Undergraduate Certificate of Health Science (Pathway)
UndergraduateTUA-HSC-CTF2026
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
- Duration
- 1 year full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 4
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Undergraduate Certificate of Health Science (Pathway)
About this degree
During this course you will:
- Create a study routine that fits your life and helps you stay on track.
- Build the essential research and writing skills you need for university success.
- Learn how to work well with others and communicate clearly in a health setting.
- Explore how the human body works and learn the basics of chemistry.
- Gain a foundational understanding of how chemicals and biology work together.
- Learn the basics of nutrition and how the food we eat affects our bodies.
The Undergraduate Certificate of Health Science (Pathway) gives you a strong start into a career in health services. This program is the most supported way to enter university as a health student, allowing you to start learning even if you don't have a recent Year 12 certificate or prior experience. It provides a practical look at the health industry while giving you the tools you need for your first few subjects.
This is an introductory level course that introduces you to foundational concepts in Health. It is designed for students new to higher education study. In your first trimester, you will be enrolled into one subject that you will study supported by our Study Start program. Upon successful completion of your first subject, you may then enrol into your remaining subjects.
Rather than taking a separate preparation course, you’ll complete subjects that count as direct credit towards a Diploma or Bachelor of Health Science.
Successful completion of the Undergraduate Certificate of Health Science (Pathway) (UCPH26) provides transferable credit into the Diploma of Health Science, Diploma of Nutrition, Diploma of Health and Wellbeing (THINK Education) or one of the 7 Bachelors of Health Science courses at Torrens University Australia (TUA) and the Bachelor of Health Science Clinical Myotherapy at Think Education.
You’ll explore the basic building blocks of health and human biology in a guided environment. By the time you finish, you’ll have earned a tertiary qualification, gained essential study skills, and built the foundational knowledge you need to move forward on your study path.
Recommended study pattern
Complete the three core subjects listed below. Additionally, you are required to select one elective subject from the electives tab.
Core subjects
- TUL101 Academic Skills in Context*
- BFD105A Biological Foundations
- NUTR2001A Human Nutrition 1
*You must successfully complete TUL101 in your first Trimester before progressing on to any remaining subjects in Trimester 2.
Elective subjects
Select 1 subject from the list below :
- HSP101A Human Structure & Physiology 1
- HSC101 Professional Communication and Collaboration
- HWEL2002a Understanding Health
- CMF105A Complementary Medicine Foundations
- HWEL2006 Social and Emotional Wellbeing
Award requirements
To be awarded the Undergraduate Certificate of Health Science (Pathway), students must complete 40 credit points over 4 subjects as outlined in the course structure above. Each subject has a value of 10 credit points.
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 $10,500
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.
At Torrens University Australia you can tailor your study to suit your lifestyle.
Thanks to their innovative digital learning system you’ll gain the ultimate in flexibility, and still receive personalised guidance from academics and access to work placement, mentorship and internship opportunities. Online you can attend live classes or view recorded sessions, connect with lecturers and fellow students, and access content on-demand 24/7.
Learn more about Torrens University Australia
Explore Torrens University Australia courses
Entry requirements
There is no minimum ATAR requirement for entry into this course.
Applicants are generally expected to have completed at least Year 10 secondary education (or equivalent). There are no restrictions on how recently prior study must have been completed. Applicants who have not completed Year 12 secondary education (or equivalent) will be required to undertake a Readiness Assessment Test to assess their academic preparedness for study.
As a pathway program, this course provides an entry option for students who do not meet the standard admission requirements for Torrens University undergraduate programs. The Readiness Assessment Test may be used to help determine a student's suitability and readiness for higher education study.
Applicants applying on the basis of work or life experience will be required to complete a Torrens University Readiness Assessment Test.
Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
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.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
How can I pay for my studies?
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
How does studying through Open Universities Australia work?
You might find learning through OUA a little different to how you've studied in the past. It can take time to develop the skills you need for independent online study.
We connect you with subjects and degrees that are taught by leading Australian universities. You can complete single subjects, or follow a degree structure to work towards a specific qualification. Subjects are offered in several study terms throughout the year, so you can choose to study part-time or full-time, continuously or with breaks.
We help you find the subjects or degree that's right for you, and we handle your enrolment in uni and some administration. Your uni sends you your study materials and deals with all academic matters. They're also in charge of your assessment and graduation. If you go on to complete a degree, you'll graduate from the uni offering your degree, for example, RMIT University or Griffith University.
How do I know if I‘m eligible to apply for a course?
Before starting an enrolment, it's important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you're eligible to apply. If you don't quite meet the requirements, we can help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study. Contact us to find out more.
When is my cut-off date for enrolment?
Our close of enrolment times vary. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting Key dates.
Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?
There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.
You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don't meet the entry requirements for a degree, we'll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.You'll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you'll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you'll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.We'll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
How do I enrol?
Enrolling online through Open Universities Australia is simple. Here's how it works:
- Select 'Start studying now' on your chosen course
- Create an account
Or sign in if you already have an account.
- Follow the prompts to begin your enrolment
We'll ask you questions to help determine your eligibility or match you with alternative entry pathways. We'll also help you choose your ideal study load, start date and funding option.
You'll need to provide supporting documents along the way, such as:
- Proof of identity
- Your tax file number
- A Unique Student Identifier (USI)
- Wait for confirmation
Once you're done, we'll submit everything to your chosen university on your behalf. They will email you to confirm if your enrolment has been successful.
Note: Some courses have enquiries and applications handled directly by the university. If this applies, it will be clearly stated on the course page.
If you get stuck at any time, you can book a consultation with a student advisor and they will happily guide you through it.