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Medical & Health Sciences

If you have a passion for enhancing the quality of people's lives, this study area offers you a variety of health-related courses and career directions. Here, you can specialise in areas like Biomedical Science, Exercise and Sports Science, Paramedicine, Nutrition and Dietetics, Occupational Therapy or Speech Pathology.

Why ECU?

  • QILT logo

    ECU top in teaching quality

    For the fifth year in a row, ECU has received the top undergraduate teaching quality ranking of all 37 public universities in Australia.

    ECU was also the top-ranked public university in Australia for undergraduate skills development for the sixth year in a row.

    View QILT results.

  • The Good Universities Guide 2021

    Good Universities Guide

    In the 2021 Good Universities Guide, ECU graduates have given us a 5-star rating for teaching quality, skills development, student support, learning resources, learner engagement and overall student experience.

    The 5-star rating for undergraduate teaching quality has now been achieved for 14 straight years.

    Read more about the Good Universities Guide.

  • THE Impact Rankings 2020

    THE Impact Rankings

    ECU has been ranked number 9 in the world for Quality Education and is in the top 100 overall in the 2020 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact rankings, showing how the global higher education sector is working towards the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

    Read more about the THE Impact Rankings

  • THE World University Rankings 2020 Top 100 Young

    THE Young University Rankings

    ECU has been ranked in the world's top 100 universities under 50 years old in the 2020 Times Higher Education (THE) Young Universities Rankings, THE World University Rankings.

Courses

Our undergraduate courses lay the groundwork for a variety of future careers in health and medicine.

This includes areas like medical science, human biology, laboratory-based research, emergency medical services, health promotion, nutrition, environmental health, occupational safety and health, exercise and sports science and occupational therapy.

Medical & Health Sciences

If you already know what you're interested in, choose a discipline.

Exercise & Sports Science Exercise Medicine (Oncology) Health Science Medical & Biomedical Science Nutrition & Dietetics Occupational Health & Safety Occupational Hygiene & Toxicology Occupational Therapy Paramedicine Public Health Speech Pathology

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.

Download a guide

If you prefer paper over pixels, please download one of our guides.

Domestic Students

Study area guide Undergraduate course guide Postgraduate course guide

International Students

Create your own guide International student guide

Become World Ready

Experience Medical & Health Sciences at ECU.

World Ready facilities

Scholarship opportunities to reduce your expenses

Scholarships recognise those whose life journey may have been challenging, as well as students who've shown outstanding academic excellence and endeavour.

A scholarship can help you realise your ambitions by paying for fees, text books and living expenses.

Realise your dream with our scholarships

Fee sponsorship offered

ECU is offering Malaysian Industrial Hygiene Association members a fee sponsorship that will enable them to complete the Master of Occupational Hygiene and Toxicology at a reduced fee between 2018 and 2022.

The course is recognised by the International Occupational Hygiene Association National Accreditation Recognition Committee as it's accredited by both the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists and the British Occupational Hygiene Society.

By completing the course, students can apply for Certified Professional Industrial Hygienist certification. This global recognition allows graduates to advance their career internationally.

Explore your options

  • Master of Nutrition and Dietetics graduates, Tristan Schwartzkopff and Amber Harland discuss some of the best things about studying this course at ECU, including the great facilities and the work placement opportunity.

  • Associate Professor Erin Godecke is Senior Research Fellow in Speech Pathology and the Clinical Director of the Very Early Rehabilitation in SpeEch (VERSE) Trial for Aphasia after Stroke.

  • Associate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics Therese O'Sullivan's research into dairy products for children has received global attention.

  • Associate Dean of Public Health and OHS and Professor of Public Medicine Amanda Devine is working to develop education resources about healthy food and drinks for kids.

  • Master of Nutrition and Dietetics graduate, Jayde Sedgman talks about her role as a sports dietitian working with the Fremantle Football Club, and what she enjoyed about studying at ECU.

  • Master of Public Health by Research student Nathan Hambly discusses his Addiction Studies major and why he chose ECU.

  • Master of Occupational Hygiene & Toxicology student Constanze Spicer talks about study at ECU.

  • Belinda Owen, Master of Occupational Health & Safety student, talks about the flexibility offered by online study.

  • Bachelor of Science (Paramedical Science) student Meghann Laverty talks about her ECU experience.

  • In this short video, Course Coordinator, Associate Professor Greg Haff explains how ECU is Australia's only Level 2 accreditation provider for strength and conditioning.

  • Professor of Strength and Conditioning Greg Haff's research is focussed on encouraging kids to start building their fitness through Youth Resistance Training.

  • "Practical experiences, including the placements really helped shape where I wanted to go for a meaningful career."

  • Bachelor of Medical Science student, Melissa, discusses why she chose to study Medical Science at ECU, and the benefits of guest lecturers from industry.

  • Professor of Occupational and Environmental Health Jacques Oosthuizen is investigating the affects of hazardous chemicals on firefighters.

  • Lecturer Natalie Ciccone and students discuss Speech Pathology at ECU, including the benefits of gaining practical experience from year one.

  • Science student Tamara Pullella, who is majoring in Occupational Therapy, talks about her course and why she chose to study at ECU.

  • Health Science student Shona Halleen, who is majoring in Nutrition, talks about her course and why she chose to study at ECU.

  • ECU's Exercise Medicine Research Institute's work with exercise and cancer patients is having a significant impact on the rate of survivorship, especially in the area of prostate cancer, where the EMRI team is leading the world.

  • I was always interested in athletic performance.

  • Professor of Occupational and Environmental Health Jacques Oosthuizen is investigating the affects of hazardous chemicals on firefighters.

  • Senior Lecturer and researcher Dr Carolyn McIntyre is an integral part of ECU's exercise medicine oncology team.

Student stories

  • 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.

  • Biomedical Science student, Callum Robinson

    Callum Robinson

    Biomedical Science student

    "I've always wanted to pursue a career in medical research"

    I heard ECU's Biomedical Science course covered many different aspects of medical research, including genetics and human biology, so I saw this as a prime opportunity to further my education in this field.

    I've been able to gain practical experience in a laboratory outside of university and found this has increased the value of my CV immensely.

    My greatest achievement would have to be the International Science Project unit where we visited Tianjin Medical University in Tianjin, China. The trip and experiences have been invaluable!

    I've also received the Fertility North Prize in Reproductive Biology. This award has opened the door for possible postgraduate studies in an established laboratory.

  • Elsa Chew

    Elsa Chew

    Biomedical Science student

    "I feel safe and a sense of belonging when I am at ECU"

    I chose ECU for biomedical science because it has a flexible course structure. In my three years of studies, I was allowed to take units that interest me as electives, while also completing compulsory (core) units. It enhanced my whole study experience.

    The atmosphere at ECU is inclusive and has a community feeling to it. I feel safe and a sense of belonging when I am at ECU. Lecturers are very engaging and approachable which helped me keep track on my studies. They are knowledgeable and passionate about the things they do.

    If you are an international student who is new to ECU, get yourself involved as much as you can in whatever interests you. Help is always available and there are people ready to advocate for you if you need them. Join a club or a University activity, volunteer your time and put yourself out there!