Bachelor of Health Science

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 2023¹

As a result, there will be a high demand for job applicants with a broad knowledge of health and healthcare, but this won’t be limited to clinical health practitioners. There will also be an increase in non-clinical roles with skills in analysis, research, health promotion, and management in the health care context.

Degree overview:

• Study a generalist health science degree and build a solid foundation in human health.
• Gain a holistic understanding of health, human biology, and the healthcare system.
• Choose to continue your studies with UniSA Allied Health degrees such as Physiotherapy, Medical Radiations, and Occupational Therapy.
• Study course content that is informed by current research and leading-edge developments in the health sector.
• Graduate with an in-demand transferable skillset required in cross-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary roles in the health sector.

^{1 https://www.nationalskillscommission.gov.au/insights/health-care-and-social-assistance-industry-analysis}

Study Health Science 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.

Forge your path in health with UniSA Online’s Bachelor of Health Science. This is a three-year generalist degree that will provide a pathway into a diverse number of careers in the ever-growing healthcare and health services sectors. You’ll gain a holistic understanding of health, human biology, and the healthcare system. Study core courses in anatomy, social sciences, psychology concepts, health promotion, project management, and health research. Develop the skills to adapt and respond to challenges in human health settings in Australia and around the world.

With a solid foundation in health, you’ll have the option to continue your studies in selected clinical fields and UniSA Allied Health degrees such as Physiotherapy, Medical Radiation, or Occupational Therapy. Or you may choose to enter the workforce after your studies and pursue a non-clinical role in the health sector. No matter where your career takes you, you’ll leave with the key skills and knowledge employers in the health sector are calling out for.

Recommended study pattern

Please note: The program structure is subject to change at any time. (Information correct as at October 2023)

Year 1

• Elective 1
• Health Systems and Services (HLTH 1056)
• Foundations of Human Biology 1 (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 (HLTH 1051)

Year 2

• Physiology (BIOL 2061)
• Elective 2
• Anatomy 1 (HLTH 2054)
• Elective 3
• Pathophysiology (MEDI 2008)
• Elective 4
• Fundamentals of Pharmacology (HLTH 2055)
• Elective 5

Year 3

• Health Law, Ethics and Policy (HLTH 2030)
• Anatomy 2 (HLTH 3089) or Elective / Advanced Health Science Elective
• Project Management for Health and Wellness (HLTH 3065)
• Global Change and Human Health (BIOL 3037)
• Health Practice Project 1 (HLTH 3075)
• Advanced Health Science Elective 1
• Health Practice Project 2 (HLTH 3076)
• Advanced Health Science Elective 2

Award requirements

Students must complete 24 subjects, this includes 7 elective.

Choose your subjects

Electives

Two electives in the final year are required to be chosen from the Advanced Health Science Elective list. Course pre-requisites must be satisfied.

Advanced Health Science Electives

• Food Safety, Quality and Security - HLTH 3063
• Food as Medicine - FOSC 3017
• Public Health - HLTH 3060
• Supporting Dignity through Enablement - HLTH 3061
• Transition to Employment - HLTH 3062
• Psychology of Exercise, Sport and Health - HLTH 3066
• Applications in Nutrition and Exercise - HLTH 3067
• Nutrition for Exercise and Performance - HLTH 3064
• Promotional Communication: Advertising, Publicity and Marketing - COMM 3078
• Web Design - GRAP 3015
• Human Service Workers and the Law - JUST 3004
• Disability and Ageing: Diversity and Discrimination - WELF 3025
• Case Management for Consumer Directed Care in Disability and Aged Care - WELF 3024
• Social Media Engagement - COMM 3084
• Work and Organisational Psychology - BEHL 3033
• Clinical and Abnormal Psychology - BEHL 3032
• Digital Marketing - MARK 3023
• Professional Practice in Public Health - HLTH 3077
• Epidemiological Principles and Methods - HLTH 3073
• Adapted Physical Activity, Exercise and Sport - HLTH 3087
• Ageing and Wellbeing in Aboriginal Australians - HLTH 3088
• Anatomy 2 - HLTH 3089
• Evidence Based Practice for Health Science - HLTH 3090

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.

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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