Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Health Science requires the completion of 144 units, of which:

A maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

A minimum of 18 units must come from completion of 3000-level courses

A minimum of 12 units must come from completion of courses tagged as Transdisciplinary Problem-Solving

The 144 units must consist of:

54 units from completion of compulsory courses from the following list:

BIOL1004 Biology 2: Molecular and Cell Biology (6 units)

BIOL1008 Human Biology (6 units)

HLTH1001 Health in the 21st Century (6 units)

HLTH1002 Research Methods in the Health Sciences (6 units)

HLTH2001 Health Systems and Policy: An Introduction (6 units)

HLTH2002 Introduction to Global Health: Issues, Theories and Practices (6 units)

HLTH3001 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (6 units)

MEDN2001 Health and Medical Physiology (6 units)

MEDN2002 Pathogenesis of Human Disease (6 units)

And,

Either a minimum of 30 units from completion of courses from the themed lists below which must include:

A minimum of 6 units from completion of Biomedicine courses from the following list:

BIOL2142 General Microbiology (6 units)

BIOL2161 Genes: Replication and Expression (6 units)

BIOL2171 Biochemistry and Nutrition (6 units)

BIOL2174 Cell Physiology in Health and Disease (6 units)

CHEM1101 Chemistry 1 (6 units)

CHEM1201 Chemistry 2 (6 units)

MEDN2222 Exquisite Corpse (6 units)

MEDN3186 Human Anatomy (6 units)

MEDN3820 Biomedical Imaging: Principles, Technologies and Applications in Health Sciences (6 units)

A minimum of 6 units from completion of Health in Practice courses from the following list:

BIOL3191 Bioethics and Society (6 units)

DEMO2004 Social Inequalities in Health (6 units)

HLTH3002 Professional Practice in Health Science (6 units)

HLTH3004 Wicked Problems in Health Science (6 units)

PHYS1004 Life Physics (6 units)

POPH3000 Introduction to Population Health (6 units)

SCOM2031 Misinformation, Disinformation, and Risk (6 units)

SCOM3033 Health Promotion Principles and Practice (6 units)

SOCY2162 Sociology of Health and Illness (6 units)

A minimum of 6 units from completion of Psychology courses from the following list

PSYC1003 Psychology 1: Understanding Mind, Brain and Behaviour (6 units)

PSYC1004 Psychology 2: Understanding People in Context (6 units)

PSYC1005 The Wellbeing Formula: The Science and Practice of Making a Good Life (6 units)

PSYC2007 Biological Basis of Behaviour (6 units)

PSYC2009 Quantitative Methods in Psychology (6 units)

PSYC2012 Culture and Psychology (6 units)

A minimum of 6 units from completion of Culture, Society and Health courses from the following list

ANTH1002 Culture and Human Diversity: Introducing Anthropology (6 units)

ANTH2026 Medicine, Healing and the Body (6 units)

BIAN2015 Human Skeletal Analysis (6 units)

BIAN2119 Nutrition, Disease and the Environment (6 units)

BIAN3113 Human Evolution (6 units)

BIAN3124 Evolution and Human Behaviour (6 units)

BIAN3125 Ancient Health and Disease (6 units)

BIOL3191 Bioethics and Society (6 units)

CHMD2005 Health Humanities (6 units)

GEND3002 Gender and Sexuality in the Pacific (6 units)

HLMD3000 Health and Medicine Internship (6-12 units)

HLMD3021 Health and Medicine Research Project (6-12 units)

INDG1001 Country, Kinship and Continuities: An Introduction to Australian Indigenous Studies (6 units)

INDG1002 Resilience, Responsibility, and Resurgence: First Peoples' Experiences and Ways of Being (6 units)

LING2021 Cross Cultural Communication (6 units)

LING2034 Communication in Health Care (6 units)

Or, a minimum of 30 units from completion of courses from the lists below which must include:

18 units from completion of Pre-Medicine courses from the following list

BIOL2171 Biochemistry and Nutrition (6 units)

CHEM1101 Chemistry 1 (6 units)

CHEM1201 Chemistry 2 (6 units)

A minimum of 12 units from completion of courses from any 3000- level courses from the Biomedicine, Health in Practice, or Culture, Society and Health course lists

A minimum of 48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU.

Elective Study

Once you have met the program requirements of your degree, you may have enough electives to complete an additional elective major, minor or specialisation.

Study Options

Admission Requirements

At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not guarantee entry into the program.

In line with the university's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors.

The University reserves the right to alter or discontinue its programs and change admission requirements as needed.

Domestic applicants

Before applying for a program, you should review the general information about domestic undergraduate admission to ANU programs and how to apply, and the program-specific information below.

• Applicants with recent secondary education are assessed on:
  • completion of the Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (AQF) or equivalent and the minimum Selection Rank (from their academic qualifications, plus any adjustment factors) requirement for this program; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with higher education study are assessed on:
  • previous higher education studies; or secondary education results if the applicant has completed less than one year full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) of higher education; or the results from a tertiary preparation program; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are assessed on:
  • previously completed VET qualifications at AQF level 5 or higher (i.e. a Diploma or above); or secondary education results if the VET qualification is not completed; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.
• Applicants with work and life experience are assessed on:
  • secondary education if the Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (AQF) or equivalent was completed; or the Work and Life Experience Based entry scheme; and
  • English language proficiency; and
  • any program-specific requirements listed below.

International applicants

Applicants who complete a recognised secondary/senior secondary/post-secondary/tertiary sequence of study will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. A list of commonly observed international qualifications and corresponding admission requirements can be found here. Applicants must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.

Diversity factors & English language proficiency 

As Australia's national university, ANU is a global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe. If required, competitive ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency.

Further information is available for English Language Requirements for Admission

Program-specific Requirements

Admission to the Bachelor of Health Science also involves an assessment of suitability based on the Bachelor of Health Science Supplementary Form. Submission of this form is compulsory for all applicants. Please see below for further information about application deadlines and offer rounds. There are approximately 80 domestic places available in each intake of the Bachelor of Health Science. Thirty percent of offers made to domestic students are prioritised for students from rural backgrounds. See ANU Programs – Additional Selection Criteria for further information. From 2026, five places are prioritised for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants and ten places are prioritised for international applicants.

• For program-specific requirements for domestic applicants, please click here. 
• For program-specific requirements for international applicants, please click here.

Prerequisites

There are no formal program prerequisites and many first-year science courses assume little specific knowledge. The exceptions are:

• For many of the biology majors, chemistry is a requirement, therefore it is recommended that students have at least an ACT minor (but preferably a major) in chemistry, or successful completion of a bridging course in chemistry, or multi-strand science in NSW, or equivalent. Chemistry is essential for all later-year courses in the biological streams of biochemistry and cell biology, microbiology and immunology, molecular genetics, animal and human physiology, and some parts of botany and neuroscience. A bridging course is available in February details can be obtained through science.enquiries@anu.edu.au
• CHEM1101: ACT major in Chemistry, or successful completion of a bridging course in chemistry, or multi-strand science in NSW, or equivalent, is required. Chemistry is essential for all later-year courses in chemistry. A bridging course is available in February details can be obtained through science.enquiries@anu.edu.au
• MATH1003: Assumed knowledge: ACT Mathematical Methods (major)/Further Mathematics/Specialist Mathematics (major)/ Specialist Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics Advanced or equivalent
• MATH1005: ACT Mathematical Methods (major)/Further Mathematics/Specialist Mathematics (major)/ Specialist Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics Advanced or equivalent
• MATH1013: A satisfactory pass in ACT Specialist Mathematics Major - Minor or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1 or equivalent. Students with a good pass in ACT Mathematical Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics Advanced or equivalent will be considered
• MATH1115: A satisfactory pass in ACT Specialist Mathematics double major or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 2 or equivalent. Students with excellent marks in either ACT Specialist Mathematics major-minor or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1 or equivalent may be permitted to enrol
• PHYS1101: There is a corequisite of MATH1013/1115. See the entries above. There is no formal physics prerequisite but preparation is assumed and recommended. Recommended preparation is - NSW: a high standard in 2 unit physics or a multi-strand science; ACT: a high standard in physics (major)

Adjustment Factors

Adjustment factors are combined with an applicant's secondary education results to determine their Selection Rank. ANU offers adjustment factors based on equity, diversity, and/or performance principles, such as for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies.

To be eligible for adjustment factors, you must have:

• achieved a Selection Rank of 70 or more before adjustment factors are applied
• if you have undertaken higher education, completed less than one year full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) of a higher education program
• applied for an eligible ANU bachelor degree program

Please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.

Fee Information

All students are required to pay the Services and amenities fee (SA Fee)

The annual indicative fee provides an estimate of the program tuition fees for international students and domestic students (where applicable). The annual indicative fee for a program is based on the standard full-time enrolment load of 48 units per year (unless the program duration is less than 48 units). Fees for courses vary by discipline meaning that the fees for a program can vary depending on the courses selected. Course fees are reviewed on an annual basis and typically will increase from year to year. The tuition fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and the courses selected and are subject to increase during the period of study.

For further information on Fees and Payment please see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

Employment Opportunities

With a Bachelor of Health Science, you can launch your career path in medicine, allied health, health organisations and the public service, including in hospitals, public health units, healthcare foundations and academia.

See where a Bachelor of Health Science could take you: our career wheel will help you turn your interests into a career in science.

Learning Outcomes

1. Describe the biomedical sciences underpinning the functioning of the healthy body.
2. Discuss the determinants of good and poor health including biological, social and economical factors as they apply to Australian and global contexts.
3. Demonstrate an understanding and a commitment to professional ethics, social accountability, and cultural competency.
4. Search, analyse and synthesise information and to propose research questions relevant to biomedical science, population health and public health policy.
5. Demonstrate effective skills in leading and participating in teams to deliver successful health outcomes.

Inherent Requirements

Information on inherent requirements is currently not available for this program.

Other Requirements

Information on inherent requirements is currently not available for this program.

Further Information

What first year courses should you enrol in?

• BIOL1004 Biology 2: Molecular and Cell Biology (6 units)
• BIOL1008 Human Biology (6 units)
• HLTH1001 Health in the 21st Century (6 units)
• Students completing the pre-med pathway should also enrol in CHEM1101 and CHEM1201

Courses in this program that will contribute towards satisfying the transdisciplinary course requirements:

• HLTH2002 Introduction to Global Health: Issues, Theories and Practices (6 units) (compulsory)
• HLTH3002 Professional Practice in Health Science (6 units)
• HLTH3004 Wicked Problems in Health Science (6 units)
• PSYC1005 The Wellbeing Formula: The Science and Practice of Making a Good Life (6 units)
• PSYC2012 Culture and Psychology (6 units)
• SCOM3033 Health Promotion Principles and Practice (6 units)

Pathway to Medicine

The Bachelor of Health Science offers a direct pathway to the postgraduate Doctor of Medicine and Surgery (MChD) at ANU. Please refer to the pathway programs section here.

Vertical Double Degree pathway UGRD-PGRD (not available in FDD)

• This program is part of the Vertical Double Degree pathway structure offered by the College of Science and the College of Health and Medicine. The Vertical Double Degree pathway presents students with the opportunity to complete a 3-year undergraduate single degree offered by the ANU College of Science or the College of Health and Medicine with a cognate 2-year Masters degree in 4 years (full-time) instead of 5 years (full-time). For more information on applicable combinations, benefits and how to apply, eligibility and conditions, please visit https://science.anu.edu.au/vertical-double-degrees or https://health.anu.edu.au/vertical-double-degrees.
• Students who are interested in pursuing a Vertical Double Degree pathway with this program, are advised to contact the College of Science Student Services Office at students.chm@anu.edu.au and seek academic advice. Students who are already in an undergraduate degree offered by the College of Science or College of Health & Medicine should seek academic advice before completion of the first 72 units of their undergraduate studies.
• This pathway is not available to students in an undergraduate Flexible Double Degree.

Progression hurdle:

• Students in the Bachelor of Health Science who have opted for the Vertical Double Degree pathway must achieve a minimum GPA of 5.0 in the first 96 units attempted to commence the 24 units of Masters courses in their Bachelor degree. Students who do not achieve this GPA will be able to complete and graduate from their Bachelor degree but will not be able to undertake Masters courses.
• If the total number of units attempted exceeds 96 in the same teaching period in which the 96th unit is attempted, all courses attempted will be used in the calculation of the GPA.