About offering
The health sciences major is multidisciplinary, giving you a solid grounding in public health. You can use the degree to work in the area of public health or as a pathway into other health degrees such as speech pathology, pharmacy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
Public health practitioners work to achieve better health through the prevention of disease and disability. Rather than working with individual clients, public health practitioners work at the community or whole population level.
They pay special attention to how social, economic and environmental factors affect health and wellbeing.
Your first year is interprofessional and taken with other health sciences students.
Optional units allow you to pursue your interests in other health areas or choose one subject for in-depth learning.
You may select a practicum unit in your third year of study.
Upon successful completion you will graduate with a Health Sciences Major.
Please refer to the handbook for additional course overview information.
What you'll learn
- apply discipline knowledge, understand its theoretical underpinnings and ways of thinking; extend the boundaries of knowledge through research
- apply logical and rational processes to analyse the components of an issue; think creatively to generate innovative solutions
- decide what information is needed and where it might be found using appropriate technologies; make valid judgements and synthesise information from a range of sources
- communicate in ways appropriate to the discipline, audience and purpose
- use appropriate technologies recognising their advantages and limitations
- use a range of learning strategies; take responsibility for one's own learning and development; sustain intellectual curiosity; know how to continue to learn as a graduate
- think globally and consider issues from a variety of perspectives; apply international standards and practices within a discipline or professional area
- respect individual human rights; recognise the importance of cultural diversity particularly the perspective of Indigenous Australians; value diversity of language
- work independently and in teams; demonstrate leadership, professional behaviour and ethical practices
Why study Bachelor of Science (Health Sciences)
- Flexible, well-rounded degree you can tailor to suit your specific interests in health sciences.
- This course is an established pathway into other undergraduate and postgraduate degrees into other health sciences degrees.
Student profile
View our student profile table to get an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students at Curtin University. This table provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and passed the census date in the most relevant recent intake period for which data are available. It includes those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia.
Professional recognition
Professional Memberships:
- Public Health Association of Australia
- Australasian Epidemiological Association.
Career information
- Public Health Professional
- Research Officer
- Ambulance Officer
- Hospital Administrator
- Health Information Manager
- Epidemiologist
- Health Promotion Officer
Admission criteria for Australian and New Zealand students
Australia / New Zealand students
International students
Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are as outlined in the IELTS table below. Additional information on how you can meet the English requirement can be found on the English proficiency page.
| IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System) | |
|---|---|
| Writing | 6.0 |
| Speaking | 6.0 |
| Reading | 6.0 |
| Listening | 6.0 |
| Overall band score | 6.5 |
What kind of applicant are you?
Applicants with recent secondary education
Completed your secondary education in Australia within the past two years? Learn how you can apply to Curtin.
Applicants with work and life experience
See how to apply if you’ve completed a pathway program, finished secondary education more than two years ago or spent time in the workforce.
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study
Learn how you can gain entry with a TAFE or other vocational education training (VET) qualification.
Applicants with higher education study
Find out how to apply and what credit you may be eligible for if you have previous higher education study.
Applicants with recent secondary education
Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, but also includes those who may have completed their senior secondary studies with a TAFE or other VET provider within the same time frame. This includes applicants whose secondary education was undertaken interstate or overseas.
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Guaranteed ATAR: 70
This is the ATAR level at which an offer of admission is guaranteed, subject to any other non-ATAR criteria being met. - Desirable WACE subjects:
Mathematics Applications ATAR and at least one ATAR science course from the following list: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Human Biology, Integrated Science, Physics or Psychology.
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STAT entry: Written English and either MC Verbal or Quantitative
The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) assesses competencies considered important for success at uni.
These tests are provided by the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) to help mature age candidates apply for certain courses.
Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.
Other admission options
Recipients of the John Curtin Undergraduate Scholarship will receive an early offer to study this course.
Successful StepUp Entry and StepUp Equity Adjustment Admission Pathway (StepUp Bonus) applicants will be eligible to be considered for admission into this course.
Portfolio entry is available for those who can demonstrate equivalence to Curtin’s ATAR entry through the submission of a portfolio that includes evidence of your academic achievements, qualifications and ability. Find out more about portfolio entry.
If you’re an indigenous applicant who hasn’t met Curtin’s minimum admissions criteria, the Centre for Aboriginal Studies offers bridging courses that are tailored to help you gain entry into this course.
Lowest selection rank to which a recent Year 12 student offer was made (including the consideration of any equity or other adjustment factors)
View the lowest selection rank (incorporating ATAR plus any adjustments) of an applicant to which an offer of a place was made in the most relevant recent intake period, this includes any ATAR adjustments.
Selection rank adjustments (previously referred to as ATAR related adjustments)
Details of the types of adjustment factors (bonus points) commonly available to applicants can be found on our StepUp to Curtin webpage.
ATAR and selection rank profile for those offered places wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR in the most recent intake period
View data on the ATAR and selection rank profile of offers made from the most relevant recent intake period.
Applicants with work and life experience
Applicants with work and life experience are those who left secondary education more than two years ago (i.e. who are not classified as recent secondary education applicants) and have not undertaken vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then.
‘Experience’ includes a combination of factors sufficient to demonstrate readiness for higher education such as mature-age entry, professional experience whether completion of the Special Tertiary Admission Test (STAT) is required or not, community involvement or work experience. Applicants may have undertaken non-formal programs that have helped prepare them for tertiary education or are relevant to the proposed higher education field of study.
-
Guaranteed ATAR: 70
This is the ATAR level at which an offer of admission is guaranteed, subject to any other non-ATAR criteria being met. - Desirable WACE subjects:
Mathematics Applications ATAR and at least one ATAR science course from the following list: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Human Biology, Integrated Science, Physics or Psychology.
-
STAT entry: Written English and either MC Verbal or Quantitative
The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) assesses competencies considered important for success at uni.
These tests are provided by the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) to help mature age candidates apply for certain courses. Portfolio entry is available for those who can demonstrate equivalence to Curtin’s ATAR entry through the submission of a portfolio that includes evidence of your academic achievements, qualifications and ability. Find out more about portfolio entry.
Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a VET course. This includes study at a public TAFE or other VET provider, whether a qualification was completed or not. Applicants with VET study may have other qualifications such as a Year 10 or Year 12 secondary school certificate.
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OR
Guaranteed ATAR: 70
This is the ATAR level at which an offer of admission is guaranteed, subject to any other non-ATAR criteria being met. - TAFE:
- AQF Certificate IV - Separate evidence of English language proficiency is required; or
- AQF Diploma; or
- AQF Advanced Diploma.
- Desirable WACE subjects:
Mathematics Applications ATAR and at least one ATAR science course from the following list: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Human Biology, Integrated Science, Physics or Psychology.
-
STAT entry: Written English and either MC Verbal or Quantitative
The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) assesses competencies considered important for success at uni.
These tests are provided by the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) to help mature age candidates apply for certain courses. Portfolio entry is available for those who can demonstrate equivalence to Curtin’s ATAR entry through the submission of a portfolio that includes evidence of your academic achievements, qualifications and ability. Find out more about portfolio entry.
Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.
Applicants with higher education study
Applicants with higher education are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course, such as a university degree. This includes applicants who are currently studying a higher education course at another education provider and want to transfer to Curtin University, or applicants who are currently studying at Curtin but want to switch to a different course. It also includes applicants who have completed past study with university and non-university higher education providers.
- Open University Australia units may be used to meet the admission criteria for this course. Find out more about this pathway option.
- Curtin offers a variety of bridging courses to help you meet the admission criteria for this course. Find out more about our bridging courses.
- Desirable WACE subjects:
Mathematics Applications ATAR and at least one ATAR science course from the following list: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Human Biology, Integrated Science, Physics or Psychology.
Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.
Curtin course switcher criteria
Our admission criteria for minimum entry apply to Curtin course switchers. For information on how to meet Curtin's minimum entry requirements, please see our admission criteria web page.
Higher education course switcher criteria
Our admission criteria for minimum entry apply to other higher education course switchers. For information on how to meet Curtin's minimum entry requirements, please see our admission criteria web page.
Cut-off scores
Please note: The cut-off scores below are for 2018 only.
| Qualification | Score |
|---|---|
| GCE/STPM/HKALE (A-levels - best of three) | 5 |
| HKDSE | 15 |
| IB | 24 |
| Ontario Gr 12 (best of 6) | 60 |
| ATAR (including WACE/SACE/HCE/VCE) | 70 |
| WAUFP (CPS) | 53 |
| India (CBSE) | 60% |
| India (HSC) | 65% |
| Sri Lanka | 5 |
Minimum academic entry requirements
Essential course prerequisites
Mathematics and one science subject from the following list; biology, chemistry, earth and environmental science, human biology, integrated science, physics or psychology.
Essential requirements for admission (including fieldwork requirements)
Many of our courses require students to comply with additional essential requirements. Failure to comply with any of the essential requirements may potentially prevent the successful completion of the course and/or achieving professional registration.
Fieldwork requirements during the course
Please refer to the following statements on the fieldwork component of this course:
Advanced standing / credit transfer / recognition of prior learning
Australia / New Zealand students
International students
At Curtin, we understand that everyone’s study journey has been different.
You may have already studied some of the units (subjects) listed in your Curtin course, or you may have work experience that matches the degree requirements.
If this applies to you, you can apply for credit for recognised learning (CRL), which means your previous study is recognised and matched against a similar unit in your intended Curtin course.
A successful CRL application exempts you from having to complete certain units within your course and means you could finish your degree in a shorter amount of time.
CRL is also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing and credit transfer.
Use the CRL search to find out how much CRL you qualify for, or contact us at:
Email: crl@curtin.edu.au
Tel: 1300 222 888
At Curtin, we understand that everyone’s study journey has been different.
You may have already studied some of the units (subjects) listed in your Curtin course at another educational institution, or you may have work experience that matches the degree requirements.
A successful CRL application exempts you from having to complete certain units within your course and means you could finish your degree in a shorter amount of time.
CRL is also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing and credit transfer.
Use the CRL search to find out how much CRL you qualify for, or contact us at:
Email: ci-enquiries@curtin.edu.au
Tel: 1300 222 888
Fees and charges
Australia / New Zealand students
International students
Australian and New Zealand student indicative fees for 2019
Fee year: 2019
| Student type | Cost |
|---|---|
Commonwealth supported What is a Commonwealth supported place (CSP)? A CSP is subsidised by the Australian Government. They pay part of the course fees directly to Curtin and then the student pays the remainder (referred to as the “student contribution amount”). The student can defer this fee to their HECS-HELP loan. All Australian students studying an undergraduate degree are automatically awarded a Commonwealth supported place. A limited number of Commonwealth supported places are also available for some postgraduate courses. Learn more about CSPs and whether you’re eligible by visiting the Australian Government’s StudyAssist website. |
$8,700* |
Fees are indicative first year only and are subject to passage of legislation.
*The indicative first-year fee is calculated on 200 credit points, which is the typical full-time study load per year, however some courses require additional study to be completed, in which case the fee will be higher than that shown.
This fee is a guide only. It may vary depending on the units you choose and does not include incidental fees (such as lab coats or art supplies) or the cost of your textbooks – visit other fees and charges for more information. For more information on fees and to determine your eligibility for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP, please visit fee basics or the Study Assist website
If you’re not an Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen, please see information for international students.
International student fees for 2019
Fee year: 2019
| International onshore – fee paying | Cost |
|---|---|
| Indicative essential incidental course fee | $375* |
| Offer letter (100 credit) published fee | $16,400* |
| Total indicative course fee | $99,100* |
| Indicative year 1 fee | $33,400* |
Fee year: 2020
| International onshore – fee paying | Cost |
|---|---|
| Indicative essential incidental course fee | $375* |
| Offer letter (100 credit) published fee | $17,000* |
| Total indicative course fee | $103,100* |
| Indicative year 1 fee | $34,800* |
The fees shown above apply to international students studying on-campus in Western Australia. The indicative tuition fee is subject to an annual tuition fee increase of up to 5 per cent and may be subject to legislative change.
The indicative first-year fee is calculated on 200 credit points, which is the typical full-time study load per year, however some courses require additional study to be completed, in which case the fee will be higher than that shown.
This fee is a guide only. It may vary depending on the units you choose and does not include incidental fees (such as lab coats or art supplies) or the cost of your textbooks. For information about fees at other locations please contact the relevant campus or partner institution by visiting Curtin International’s offshore site.
Where you can study
For start dates, please view the academic calendar.
On Campus and Online
Semester 1 and Semester 2
On Campus and Online
Semester 2
How to apply
Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice:
Please note that each campus has different application deadlines. Please view our application deadlines page for further information.
Apply nowNext steps
If you are successful in your application to study at Curtin, you will receive a letter of offer via email. You can either accept or defer your offer. To find out more about this process, view our enrolment web page.
You may also like to find out how you can obtain financial assistance or apply for a scholarship and prepare for Orientation Week (O-Week).
Where to get further information
- More about studying at Curtin
- Visit the WA Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) website
- Visit the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) website
- Visit the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) website
- Our admission appeals and grievance process
Applicants applying for an undergraduate degree with an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
Find information on how you can apply to study at Curtin with an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma if you are applying for an undergraduate degree.
Applicants with other international qualifications
Find information on what qualifications you can use to apply for a Curtin course.
The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information. View courses information disclaimer.
- Curtin course code: B-HLTHSC
- CRICOS code: 003691K
- This offering was last updated on: 15/07/2019