Bachelor of Health Science (Healthy Ageing)

Strong employment growth is predicted for the health care and social assistance industries, with 23% growth (equating to about 250,000 new jobs) expected by 2023

With royal commissions underway into the aged care industry and disability sector, it’s anticipated that the implementation of recommendations arising from these royal commissions will contribute further to growth in jobs, particularly in non-clinical roles including policy and compliance.

Degree overview:

• Study a degree that has been developed in response to Australia’s ageing population and the increased demand it’s creating in the health care and social assistance sector.
• Explore the personal, structural, and social factors that influence the health and wellbeing of our ageing population.
• Examine ageing and disability-friendly environments, Aboriginal Australian health inequalities, and existing government and social policies that promote healthy ageing.
• Uncover the current issues, opportunities and adaptations required in our health systems and services.
• Gain the skills to develop strategies and solutions to tackle growing challenges in the health sector.

Study Healthy Ageing On Demand with UniSA Online and take full control over your study. Access support seven days a week, plan your study to fit around your life, view learning resources 24/7, and log into the interactive online environment anywhere, any time and on any device.

UniSA Online’s Healthy Ageing degree explores a range of factors that influence our health and wellbeing as we grow older. Learn how communities, organisations, and governments are responding to the challenges and opportunities of an ageing population. 

In this degree, you’ll study core courses offered in the Bachelor of Health Science before moving on to your Healthy Ageing specialisation from the second year. Discover what age-friendly environments and landscapes look like, learn about the role of nutrition and food as we grow older, explore personal, structural, and social factors that influence lifestyle choices, and analyse factors that influence workforce participation by older people. You’ll also analyse current international and national policy perspectives in this field.

This healthy ageing degree is perfect those who are already working in the health sector and looking to expand their knowledge and skills to help our ageing population live healthier, more independent lives. It’s also a great option for those looking to enter the health sector for the first time.

Recommended study pattern

Note: The program structure is subject to change at any time. Information correct as at October 2023.

Year 1

• Health Systems and Services (HLTH 1056)
• Foundations of Human Biology (BIOL 1052)
• Health and Society (HLTH 1054)
• Foundations of Human Biology 2 (BIOL 1053)
• Research Methods for Public Health (HLTH 1058)
• Psychology Concepts (BEHL 1027)
• First Peoples' Health (HELTH 1051)
• Elective 1

Year 2

• Physiology (BIOL 2061)
• Nutrition and Food for Healthy Ageing (HLTH 2056)
• Anatomy 1 (HLTH 2054)
• Innovation, Creativity and Social Roles in Healthy Ageing (WELF 2026)
• Pathophysiology (MEDI 2008)
• Social Connectivity to Support Healthy Ageing (HLTH 2057)
• Fundamentals of Pharmacology (HLTH 2055)
• Ageing and Disability Friendly Environments (WELF 2021)

Year 3

• Health Law, Ethics and Policy (HLTH 2030)
• Supporting Dignity through Enablement (HLTH 3061)
• Project Management for Health Wellness (HLTH 3065)
• Disability and Ageing: Diversity and Discrimination (WELF 3025)
• Health Practice Project 1 (HLTH 3075)
• Health Practice Project 2 (HLTH 3076)
• Ageing and Wellbeing in Aboriginal Australians (HLTH 3088)
• Case Management for Consumer Directed Care in Disability and Aged Care (WELF 3024)

Award requirements

Students must complete 24 subjects, this includes 1 Elective.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $29,610

The amounts shown here are 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.

The University of South Australia (UniSA) is ranked as one of the best young universities in the world, and is the number one university in Australia for graduate employability. UniSA offers over 200 world-class degrees that are informed by industry and delivered with a highly practical approach to teaching and learning, and is a valuable partner with Open Universities Australia.

Learn more about UniSA.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

22

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

22

This UniSA Online degree is currently available for Commonwealth supported students.

Applicants are required to fulfil at least one of the following requirements with a competitive result and meet any other academic requirements for the program:

• successfully completed equivalent to a minimum of half a year of full-time study of a higher education program at a recognised higher education provider
• completed an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV level or above
• passed a UniSA Online literacy and numeracy test and have relevant work experience
• completed a secondary education qualification equivalent to SACE, such as an interstate year 12 or international qualification
• completed a UniSA Foundation Studies Program or equivalent
• qualified for Special Entry

If you have previous work experience, or have studied before, you could fast-track your studies by reducing the time it takes to complete your degree.