Bachelor of Health Science
Help create healthier lives
Want to help shape the future of health? In this degree, you’ll learn about the current and future health issues facing communities, both locally and globally. You’ll also develop the practical skills you need to improve population health and wellbeing through your choice of one of four extended majors, including Applied Health Promotion, Health Communication, Applied Environmental Health, and Indigenous Health and Wellbeing.
In this program you will:
- Gain a strong foundation in health science
- Understand the current and future health needs of the community
- Develop the problem-solving skills you need to help tackle health issues
- Gain workplace experience in your area of specialisation
Want to make a better tomorrow?
Consider the Applied Environmental Health Major
Study links between our environment, human health, and public health. Build your knowledge on planning and managing environments for healthy living, work and play.
Find out more about the Applied Environmental Health Major
Location
CRICOS code
Entry threshold
ATAR/RankDuration
Full-time or equivalent part-time Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.Indicative fees
Indicative 2025 fees (A$)
CSP Annual feeQTAC code
Start
- Semester 1
- Semester 2
Career opportunities
- Environmental health officer
- Health communication specialist
- Health policy development
- Health promotion officer
- Project development and management
Memberships
Graduates may be eligible to become members of:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker Association
- Australian Health Promotion Association
- Environmental Health Australia
- Indigenous Allied Health Australia
- Public Health Association of Australia
- Rural Health Workforce Australia
- Start
-
- Semester 1
- Semester 2
- Delivery mode
-
- Blended Learning
- Total courses
- 24
- Total units
- 288
- Duration
- 3 years 3 years
- CRICOS code
- 088888E
- UniSC program code
- SC367
- Program coordinator
Introductory courses (7) 84 units
HLT140 Think Health
HLT150 Indigenous Wellbeing Foundations
LFS103 Introductory Bioscience
PUB102 Environment, Climate and Health
PUB104 Introduction to Behavioural Health
PUB112 Public Health Foundations
SCI110 Science Research Methods
Developing courses (1) 12 units
HLT205 Health Research and Evidence
Extended majors (144 units)
Select 1 extended major (144 units) from:
- Applied Environmental Health
- Applied Health Promotion
- Health Communication
- Indigenous Health and Wellbeing
Elective courses (4) 48 units
Select a total of 48 units from the undergraduate elective course options, with the exception of WPL310 Workplace Learning I and WPL320 Workplace Learning II
Note for students enrolled in the Applied Environmental Health extended major:
You are required to undertake a cross institutional course, 3202MED Applied Environmental Health, at Griffith University, in place of a 12 units elective. If the cross institutional course is not completed students will not graduate meeting requirements for External Accreditation as outlined by Environmental Health Australia (EHA). It is recommended that students complete 3202MED Applied Environmental Health, prior to undertaking PUB305 Public Health Practicum. You are encouraged to consider courses from the following list when selecting remaining electives. Only one (1) elective course can be at 100 level to meet program requirements.
ENS253 Geographic Information Science and Technology
INT203 Power, Politics and the Media
PUB252 Health Promotion Assessment and Planning
HRM311 Enabling Team Synergy and Performance
Note for students enrolled in the Applied Health Promotion extended major:
You are encouraged to consider courses from the following list when selecting electives however, only one (1) elective course can be at 100 level to meet program requirements.
SUS101 Foundations of Sustainability - Investigating Planetary Health
CMN231 Communication Campaign Planning
CMN276 Social Media Communication
SCS201 International Development and Global Justice
SCS235 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
HRM311 Enabling Team Synergy and Performance
Note for students enrolled in the Health Communication extended major:
You are encouraged to consider courses from the following list when selecting electives however, only one (1) elective course can be at 100 level to meet program requirements.
SUS101 Foundations of Sustainability - Investigating Planetary Health
CMN204 Social Media: Content Curation and Creation
CMN252 Writing for Strategic Communication
HLT242 Indigenous Wellbeing Practice
INT203 Power, Politics and the Media
HRM311 Enabling Team Synergy and Performance
Note for students enrolled in the Indigenous Health and Wellbeing extended major:
You are encouraged to consider courses from the following list when selecting electives. Only one (1) elective course can be at 100 level to meet program requirements.
SUS101 Foundations of Sustainability - Investigating Planetary Health
INT203 Power, Politics and the Media
PUB210 Concepts of Epidemiology
PUB272 Healthy Public Policy and Advocacy
SCS235 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
HRM311 Enabling Team Synergy and Performance
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all UniSC courses are available on every UniSC campus.
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 288 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- For Sippy Downs students some courses in this program will be taught at the Sunshine Coast Health Institute
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses
- As part of the 48 units (4 courses) Elective requirements students enrolled in SC367 Bachelor of Health Science who have a registered Applied Environmental Health Extended Major are required to undertake a cross institutional course, 3202MED Applied Environmental Health, at Griffith University, in place of a 12 unit (1 course) Elective. If the cross institutional course is not completed students will not graduate meeting requirements for External Accreditation as outlined by Environmental Health Australia (EHA). It is recommended that students complete 3202MED Applied Environmental Health, prior to undertaking PUB305 Public Health Practicum.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- For Sippy Downs students some courses in this program will be taught at the Sunshine Coast Health Institute
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods
- As part of your UniSC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa. Please refer to the English language requirements
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.
WIL notes
- For students enrolled in the Environmental Health extended major this program includes compulsory placements in settings that require full COVID-19 vaccination.
- It is a Queensland Government requirement that students undertaking a placement within a clinical setting are fit tested annually for an approved respirator. Clinical settings include hospitals, residential aged care facilities, residential disability care facilities, prison health services, youth detention health services, community health care settings, and vaccination clinics). If the Fit Testing requirement applies to placement activity within your Program it will appear in your mandatory checks on Sonia Online. In accordance with Australian Standards, you must be clean shaven for your fit test. Facial hair that lies along the sealing surface of a tight-fitting respirator prevents an effective seal. Therefore, it is a requirement that there is no hair growth between the skin and the facepiece sealing surface in order to achieve a fit. At this stage, there is no exemption in Queensland to this requirement for religious or other reasons and UniSC is unable to waive this requirement.
- Refer to Health Science and Health Promotion - Work Practicums
This study sequence reflects the current program structure. Continuing students must follow their commencing structure, which can be found in the previous student handbooks.
Explore the likely peer cohort in the student profile data
No admissions data available
In UniSC admitted new student{{ studentProfile.model.allStudents > 1 || studentProfile.model.allStudents[0] === '<' ? 's' : '' }} at the {{ studentProfile.getLocationByCode() }} campus
| Applicant background | No. of students | % of all students |
|---|---|---|
Notes
<5 - the number of students is less than 5
N/A - Students not accepted in this category
N/P - Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than five students.
Adjusted ATARs are a calculation of a student's ATAR + eligible adjustment factors and are used to determine admission. The raw ATAR is the student's rank before any adjustments are applied.
Entry requirements
For entry into most USC undergraduate degree programs, you need to have completed a minimum level of education similar to successful completion of Australian Year 12 with good grades.
Further studies, for example, a semester or more at college or university, can also be considered for entry and may give you credit transfer towards a degree.
Some examples of upper secondary qualifications and a guide to the minimum grades that USC will consider are listed here. These are minimum requirements and do not guarantee entry. Some programs may require higher grades. Alternative qualifications may also be considered on a case by case basis.
If your qualification (grouped by country) is not listed, send the qualification transcripts with your application form to the International Office for assessment.
English language requirements
You will also need to meet the English language requirements for this program. If you do not meet the minimum requirements, you may be able to enrol in our English Language Programs to reach the required level for most of UniSC’s programs (exceptions apply to non-standard English requirement programs).
Minimum entry threshold
Applicants must meet the minimum ATAR/Rank.
| Location | ATAR/Rank |
|---|---|
| Sunshine Coast | 50.00 |
Post admission requirements
- Hold a valid Blue Card from the Public Safety Business Agency (PSBA), throughout the duration of your program. You should allow 12 weeks for PSBA to issue the card. Note: students who do not possess a valid Blue Card will be unable to complete the work place learning component of their program and will be unable to meet graduation requirements. Refer to the Health Science and Health Promotion - Work Practicums.
- Have a National Criminal History check (by Queensland Police Service or other state / territory authority)
- Recommended prior study
- English; General Maths, Maths Methods or Specialist Maths; at least one science subject
Prospective students must consider the Inherent Academic Requirements before applying to study this program.
UniSC strongly supports the rights of all people to pursue studies. The University embraces diversity and endeavours to accommodate all students.
What are Inherent Academic Requirements (IARs)?
The IARs of a program are those fundamental skills, capabilities and knowledge that students must be able to demonstrate in order to achieve the essential learning outcomes of the program, while maintaining the academic integrity of that program.
Students with a disability or chronic health condition may be able to have reasonable adjustments made to enable them to meet these requirements.
UniSC is committed to making reasonable adjustments to teaching and learning, assessment, placement and other activities to enable students to participate in their program.
Reasonable adjustments must not fundamentally change the nature of the IAR.
Consideration is given to a student's cultural and religious background/beliefs, which may impact on participation in their program or course. For further information contact Student Support.
Why are Inherent Academic Requirements (IARs) important?
IARs ensure the academic integrity of a program is maintained and preserves the University's learning, assessment and accreditation processes. They must be met by all students.
How does this affect you?
To successfully complete a program at UniSC, you need to be able to meet all the Inherent Academic Requirements.
If you are applying for a program, you should read the IAR statement carefully to ensure you are able to meet them.
If you have a disability or chronic health condition, contact a UniSC Disability Advisor to talk about the adjustments that may be put in place so you can meet the requirements.
Headstart Program - Years 10 to 12
The Headstart program lets you study uni subjects while you’re still in high school. If you successfully complete two Headstart courses, you’ll get a selection rank that you could use to get into uni.
Early Offer Guarantee scheme - Year 12
The Early Offer Guarantee scheme enables Year 12 students to be offered a place at UniSC on the basis of their Principal's recommendation.
Prior study or work experience
If you:
- have completed Year 12 (no matter how long ago)
- have a TAFE/VET qualification
- have relevant work experience, or
- have studied at university before (even if you didn’t complete your studies)
You may be eligible for a selection rank, which can help you get into uni. For more detailed information selection ranks and how applications are assessed, visit Admissions explained.
Tertiary Preparation Pathway
If you don’t have qualifications or experience that will give you a selection rank, you can complete the Tertiary Preparation Pathway as a stepping stone into most degrees. You can also use TPP to complete subject prerequisites.
If you haven’t studied in a while, TPP is also a great way to brush up on essential study skills like critical reading, assignment writing and referencing.
It can also build your knowledge and confidence in the subject areas you’ll need for your degree, like science or maths. TPP courses are fee-free for eligible domestic students.
Indigenous Direct Entry and Access Scheme (IDEAS)
You may be eligible for direct entry into a UniSC degree based on your potential to succeed, under UniSC’s Indigenous Direct Entry and Access Scheme (IDEAS). All you have to do is complete an online application through our website.
High-school leavers completing year 12 are not eligible, and must apply through QTAC.
- CSP estimate
- A$9,312 - 2025 Fees
- Annual tuition fee (A$, 2025)
- A$27,900
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth supported places are substantially subsidised by the Australian Government so that students only pay 'student contribution" amounts. The student contribution amount will vary depending on the course you are studying and how much funding the Government provides.
If you accept a Commonwealth supported place you are a Commonwealth supported student. As a Commonwealth supported student you must make a contribution towards the cost of your education (unless you are enrolled in Enabling or Tertiary Preparation Pathway courses) with the majority of the cost met by the Commonwealth Government.
Commonwealth supported places are only available to domestic students. As a domestic student you are entitled to a Commonwealth supported place in an eligible program if you:
- meet the citizenship and residency requirements
- complete an electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF)
- meet the University's entry requirements for your chosen program.
International fee-paying places
Annual tuition fees are based on 2025 rates and the equivalent full-time student load as per the recommended study sequence in the relevant program.
Actual fees payable are based on the actual enrolment load in a teaching period (excluding Study Abroad and Postgraduate Qualifying Pathway).
All prices quoted are in Australian Dollars (A$).
Domestic applicants apply for admission through the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). Some applicants may be eligible to apply direct to UniSC if they meet certain criteria.
Find out about how to apply and key application closing dates.
No matter what kind of future you’re looking for, you can find it at UniSC. Our programs offer the choice and flexibility you need to get started on any career goal.
Visit How to apply for simple steps to submit your international student application and start your UniSC experience today.
Need help with submitting your application?
UniSC has appointed representatives to assist you with submitting your application and provide information about the steps you need to complete to begin your studies. You can contact a UniSC Representative in your area.
Any questions? Contact us.
QTAC code
| Location | QTAC code |
|---|---|
| Sunshine Coast | 013321 |
Student story
“UniSC opened my world to many possibilities, new knowledge and new ways of thinking. It has completely changed me as a person.”
Need advice on what to study or how to apply?
Our Student Central team can help.
Call us +61 7 5430 2890
Email us information@usc.edu.au
For locations and opening hours, visit Student Central.