Why Study / Key Benefits

The Bachelor of Health Science at Swinburne is a three-year undergraduate degree covering health sciences, contemporary health practice, technology and specialised health disciplines. Students can choose from eight majors and build additional expertise through a second major, co-major, minor and/or electives.

Key benefits include:

• Broad foundation in health science, anatomy, physiology, statistics, health and disease, research methods and digital health.
• Eight specialist major options spanning biomedical science, neuroscience, nutrition, public health, health management and digital health.
• Guaranteed Work Integrated Learning as part of the bachelor degree, through an industry research project, placement or internship structure.
• Access to technology-focused learning, including virtual reality and digital dissection tables.
• Strong emphasis on health science research, communication, technology and professional/ethical practice.
• Opportunities to combine Health Science with another field through a second major, co-major, minor or electives.
• Potential progression into postgraduate study, including medicine and other specialised health programmes, subject to the separate admission requirements of the relevant programme.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The degree consists of three main components:

1. 100 credit points of core Health Science units.
2. 100 credit points from a selected Health Science major.
3. 100 credit points of additional study, which may include a second major, minor(s), co-major and/or electives.

Core subjects include:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Introduction to Health Sciences
• Digital Health Foundations
• Foundations of Statistics
• Brain and Behaviour
• Health and Disease Across the Life Course
• Research Methods for Health Science
• Health Sciences Project for non-psychology majors.

Examples of major-specific subjects include:

Artificial Intelligence and Digital Health:

• Artificial Intelligence for Industry 4.0
• Data Science Principles
• Communicating with AI
• Artificial Intelligence Transformation of Health
• Health Data and Information Management
• Ethics and Legal Implications of Artificial Intelligence
• Health Informatics
• Applied Artificial Intelligence in Health.

Biomedical Science:

• Chemistry 1
• Musculoskeletal Anatomy
• Introduction to Biochemistry
• Physiology in Medical and Health Sciences
• Infections and Immunology in Health Sciences
• Genes and Genomics
• Body Function and Structure for Health Science
• Pathophysiology.

Clinical Technologies:

• Neurophysiology
• Technology and Data Acquisition
• Therapeutic Product Development Process and Clinical Trials
• Medical Imaging Systems
• Physiological Signals in Health and Managing Disease
• Neuropsychopharmacology
• Biomedical Project
• Cardiopulmonary and Renal Physiology.

Neuroscience:

• Neuroscience
• Neurophysiology
• Neuroimaging
• Sensation and Perception
• Developmental and Molecular Neuroscience
• Higher Cortical Function
• Advanced Topics in Neuroscience
• Neuropsychopharmacology.

Nutrition:

• Chemistry 1
• Introduction to Nutrition
• Physiology in Medical and Health Sciences
• Food & Nutrition Science
• Nutrition in the Life Course
• Nutrition and Disease Prevention
• Public Health Nutrition
• Nutritional Biochemistry.

Public Health and Health Promotion:

• Environment and Society: Problems and Solutions
• Physical Activity, Health and Technology
• Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
• Epidemiology
• Indigenous Health
• Health Communication
• Public Health Nutrition
• Leadership and Innovation in Health Promotion.

Disciplines / Specialisations

Swinburne currently lists eight Health Science majors:

• Artificial Intelligence and Digital Health
• Biomedical Science
• Clinical Technologies
• Health Economics
• Health Service Management
• Neuroscience
• Nutrition
• Public Health and Health Promotion.

Students can also use their remaining study component for a second major. The handbook lists the following second-major options:

• Artificial Intelligence and Digital Health
• Biomedical Science
• Clinical Technologies
• Health Economics
• Health Service Management
• Neuroscience
• Nutrition
• Public Health and Health Promotion.

Programme Highlights

• 3-year undergraduate degree.
• 300 credit points.
• Hawthorn campus.
• Semester 1 and Semester 2 intakes.
• CRICOS code 077669G.
• Eight specialist majors.
• Guaranteed Work Integrated Learning as part of the bachelor degree.
• Health Science Project provides project-based experience for relevant majors.
• Access to virtual reality and digital dissection technology.
• Multidisciplinary study combining health science, technology, data and contemporary healthcare practice.
• Optional second major, co-major, minor and elective study options.
• Double-degree pathways are available with Applied Innovation, Arts, Business, Media and Communication and Science.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies potential career opportunities including:

• Medical researcher
• Health policy developer
• AI data scientist
• Hospital scientist
• Healthcare consultant
• Health communications officer.

The course handbook additionally identifies career directions such as:

• Hospital laboratory scientist
• Health educator
• Researcher
• Nutritionist
• Clinical physiologist
• Biomedical technical specialist
• Health policy officer.

Career options depend significantly on the selected major. For example:

• Artificial Intelligence and Digital Health can lead toward health data, health informatics and AI-related roles.
• Biomedical Science can support laboratory, research and biomedical roles.
• Clinical Technologies can support technology-focused medical and clinical environments.
• Health Economics can support health policy and economic analysis.
• Health Service Management can support administration and healthcare management.
• Neuroscience can support neuroscience and research-related pathways.
• Nutrition can support nutrition-related roles and further specialist study.
• Public Health and Health Promotion can support health promotion, epidemiology and public-health roles.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• Current course code: BA-HSC1.
• CRICOS code: 077669G.
• 2027 intake dates currently published: 1 March 2027 and 2 August 2027.
• International Student visa holders in Australia must study full-time and on campus.
• Professional placement is subject to competitive selection.
• International students holding a Student visa cannot undertake the professional placement in this course due to government regulation.
• Credit transfer and RPL are assessed case-by-case.
• Students must not complete more than 125 credit points at introductory level.
• The course has Informed Choices requirements covering sensory, mobility, professional/legal, learning/knowledge and interpersonal capabilities. For example, students need to interpret anatomical structures, health data, imaging, graphs and laboratory results and operate equipment safely. Reasonable adjustments may be available for adaptable components.

International Student Visa Requirements

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

Swinburne specifically states that international students in Australia holding a Student visa must study full-time and on campus.

The Department of Home Affairs currently requires Student visa applicants to:

• Be enrolled in an eligible course and hold a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) when the visa is decided.
• Hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies.
• Meet applicable health requirements.
• Meet applicable character requirements.
• Satisfy the Genuine Student requirement.
• Provide English-language evidence where required or qualify for an exemption.
• Demonstrate sufficient financial capacity where required.