Why Study / Key Benefits

• Provides advanced study and research training in Health Science after completion of a relevant undergraduate degree.
• Develops health-science research skills, project management, scientific writing and oral presentation skills.
• Provides supervised independent research experience through an honours project.
• Builds skills in applying health science and technology, analysing information and developing evidence-based solutions.
• Develops professional and ethical behaviours, communication, teamwork and personal/professional development.
• The individual research project accounts for 75% of the student's time, effort and grade, making research a major component of the qualification.
• Swinburne highlights health-science research facilities and lists subject-area rankings including Public Health and Psychology on the course page. These rankings are university-level/subject-level claims rather than a ranking of this particular degree

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme is structured around two research-supporting coursework units and two major project units.

1. Advanced Research Methods in Health Sciences – HEA40001
   12.5 credit points

   Focuses on advanced research methods relevant to health-science research.

2. Statistical Practice 1 – STA60001
   12.5 credit points

   Develops statistical/data-analysis capability relevant to health-science research.

3. Honours Project Part A – NPS40012
   25 credit points
4. Honours Project Part B – NPS40013
   50 credit points

Disciplines / Specialisations

Swinburne does not list separate formal majors or specialisations for this honours qualification. Instead, students can focus their honours research on an appropriate health-related discipline.

The handbook identifies areas including:

• Applied Statistics and Epidemiology
• Biomedical Science
• Health Across the Life Span
• Health Communication
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Nutrition
• Clinical Trials
• Psychophysiology
• Other health-related specialist areas

Programme Highlights

• One-year full-time honours qualification.
• 100 credit points.
• Research-intensive study.
• 75% of the honours assessment is associated with the individual research project.
• Supervised research project.
• Training in advanced health-science research methods.
• Statistical/data-management training.
• Development of scientific writing and presentation skills.
• Opportunities to focus research on a range of health-science disciplines.
• Suitable preparation for further research study and research-oriented professional roles.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne lists career opportunities including:

• Health Science researcher
• Health Science administrator
• Community health development officer
• Health promotion officer
• Clinical trials coordinator
• Hospital scientist

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• Current course code: BH-HSC.
• Current CRICOS code: 088687C.
• 2027 intakes are listed for 1 March and 2 August.
• Application closing dates currently shown are 24 February 2027 and 28 July 2027.
• A research supervisor must agree to the proposed honours project before admission.
• Students do not need to submit a detailed honours research proposal at the initial application stage; Swinburne says a simple indication of general research interests can be provided during the online application.
• Students should review the available honours projects and supervisors before applying.
• The programme has specific sensory, communication, critical-thinking, scientific-writing and teamwork requirements. Swinburne provides an “Informed Choices” section describing required and adaptable components and possible reasonable adjustments.
• Credit transfer and RPL are assessed case-by-case.
• International Student visa holders must study full-time and on campus.

International Student Visa Requirements

The relevant visa for an international student studying this course in Australia is the Australian Student visa, subclass 500.

Key requirements and conditions include:

• Students must hold a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for the course when the visa is decided.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is required unless an exemption applies.
• Applicants must satisfy the Genuine Student requirement.
• Health and character requirements apply.
• Financial-capacity evidence may be required depending on the applicant's circumstances and the document-checklist requirements.
• Students must comply with visa conditions and Australian law.
• Swinburne requires international students in Australia holding a Student visa to study full-time and on campus.

Work rights:

• The standard Student visa work condition permits up to 48 hours per fortnight while the course is in session.
• Unlimited work rights outside periods when the course is in session generally apply, subject to the student's visa conditions.
• The special unlimited-work provision for students enrolled in a master's by research or doctoral degree does not apply to this programme because the Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) is an undergraduate honours qualification.

Financial evidence:

Where financial evidence is required, the Department of Home Affairs states that students must demonstrate sufficient funds for relevant costs such as travel, tuition and living expenses. The current published 12-month living-cost figure for a primary student is AUD 29,710, with additional amounts for accompanying family members; the Department's document-checklist/evidence framework determines what an individual applicant must provide.

English for the visa:

• The university's admission requirement is IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0, or an approved equivalent.
• The Department of Home Affairs has a separate Student visa English-evidence framework. Applicants should use the Department's current Document Checklist Tool to determine whether an English test result must be submitted with their particular visa application.
• The postgraduate-research English exemption does not apply to this undergraduate honours course.

Genuine Student requirement:

Applicants lodging a Student visa application are required to address the Genuine Student questions, including their circumstances, reasons for choosing the course/provider, understanding of studying and living in Australia, and the benefits of completing the course. Responses are required in English and are limited to 150 words per question.