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Professional Recognition

Course code K97

Bachelor of Health Science

Creative thinkers made here.

Creative thinkers made here.

Why study at ECU?

About this Course

Health Science is broad, but essentially, it’s all about enhancing the health of communities. That includes tackling a range of health-related societal problems, such as obesity, harmful alcohol and drug use and even dealing with a global pandemic!

In this degree, you’ll study the core concepts of public health and access tools that will prepare you for the real world. Studying Health Science at ECU will give you skills to not only assess and monitor health situations, but you’ll also learn intervention strategies so you can make a difference to the lives and health of others. You’ll also gain valuable industry experience through a work placement in your final year.

And because you have a choice of one or more major subjects in this degree, you’ll learn specific skills in an area that interests you. The Bachelor of Health Science gives you a choice of six majors - Addiction Studies, Health Promotion, Nutrition, Nutrition Bioscience, Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety, and Occupational Safety and Health.

You’ll be surprised how many diverse workplaces have career opportunities for our Health Science graduates.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 7 Bachelor Degree Award.

Course code K97

Entry requirements

70 Indicative ATAR

ECU admission and English language requirements apply.

See Course Entry for further information.

Fees

Commonwealth supported - estimated 1st year indicative fee AUD $8,400

See Fees and Scholarships for further information.

Duration

3 years full-time or part-time equivalent

See Course Details for further information.

Availability & Campus

Location Semester 1 Semester 2
Joondalup FT PT FT PT
Mount Lawley
South West FT PT FT PT
Online FT PT FT PT
*FT = Full-time study PT = Part-time study

Timetable

This course has a modified timetable. See Course Notes.

About this Course

Health Science is broad, but essentially, it’s all about enhancing the health of communities. That includes tackling a range of health-related societal problems, such as obesity, harmful alcohol and drug use and even dealing with a global pandemic!

In this degree, you’ll study the core concepts of public health and access tools that will prepare you for the real world. Studying Health Science at ECU will give you skills to not only assess and monitor health situations, but you’ll also learn intervention strategies so you can make a difference to the lives and health of others. You’ll also gain valuable industry experience through a work placement in your final year.

And because you have a choice of one or more major subjects in this degree, you’ll learn specific skills in an area that interests you. The Bachelor of Health Science gives you a choice of six majors - Addiction Studies, Health Promotion, Nutrition, Nutrition Bioscience, Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety, and Occupational Safety and Health.

You’ll be surprised how many diverse workplaces have career opportunities for our Health Science graduates.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 7 Bachelor Degree Award.

Course code K97

CRICOS code 071523G

Entry requirements

ECU admission and English language requirements apply.

See Course Entry for further information.

Fees

International students - estimated 1st year indicative fee AUD $39,350

See Fees and Scholarships for further information.

Duration

3 years full-time

See Course Details for further information.

Availability & Campus

Location Semester 1 Semester 2
Joondalup FT FT
Mount Lawley
South West FT FT
Online
*FT = Full-time study PT = Part-time study

Timetable

This course has a modified timetable. See Course Notes.

Course Entry

Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.

  • All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • AQF Cert IV;
    • Successfully completed 0.25 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
    • Undergraduate Certificate;
    • Special Tertiary Admissions Test;*
    • University Preparation Course;*
    • Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
    • Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment; or*
    • Experience Based Entry Scheme.*

    * Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.

    For international students, requirements include your secondary school results.

  • English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
    • Special Tertiary Admissions Test;*
    • IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0);
    • Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
    • University Preparation Course;
    • Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
    • Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment;*
    • AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree;
    • Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); or
    • Other tests, courses or programs defined on the English Proficiency Bands page.

    * Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.

Course Entry

Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.

  • All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • AQF Cert IV;
    • Successfully completed 0.25 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
    • Undergraduate Certificate;
    • Special Tertiary Admissions Test;*
    • University Preparation Course;*
    • Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
    • Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment; or*
    • Experience Based Entry Scheme.*

    * Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.

    For international students, requirements include your secondary school results.

  • English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

    • Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
    • Special Tertiary Admissions Test;*
    • IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0);
    • Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
    • University Preparation Course;
    • Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
    • Aboriginal University Readiness Assessment;*
    • AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree;
    • Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); or
    • Other tests, courses or programs defined on the English Proficiency Bands page.

    * Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.

Course Details

Semester availability

Semester 1: Study full-time at Joondalup, South West or Online

Semester 1: Study part-time at Joondalup, South West or Online

Semester 2: Study full-time at Joondalup, South West or Online

Semester 2: Study part-time at Joondalup, South West or Online

Course Structure

Students are required to complete a Core unit set. This will be supported by a supplementary program comprising of: two 8-unit Majors; or an 8-unit Major, plus a 6-unit Minor and 2 Elective units; or a 16-unit specialised Major. Note: Majors and Minors are selected from the Bachelor of Health Science. Alternate options require approval of the Course Coordinator.

Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
HST1111Population Health15
MAT1114Introductory Statistics15
HST1109Epidemiology15
HST2122Health Research Methodology15
HST3501Health Research Project15
IAS3100Indigenous Health15
HST3502Health Sciences Professional Practices15
MHS1102Anatomy and Physiology 215
Unit from Supplementary Programx 16240

K97|6

For more detailed unit information for this course take a look at our Handbook. To organise your life for next semester visit the Teaching timetable.

Student handbook

Majors you can study in this course

One or more of the majors in this course is externally recognised when studied within this course. Refer to the major for more information.

Course notes

Important course notes

  • Some majors can only be studied on-campus and students should refer to the delivery options listed against each major for further details.

    Southwest campus: Please note that only the Majors of Occupational Health and Safety, Nutrition, Health Promotion and Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety can be studied at this campus.

  • Students wishing to complete the Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety major should be aware that this major also has a required professional practice unit, requiring a minimum of 200 hours placement. Please refer to the major for further details.

    Attendance requirements

    Students will be required to complete a minimum of 200 hours placement with a host organisation.

    Clearances and/or Risk Management Protocols Required

    Refer to the major for further details

    Professional practice rules

    Refer to the major for further details

  • Students are required to complete 75 hours of Professional Practice in their 3rd year of study.

    Attendance requirements

    Students are required to complete 75 hours of work placement at a host organisation. Hours will be negotiated with the host organisation and may be outside of normal University hours.

    Clearances and/or Risk Management Protocols Required

    A placement host may have vaccination and other requirements, including vaccination against COVID-19 unless you have a medical exemption. Please consider this requirement before enrolling in this Course, and speak with the Course Coordinator if this raises any concerns. You may not be able to complete placement units if you are unable to meet the placement requirements, which may impact your ability to complete this course.
    Risk management processes will be followed for all practicum placements. Police clearance, a working with children check and health screenings may be applicable for some placements.

    Professional practice rules

    Students are expected to follow guidelines for ethical principles and professional behaviour, including confidentiality requirements.

Course learning outcomes

  1. Apply broad discipline knowledge to a range of theoretical and practical Health Science situations.
  2. Think critically to analyse, interpret and conceptualise complex Health Science problems.
  3. Think creatively to anticipate challenges and generate discipline specific solutions/responses.
  4. Use digital technologies and literacies to access, evaluate and synthesise relevant information from multiple sources.
  5. Communicate disciplinary knowledge and values in professional and public contexts.
  6. Demonstrate a global outlook with respect for cultural diversity, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competence.
  7. Work collaboratively and demonstrate initiative to implement social, sustainable, and ethical values.
  8. Demonstrate autonomy, accountability and judgement for own learning and professional practice.

Professional Recognition

Majors

One or more of the majors in this course is externally recognised when studied within this course. Refer to the major for more information.

Course Details

Semester availability

Semester 1: Study full-time at Joondalup, South West

Semester 2: Study full-time at Joondalup, South West

Course Structure

Students are required to complete a Core unit set. This will be supported by a supplementary program comprising of: two 8-unit Majors; or an 8-unit Major, plus a 6-unit Minor and 2 Elective units; or a 16-unit specialised Major. Note: Majors and Minors are selected from the Bachelor of Health Science. Alternate options require approval of the Course Coordinator.

Unit Code Unit Title Credit Points
HST1111Population Health15
MAT1114Introductory Statistics15
HST1109Epidemiology15
HST2122Health Research Methodology15
HST3501Health Research Project15
IAS3100Indigenous Health15
HST3502Health Sciences Professional Practices15
MHS1102Anatomy and Physiology 215
Unit from Supplementary Programx 16240

K97|6

For more detailed unit information for this course take a look at our Handbook. To organise your life for next semester visit the Teaching timetable.

Student handbook

Majors you can study in this course

One or more of the majors in this course is externally recognised when studied within this course. Refer to the major for more information.

Course notes

Important course notes

  • Some majors can only be studied on-campus and students should refer to the delivery options listed against each major for further details.

    Southwest campus: Please note that only the Majors of Occupational Health and Safety, Nutrition, Health Promotion and Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety can be studied at this campus.

  • Students wishing to complete the Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety major should be aware that this major also has a required professional practice unit, requiring a minimum of 200 hours placement. Please refer to the major for further details.

    Attendance requirements

    Students will be required to complete a minimum of 200 hours placement with a host organisation.

    Clearances and/or Risk Management Protocols Required

    Refer to the major for further details

    Professional practice rules

    Refer to the major for further details

  • Students are required to complete 75 hours of Professional Practice in their 3rd year of study.

    Attendance requirements

    Students are required to complete 75 hours of work placement at a host organisation. Hours will be negotiated with the host organisation and may be outside of normal University hours.

    Clearances and/or Risk Management Protocols Required

    A placement host may have vaccination and other requirements, including vaccination against COVID-19 unless you have a medical exemption. Please consider this requirement before enrolling in this Course, and speak with the Course Coordinator if this raises any concerns. You may not be able to complete placement units if you are unable to meet the placement requirements, which may impact your ability to complete this course.
    Risk management processes will be followed for all practicum placements. Police clearance, a working with children check and health screenings may be applicable for some placements.

    Professional practice rules

    Students are expected to follow guidelines for ethical principles and professional behaviour, including confidentiality requirements.

Course learning outcomes

  1. Apply broad discipline knowledge to a range of theoretical and practical Health Science situations.
  2. Think critically to analyse, interpret and conceptualise complex Health Science problems.
  3. Think creatively to anticipate challenges and generate discipline specific solutions/responses.
  4. Use digital technologies and literacies to access, evaluate and synthesise relevant information from multiple sources.
  5. Communicate disciplinary knowledge and values in professional and public contexts.
  6. Demonstrate a global outlook with respect for cultural diversity, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competence.
  7. Work collaboratively and demonstrate initiative to implement social, sustainable, and ethical values.
  8. Demonstrate autonomy, accountability and judgement for own learning and professional practice.

Professional Recognition

Majors

One or more of the majors in this course is externally recognised when studied within this course. Refer to the major for more information.

Fees and Scholarships

Fees

  • AUD $8,400 - Commonwealth supported estimated 1st year indicative fee 1

Note

1 The 'estimated 1st year indicative fee' is provided as a guide only, based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. At ECU, you pay for the individual units you enrol in, not an overall course fee, so the total cost of your course will vary, depending on what units you choose. An indicative fee will be provided with your course offer, however you can use our Course Fee Calculator to estimate the actual amount you'll need to pay. ECU fees are adjusted annually.

Some units require the payment of a fee for incidental goods or services required to complete those units. For more information and the full list of incidental fees for courses and units, visit What are Incidental Fees.

Scholarships

ECU has a scholarship program that provides many opportunities each year to students undertaking studies here.

Find a scholarship

Career Opportunities

Employment opportunities exist within a range of workplaces including aged care facilities and hospitals, rural and regional settings, asthma/diabetes/cancer/injury prevention councils, heart foundations, family planning associations, alcohol and other drug agencies, mining, oil and gas industries, community development and local government organisations, disability services, justice and correctional agencies, research institutes, international aid organisations, and mental health support agencies.

Possible future job titles

Community Health Officer, Environmental Health Officer, Youth Worker, Child Health Officer, Health Promotion Officer, Health Worker, Nutritionist, Health Promotion Nutritionist, Occupational Safety and Health Management Officer, Occupational Hygiene Technician

Similar courses to consider

Fees and Scholarships

Fees

  • AUD $39,350 - International students estimated 1st year indicative fee 1

Note

1 The 'estimated 1st year indicative fee' is provided as a guide only, and has been calculated based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. At ECU, you pay for each individual unit you enrol in, not an overall course fee, so the total cost of your course will vary, depending on what units you choose. An indicative fee will be provided with your course offer, however you can use our Course Fee Calculator to estimate the actual amount you'll need to pay. ECU fees are adjusted annually.

Some units require the payment of a fee for incidental goods or services required to complete those units. For more information and the full list of incidental fees for courses and units, visit What are Incidental Fees.

Scholarships

ECU has a scholarship program that provides many opportunities each year to students undertaking studies here.

Find a scholarship

Career Opportunities

Employment opportunities exist within a range of workplaces including aged care facilities and hospitals, rural and regional settings, asthma/diabetes/cancer/injury prevention councils, heart foundations, family planning associations, alcohol and other drug agencies, mining, oil and gas industries, community development and local government organisations, disability services, justice and correctional agencies, research institutes, international aid organisations, and mental health support agencies.

Possible future job titles

Community Health Officer, Environmental Health Officer, Youth Worker, Child Health Officer, Health Promotion Officer, Health Worker, Nutritionist, Health Promotion Nutritionist, Occupational Safety and Health Management Officer, Occupational Hygiene Technician

Similar courses to consider

Need some help deciding what to study?

Our future student events include a mix of on-campus and online sessions designed to help you decide what to study at ECU.

Experiences

A profession for a pandemic

Environmental Health professionals have never been so important to the world. After all, this is someone who instigates prevention programs and strategies for the control of communicable diseases and major outbreaks like coronavirus.

At ECU you can start a career in Environmental Health – or add to existing qualifications – through two study options:

  • Diploma in Environmental Health - 1 year full-time
  • Bachelor of Health Science, majoring in Occupational & Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS) - 3 years full-time

Both courses can be studied online, and completing the Diploma gives you up to one year's credit towards the degree course.

The new OEHS major also has provisional professional accreditation with Environmental Health Australia.

Experiences

A profession for a pandemic

Environmental Health professionals have never been so important to the world. After all, this is someone who instigates prevention programs and strategies for the control of communicable diseases and major outbreaks like coronavirus.

At ECU you can start a career in Environmental Health – or add to existing qualifications – through two study options:

  • Diploma in Environmental Health - 1 year full-time
  • Bachelor of Health Science, majoring in Occupational & Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS) - 3 years full-time

Both courses can be studied online, and completing the Diploma gives you up to one year's credit towards the degree course.

The new OEHS major also has provisional professional accreditation with Environmental Health Australia.

Student stories

  • Liam Guy

    Liam Guy

    ECU Health Science

    I am excited for the future and where this role will take me, thanks to ECU!

    I found my practical placement the most valuable part of my courses, as it ultimately led to my first health promotion job. I undertook a 2-week practical placement with the WA Country Health Service in Northam. I had an amazing experience where I was able to create actual, publicised health promotion resources, travel to other towns and participate in events.

  • Nicole Wickens

    Nicole Wickens

    ECU Addiction Studies and Health Promotion student

    I wanted the skills to implement and evaluate health promotion and public health programs

    I decided to study Health Science at ECU, as I wanted to become a health care professional and help improve the lives and wellbeing of others within a community. I have a strong passion for working with people and an interest in the field of Alcohol & Other Drugs, which led me to choose the health promotion and addiction study majors, as they go hand-in-hand. The lecturers have been so friendly and welcoming and I love ECU's facilities, in particular, the library resources and all the cafés.

  • Beki Bampton

    Bachelor of Health Science (Health Promotion & OSH) graduate

    Why study Health Promotion at ECU?

    ECU graduate Beki talks about how her degree and student work placement led to a new job.

Quick guide to uni-speak

    • The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national regulator of qualifications in the Australian education and training system. The AQF defines the essential characteristics, including the required learning outcomes, of the different types of qualifications issued across the higher education systems in Australia.

    • ATAR is the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, the primary criterion for entry into most undergraduate university courses in Australia. The ATAR is a percentile score which denotes a student's ranking relative to their state-wide peers upon completion of their secondary education.

    • CRICOS is the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. A CRICOS code is allocated to education institutions (like ECU) who are approved to recruit, enrol and deliver education to overseas students. Courses with a CRICOS code are available to international students who meet the entry requirements.

    • A major, or unit set, is your chosen area of in-depth study in an undergraduate course. It usually involves 8 units of study, or one-third of the units in a 3-year degree. Talk to your Student Information Office if you need help choosing a major subject.

    • Minors include between 4 and 6 study units in a specific discipline. Not all courses require you to complete a minor. Your minor subject doesn't appear on your printed degree (parchment), but is part of your academic transcript.

    • If you're enrolled in 3 or more units in a semester this is considered full-time study. To complete most 3-year degrees studying full-time you'll need to complete 4 units per semester, i.e. 24 units over 3 years.

    • If a course is available to study part-time you can generally expect it to take twice as long to complete as it would in full-time mode. Part-time students are enrolled in 1 or 2 units maximum per semester.

      Note: International students who hold a student visa can only choose the full-time study option for our courses. This is to ensure the course is completed within the duration of the student visa.

    • Most courses start in Semester 1 each year, usually in the last week of February. Some courses can be started in Semester 2 (we call this mid-year). There's a week of Orientation before each semester to help you get used to uni life.

    • A lot of our courses start in Semester 2 each year, usually in the last week of July. We call this mid-year. There's a week of Orientation beforehand to help you get used to uni life.

    • We use a points system to make it easier for you to understand your study progress. Most Bachelors degree study units are allocated 15 credit points. If you're studying a 3-year full-time degree you'll need to successfully complete 360 credit points - that's 24 units x 15 points per unit.

    • These are compulsory units you have to successfully complete as part of your course.

    • An elective is a unit you choose to study that counts towards your course requirements, but isn't compulsory. For some courses we recommend elective units. In some situations, a course coordinator may approve an elective unit as a replacement for a compulsory one.

Quick guide to uni-speak

    • The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national regulator of qualifications in the Australian education and training system. The AQF defines the essential characteristics, including the required learning outcomes, of the different types of qualifications issued across the higher education systems in Australia.

    • ATAR is the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, the primary criterion for entry into most undergraduate university courses in Australia. The ATAR is a percentile score which denotes a student's ranking relative to their state-wide peers upon completion of their secondary education.

    • CRICOS is the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. A CRICOS code is allocated to education institutions (like ECU) who are approved to recruit, enrol and deliver education to overseas students. Courses with a CRICOS code are available to international students who meet the entry requirements.

    • A major, or unit set, is your chosen area of in-depth study in an undergraduate course. It usually involves 8 units of study, or one-third of the units in a 3-year degree. Talk to your Student Information Office if you need help choosing a major subject.

    • Minors include between 4 and 6 study units in a specific discipline. Not all courses require you to complete a minor. Your minor subject doesn't appear on your printed degree (parchment), but is part of your academic transcript.

    • If you're enrolled in 3 or more units in a semester this is considered full-time study. To complete most 3-year degrees studying full-time you'll need to complete 4 units per semester, i.e. 24 units over 3 years.

    • If a course is available to study part-time you can generally expect it to take twice as long to complete as it would in full-time mode. Part-time students are enrolled in 1 or 2 units maximum per semester.

      Note: International students who hold a student visa can only choose the full-time study option for our courses. This is to ensure the course is completed within the duration of the student visa.

    • Most courses start in Semester 1 each year, usually in the last week of February. Some courses can be started in Semester 2 (we call this mid-year). There's a week of Orientation before each semester to help you get used to uni life.

    • A lot of our courses start in Semester 2 each year, usually in the last week of July. We call this mid-year. There's a week of Orientation beforehand to help you get used to uni life.

    • We use a points system to make it easier for you to understand your study progress. Most Bachelors degree study units are allocated 15 credit points. If you're studying a 3-year full-time degree you'll need to successfully complete 360 credit points - that's 24 units x 15 points per unit.

    • These are compulsory units you have to successfully complete as part of your course.

    • An elective is a unit you choose to study that counts towards your course requirements, but isn't compulsory. For some courses we recommend elective units. In some situations, a course coordinator may approve an elective unit as a replacement for a compulsory one.

Do you have any questions about the Bachelor of Health Science?

The Important Things

Things you should know about if you're thinking about studying here.

Course Entry

There's more than one admission pathway into an ECU course. It depends on what you've studied already, or your work or life experience.

Fees & Scholarships

Course tuition fees can change, but we can give you an estimate of your costs. If you're eligible, a scholarship or student loan can help too.

Applying

Applying for a course is a fairly simple process, especially if you have scanned copies of qualifications, your resume or other paperwork, ready to upload.

ECU Experience

Starting a course is an exciting and sometimes daunting time, so we make a massive effort to ensure you get all the support you need to have a positive experience.