Bachelor of Dementia Care
UndergraduateTAS-DMT-DEG2021
Course information for 2021 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Study Australia’s first degree in dementia care
Make a difference to the lives of people living with Australia’s second-leading cause of death. Understand changes in the brain that occur with dementia. Learn practical strategies to help care for people experiencing these symptoms.
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Total subjects
- 24
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Bachelor of Dementia Care
About this degree
Upon successful completion of this degree, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate that knowledge of dementia and related care is derived from multiple disciplines and that such knowledge underpins different models of care
- Demonstrate knowledge of the neuropathology of dementia and associated manifestations across the trajectory of the condition
- Demonstrate knowledge of, and evaluate the evidence behind contemporary preventative and therapeutic approaches to optimising the health and care of people with dementia and their carers across the trajectory of the condition
- Formulate, apply and evaluate collaborative, socially responsible, person-centred approaches to issues involving people with dementia, their families, carers, inter-professional healthcare teams and the broader community
- Generate evidence-based strategies to share knowledge and influence change in response to opportunities and challenges in contemporary dementia care
- Source, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information in dementia studies from the international, peer reviewed literature
The Bachelor of Dementia Care is Australia's first degree in dementia care. It is available to domestic or international students, from carers to health professionals and anyone with an interest in studying dementia. This course will develop your specialised knowledge in this field so that you can make a difference to the lives of people living with dementia.
The Bachelor of Dementia Care has 24 units. Students may study part-time (1-2 units) or full-time (3-4 units) per semester. Students are advised to allocate 8 hours of study per week per unit of study. There are no formal examinations, all assessments occur throughout the semester.
Early completion points are available after completing the first 8 subjects (Diploma of Dementia Care) or 16 subjects (Associate Degree in Dementia Care).
Recommended study pattern
For students undertaking full-time study the following study pattern is recommended. If students are undertaking part-time study, we recommend that students complete all first year compulsory subjects prior to completing elective subjects to maximise success.
- Year 1. 8 subjects in first year including:
- 6 core subjects:
- TAS-CAD005 Neurospeak Online
- TAS-CAD101 Introduction to Ageing, the Brain and Dementia
- TAS-CAD104 Principles of Supportive Care for People With Dementia
- TAS-CAD115 Health Services for an Ageing Population
- TAS-CAD116 Introduction to Therapeutic Approaches for Dementia
- TAS-CAD117 Effective Communication for Dementia Care
- 2 UTAS electives
- 6 core subjects:
- Year 2. 8 subjects in second year including:
- 6 core subjects:
- TAS-CAD201 The Neurobiology of Dementia
- TAS-CAD202 Preventative and Therapeutic Approaches in Dementia Care
- TAS-CAD203 Principles of Palliative Care
- TAS-CAD205 Nutrition, Dysphagia and Dementia
- TAS-CAD207 Individual and Community Approaches to Dementia Prevention
- TAS-CAD208 Dementia Policy and Care Coordination
- 2 UTAS electives
- 6 core subjects:
- Year 3. 8 subjects in third year including:
- 4 core subjects:
- TAS-CAD305 Qualitative Research in Aged and Dementia Care
- TAS-CAD306 Advanced Topics in Dementia Care
- TAS-CAD307 Translating Evidence into Dementia Care
- TAS-CAD308 Dementia Friendly Societies
- 4 UTAS electives
- 4 core subjects:
- Students may also choose to utilise their elective choices to complete the major of Ageing Studies and Services , to do so students should complete the following 8 subjects:
- TAS-CAD118 Social Constructs of Ageing
- TAS-CAD119 Chronicity and Multimorbidity
- TAS-CAD209 Navigating the Aged Care System
- TAS-CAD210 Mental Health and Wellbeing in Older Adults
- TAS-CAD304 Negotiated Project in Ageing and Dementia
- TAS-CAD311 Leadership in Aged Care
- TAS-CAD312 Social Innovation in Ageing and Aged Care
- TAS-CAD313 Community Engagement for Ageing Well
Award requirements
Satisfactory completion of 24 subjects according to the recommended study plan, finishing within 7 years
- Year 1. 8 subjects in first year including:
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $11,850
The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
Wherever you are, the University of Tasmania brings its island campus to you through a growing range of online programs across art and design, business, education, health, science, sustainability, technology, and more. It’s never too late to switch things up. Kickstart that career you’ve been dreaming about, or upskill for the one you’re in. You’ll also become a part of the world's leading university on climate action.
Learn more about UTAS.
Explore UTAS courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 20
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 19
Entry requirements
Successful completion of 4 subjects through OUA including at least 3 of the following:
- CAD003, XBR121, CAD005 and/or CAD115
Students may apply based on previous higher education study:
- Tertiary applicants with completed prior university study undertaken at the Associate Degree level or above at any Australian University, or the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) equivalent.
- Applicants with partial University study at the Associate Degree level or higher with a passing GPA (ie 4.0/7.0) based on a minimum of 2 x 12.5 credit points of undergraduate–degree level units.
- Completed UTAS University Preparation Program or an Australian University equivalent. A completed UTAS UPP consists of 8 x 12.5 credit point units or the equivalent of 100 credit points including the core units.
Minimum ATAR of 60
AQF Cert IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma
Supporting Statement/Personal Competency Statement with reference to;
- Extensive or sustained work experience or,
- Completion of the Understanding Dementia MOOC and/or the Preventing Dementia MOOC or,
- Being a family, friend or carer of someone living with dementia; in a paid or non-paid capacity
The University of Tasmania grants credit and recognition of prior learning that may include formal and/or informal prior learning. More information is available here.
Career opportunities
Dementia is a neurological condition that affects tens of millions of people across the globe, posing significant challenges to people living with dementia, their families, communities and the health care sector. The Dementia Care Program provides students with a deep knowledge of dementia, the changes that occur in the brain, the behaviours and needs associated with changes, and practical strategies necessary to help care for people living with dementia.
Students will gain advanced problem-solving skills, along with an understanding of the importance of evidence-based practice. Graduates will be prepared for a range of career paths in the aged care and health sector.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
| Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
| Health and Welfare Services Managers | Over $120K | Up 56.6% |
| Medical Administrators | Over $120K | Up 0.01% |
| Nurse Managers | Over $120K | Up 19.9% |
| Policy and Planning Managers | Over $120K | Up 53.8% |
| Practice Managers | $75K to $93K | Up 18.7% |
| Primary Health Organisation Managers | N/A^ | N/A^ |
| Tribunal Members | N/A^ | N/A^ |
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As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
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