Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Bachelor of Health Science/Bachelor of Arts is a four-year double degree combining health science with humanities and social sciences.
• It is designed for students interested in the relationship between health, society, technology, equality, climate change and wellbeing.
• Students develop transferable skills in digital literacy, analytical thinking, communication, research and problem-solving.
• The Health Science component provides exposure to anatomy, physiology, health science, digital health, statistics, health and disease, research methods and health-related projects.
• The Arts component develops understanding of society, technology, social change and contemporary global issues.
• Swinburne states that Work Integrated Learning is a guaranteed part of its bachelor degrees. This double degree includes an industry-linked project, opportunities to apply for career-focused placement or internship, and the opportunity to work with community, civil-society and industry partners on social-change activities.
• The combination can be particularly useful for careers involving health communication, health policy, community development, NGOs, government and social-impact organisations.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The current course structure contains the following Health Science core units:

• Anatomy and Physiology – BIO10004
• Introduction to Health Sciences – HEA10001
• Digital Health Foundations – HEA10004
• Brain and Behaviour – PSY10007
• Foundations of Statistics – STA10003
• Health and Disease Across the Life Course – BIO20004
• Research Methods for Health Sciences – HEA20007
• Health Sciences Project – HEA30001

Arts core units are:

• Technology and Society – ART10002
• Skills and Strategies for Social Change – ART20003
• Changemakers in Action – ART30004
• BA Professional Practice – ART30005.

Disciplines / Specialisations

Health Science majors currently presented by Swinburne include:

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

Programme Highlights

• Four-year Health Science/Arts double degree.
• 400 credit points in the standard structure.
• Hawthorn campus in Melbourne.
• Two published 2027 entry points.
• Choice of a Health Science major and an Arts major.
• Digital health and technology integrated into the Health Science curriculum.
• Research and statistics training.
• Health Sciences Project.
• Industry-linked learning.
• Opportunities for professional placement or internship, subject to applicable eligibility and government requirements.
• Strong combination for students interested in health policy, community development, health communication, social impact and health-related research.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies potential career areas including:

• Health policy developer
• Healthcare consultant
• Community development officer
• Government relations coordinator
• Political correspondent.

The course handbook also identifies broader career areas such as:

• Community work
• Community development
• Ethics
• Health communication
• Health policy development
• NGO and aid work
• Research
• Youth services.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• Current course code: BB-HSCART.
• Current CRICOS code: 0100752.
• Current published 2027 starts: 1 March 2027 and 2 August 2027.
• Current standard duration: 4 years, with an optional structure extending to 5 years.
• Current standard credit requirement: 400 credit points.
• Swinburne's current course information identifies the Health Science component as having practical and professional requirements involving communication, collaboration, adaptability, numeracy and other capabilities.
• Credit transfer and recognition of prior learning are assessed individually.
• Students should confirm the availability of their preferred combination of Health Science and Arts majors before enrolment.
• The course sequence shown online is an indicative sequence and can change.
• Professional placement can increase course duration, credit requirements and total fees.
• International students on Student visas must study full-time and on campus.

International Student Visa Requirements

The relevant visa is the Australian Student visa, Subclass 500.

For an international student undertaking this degree in Australia, the normal requirements include:

• acceptance into the Swinburne course;
• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE);
• enrolment in a full-time CRICOS-registered course;
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC);
• satisfaction of the Genuine Student requirement;
• financial capacity where evidence is required;
• applicable health requirements;
• applicable character requirements; and
• any additional documents required by the Department of Home Affairs.

Genuine Student requirement:

• The GS requirement applies to Student visa applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024.
• Applicants need to demonstrate that they genuinely intend to study and understand that study in Australia is the primary reason for the visa.
• Applicants are asked about their circumstances, reasons for choosing the course/provider and Australia, the expected benefits of the course and other relevant matters.
• Responses to the GS questions are limited to 150 words each and must be in English.