Bachelor of Health Science

The Bachelor of Health Science is a distinctive science degree which will position you as a future leader in tackling health problems of national and global significance. This degree equips you with a broad understanding of the themes explored in advanced studies of medicine and offers an excellent pathway to the Doctor of Medicine and Surgery (MChD) at ANU. The Bachelor of Health Science draws upon the world-leading strengths of ANU in medical education, biomedical science, population health, psychology, social science and public policy to prepare you for a future in medical, allied health and health-related professions.

ANU is ranked the best university in Australia¹ and is the only Australian university rated ‘well above world standard’ for public health and health service research in all three of the Excellence in Research for Australia evaluations. We have produced three Nobel Prize-winners in Physiology and Medicine and are home to Australia’s national medical research institute.

The Bachelor of Health Science can also be combined with the Master of Public Health as a Flexible Vertical Double Degree, allowing you to graduate with an undergraduate and postgraduate qualification.

^{1 - QS World University Rankings 2018}

A pathway to medicine at ANU

The Bachelor of Health Science offers a pathway to the postgraduate Doctor of Medicine and Surgery (MChD) at ANU without having to sit the GAMSAT. At the end of their second year in the Bachelor of Health Science up to 30 students will receive an offer of entry to the Doctor of Medicine and Surgery (MChD), contingent upon their grade point average (GPA), an interview process, and successful completion of the Bachelor of Health Science. Ten of the 30 places in the Doctor of Medicine and Surgery (MChD) program are reserved for rural and Indigenous students from the Bachelor of Health Science.

Career 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.

You will graduate with an impressive skillset that includes knowledge of the biomedical sciences, an understanding of the biological, social and economic factors contributing to health outcomes, and research skills related to biomedical science, population health and public health policy.

How to apply

Applicants can apply to the Bachelor of Health Science program via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Applicants applying to this program must also submit the compulsory supplementary application form in addition to their UAC application.

Admission to undergraduate degrees is based on meeting the ATAR requirement or an equivalent rank derived from the following qualifications:

An Australian year 12 qualification or international equivalent; OR
A completed Associate Diploma, Associate Degree, AQF Diploma, Diploma, AQF Advanced Diploma, Graduate Certificate or international equivalent; OR
At least one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) in a single program of degree level study at an Australian higher education institution or international equivalent; OR
An approved tertiary preparation course unless subsequent study is undertaken

There are 60 places available for students in each intake of the Bachelor of Health Science.

As we are committed to building on our engagement with Indigenous and rural Australia, 15 of the available places are reserved for students from Indigenous or rural backgrounds. These students are strongly encouraged to apply, and adjustment factors may be available to you.

Additional selection criteria

Applicants applying to this program are required to submit a supplementary application form as part of their application. Submission of this form is compulsory for all applicants and is due by 30 November.

Of the 60 places available in the Bachelor of Health Science, 15 places are reserved for students from a rural background. Students from a rural background are asked to indicate this in their supplementary form and are required to submit supporting documentation to their primary application (eg. UAC).

Places are available in the Bachelor of Health Science program for applicants who are of Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent. Applicants are asked to indicate this in their supplementary form and are required to submit supporting documentation to their primary application (eg. UAC).

Additional information on the supplementary form and what can be provided as supporting documentation to support rural background and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent can be found on the main ANU website.