that Student visa applicants must:

• Be enrolled in an eligible full-time course.
• Hold a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) when the visa is decided.
• Hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies.
• Meet the applicable visa eligibility requirements.
• Meet the Genuine Student requirement.
• Provide welfare arrangements if under 18.

Genuine Student requirement

Student visa applications lodged from 23 March 2024 are assessed under the Genuine Student requirement.

Applicants must address questions concerning:

• Their current circumstances, including relevant family, community, employment and economic ties.
• Why they want to study the selected course in Australia with the selected provider.
• Their understanding of studying and living in Australia.
• How completing the course will benefit them.
• Any other relevant information.

The Department of Home Affairs states that responses must be in English and are limited to 150 words per question. Supporting evidence should be provided where relevant.

Work rights

Current Student visa conditions allow students to work:

• Up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session.
• Unlimited hours when the course is not in session, subject to the applicable visa conditions.