Bachelor of Health Science
Majoring in Psychology and Forensic Science
60.0
Choose your major
Biomedical Science
Use cutting-edge, interactive tech to understand the human body in a range of health and disease states in our Biomedical Science major.
Clinical Technologies
Learn about anatomy and physiology using cutting-edge med-tech in our Clinical Technologies major, which is endorsed by the Australian Neurophysiological Scientists of Australia (ANSA).
Neuroscience
Learn how to interpret the data generated by MRI and MEG machines to identify healthy brains, brain disorders, and diseases of the central nervous system in our Neuroscience major.
Nutrition
If you've put dietitian or nutritionist on your career menu, learn how food affects our world in our hands-on lab-based nutrition major.
Psychology and Forensic Science
Our Psychology and Forensic Science major prepares you for a rewarding career applying specialist knowledge in psychology to aspects of the law, the justice system and forensic science.
Psychology and Psychophysiology
Our Psychology and Psychophysiology major explores the role of physiological processes in psychology to prepare you for an engaging career on the frontiers of science and technology.
Public Health and Health Promotion
Empower people to live their healthiest lives by harnessing the power of digital technology through our Public Health and Health Promotion major.
Overview
Our Bachelor of Health Science leads to a range of rewarding jobs in the fast-growing health industry.
You’ll prepare for a real career with cutting-edge, industry-relevant tech in our campus labs, or lay the foundation for specialised postgraduate study.
Select a major that aligns with your interests and aspirations and study for a career that champions good health for all.
Course prerequisites have changed
The English and EAL study scores have been updated for Semester 1, 2025 entry. Please see the Entry requirements tab for updated information.
Looking to start in Semester 1, 2025?
Whatever stage you're at – from browsing courses to starting an application – our Study Expo is your one-stop-shop for info and advice.
Your major
Our Psychology and Forensic Science major prepares you for a rewarding career applying specialist knowledge in psychology to aspects of the law, the justice system and forensic science. Discover the roles of research and statistics in forensic issues by completing projects on research design and units related to forensic psychology.
Note: This Major is 12 units (150 Credit Points), and is not available for students in a double degree.
Note: This major can only be selected for Semester 1. This course requires 3 years for completion which will have implications on your student visa.
Your industry experience
Build up your CV with real industry experience while you study through our Work Integrated Learning program, a guaranteed part of all our bachelor degrees. In this degree, depending on your major, the Health Science Project (HEA30001) or the Psychology Project (PSY30003) gives you the opportunity to explore a student-led project with potential links into the industry.
Skills you’ll learn
- Strong communication skills
- Cognitive skills to analyse
- Critical thinking
- Technical skills
- Work effectively in a team
Your career opportunities
- Psychologist (with further study)
- Forensic psychologist (with further study)
- Behavioural therapist
- Medical researcher
- Counsellor
- Youth worker
Key codes
International student visa
International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.
Professional accreditations
Why Swinburne?
Ranked Top 500 in Public Health
ARWU Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022
The only uni in Australia to have both MRI and MEG at a single site
86% of graduates found employment within 4 months of completing their course
#1 in Melbourne for graduate salary 5 years out - $85.3K (national average $66.3K)
Study Health Science at Swinburne
At Swinburne you'll have access to cutting-edge technology, virtual reality and digital dissection tables. Combining this with real-world experience, you'll leave more than a graduate, you'll leave a workforce ready practitioner.
Qualifications
One of the following:
- successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification
- completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including certificates IV (completed), diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees).
Applicants without a formal qualification may be considered for entry upon completion of the STAT test.
Guaranteed Entry ATAR
60.0
Lowest ATAR to receive an offer in 2024 [after adjustment factors]
61.0
You’ll be guaranteed a place in this course if you meet or exceed the ATAR Guaranteed Entry Score, provided you meet the course prerequisites.
If your ATAR is below the guaranteed entry score, you can still be offered a place as your ATAR may be adjusted based on subject bonuses, equity schemes or other factors. Use the above ATAR as a guide on your eligibility, and see the course handbook page for more information on entry requirements.
Additional performance criteria and prerequisite requirements may also apply. Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit.
*Applicants without a formal qualification but with significant and relevant work experience will be considered if they can demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success.
Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.
Course prerequisites
These prerequisites have been updated for Semester 1 2025 entry
- VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 20 in any English (except EAL) or 25 in English as Alternate Language (EAL)
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. Check admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
English language requirements
Satisfactory completion of one of the following:
- IELTS overall band of 6.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 65%, all skills 65% or above
- or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?
A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. Check admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
Credit transfer
Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Apply for a pathway course
Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and/or provides credit (advanced standing) to the second.
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Diploma of Health Science (UniLink)
8 months full-time, 8 units max credit
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Diploma of Arts and Communication (UniLink)
8 months full-time, 8 units max credit
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Diploma of Business (UniLink)
8 months full-time, 8 units max credit
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Diploma of Health Science (UniLink)
8 months full-time, 8 units max credit
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Diploma of Arts and Communication (UniLink)
8 months full-time, 8 units max credit
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Diploma of Business (UniLink)
8 months full-time, 8 units max credit
Note: This information should be used as a guide for those who have completed a course and are seeking credit into another course. For those yet to commence their course, during the time taken to complete, this information may change. Credit available may vary depending on the major selected within any given degree. Progression to professional degrees may be subject to additional criteria or academic performance.
How credit points work
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Health Science requires students to complete units of study to the value of 300 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
What your course could look like
Units are listed in a proposed sequence. However this can be amended depending on unit availability, prerequisite requirements and the semester in which you commenced your course.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | |
|
Anatomy and Physiology
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
BIO10004 |
|
Introduction to Health Sciences
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
HEA10001 |
|
Digital Health Foundations
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
HEA10004 |
|
Foundations of Statistics
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
STA10003 |
| Semester 2 | |
|
Brain and Behaviour
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY10007 |
|
Introduction to Forensic Science
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
CHE10007 |
|
Fundamentals of Psychology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY10008 |
|
Introduction to Forensic Psychology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
FOR10001 |
Want to see the full range of electives?
Learn about all the electives you can take in the course handbook.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | |
|
Research Methods for Health Science
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
HEA20007 |
|
Developmental Psychology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY20007 |
|
Analysis of Variance and Regression
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
STA20006 |
|
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
|
| Semester 2 | |
|
Health and Disease Across the Life Course
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
BIO20004 |
|
Cognition and Human Performance
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY20006 |
|
Social Psychology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY20016 |
|
Statistics for Forensics
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
STA20008 |
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Professional placement - Major (12 months) | |
|
Work Experience In Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20001 |
|
Integrated Professional Placement A - Health
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
HEA20003 |
|
Work Experience in Industry B
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20002 |
|
Integrated Professional Placement B - Health
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
HEA20004 |
| or | |
| Professional placement - Minor (6 months) | |
|
Work Experience In Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20001 |
|
Integrated Professional Placement A - Health
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
HEA20003 |
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | |
|
Psychology of Personality
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY30008 |
|
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
|
| Semester 2 | |
|
Health Sciences Project
Core unit, 12.5 credit points, Non-psychology majors only |
HEA30001 |
|
Advanced Topics in Forensic Psychology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
FOR30001 |
|
Mental health diversity, diagnosis and treatment
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY30016 |
|
History and Philosophy of Psychology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
PSY30013 |
2024 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$8,948
Total fee* ($AUD)
$26,844
2024 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$38,340.00
Fees are estimates only
Published student tuition fees for 2024 unit enrolments in HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) are subject to change based on individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees may vary for units studied in future years, with part-time fees being proportionally lower depending on the number of units taken per semester. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
Fees are estimates only
The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to you if you are eligible and enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of your contribution amount. You can also choose to pay your fees up front.
International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.
To pay your fees:
- log in to My Financials
- check your Australian bank account details are correct
- check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
- pay using your preferred payment method.
Eligibility for HECS-HELP
You are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan if you have been offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) for an undergraduate degree at Swinburne or a UniLink course, and you:
- are an Australian citizen and doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
- hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
- hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens.
Student services and amenities fee
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
The fee shown in the capped amount for 2024.
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown in the capped amount for 2024.
Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$351.00
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$351.00
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2024 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.
Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.
When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.
Professional placement fees
Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.
Apply through an agent
Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.
Apply directly
Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.
Apply through VTAC
International students currently studying Year 12 in Australia must apply through VTAC. VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.
VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.
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"Swinburne provides valuable and unique opportunities to apply what you have learnt in the classroom to real-world situations. This can be through lab experiments, internships, placements or volunteering programs."
Sabina , Bachelor of Health Science (Professional)
